Lot 247: Ford Capri RS2600 Coupé 'plastique' usine

Inspired by the success of the Mustang 'pony car' in the USA, Ford introduced the Capri - 'The car you've always promised yourself' - to the European market in 1968. The Capri's imaginative fastback styling was a relatively new departure for the 'Blue Oval' but beneath the skin the car remained typically Ford, sharing engines, gearboxes and many other components with the rest of the range, though the power units used by the British- and German-built versions differed somewhat. Ford was pursuing a wide-ranging competitions programme at this time, and with its UK operation concentrating on developing the Escort for rallying and circuit racing, Jochen Neerpasch, head of the Motorsport Department in Cologne, was delegated to start work on the racing Capri. Known as the 'RS2600', this would be based on the 2600GT, Ford of Germany's top-of-the-range model at the time, although Cologne's first efforts involved modified 2300GTs. A number of successes, including class wins, were achieved in international rallies in 1969 but it was already clear that the car's greatest potential was as a circuit racer. In Group 2 racing trim the RS2600's Weslake-developed V6 engine was bored out to 2,995cc and equipped with Kugelfischer fuel injection and dry sump lubrication, in which form it developed in excess of 320bhp. The suspension, brakes and wheels were up-rated appropriately and the bodywork lightened by the extensive use of glassfibre panels. A ZF five-speed gearbox was standard equipment on the racing RS2600, the LHD-only production version, which retained the 2.6-litre engine, having to make do with a Ford four-speed unit. On the racetrack, the RS2600's finest achievement came in 1972 when works driver Jochen Mass, later to enjoy a successful Formula 1 career, was crowned European Touring Car Champion at the season's end. Today these ex-works Capris are among the most sought after of post-war Fords. Built in Ford's competitions department in Cologne, this particular RS2600 was one of the first six delivered by the Cologne works bearing the original Cologne registration plates when new to French Formula 3 Champion, François Mazet as an original works 'plastic' version lightweight Capri. Mazet who kept the car for many years later transferred ownership to his friend Clay Regazzoni the Ferrari Formula 1 driver. In more recent times the Capri has participated in four editions of the Tour Auto, achieving a 2nd place finish in Group G in 2009. The car also finished 3rd in the VHC Rallye d'Automne in 2008 and took part in that year's Tour of Spain, retiring from 6th place overall on the final day. The Capri was also successfully campaigned in the 2011 Tour Auto and is again eligible for this year's event and the 2012 Le Mans Classic in which it has also participated previously in 2006. Capri 2600 RS are rare and a works delivered car even rarer, therefore Bonhams recommend close inspection of this excellent 'all round' historic race entry that produces 213bhp for a weight of a mere 905kg.