Eeeegads!

LtDan somehow talked me into building a 1974 Mercury Capri for ITB competition. We'll co-own the car, using it for schools, enduros, etc. The RX-7s will be my primary race cars.

The good news is the car is straight and 99.9% rust free. It actually runs and can move on it's own. It was repainted a few years ago. Some maintenance records were found in the glovebox, the original owner took pretty good care of it. The second owner didn't leave any history. All this for $350.

The bad news is it .... well there isn't much. Other than the expense of putting together yet another race car. And it isn't legal for NASA-ECHC.

 

I've always liked those. Don't remember seeing one at any SAARC races though...are they competitive? If not...do you care? Just kind of curious.

 

There are a few dotted about the country. They're not super competitive, but at 2300lbs and 100+rwhp it won't be an also-ran. I don't care much, I still have my SRX-7. Dan wanted something easy and relatively cheap to put on track for schools and eventual racing. And I wanted something for enduros and other random events.

For $350 total, it was hard to pass up - if we hate the car, we can put the interior back and sell it before we invest too much effort and money.

 

Ahh. This must be the old 1993cc powerhouse. My '72 Pinto had one (with a few mods) and was pretty quick for it's day. I think Racer Walsh, in Fl., still makes bits for this engine. Not sure who to go to for Capri suspension. Wish that SCCA would loosen up on web-publishing their regulations, so I could see what mods are allowable. Should be a fun car.

 

I wonder how long before somebody says, "Dude, that Capri is not straight! That's one of the gayest cars I've ever seen!"

I don't know whether I'm envious of all you people participating in the wheel to wheel stuff and wishing I knew some people to co-own a car with, or whether I'm relieved as hell that so far I've avoided that puff on the pipe..

from what I remember of the last time I checked my finances, I think I'm going to have to go with "relieved".. lead us not into temptation and all that rot.. (of course there's this voice in my head crying out "The hell you say!")

 

I was just reading the other day about that car. (iirc, it was a story on what not to buy due to it's status as an "orphan."). But I guess if there is a good deal to be had?

At any rate, sounds like a fun project and definately cheap to get started with. Out of curiosity, w/ all the CRX's in the world and knowing Dan's affinity... what gives?

 

Can you actually source competition parts for that car, or do you own a good CNC machine? That's the only thing I'd worry about.

I like the Capri too.

 

Hondas are great, but not nearly as cool as classic German Fords.

Yup. Like Jerry said, the motor is the 2L Pinto. Used in quite a few Fords and also in a few formula cars.

Suspension is simple. McP struts up front and camber plates are available. Leaf springs in rear - for now we'll just dearch them. Later may add the rally spec (Capri had a homologation version in Europe) rear leaf.

The goal isn't to win the ARRC in this car. The goal is to build something Dan can use to get started racing.

 

hi Al!

congrats on your new ride; it will be neat when prepped up...

try taking a look at BAT in Florida:

http://www.batinc.net/main.htm

its called British American Transfer, and they carry lots of parts for the Ford 1600 and 2000 motors; its where I get lots of stuff for my 1600 Kent motored Super Seven... really nice folks and reasonable prices.

Some of the fellows in England run that 2000 motor (they call it Pinto over there) and they get around 175 reliable horses out of them......

good luck and have lots of fun!!!!!

later,
Todd