Lot 517: 1974 Ford Capri RS3100 Coupé

Unveiled at the November 1973 Glasgow Motor Show, the Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations conceived and Halewood produced equivalent of the Ford Germany made RS2600 ‘Homologation Special’ was the RS3100, a very rare example of which we are offering here. For whilst the FIA International Group 2 regulations of the day decreed that 1,000 identical cars had to be produced to qualify for international competition such as the prestigious European Touring Car Championship, it seems likely that only some 200 road-going super-Capris, like this, were ever completed at the Merseyside plant for the right-hand drive market.

For racing, the RS3100 had the benefit of a Ford-Cosworth 3.4-litre quad-cam conversion, whilst for the street cars, the standard 3-litre 60 degree V6 was over-bored to 3,091cc, gas-flowed with 9.0:1 compression ratio, fitted with blue rocker covers and supplied by a downdraught twin-choke Weber to achieve 148bhp at 500rpm with 187lb ft of torque at 3,000rpm. Although the basis of the car was mainly 3000GT, AVO did employ RS2600 ventilated disc brakes of 9.75in diameter and incorporated September 1972 upgrades such as Granada-style fascia, quadruple 3000GXL headlamps, matt black panels under the doors and stiffer Directors Settings for the dampers.

Apart from RS3100 badges, other external identifying features included RS 6J x 12 cast alloy wheels, sporty-looking front quarter-bumpers and a very pronounced boot-mounted ducktail as standard to boost traction, stability in cross-winds and aerodynamic performance when racing. Contemporary magazine road tests for the RS3100 recorded 0-60mph time capability of around 8 seconds, 100mph cruising potential with brakes and, with the pedal to the metal, motoring writers clocked 124mph.

For the past 18 years until very recently, this RS3100 with all numbers still matching has been looked after by the same husband and wife team. In previous ownership for nine years, it is believed to have had only one other owner before that since manufactured on the 12th of November 1974 when it cost £2,450. Following a total restoration in recent years, photo-recorded in an album, finished with unmarked paintwork in correct Diamond White, black vinyl interior as new and spotless engine bay. The vendor advises us that both motor and transmission have been rebuilt and all the model-correct stripes and decals have been sourced.