Project Capri

[Hoonigan]

Hi all,

So I've been trying to find a Capri for some time now but haven't really been very successful.

I'm trying to do a resto-mod and I have a few very specific things I want to do to it. So an abandoned car that needs body work, paint, interior work etc fits the bill perfectly. I don't really care if it's running or not either.

The few I found were recently restored or 'modified' and asking prices were a bit on the high side and I would anyway have to roll back some of the work already done on them and this would make me overshoot my budget by a mile.

Basically, I'm looking for a Ford Capri (preferably MK1) in shabby condition for around 3-500K (not set in stone,maybe a bit more depending on the condition) If any of you gents know about one close to what I've mentioned above, please be kind enough to drop me a PM. Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

[Hoonigan]

Wow, congratulations! Riced or not, a Capri is a Capri!

From the looks of it, the fiber is stuck over the original panels so hopefully I can get away with some rust damage..

Hey, was it the red one in nit tambura or the yellow one that needed a full resto?

No, the red one was beyond my price. It was just a more costly starting point so I passed on that. The Yellow one with the busted in doors went to Kandy I guess. It's a nice 1600 GT. afik there's only one of those running around.

[Jaliya48]

From the looks of it, the fiber is stuck over the original panels so hopefully I can get away with some rust damage..

No, the red one was beyond my price. It was just a more costly starting point so I passed on that. The Yellow one with the busted in doors went to Kandy I guess. It's a nice 1600 GT. afik there's only one of those running around.

You're killing me with the suspense!! Post those photos before I keel over!

[Komisiripala]

Yako! Daapan pinthoora!! I won't ask nicely again!

Lol as Jaliya said its more worthwhile when we see the rice. Dude my Teg was riced up before the build! By me!!

But then clearly I have no shame...

[GTAm]

A riced Capri becomes a "CapLi" since most of the east Asians struggle to pronounce "R"

Edited July 12, 2013 by GTAm

[Jaliya48]

A riced Capri becomes a "CapLi" since most of the east Asians struggle to pronounce "R"

LOL like the 'carbulator'...

[Hoonigan]

This was at the sellers place. Still there cause the brakes have ceased. I warned you!!!

Surprisingly the interior isn't half bad

Edited July 12, 2013 by Hoonigan

[Hoonigan]

I didn't mean to build suspense but I didn't want to get ahead of myself too soon. What worries me is what's under the fiberglass. A relation of mine is helping me with the project and according to him, the panels haven't been cut to lay the fiber on. But there's no telling what state the hidden areas are in.

[Jaliya48]

Can't wait for this restoration to start! Were any original bits (steering wheel, etc) included?

[Hoonigan]

From what I read through on the Sampath's Escort thread and Komi's Datto thread, I was sort of blown away by the applicable knowledge shared by members here. For example, GTAm's suggestion about the Formula Ford engine, So I guess I will share what my plans are for the car.

Please remember that kids dream big and they might not be the brightest ideas. So, please be kind enough to point out any elephants in the room that I'm not seeing.

Broadly, here's the plan

1. Priority is body work, get those god awful fiberglass off and take care of any tinkering work first.

2. Rear 15x10 wheels wrapped in 265 or 285 wide tyre, 50 section. Front 15x8 wrapped in 215, 50 section tyre. This might change based on availability but you get what I'm shooting at.

3. The Capri comes with 13" wheels so the arches will need work. I will try my best to keep it as subtle and period fitting as possible.

4. Like Komi with his Datto, I thought of swapping in a Jap engine, I looked into the CA18DET, SR20DET, KA20DE and the SR20VE. But having blown my budget off the water and the fact it won't really 'fit' the character of the car, the current plan is a 2.0 Pinto - Any suggestions in this front is appreciated. The car will not be on track, for the moment assume to be a daily. So reliability and decent economy are important but mainly needs to able to pack a punch. And no I'm not expecting to crank out 200bhp and return 16kmpl, just a decent balance. The engine will go on with a sufficient tranny, diff and whatnots and the bodyshell will be strengthened accordingly.

5. Paint

6. Suspension. Adjustables at the front. Not sure about what to do with the leaves at the back. Convert to coils maybe? Lowering is not really a priority but a decent improvement in handling is.

6. Interior - How far out I go on the interior depends on what I have left after the above. The interior is usable as it is but at the very least, the yellow trim will go. A friend of mine on FB tells me the seats are Recaros, but there are some SSCUS seats I really really like which I might go for. I might also redress the dash and the center console - something simple and fitting the theme of the car.

I know the classic car purists might stab in my sleep but the inspiration came from the South African Capri race Cars like this one,

Any advice is, as always, much appreciated!

Edited July 12, 2013 by Hoonigan

[Hoonigan]

Can't wait for this restoration to start! Were any original bits (steering wheel, etc) included?

some parts were wrapped carefully and was given with the car, like parts of the headlight shrouds and rear nickel bumper.

[Jaliya48]

some parts were wrapped carefully and was given with the car, like parts of the headlight shrouds and rear nickel bumper.

That's good. Just shout out if you require any help!

[Hoonigan]

That's good. Just shout out if you require any help!

Cheers mate!

[sampathd]

Well my Escort is still getting road worthy to visit a few tinkers. So far I've got two quotes one at 150k and another at 350k. Hope to show to a couple of more ppl and decide and start on it.

[Komisiripala]

Excellent! It's not everyone who sees that car in front of him and envisions something completely different. I see you have your work cut out for you.

But stick with a ford carb engine mate. Don't go efi. You'll love it. Even I settled on an l16 which I'm building to SSS spec. It's more than enough on our roads and with these cars, its more the growling gurgling theatrics than pure power.

I'm honestly so happy for you. Would love to come see the car if that's possible. And have a beer, if that's also possible!

Edited July 12, 2013 by Komisiripala

[Hoonigan]

Excellent! It's not everyone who sees that car in front of him and envisions something completely different. I see you have your work cut out for you.

But stick with a ford carb engine mate. Don't go efi. You'll love it. Even I settled on an l16 which I'm building to SSS spec. It's more than enough on our roads and with these cars, its more the growling gurgling theatrics than pure power.

I'm honestly so happy for you. Would love to come see the car if that's possible. And have a beer, if that's also possible!

Sure machan, I should be back in the country not too long from now and that Teg of yours is a must see. The car will be at my fiance's place where her father will be overlooking the progress.

The project is still on the drawing board, but I guess that's where all things start. Givantha is the one who suggested the 2.0 Pinto and that guy knows his Fords. A Weber twin choke carb and few more shiny bits here and there should get that baby singing. Like you said, the sound is half the fun

At the moment I've started hunting down the wide wheels with the right bolt pattern and is proving to be bit a bit of a rarity even on the interwebs.

[GTAm]

From what I read through on the Sampath's Escort thread and Komi's Datto thread, I was sort of blown away by the applicable knowledge shared by members here. For example, GTAm's suggestion about the Formula Ford engine, So I guess I will share what my plans are for the car.

Please remember that kids dream big and they might not be the brightest ideas. So, please be kind enough to point out any elephants in the room that I'm not seeing.

Broadly, here's the plan

1. Priority is body work, get those god awful fiberglass off and take care of any tinkering work first.

2. Rear 15x10 wheels wrapped in 265 or 285 wide tyre, 50 section. Front 15x8 wrapped in 215, 50 section tyre. This might change based on availability but you get what I'm shooting at.

3. The Capri comes with 13" wheels so the arches will need work. I will try my best to keep it as subtle and period fitting as possible.

4. Like Komi with his Datto, I thought of swapping in a Jap engine, I looked into the CA18DET, SR20DET, KA20DE and the SR20VE. But having blown my budget off the water and the fact it won't really 'fit' the character of the car, the current plan is a 2.0 Pinto - Any suggestions in this front is appreciated. The car will not be on track, for the moment assume to be a daily. So reliability and decent economy are important but mainly needs to able to pack a punch. And no I'm not expecting to crank out 200bhp and return 16kmpl, just a decent balance. The engine will go on with a sufficient tranny, diff and whatnots and the bodyshell will be strengthened accordingly.

5. Paint

6. Suspension. Adjustables at the front. Not sure about what to do with the leaves at the back. Convert to coils maybe? Lowering is not really a priority but a decent improvement in handling is.

6. Interior - How far out I go on the interior depends on what I have left after the above. The interior is usable as it is but at the very least, the yellow trim will go. A friend of mine on FB tells me the seats are Recaros, but there are some SSCUS seats I really really like which I might go for. I might also redress the dash and the center console - something simple and fitting the theme of the car.

I know the classic car purists might stab in my sleep but the inspiration came from the South African Capri race Cars like this one,

Any advice is, as always, much appreciated!

Hi Hoonigan

May I offer some advice on this? Don't go for very broad tyres even for the rear. If you are going for a 2.0 Pinto it would hardly over-power the Capri chassis. So it is quite pointless to fit wide rubber at the rear. You need wide rubber if your are short of grip or the power and torque easily over-power the rear end grip. Say you want to make it a Perana V8 or even a 3000 V6 then you may need to beef up the rear. But by adding excessive grip to a 2.0 you are more or less eliminating the fun of letting the rear end break free or a mid corner 4 wheel drift. This is one of the most required feature people who buy a rwd car are after. 15X10 is massive!

Good choice with sticking with a Ford motor, your car will retain it's value better. I'm sure you can find a decent handling kit in time. But for now just focus on the body. That's the biggie!

[Hoonigan]

Hi Hoonigan

May I offer some advice on this? Don't go for very broad tyres even for the rear. If you are going for a 2.0 Pinto it would hardly over-power the Capri chassis. So it is quite pointless to fit wide rubber at the rear. You need wide rubber if your are short of grip or the power and torque easily over-power the rear end grip. Say you want to make it a Perana V8 or even a 3000 V6 then you may need to beef up the rear. But by adding excessive grip to a 2.0 you are more or less eliminating the fun of letting the rear end break free or a mid corner 4 wheel drift. This is one of the most required feature people who buy a rwd car are after. 15X10 is massive!

Good choice with sticking with a Ford motor, your car will retain it's value better. I'm sure you can find a decent handling kit in time. But for now just focus on the body. That's the biggie!

Hi GTAm,

The bodywork is definitely the priority and the first on the list of the to-do list. I'm just exploring my options with the engine and shoes so that I can have them lined up by the time bodywork wraps up. True the 15x10 are massive, and apparently a bit difficult to find. More than likely I will have to settle with 9" or a bit more narrower, which will also slim down the tyre size. And I have to admit, the wide rubber was more of an aesthetic pursuit

[NZer]

This was at the sellers place. Still there cause the brakes have ceased. I warned you!!!

Surprisingly the interior isn't half bad

Am i the only one who cant see the pictures?

[Hoonigan]

Am i the only one who cant see the pictures?

Nope the links went kaput.

[bogzy]

soo much potential !

as you said, the interior isn't bad at all.

congratz on the purchase and good luck on the build mate.

[NZer]

Cant wait to see you start work on it. How about a nice V8 in there? he he

[Komisiripala]

3.0 V6? just imagine the rumble!

[Hoonigan]

soo much potential !

as you said, the interior isn't bad at all.

congratz on the purchase and good luck on the build mate.

Thanks dude itching to get thing going!

Cant wait to see you start work on it. How about a nice V8 in there? he he

3.0 V6? just imagine the rumble!

Goddamn it guys...I've been trying to keep the V's out of my mind.

GTAm was kind enough to point out some options for me to look at so I guess I can pile in the Essex V6 or even better Cosworth V6. The South Africans did drop the 302 V8 off the mustang I believe in it. And I've seen a few running the Rover V8 as well and the thing sounds MENTAL.

Things get real complicated when you start making decisions with your heart LOL

[NZer]

Nothing to pass a nice V8 machan. People in sl will go nuts if you actually did drop one in. Im sure you might even find a nice toyota v8 engine lying around somewhere off a converted land cruiser. Think about it

[Komisiripala]

Nothing to pass a nice V8 machan. People in sl will go nuts if you actually did drop one in. Im sure you might even find a nice toyota v8 engine lying around somewhere off a converted land cruiser. Think about it

I've got that poison on my mind! Aha! *-shaking it like Nicole samarasinghe-*