Heritage

This 1972 Ford Capri RS2600 - wearing chassis number GAECLJ19997 - is one of three RS2600s that were built in the Cologne, Germany factory to be raced and maintained by Ford Motor Company in the 1972 season.

After clinching the 1972 European Touring Car Championship, this Capri RS2600 was modified and raced in the 1973 season; where it stayed competitive until it was sold to a buyer in the United States of America in 1974.  Once it reached the United States, the Capri RS2600 saw the track twice between 1974 and 1975 before being sold to another individual in 1976.  It was then raced five more times over the course of the next several years, until it was stored in a trailer in 1981.

The Capri RS2600 was located in August of 2016 and began its restoration process at RM Motorsports the following December.*  This historic touring car retains all the factory homologation from 1973, as well as 95% of the original sheet metal and the correct Weslake motor - restored by Roush Industries - as raced in the 1973 season.

Technical Data

Engine

  • Type: Front six-cylinder, four-stroke, V-engine (60°), light metal cylinder heads, valve cover, valve timing cover, water pump cover.  Special crankshaft and conrods
  • Engine mounting: Magnesium three-point, rubber supported
  • Displacement: 2995cc
  • Bore/stroke: 95.8/69.0mm
  • Compression ratio: 11:1
  • Engine performance: 320/7,600 rpm (DIN-HP)
  • Output per liter: 107(DIN-HP/1)
  • Max. Torque: 33/5,550 rpm (DIN-mkg)
  • Valve arrangement: OHV, inlet 48.2 mm, outlet 38.0 mm
  • Valve Operation: Via valve tappets, push rods, rocker arms.  Camshaft located in crankshaft housing, cog-wheel drive
  • Fuel injection: Kugelfischer fuel injection with mechanical six-piston pump driven via toothed belt, electrical high-pressure fuel pump
  • Fuel: Premium
  • Crankshaft bearings: Four three-metal bearings
  • Connecting rod bearings: Three-metal bearings
  • Lubrication system: Dry sump
  • Oil filter: Full flow type
  • Oil system capacity: ca. 10 l
  • Cooling System: Closed water circulation, pump, oil cooler
  • Battery: 12 Volt/38 Ah
  • Alternator: 14 Volt/75 Ah

Drivetrain

  • Clutch: Two dry plates, diameter 213 mm, light metal bellhousing
  • Transmission: Fully synchronized five-speed transmission, floor-mounted shift
  • Drive shaft: Two-part type
  • Body: Unitized all steel, with plastic doors, hood, boot lid, wing extensions

 

Chassis

  • Front axle: Independent, McPherson struts, coilsprings and double-acting pressurized shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, negative wheel camber 1° 40', castor 2° 22', magnesium stub axle housing, adjustable TCA's (track control arms) and compression struts with ball joints, forged light allow front hubs
  • Rear axle: Rigid, special plastic single leaf spring with additional coil spring, double acting pressurized shock absorbers, four trailing arms, Watts linkage, oil cooler possible
  • Brakes: Four-wheel disc brakes ventilated, dual braking fluid circuit, mechanical rear wheel emergency brake, light metal calipers ATE
  • Disc brake diameter: 302 mm front; 292 mm rear
  • Steering system: Rack and pinion steering, safety steering column, sport-type leather covered steering wheel
  • Tire Size: Front: 575/290-15; Rear: 575/340-15
  • Rims: Front: 12 x 15; Rear: 14 x 15

General Data

  • Wheelbase: 2559 mm
  • Tread: Front: 1462 mm; Rear: 1362 mm
  • Ground clearance: 102 mm
  • Overall length: 4221 mm
  • Overall width: 1755 mm (including bulging wheelhouses)
  • Overall height: 1248 mm
  • Turning circle: 13.5 m
  • Curbweight: 930 kg (without fuel)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 270 km/h
  • Acceleration: 4.6 seconds (0 to 100 km/h)

* Note: The 1972 Ford Capri RS2600 is still a work in progress and many of the pictures posted represent it as such.  Updated pictures of progress and the completed Capri will be posted regularly.