- Auctions
- The Iconic Sale at Supercar Fest 2025
- 1974 Ford Capri RS3100
1974 Ford Capri RS3100
Lot Number: 864
1974 Ford Capri RS3100
Corgi-modelled and magazine-featured, this rare RS3100 has benefited from a long term professional restoration.
- ESTIMATE: £55,000 - £65,000
+ buyer's premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT)
You can choose to bid in the room, by phone, online or via commission.
LIVE AUCTION: This lot will be auctioned on Saturday 17th May, 2025 at 12.00pm BST at Sywell Aerodrome, Sywell, Northampton, NN6 0BN
-
BODY COLOUR
Diamond White -
DRIVE
RHD -
REG NUMBER
TBL 636M -
ODOMETER READING
81000 Miles
SUMMARY
Corgi-modelled and magazine-featured, this rare RS3100 has benefited from a long term professional restoration.
DESCRIPTION
'The car you always promised yourself' was the advertising slogan used by Ford at the launch of their new Capri in 1969 and that may well have been true for lots of people, but if you were keen on 'sporting motoring', then the Capri 1300L was unlikely to have been on the letter you wrote to Father Christmas. However as the model range expanded and larger and larger engines became available, the Capri began to be recognised as a decent performance car.
Ford were and still are experts in using their motorsport involvement to keep their showroom doors creaking, particularly so in the 1970s and soon an RS2600 Capri was commissioned and built to compete in the European Touring Car Championship, initially with considerable success. However, BMW had bigger ideas and introduced the more powerful 3.0 CSL, rapidly stealing a march on Ford at the circuits. In response, Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations got the go ahead in September 1973 to build a batch of Capri RS 3100s to homologate the car for the E.T.C.C. and the motorsport public were treated to some very special racing in the 1974/1975 season as both manufacturers showed scant regard for cost, both on and off the track.
The Essex 3.0 V6 was over bored to 3,091cc, developed by Cosworth and when fuelled through a Weber 38DGAS, produced 148bhp and 187lb/ft of torque. The gearbox was a standard Granada unit with an Atlas diff and this combination when fitted to the road car resulted in 0 - 60mph in 7.3 secs and a top speed of 125mph. The suspension was modified with stiffer front springs and competition rear springs and Bilstein Gas Dampers were fitted all round. Slightly flared arches, twin tailpipes, RS 4-spoke alloys, a shallow front splitter and an enormous rear wing completed the look. The interior was pure 3000GXL with a flat 2-spoke steering wheel. The RS3100 was offered in a number of bright colours and they were all decaled in gold around the power bulge, the rear panel and a triple line down the side. We now know that 248 were built, however in the middle of a world recession sales were slow and Ford wanted the space for the Capri II, so production was ended and the last 50 of the unsold cars were sent to Australia.
Our vendor purchased this example in May 2007 and although it was on the road, it was showing signs of corrosion in a few places, so he decided in 2010 to have it restored. He stripped the car himself and the bodyshell went to be soda-blasted and delivered to Restora, a Ford specialist in Newhaven who have an excellent reputation and have rebuilt a number of RS3100s. New original panels were extensively used in the restoration including complete new doors, rear panel, inner and outer sills, whilst other panels were expertly repaired including the wings. While the body was being restored, the engine was rebuilt, a new gearbox added and the rear axle overhauled along with the suspension. To complement the 'as-new' bodywork, as many NOS parts as possible were used to create the best RS3100 example possible. The bodywork restoration was completed in 2014, whilst the mechanical work went on until around 2020. The car has done less than 1,000 miles since being restored and is always kept in a dehumidified garage.
Earlier in its life, TBL 636M featured in Jeremy Walton's book RS, the Faster Fords and in a magazine The RS Fords. There is also a notable article in Autocar, where it is shown photographed with the last Capri ever made, a photo that was later recreated with both cars and Jeremy Walton when he and the last Capri attended an AVO show.
Corgi, the well known maker of scale diecast models, were keen to commission a model of a notable RS3100 in Diamond White, so Len Peirce, RS Capri Registrar of the RS Owners Club, recommended TBL to them and the car was photographed and measured, subsequently appearing as a scale model and offered initially as part of a presentation set and still available now individually (VA13314).
The RS is supplied with many photos of the restoration, a video of the soda-blasting, a period sales brochure and a very rare handbook.
SPECIFICATION
- Lot Number
- 864
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- CAPRI R3100
- Registration Number
- TBL 636M
- MOT Expiry
- Exempt
- Chassis Number
- BBECND10803
- Engine Number
- ND10803
- Transmission
- Manual
- Body Colour
- Diamond White
GALLERY
SPECIALIST
Lionel Abbott
- Car Specialist
- 07831 574381
- lionel@iconicauctioneers.com
For further information regarding this lot please contact Lionel.
Email LionelTelephone Lionel
WhatsApp Lionel
SEE IT IN ACTION
SEE IT IN ACTION
Please note all lots must be removed from the venue no later than 2pm on Monday 19th May. Collections will be from 9am - 2pm. If you cannot collect yourself, please do get in touch with our transport partner, EM Rogers, who will be happy to help you.
Uplift by EM Rogers back to their storage facility in Northampton is £175 plus VAT. Storage is £10 plus VAT per day for the first seven days and £40 plus VAT per week thereafter.
For larger vehicles such as vans, transporters etc. please contact EM Rogers on +44 (0)1604 755511 for a quote.
If you cannot collect, or do not let us know transport arrangements before noon on 19th May, we will send the car to EM Rogers on your behalf.
Did you know that you may be able to finance your upcoming auction purchase? Our exclusive finance partner Apollo Capital are able to organise fast pre-approval for car funding on the latest interest rates and terms, minimum £50k lend.
An agreement in principle could see you arrange a finance package so the funds are ready to be paid out when you’ve bought your dream auction purchase. Please speak to their experts for a quote on 01423 590242 or visit apollocapitalgroup.co.uk/iconicauctioneers/.
A classic car or motorcycle is a source of great pride and enjoyment but, whether your car or motorcycle is in storage or on the road, you’ll need a specialist insurance policy. We have partnered with Howden Insurance a leading insurance brokers with a team dedicated to classic cars and motorcycles. They cover a vast array of classic and vintage models and only work with insurers who provide a great service and share our passion for the classic motor industry.
For a personal classic car or classic motorcycle quote, visit:
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