Rallye VRS Capri

[Ray Morley]

I was cruising around Edmonton the other night and spotted what I thought was a Kadett Rallye. When I actually got closer to the car I realized it was a Ford Capri.

Here are a couple of pics to compare.

[jeff denton]

I believe the Capri has a "2.6" badge on the fender. Makes it a pretty hot little number. You don't see them around much anymore, huh?

[opeletti75]

yea my sister had one it was a nice car and pretty quick real nice apostlery and a cool hump in the middle of the hood

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by jeff denton I believe the Capri has a "2.6" badge on the fender. Makes it a pretty hot little number. You don't see them around much anymore, huh?

Actually it would be a "2.8" V6, Cologne version IIRC. I had a 1976 Capri II. The earlier version (pre-1976) with the 2.6 had a bit more of a "notch" in the rear roof-line and was actually British-built for many that were imported, which interestingly made them MUCH less reliable than the German versions. The Capri II's were all German, and while "quick", it was certainly no muscle car. Mine was bought brand new by my brother (of the Austin Healey persuasion) and I acquired it when my Opel GT ate it's camshaft in 1986. Which led to the the past twenty-two years of Opel restoration madness...

Anyway, the reason you don't see many is their propensity for corrosion. From the inside out, not to mention weak suspension components, troublesome carbs, a tendency to plug off their catalytic converters and other Ford-like ailments. Mine suffered the ultimate indignity of having its vinyl roof (yes, this WAS the seventies!) peel off in a car-wash, with the driver of the car behind me doing the following: Several of these have donated their drive-trains to Opel GT's, but the engine isn't particularly strong unless quite extensively re-worked, what with the low compression, emission-hampered engine design or their era.

[baz]

if its a german capri it could be a RS 2.6 a super hot little number

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by baz if its a german capri it could be a RS 2.6 a super hot little number

And if Ray lived in Germany instead of Canada, it would be
But alas, our Capri's were burdened with a multitude of emissions controls without the benefit of fuel injection, weighed about 300 pounds more due to the heavy 5 mph bumpers and side door guard beams, and a suspension notably more "American" in response than the Euro versions. IIRC, the later German Capri (post 1980?) with the 3 litre was also quite a performer, and I believe is still sought after for restoration

[baz]

i thought all the capri's you got in north america were of german origin not british

what engines came in them ?
we have I-4 1.3 , 1.6 , 2.0 (some early ones were V-4) and
V-6 3.0 (turning later to 2.8 cologne as the 3.0 essex went out of production)

the german ones were normally the V-4 1.3 , 1.5 1.7 and V-6 2.0L, 2.6L, 2.8L, 3.1L, 3.4L iirc

[broszzy]

I had three, a 71 with 1600 73 with a 2000 and a 76 capri II with the 2.8 all fun to drive. the 71 I bought for fifty dollars and had to dig it out of a snow bank in Jan. put in a battery and it fired right up, drove the snot out of that car.

Broszzy

[jeff denton]

I had to do a little research on them a couple years ago because one #65 showed up from Oregon to race with us. Look in Wikepedia for all the facts.
We had quite the argument at a rules meeting last year because he (#65) claimed he could swap a 2.3 in for the 2.0. I stated that if he did, I could then use a 2.2 or 2.4. Fair is fair. I told the tech man that if he can show me when a 2.3 OHC Ford four cylinder engine was offered in a Mark I (1970-74) Capri I'd eat my hat.
I still have my hat.
It doesn't matter that a 2.3 V6 was available once in a 1969 Capri, you see.

[markandson]

My first new car was a '73 Capri, German made I believe, with a 2.6 V6 in it and a 4 Spd. I loved that little car, until 1981 when I got my first BMW a used 320i, been in BMW's ever since. My Capri was British Racing Green, I have only one picture of it and that is only the back half cause it's just happened to be in the back ground. The 73 was the last year with chrome bumpers and very little emission control here in the States, the 74's had the 2.8 with the air pump and the rubber bumpers which made them slower than the '73's and in my opinion not as nice looking.

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by baz i thought all the capri's you got in north america were of german origin not british what engines came in them ? we have I-4 1.3 , 1.6 , 2.0 (some early ones were V-4) and V-6 3.0 (turning later to 2.8 cologne as the 3.0 essex went out of production) the german ones were normally the V-4 1.3 , 1.5 1.7 and V-6 2.0L, 2.6L, 2.8L, 3.1L, 3.4L iirc

IIRC, only a few of the early Capri's were British, and that may have only been in Canada. I have seen the 1.6 & 2.0 I-4's and 2.6 V-6 in the early model although apparently it came with the 2.8 in 1974. The Capri II's came to North America with the 2.8 V-6, and apparently the 2.3 I-4. The Capri II only were available from 1976 to early 1978, with no official 1975 Capri model imported into North America. In 1979 Ford badged a Mustang as a Mercury Capri, with a variety of engines including the Cologne 2.8 V-6, an in-line 6, and a Ford 2.3 turbo with the Michelin 390 mm TRX wheels (my oldest brother had one and it was a POS).

[baz]

Originally Posted by markandson the 74's had the 2.8 with the air pump and the rubber bumpers which made them slower than the '73's and in my opinion not as nice looking.

did it have the 2.8 cologne A from the mustang with the 6 port heads or the B with 5 port heads ? (Siamesed exhaust )

the 6 ports could make some gooooooooood power , i had 212 from mine in a mustang 2
cost a lot to get it there but so much easier than getting a B spec engine to that point

[markandson]

Originally Posted by baz did it have the 2.8 cologne A from the mustang with the 6 port heads or the B with 5 port heads ? (Siamesed exhaust ) the 6 ports could make some gooooooooood power , i had 212 from mine in a mustang 2 cost a lot to get it there but so much easier than getting a B spec engine to that point

Don't know Baz, I never owned one, I am only familiar with the basics of what was in the cars at the time.

[crliwa]

my brother had a 71? Capri w/ the 2.0 4 cylinder . it was definitely faster than my 75 hp 73 GT.. Yes Keith RUST was a terrible problem w/them ..also broke a clutch cable once and was told that was not unusual. He sold it to my father and bought the 1st RX-7 in suffolk county.. now that was a fun car... but soon he had to have a Porsche so he bought one of the first 944's drove it to Florida and sold it to buy a house.. his ex got the house and he does not have another Porsche.. there must be a lesson here.

[Motor Mouth]

I'm sure the 2.8 didn't come out until 1980, the earler cars were 3.0litres, apart from the German 2.6's and 3.1's of which i'd be happy to have either.....especially a 2.6RS in full Touring Car Spec

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by Motor Mouth I'm sure the 2.8 didn't come out until 1980, the earlier cars were 3.0litres, apart from the German 2.6's and 3.1's of which i'd be happy to have either.....especially a 2.6RS in full Touring Car Spec

Perhaps in Europe, but the 1976 and 1977 Capri II FOR SURE had a 2.8 V6 Cologne engine in North America

[baz]

that would be the A spec engine then , with "Arizona" 6 port heads

much better engine than our 2.8's mark

[markandson]

Originally Posted by Motor Mouth I'm sure the 2.8 didn't come out until 1980, the earler cars were 3.0litres, apart from the German 2.6's and 3.1's of which i'd be happy to have either.....especially a 2.6RS in full Touring Car Spec

Here in the States I am certain that the '74 had the 2.8 because when I found out the larger engine was in the year just after I bought mine I was disappointed until I found out the other things that they did to it.

[Welsh Wizard]

My Stable ( Garage) houses both thoroughbreds

1971 Opel GT and the Very special 1977 MayTurbo Capri. Swiss Engineer Michael May, Turbo charged a number of vehicles back in the seventies. This one started life as a 2.6 but is now out to 3.1. Needs a reliable ignition system that will recognise the boost. I know it's available but I think the walk in closet will come before an MTB6.
Always loved Capris and have owned several examples while trying to 'Grow up' ...then Rob introduced me to Opels and well you can imagine how this will end. The Opels already out number the Fords but I do have a barn to fill so who knows.
Happy Motoring fellow enthusiasts.
Derek

[76capri]

Originally Posted by Welsh Wizard My Stable ( Garage) houses both thoroughbreds Very special 1977 MayTurbo Capri.

A 77? If it is a 77 it has some sort of facelift. Those are MKIII bumpers and grill on that car....along with the MKIII fenders and hood. Maybe it's really a 78?

The 2.8L wasn't available in a Capri in the USA till 74. The 2.8 was the biggest engine Capris had here. The 3.0 was never imported.

Most if not all Capris that were left hand drive were made in Cologne Germany. I can't dispute if a few EARLY (1969 production, 1970 model years) one's came from the UK, but I doubt it. Easy enough to tell from th VIN.

Interesting Capri you've got there. You might want to join our "little" mailing list at:

capri-list : A list Devoted to Ford's Sporty Mercury Capri

[Welsh Wizard]

"This one started life as a 2.6 but is now out to 3.1."

Cologne donk, born in Germany, car shipped out of UK several years ago. Sporting full 'RS Motorsport' Arches , hence Mk111 fenders and bonnet ,
(sorry Hood! ) Set up for fast tarmac track events and quite unique.
77/78 was the transition period in Germany and UK so a few oddballs around depending on initial delivery to dealer or time spent at dealership if you get my drift.

Thanks for the invite to the Capri club, may take a look at some point.

In the mean time...Having plenty of fun with 'KAYS GT' , dropping into third and pressing the loud pedal when the rice burners cruise along side for a look..
The yellow GT is proving to be a reliable,spirited and fun daily driver even in Montreal rush hour traffic. No point just looking at it and polishing it hey?

Opel , Ford, whatever I guess I am just a fan of the 'Retro' motors.

Happy Motoring fellow enthusiasts.