1970 FORD CAPRI RS2600                                   Re...

Estimate

£33,000 - £37,000

1970 FORD CAPRI RS2600                                  

Registration Number: TUJ 265H 
Chassis Number: GAECKU-50576
Recorded Mileage: TBA

- Believed to be one of three Cologne-built pre-production prototypes
- Comprehensive restoration in previous UK ownership
- History file dating back to the 1970s 

The production approval for the first RS Capri, the RS2600, was received by FAVO at South Okendon in Oct 1969. By March 1970 a car had been completed in readiness for the Geneva Motor Show. The next group of 50 cars built for Homologation purposes at the Niehl Plant were all lightweight models, without fuel injection but with a long throw crankshaft to produce 2.6 litres as required for competition. They also featured glassfibre doors, sliding perspex windows, boot and bonnet made by BBS, but no heater or carpets and fewer paint layers - all aimed to hit the 900kg target for racing. 

By September 1970 the first production RS2600 rolled off the line at the Niehl Plant, only to find that on full lock the wide alloy wheels fouled the front wings, resulting in the unique flared front wings on the RS2600 and RS 3100 as we know them.. The production RS2600 used a special version of the Cologne V6 built by engine specialists Weslake, featuring alloy cylinder heads, Kugelfischer fuel injection, performance suspension and a close ratio gearbox. The Scheel seats used in the production RS2600 were reclining not fixed back, these remained throughout the whole production although the material changed in October 1971 when the major changes took place, including the fitting of ventilated front discs, revised ratios to gearbox and rear axle, and the addition of quarter bumpers in chrome. These 1971/72 cars also ran revised suspension settings. 

The RS would become a legend in its own lifetime after taking on all comers in the European Touring Car Championship, winning the title in 1971 and 1972. These victories were particularly galling for BMW and Alfa Romeo, who were fielding cars that, on paper at least, were more technologically advanced and should have won easily. The relative rarity of the RS2600 and its blistering on track successes have led to it becoming one of the most desirable iterations of the Capri.

This well known and nicely restored example is believed to be one of only three pre-production prototypes developed by Ford in advance of the model launch in early 1970. Designated as a 2300GT according to the chassis number, earlier records indicate the car was removed from the production line, the engine bored out to 2637cc and stamped QZA as correct for an RS2600, and other RS-type modifications applied. On July 10, 1970, the Capri received its first German registration (K-MR198), which was issued to Heinz-Otto Schmitter from Cologne. 

The Capri was subsequently registered in Switzerland, later finding its way to the UK where it was comprehensively restored by an RS enthusiast over a few years. As the engine fitted was deemed beyond repair, during the restoration a replacement 2300GT block was acquired and fitted to the car, stroked to 2.6 litres as per original. Otherwise it has been attempted to keep the car as close to original specification as possible. The Capri is supplied with a detailed file of documentation dating to the 1970s, in addition to period handbooks and a copy of the June 2015 issue of Classic Ford which features the car.          

This is a fascinating car - already a very tempting proposition for the Ford enthusiast, if it could be categorically proven to be one of the three pre-production prototypes then this could well be a very important Capri indeed.