1980 Ford Capri Grp 1

In the early 1970s, the mantle of maintaining Ford's domination in European Saloon Car Racing was passed from the Escort to the Capri. The models chosen to disrupt the well-laid plans of Alfa Romeo and BMW in the ETCC were respectively the RS2600 (Cologne V6) and RS3100 (Essex V6), and the Capri quickly proved that it was the car to have in those early years. Endurance races like the Nurburgring 1000KMS and the Spa 24hr race were won by specially prepared 3 litre Capris driven by the likes of Jochen Mass and Hans Stuck and European Touring Car Championships were won in 1971 and 1972 by the 2.6 cars. In 1973, prior to the arrival the following year of the redesigned Mk.2, Ford UK decided to produce a limited number of the formidable RS3100, a very quick saloon car, in period, with a top speed of nearly 130 mph in 'standard' form. The Capri had shown its mettle and Ford stayed with its evolution right through to the Mk. 3 and all the time the Capri kept delivering all over Europe with victory after victory.

Although running exotic Group 2 specifications in the European Touring Car Championship, the majority of the model's success was in Group1 racing, a class that catered for standard-looking cars with strict limits as to modifications, which made this level of racing both financially accessible and highly competitive. All the great names got involved with the amazing Capri,including Tom Walkinshaw, Gerry Marshall, Barry 'Whizzo' Williams, Stuart Graham, Andy Rouse, Gordon Spice, and Vince Woodman. The battles that raged were the stuff of legends and the Capri just kept on delivering.

This particular Group 1 Capri was built in early 1980 by George Houthuyzen for the "Toerwagen Kampioenschap' and was raced in period in the Netherlands before being sold in 1982 to Peter Elgaard in Denmark who campaigned it for a couple of seasons in the Danish national series. It was subsequently traded in 1986 for a Group 'A' Volvo 240 in Sweden. Currently in very original condition, having not raced or turned a wheel in anger for over 30 years, this car may well present an ideal entry opportunity for the ever expanding and popular Goodwood Members Meeting in years to come. Given the popularity of this event ( particularly the Gerry Marshall Trophy) and other Historic Group 1 championships, the real difficulty is finding an original Capri with an established period competition history. This car therefore, is an excellent base for an exciting project to create an eligible Capri racer for future events such as Goodwood and the Silverstone Classic. With the sensible guide price reflecting the level of commissioning required, what a perfect and rare opportunity to get involved in the developing Group 1 racing scene.