Description
The Ford Consul Capri might have had only a short production life during the early 1960s, but its striking lines and hint of transatlantic glamour made it stand apart from its contemporaries.
This two-door, two-seater coupé was based on the Consul Classic saloon, which had been launched in early 1961. Announced in September that year and put on sale in the UK in January 1962, it was well-equipped for its time, with quad headlamps, variable-speed wipers, front disc brakes and dimming dashboard lights.
The Consul Capri was initially offered with a three-main-bearing, 1340cc, four-cylinder engine, which was replaced from mid-1962 by a more powerful and robust five-main-bearing, 1498cc unit. The four-speed gearbox, meanwhile, could be specified with either a column-change or a floor-change.
Ford’s promotional material heralded this latest model as ‘smooth, sleek, exciting’ and ‘unique in its class – a new concept in sporting motoring’.
The ultimate development then arrived in February 1963, when Ford offered the option of a GT version. The engine had been developed by Cosworth and featured a higher 9:1 compression ratio, a modified cylinder head with bigger exhaust valves, an aluminium inlet manifold, a four-branch exhaust manifold and a twin-choke Weber carburettor.
By then, however, Ford’s need for a mid-size car that could compete with homegrown rivals from as Austin and Vauxhall had been fulfilled by the Cortina, which arrived in 1962 and rapidly became a best-seller. The Consul Classic and Consul Capri were therefore quietly dropped during the summer of 1964 – although the Capri name would, of course, be revived in 1968 for a series of coupés that lasted until 1986.
The Consul Capri being offered for sale here was rescued from a lock-up, where it had been stored since 1985. It was then restored by Parkside Classics during 2012-13 to historic rally specification.
It was modified to GT spec with the addition of a Weber 28/ 36 carburettor, plus 5. 5J x 13in wheels, an oil cooler, an electric cooling fan, anti-tramp bars, uprated transmission, a brake servo and a brace of electric fuel pumps.
Inside, it boasts modern bucket seats with headrests and OMP harnesses, as well as a rear roll-cage and a handheld fire extinguisher. Extra gauges include a rev counter, voltmeter and oil temperature, and there is a full complement of Brantz rally instruments and map light.
There is a large capacity fuel tank in the boot area along with a battery box, secondary fire extinguisher and a kit of emergency jacking tools.
The car’s owner across the build was an extremely experienced rally enthusiast, with a long history in the sport, and in 2018 he drove the Ford on the HERO Winter Challenge and LeJog. Sold in relatively small numbers and now a rare model by Ford standards, it made for a distinctive, accessible and reliable choice of historic rally car to enjoy.
More recently, and having passed to a new owner, the car was embraced once more and a few changes made to get the car ready to get out and about again in the classic rally scene but a change of personal circumstances for the vendor has reluctantly for him brought the car to the market.
A firm favourite of the RPS Family this car deserves to be out there turning its wheels and turning heads once more…. a charming classic rally car.
The car is currently residing with Rally Preparation Services sister Company, RPS Storage Ltd and available for inspection.
All viewings and test drives welcomed through direct contact with Rally Preparation Services.
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