Ford Capri RS3100 onboard: Time For Coffee?
The Capri is 50 years old this year - no more excuse needed for a video celebration...
While overshadowed in the Ford coupe ranks by the Mustang that it owed its existence to, there can be no doubting the significance of the Capri to a certain generation of UK enthusiasts. Across three generations and nearly 20 years of sales, it captured the imagination of many; here, at last, was a sexy desirable two-door Ford, one that that was affordable and - with the right engine, at least - fast as well.
A motorsport career only aided the Capri legend, racing (and winning) across Europe against 911s, CSLs and the like, with further success in British saloon car racing. It's a legacy that's being celebrated at the Silverstone Classic this year, and one we're only too happy to get behind with videos like this.
It comes from last year's Oldtimer GP at the Nurburgring, seemingly an absolute feast of excitement for those who like classic motorsport. It features an RS3100 Capri, arguably the most iconic racing one of the lot, battling on the GP track with a BMW M1 and a Porsche 934 - it's sportscar racing nirvana, put simply. The big V6 howls and growls its way around, manipulated by one of those manual gearbox things (keep an eye on that right until the end, in fact), the effort put in by driver Stefan Mucke visible for all to see. It's an absolute treat.
For any fans of tin-top racing, of fast Fords, or just a sweet old V6, this one is well worth a watch. Or, more specifically, a listen. Just keep the tab open alongside the ones that are meant to be, and drink it all in...
Magnificent sound to that point though. No match for the 935 in a straight line, but caught up quite a bit in the corners.
My first road car, was this 72 3000 GT, the fastest 3 Litre Capri in East London in the early 80s
We never did find out who " tweaked " it, but it would pull 128 @ 5,800 rpm and was still pulling, but was diabolically unstable @ high speed, it needed a front spoiler.
Stupidly swaped it at a horse traders garage in Croydon, with a 70 TR-6 with a bent chassis, in June 72. Those Cowboys saw me coming a Mile away!
Jackie Stewart launches the RS3100 in London’s Hanover Square.
This one was unique in that it was painted purple velvet metalic, with a steel sunroof and leather trim.
It is thought that Stewart had the use of this “
pre production “ car for six months.
( These cars were very hard to sell in 1974, so Ford handed many of them to their management to get them out on the roads. They even sent 50 to OZ ! )
Ownership of this one, then passed via SuperSpeed, of Let St. Ilford, to a good pals, Late Dad, in Chigwell, Essex. It was last seen in Chelmsford Essex, by the second owners son, looking very down @ heel and with a large dent in one of its front wings, in the late 70s. It is thought that it was then involved in an accident and was scrapped, not long after.
Jackie Stewart launches the RS3100 in London’s Hanover Square.
This one was unique in that it was painted purple velvet metalic, with a steel sunroof and leather trim.
It is thought that Stewart had the use of this “
pre production “ car for six months.
( These cars were very hard to sell in 1974, so Ford handed many of them to their management to get them out on the roads. They even sent 50 to OZ ! )
Ownership of this one, then passed via SuperSpeed, of Let St. Ilford, to a good pals, Late Dad, in Chigwell, Essex. It was last seen in Chelmsford Essex, by the second owners son, looking very down @ heel and with a large dent in one of its front wings, in the late 70s. It is thought that it was then involved in an accident and was scrapped, not long after.
Clearly, all done at AVO in the Special Build section. So, that's at least 3 known cars that were built at AVO in Purple Velvet
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