One to Buy: ex-works 1971 Ford Capri RS2600
Having embarked on some early competition outings with the Capri following its launch at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1969, Ford Motorsport Germany decided to create a Group 2 homologation special that would serve as the basis for an attack on the 1971 European Touring Car Championship (ETCC).
The resultant Capri RS2600 was developed at Ford’s Boreham competition department in England and produced at the Niehl plant in Cologne. It debuted at Geneva in March 1970 and homologation was approved on January 2nd 1971.
Compared to a regular Capri, the RS2600 came with an array of suspension and brake upgrades, a handsome set of alloy wheels, a pared down body and interior, a close-ratio four-speed gerabox and an enlarged 2.6-litre V6 engine compete with Kugelfischer fuel-injection.
Built exclusively in left-hand drive, it was sold through Ford’s Rallye Sport dealers at a 50% premium over the next most expensive Capri.
1971’s European Touring Car Championship saw the Capris steamroller their way to six out of eight ETCC wins as Ford’s Dieter Glemser was crowned that year’s Driver’s champion.
It was a similar story in 1972, although this time Ford missed out on victory in only one of the nine rounds (their home race at the Nurburgring which fell to the Schnitzer BMW squad).
Ford’s Jochen Mass emerged as the star of the ‘72 season and won the Driver’s crown.
Currently on offer at the Gipi Motor showroom in Evere, Brussels, is one of those works Capris from the enormously successful ‘71 and ‘72 campaigns. The winner of multiple races in period to include the 1971 Spa 24 Hours, it was subsequently retained by its first ex-works owner until 1992.
Offered in race-ready condition, this significant Capri would make an ideal and highly eligible addition to practically any collection.
Reprinted below is Gipi Motor’s description for what is undoubtedly one of the most important Group 2 racing cars in existence:
1971 Spa 24h hours winner, this Ford Capri was faithful to the saying “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday”. Ford’s strategy for the new Capri was simple: Build a car to win. Aligning its sportiest road cars to the different race regulations, Ford will transform the Capri into a podium machine
Built in 1971 by Ford Motorsport Köln GMBH according to the Group 2 regulations, this 2600RS is the perfect example. Winning 8 out of the 10 races it entered (9 podiums in total), including the 1971 edition of the Spa 24h, the car will become an icon of its time.
Race history in period:
1971
Salzburgring ETC #83 - 1st overall
Spa 24 Hours #22 - 1st overall
Paul Ricard 24 Hours #2 - 1st overall
Madrid 4 Hours #1 - 1st overall
1972
Nurburgring 1000km #90 - 7th overall / 1st in class
Spa 24 Hours #1 - 3rd overall
Zandvoort Trophy #1 - 1st overall
Paul Ricard 12 Hours #8 - 3rd overall
Madrid 4 Hours #2 - 1st overall
Barcelona 2 Hours #5 - 1st overall
A few sources also suggest that the car might have entered the Nurburgring race of the 11th of July 1971, only two weeks before the 24h of Spa.
Bought and then stocked in 1972 by its former driver Alex Roig until 1992, the car is taken care of by Gipimotor since 2016. Equipped with an engine designed by Ric Wood, it has a well-documented history and an extensive file, this 24h of Spa winning car is ready to race.
The car can be seen at Gipimotor (Evere - Belgium) on appointment only.
