1974 Ford Capri RS 3100

Launched in 1969 as 'The car you always promised yourself', the Capri was Ford Europe's response to the mighty sales success of the Mustang in America.

To garner sales interest, Ford relied heavily on motorsport in the 1970s and soon an RS 2600 Capri was commissioned and built to compete in the European Touring Car championship. However, BMW had bigger ideas and introduced the more powerful 3.0CSL and stole a march on Ford on the track. In response, Ford Advanced Operations got the go ahead in September 1973 to build 248 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 74/75 season as both manufacturers showed scant regard for cost, both on and off the track.

The Essex 3.0 V6 was over bored to 3091 cc giving 148bhp and fitted as standard to the road car, along with suspension modifications, RS four spoke alloys and a shallow front splitter with an enormous rear wing added to the already comprehensive RS2600 standard spec. The world recession slowed sales of the RS3100 road car, which was only built in right-hand drive for the UK market, and by July of 1974, 50 of the unsold cars were sent to Australia (also a right-hand drive market), to be sold.

This particular car, chassis number 10799, was originally finished in Sebring Red and sold new in the UK. A car that is well-known to the RS Owner's Club, this example was purchased in 1981 by Dennis Sellers, ex-chairman of the RS Owner's Club. Mr. Sellers was also parts manager for Manchester Ford RS dealer H&J Quicks Ltd. Subsequently, he sourced all new body panels, unique to the RS 3100, and took the car off the road in 1985 for restoration. He had Macclesfield motor bodies replace the inner and outer front wings, bonnet, slam panel, lower cross-member, radiator panels, battery tray, sills, A-posts and more. All panels were original Ford parts and were spot welded to an exacting specification. He also sourced new old-stock light trims and brightwork.

Following this vast amount of work, the car was sold to respected Ford RS engine builder Ric Wood as a complete, but unfinished project. Ric stored the car in his heated workshop before it was sold to the current owner after some 20 years in storage. The current owner then: "had the relatively easy task of finishing off the car. The end result is we think the best RS 3100 in existence. It is a museum quality car, which can only appreciate in years to come, as the rarest of all the RS Fords." The original engine received a complete rebuild by Ric Wood and has been rolling road tested to 180bhp. Having completed only running-in mileage since completion, the condition of this vehicle has to be seen to be believed and any RS expert is encouraged to come and inspect the quality of this restoration. We feel this car could be a regular entrant into future concours competitions and would be a welcome addition to any Ford collection.