Ford (D) Capri I 2600 RS
(1970 - 1972)
Car articles about Ford (D) Capri I 2600 RS by year
When the then still unknown Walter Röhrl set the fastest times in a Ford Capri RS 2600 at the 1972 Olympic Rally, the organizers believed it was a measurement error. Röhrl drove a Ford from the tuning company Kleint R.S. in his first rally season. One of the rare sister cars has survived and is now being restored by trainees with a difficult social background in the same way as Röhrl's car at the Olympic Rally. This article reports on the restoration project and the history of this very special Capri.
In February 1970, AR published an exceptionally comprehensive long-distance test. Five models (1300, 1300 GT, 1600, 1600 GT, 2000 GT) of the new Capri in four equipment variants had gone through the entire test procedure, thousands of kilometers had been covered. At five densely printed pages, this was probably the most comprehensive test ever presented in Automobil Revue. And the AR editors summed up the test quite positively: "With the Capri fastback coupé, those who make the marketing decisions at Ford of Europe have achieved a unique coup. The resounding success of this model is due to the combination of various sales-promoting features such as a sporty, elegant shape, four seats, a wide range of engines and equipment and, last but not least, the low prices of the basic models. Drivers with real sporting ambitions cannot warm to the Capri. Young people or couples with small children, on the other hand, for whom chic lines mean more than sporty temperament, comfort and manageability, will "feel at home" in the Capri, because it is a beautiful car."
At the end of 1970, Ford Cologne decided to build high-performance models for fun and sport itself in future and to sell them through a network of selected dealers. The first product of the Ford subsidiary AVO was the RS 2600, a 150 hp Capri for DM 16,000. In the first test, the hot-rodded Capri revealed its sporting talent - as well as an almost unquenchable thirst.
Faster, sportier and tougher - the Ford Capri RS 2600 converted all those doubters who had previously denied that the Capri was a sports car. And it was also reasonably priced, especially compared to a Porsche 911, which it was on a par with in terms of performance. At least that's what Auto Revue reported after its test drives. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report at the time and shows the car in historical photos and the original sales brochure.
At the end of the 1960s, Swiss engineer Michael May launched a turbo kit for Ford engines that was suitable for everyday use, long before BMW, Porsche and other suppliers. First installed in the Ford 20 M RS, it soon spurred on the Capri in particular to produce more power. The magazine 'hobby' was able to test two Capri Turbo models in 1971 and was impressed by the performance that could be achieved. This article reproduces the original wording of the test at the time and shows the technology and vehicle in pictures.
The Ford Capri was also extremely successful in motor racing. Ford set the course early on and laid a good foundation for popular and top-class sport with the RS 2600. In many countries, Capri cars were at the top of the national championships, but they were also successful in international competitions. In 1971, Dieter Glemser won the European Touring Car Championship in the over 2-liter displacement class. In 1972, Ford even took the first two places in the European Touring Car Championship and also won the touring car classification at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After the touring car title had to be relinquished to BMW in 1973, it was regained in 1974, when Hans Heyer became European champion. From 1978, after a break, Ford competed with the turbo Capris, which were developed by Zakspeed. The car was a sensation, but for various reasons there were no title wins until 1981. The revenge came in 1981. Klaus Ludwig took pole position in every race of the German Racing Championship and won ten races. A side effect was the lap time of 7 minutes 18.4 seconds that Ludwig set on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring, only slightly slower than the Formula 1 cars a few years earlier. Ford Capri cars were also used in rally and rallycross sport. The 250 hp 4x4 Capri special versions, which were vastly superior to all competitors in rallycross, were particularly special.
For 20,000 francs, the buyer received an uncompromising road version of the racing Capri in the form of the RS 2600, which could also take on much more expensive opponents in sprints on straight stretches. Tight bends, however, were not the RS 2600's thing, and the hard suspension also called for compromises. At least that was the conclusion of the AR testers after they were able to subject the fast Capri to a short test. Enthusiasm prevailed, however, as the driving performance was too attractive.
Ford took the American youth by storm with the Mustang in April 1964. At the beginning of 1969, it was Europe's turn to be delighted by Ford with a stylish everyday sports car for the whole family. The Capri combined reliable mass-produced technology with an incredibly attractive coupé body and became a global success. Our driving report tells the story of the Mini-Mustang once again and shows it in many contemporary and current pictures.
Current market prices for Ford (D) Capri I 2600 RS
Coupe, 150 PS, 2637 cm3
Coupe, 150 PS, 2637 cm3
Coupe, 125 PS, 2550 cm3
Coupe, 125 PS, 2550 cm3
Coupe, 50 PS, 1305 cm3
Coupe, 54 PS, 1293 cm3
Coupe, 60 PS, 1498 cm3
Coupe, 72 PS, 1592 cm3
Coupe, 140 PS, 2993 cm3
Coupe, 88 PS, 1592 cm3
Coupe, 75 PS, 1699 cm3
Coupe, 90 PS, 1998 cm3
Coupe, 125 PS, 2293 cm3
Coupe, 107 PS, 2293 cm3
Coupe, 107 PS, 2293 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 90 PS, 1998 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 125 PS, 2293 cm3
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Auctioned vehicles of Ford (D) Capri I 2600 RS
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford GB Capri Mk I RS 2600 1971 Sold Bonhams The Spa Classic Sale (May 21, 2017) |
Capri Mk I RS 2600 | 1971 | Sold | Bonhams The Spa Classic Sale (May 21, 2017) | |
| Ford Capri RS 2600 Group 2 1972 Sold Bonhams The Spa Classic Sale (May 25, 2013) |
Capri RS 2600 Group 2 | 1972 | Sold | Bonhams The Spa Classic Sale (May 25, 2013) | |
| Ford Capri RS 2600 Competition Coupé 1971 Sold Bonhams Les Grand Marques du Monde à Paris (February 2, 2023) |
Capri RS 2600 Competition Coupé | 1971 | Sold | Bonhams Les Grand Marques du Monde à Paris (February 2, 2023) | |
| Ford Capri 2600 RS 1972 Sold Artcurial Rétromobile Paris (February 8, 2019) |
Capri 2600 RS | 1972 | Sold | Artcurial Rétromobile Paris (February 8, 2019) | |
| Ford Capri 2600 RS 1972 Not Sold Artcurial Sur Les Champs 14 (November 4, 2018) |
Capri 2600 RS | 1972 | Not Sold | Artcurial Sur Les Champs 14 (November 4, 2018) | |
| Ford Capri 3.1-Litre Competition Saloon to 'RS' specification 1972 Sold Bonhams Goodwood Revival (September 8, 2018) |
Capri 3.1-Litre Competition Saloon to 'RS' specification | 1972 | Sold | Bonhams Goodwood Revival (September 8, 2018) | |
| Ford Capri RS2600 Coupé 1972 Sold Bonhams The Autoworld Sale (May 13, 2023) |
Capri RS2600 Coupé | 1972 | Sold | Bonhams The Autoworld Sale (May 13, 2023) | |
| Ford Capri RS2600 1972 Sold Iconic Auctioneers NEC Classic Motor Show Sale (November 11, 2023) |
Capri RS2600 | 1972 | Sold | Iconic Auctioneers NEC Classic Motor Show Sale (November 11, 2023) | |
| Ford Capri RS2600 (FIA Group 2) 1972 Not Sold Iconic Auctioneers Race Retro (February 21, 2026) |
Capri RS2600 (FIA Group 2) | 1972 | Not Sold | Iconic Auctioneers Race Retro (February 21, 2026) | |
| Ford Capri 3000E 1971 Sold Silverstone Auctions Silverstone NEC Classic Motor Show (November 13, 2021) |
Capri 3000E | 1971 | Sold | Silverstone Auctions Silverstone NEC Classic Motor Show (November 13, 2021) |
Query all auctioned vehicles of Ford (D) Capri I 2600 RS
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