Classic Cars & Practical Classics.pdf

FORD CAPRI RS3100 TOURING CARSV6 pumps out ameaty 148bhp; racecars gave 420bhpMammoth ducktailspoiler channelsracetrack vibesstraight to the roadInterior just begsfor some B&Hsmoke and youtime prompted a decidedly British response, and today we’re drivingthe result – Wayne Jeffs’ stunning Daytona Yellow RS3100.Easily spotted by the front quarter bumpers, that whoppingducktail rear spoiler and four-spoke AVO cast alloy wheels it exudesSeventies boy-racer machismo. It sits on an RS2600 chassis, butpower is now by way of an overbored 3091cc Essex V6 and Webercarburetion. At just 148bhp it’s two horses down on its predecessorbut that capacity increase proved crucial for the racers.On the track the road car’s stiff suspension set-up feels a bit hash’em-bash ’em at low speeds, there’s no comparison to the BMW’srefinement or the Escort’s immediacy but the engine has immensetorque and flexibility. Spin it on a bit and the faster the speed, themore planted the big Capri feels. Through corners there’s nooppo-lock wild power sliding – it lifts the inside wheel well inadvance; instead, brake hard, then carefully judge the powerapplication to keep traction maximised, and then it’s throttle down– where it stays – as I muscle through onto the straight. It’s a bluntinstrument, but get it right and it’s brutally effective.Back in ’73, with the Capri II due, the RS3100 made no sense inFord’s range, and only 248 were sold from December of that yearuntil February. The racers were totally different beasts, with theirCosworth GA four-cam heart only loosely based on the Essex V6cylinder block overbored to 3.4-litres. Their initial 420bhp,combined with a 7.5 per cent increase in aerodynamic efficiency,blitzed the BMWs in 1974 – it had eight wins in 17 races acrossvarious championships, but against uncommitted BMW opposition.OWNING A FORD CAPRI RS3100‘I’ve owned a Caprisince I was 17,’ sayscarpenter WayneJeffs. ‘I previouslyhad a Brooklandsbut I’d alwayshankered after this model – as therarest variant it’s the one we allwant, and that styling…’Jeffs bought it in 2007 for £7000and spent £20,000 restoring it.‘Stuart Baldy at Restore-A-Forddid the bodywork. The front strutshad rotted out, as had the bootfloor and there were MoT bodgesa-plenty. I rebuilt the original enginemyself – though it now has anothersourced from eBay – and put it allback together. It’s a really gooduseable classic but the four-speedgearbox can be a bit noisy, thoughit levels off at speed. It’ll tick alonghappily on the motorway and thepower is there when you need it.’Running costs are low asJeffs continues to keep on topof maintenance. ‘A week ago thefront suspension was taken apart;I wanted to change a steeringcoupling as there was a shake.’The RS3100 is set to remain hispossession long term. ‘I suppose it’sa secondary pension pot. When Ican no longer drive it, it’ll go.’1973 FORD CAPRI RS3100Engine 3091cc, V6, ohv, Weber compound twin-choke 40 DFAPower and torque 148bhp @ 5000rpm; 187lb ft @ 3000rpmTransmission Four-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Steering Rackand pinion Suspension Front: MacPherson strut, coil springs, anti-rollbar, telescopic dampers. Rear: live axle, half-elliptic leaf springs,telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar Brakes Discs front, drums rear withservo Weight 2315lb (1050kg) Performance 0-60mph: 7.2sec;top speed: 123mph Fuel consumption 21mpg Cost new £2413 Pricefrom £20,000-£35,00049