One to Buy: ex-works Spa 24 Hour-winning 1971 Ford Capri RS2600 Gr.2
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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.
