Group 2 Ford Capri RS2600/3100 racing history and whereabouts (mega merge!)

[Frank de Jong]

Unless you find an Australian who knows the history, you need to give a little more information, since there were at least 20 Capris racing all over Europe at the time. Did the car get to Australia early or late in '73? Color? What kind of bodywork (rounded or square wheel arches)? Original rim size 13" or 15"?
Etcetera...

[Camaroz]

Originally Posted by Frank de Jong

Unless you find an Australian who knows the history, you need to give a little more information, since there were at least 20 Capris racing all over Europe at the time. Did the car get to Australia early or late in '73? Color? What kind of bodywork (rounded or square wheel arches)? Original rim size 13" or 15"?
Etcetera...

Hi again Frank!

First of all apologies, the car in fact arrived in AU in 1972. It's first event here was the 'International Dulux Rally' (a combination of Dirt Rally, Race Track, Hillclimb, Dirt Track and Closed Road Events over 10 days from Brisbane to Melbourne) in November 1972.

The car was presented in the then current 'factory' colours of blue/white. It had the rounded guards and 13" BBS wheels and of course, LHD.

Media reports of the day have the car being prepared at "...Ford England's Boreham facility..". The car was apparently sourced and paid for by Ford Australia.

This car is not to be confused with the RS 2600 that ended up in NZ with Paul Fahey though both cars appeared very similiar.

Cheers.

[Frank de Jong]

From the top of my head, in 1972 there were 5 new cars built in Cologne, 3 works cars, one for the Kent International team and one for Malcolm Gartlan. But all of them had 15" wheels, which suggest this car is a 1970 or 1971 car. Does it have double headlamps or square ones?

[2F-001]

I saw what I believe to be the 'Kent' (Frami car - used by Hezemans in the '72 TT and elsewhere?? Pole at Silverstone, iirc) machine, still in livery, just a couple of months ago - a friend was storing if for its owner.

I recall Gerry Birrell racing one too - was that '72, and which one would that have been?

[Camaroz]

Originally Posted by Frank de Jong

From the top of my head, in 1972 there were 5 new cars built in Cologne, 3 works cars, one for the Kent International team and one for Malcolm Gartlan. But all of them had 15" wheels, which suggest this car is a 1970 or 1971 car. Does it have double headlamps or square ones?

Double headlamps!

Gartlan's was the 'Yogi' Muir car wasn't it?

This car has always been quoted as a 'Cologne' car in the articles I can source here. Glemser (spelling?) has also been mentioned.

I am trying to find a decent photo to scan and send to you but the best one is printed over two pages. I'll see how I go.

Cheers.

[Frank de Jong]

Double headlamps suggest it being built after 1970 at least, so probably a 1971 car. The blue/white colors were used from august 1971 onwards. Ford normally sold its cars to privateers, and I guess it raced in 1972 too before being sold to Australia - of course, nearly all cars were resprayed. The only possible exception could be Waltraud Odenthal's car which was often raced in works colors, much to the grief of Ford. She was the daughter of a Ford dealer and always had good equipment, even racing one of the only 2 24-valve cars in private hands in 1975.

[J2M]

I am looking for more information about the chassis that won the Spa 24H in 1971 with Glemser and Soler-Roig.
It is unclear to me what other races this car has been entered into by the Ford factory (LM in 72?)
Thanks in advance for any help you can bring

[wellys]

Originally Posted by Steve Holmes

I wonder if it was an Australasian thing, calling them Cologne Capri's. During the 70's there were several V8 Capri's competing in Sports Sedan competition, the Cologne Capri certainly sounded like a more exotic name.

was nothing to do with Austrailia, they were called that because they were built in the ford plant in cologne germany, plus all the cologne capris were all V6, the V8's were Perenas

[Alex E]

Driftwood,
The car that raced here around 1990 was driven by Norris Miles in the Anglo - German races. From memory a well know Alerican bloke owned?? Think it went to NZ in early `90`s. Is it still there ? I think it was with GAA engine ?? Norris also had a original 12v Capri in his workshop around then.
Alex

[driftwood]

Norris Miles was a Kiwi, the car owner was a "wealthy" man name escapes me but he was on the receiving end of the Old number 1 Bentley case with Stanley Mann if memory serves me correctly.
There was an article on the Gp 2 Capri in Classic & Sports Car magazine at the time?
I am not convinced it was a pukka factory built car.
The Cologne Capri in NZ was there from '75 ish raced in NZ with Singapore Airlines sponsorship and did go up to Asia to do a race.
That car was later sold off in bits and around 1990 the shell was bought and the owner (on South Island) was searching for the parts. I do believe he found some and bought other parts to get the car running again.

[drivers71]

Cologne Capris at the Tourist Trophy, Silverstone September 1973
With an impressive driver line-up.

[drivers71]

First B&W photos taken at the September 1972 Tourist Trophy at Silverstone - Works 'Cologne' Capri and the Brian Muir car, which also featured at Mallory Park, October 1972 - Colour photos

[drivers71]

The ex-'Cologne', ex-Alex Soler-Roig 'Cologne' Capri at Mallory Park, October 1976 - which I think had been obtained by Vince Woodman, and finished 6th in the Tricentrol Super Saloon Championship race (against the 5 litre Firenza (Gerry Marshall)and 5 litre Capris (Tony Strawson, Tony Rosen) 7 litre Capri of Bill Cox - Didn't have time to dig out the Autosports yet.

[drivers71]

Mallory Park March 1976, NOT October

[Andy Clegg]

Originally Posted by Sarnie

I have seen 3 of the works RS3100's as follows -

GAECPY19999 ex Alan Moffat car when it came to the UK, I took a pic (see below) of it at the Brooks auction IIRC it sold for £54k.

GAECPB19997 which came over from Germany last year for the Goodwood Festival, WOW what a sound !

GAECNA19997 which I saw at the TWR auction last year at Brands Hatch & went for £62k. The chassis # is what was printed in the catalogue, I did get a look under the bonnet but forgot to check it out. Managed to talk them into letting me sit in it although it must have been set up for Lauda still as it was a bit tight

This is the Capri from Goodwood 2003.
Andy

[Dan Rear]

Originally Posted by drivers71

Mallory Park March 1976, NOT October

I don't think this is the Woodman car. Nick Whiting used this one for a few races early 76, including the March Mallory meeting as pictured.

It was a late replacement at that race, and in the early April one too, for his BDG Escort, which I don't think was quite ready early that year - he may have had his hands full preparing the Divi F1 Surtees instead. He was 2nd to Sugden in the March race, but won the April one.

Did he take it in part-ex from Spain for an Escort, rings a vague bell?

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

I don't think this is the Woodman car. Nick Whiting used this one for a few races early 76, including the March Mallory meeting as pictured.

It was a late replacement at that race, and in the early April one too, for his BDG Escort, which I don't think was quite ready early that year - he may have had his hands full preparing the Divi F1 Surtees instead. He was 2nd to Sugden in the March race, but won the April one.

Did he take it in part-ex from Spain for an Escort, rings a vague bell?

Great info Dan, I bet only a few knew this? Who did Nick sell it onto afterwards though, Woodman or someone else?

[Sarnie]

Here is some video I did from Goodwood 2003....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv5qVsgBY5Q

[Brickyard]

Hello,

this thread is similar to the Group A cars we have been discussing. This time is about the Group 2 Capris.

Who's with me?

Regards
Luis

[Brickyard]

Oops!

I can't edit my previous message but the main title should be "Group 2 Ford Capri RS2600/RS3100 racing history and whereabouts"

I forgot the Capri thing...

Can any of the moderators correct please?

Regards
Luis

[chunterer]

There was a thread dedicated to the 'Cologne Capri' a few years back which certianly generated a lot of interest but that was before we really got into touring car research and investigations in the last few years!!

Good idea for thread Brickyard, i'll look for the other one and see if it warrants a merge!

[Brickyard]

Originally Posted by chunterer

There was a thread dedicated to the 'Cologne Capri' a few years back which certianly generated a lot of interest but that was before we really got into touring car research and investigations in the last few years!!

Good idea for thread Brickyard, i'll look for the other one and see if it warrants a merge!

Great, chunterer.
And thanks for editing the title.

[chunterer]

Ok this may be a bit jumbled up now but most of the thread should be about these cars, just not in a great order!!

I'd just like to offer that there's 3 or 4 cars in the UK at the moment.

Vince Woodman's Broadspeed car now running in period works factory cologne livery is a regular on the historic scene sharing with Dan Cox.

Does Shaun Lynn have one as well?

And what about the one Andy Rouse part built/part restored a couple of years back? What's happening with that one?

I think there might be another too?

I expect there several more in Belgium, France and Germany let alone any that have found their way to places like Australia and America?

Peter Mallett mentioned there's one in New Zealand back along?

[Jesper OH]

Just read through the tread - very interesting cars of which I know little, as they were in their hey day when I was a toddler. A pair of Capris in late RS2600 look raced in historic racing in Sweden in 2003 at least and Horst Kwech had an RS2600 for North American Trans-Am racing in at least 1973, just to add a little bit.

Jesper

[brown dog]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Peter Mallett mentioned there's one in New Zealand back along?

There are three genuine cars in NZ. One is an early (71 or 72 I think) RS2600. Then there is the Ex Lauda/Moffat works RS3100, one of four(?) factory built RS3100's. The last is an RS3100, which was originally an RS2600, that was converted to an RS3100 back in the day, this is owned by the same person who has the RS2600.. The first two cars are complete and appear at race meetings, the last has not run for years and is undergoing an extensive restoration.