Capri - 2015 Auto Spectacular

The Auto Spectacular, held at Willowbank Raceway, west of Brisbane, is one event that always seems to attract a huge number of very different vehicles. There is something for all auto enthusiasts, from dragsters, motorcycles, new cars, vintage, classics to the usual Falcons and Holdens. Not many small Fords though!

The car display is the major feature, however the swap meet in the side paddock (very few Capri or Escort bits) combined with the many trade displays gives one plenty to look at. Then at 11 the drags start. Anyone can turn up & have a go and there were some interesting runners but no Capris this year.  So in all, there is a wide variety of attractions.

The club had four cars turn out .There were two other Capris on display, a silver V8 & the red V6 which was for sale. For the first time in many years, I didn’t have a car going to bring along. As usual, there is always someone wanting to talk about the Capris. We have a good spot at the venue – in the shade, beside the food stalls & dunnies, so in all, with the good weather, it was a worthwhile event to attend.

Here are some pics (click to enlarge).

Capri - Brake Booster Removal & Repair

In the last week I actually have been doing some work on my cars as there always seems something has to be fixed or improved. I was very reluctant to publish this post as, at first, I may have looked like a bit of a goose!
It actually relates to how you remove the brake booster.
I will detail how I have done it several times but on saying how painful it was, the guy at the brake specialists asked why didn't I  just undo the four nuts holding the booster to the bracket in the engine bay. I had never considered this but on discussing this method with other Capri owners, all considered this more difficult than the way I describe below. Undoing the nuts behind the bracket would also be quite difficult. If you have some thoughts on this, please let me know.

Removing the brake booster (by removing the four bolts inside the cabin)

Step  1: Remove the parcel shelf. Undo the screws keeping the top of the shelf in place, then the ashtray (2 nuts) & then the bottom nuts or screws holding the tray in place. Carefully pull the tray out trying not to catch it in any places.

Step 2: On the engine side, remove the vacuum hose from the top of the booster. (a few sprays of WD40 might help this process.)  Undo the two nuts holding the master cylinder to the brake booster. I did not disconnect the brake lines but just moved it all sideways & hooked it to the air cleaner brackets.

Step 3: Back inside the car & up under the dash are the four nuts holding on the booster. Three are really easy to undo but the one on the top left is a real bugger. In fact, it has to be located using torches & fingers. It was so difficult to get to that I eventually took the pin out of the clutch pedal & moved it slightly sideways so that I could get a spanner onto it. Once you can see it, it undoes fairly easily. The pictures show one of the nuts but I am not sure which one as taking the photos is also difficult.

Step 4: Back to the engine bay & then the booster with its bracket can be moved backwards & lifted out.

Step 5: Does one have to do all this or can the four bolts holding the bracket to the booster just be undone – all from the engine bay?

Wait until we put it back together.
I have taken to the brake specialists to work their magic but after nearly a week there, they claim to be having all sorts of dramas getting the booster to operate correctly. I hope I can get it back soon.

Postscript.
I haven't finished this project yet, as some two weeks later, I am still awaiting the return of my booster. Not happy! Hopefully this week & I will explain more.

Capri - Capri Pictures & Videos

Here are heaps of pictures of Capris in various forms from serious racers to showroom specials.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=rally+ford+capris&rlz=1T4VRHB_enAU620AU621&tbm=isch&imgil=JFzJVx2S3rovIM%253A%253BbLx360YY_pyi0M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.carandclassic.co.uk%25252Fcar%25252FC189978&source=iu&pf=m&fir=JFzJVx2S3rovIM%253A%252CbLx360YY_pyi0M%252C_&usg=__yqSj7OdeuRycISnc9XsL1T-GBjI%3D&biw=1093&bih=513&ved=0CCcQyjc&ei=61sOVaLXINS78gXyloDoBg#imgrc=JFzJVx2S3rovIM%253A%3BbLx360YY_pyi0M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.carandclassic.co.uk%252Fuploads%252Fcars%252Fford%252F1650630.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.carandclassic.co.uk%252Fcar%252FC189978%3B500%3B343

This is a bit of a classic video. The Capris are at the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E59j1lXRz-Q

This 2 part series was developed by the BBC and has some great Capri stories & examples.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1HYlgwQUOc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJRSfxEKzFg  

Capri - No, not really but have a look!

This post has nothing at all to do with Capris but it has some great fix its. I love the right hand drive solution!

Seat belt broken?

                 I can fix that! (Is that a neck brace you have on?)

 

Car imported from the wrong country?

I can fix that!

 

Car can't be ordered with the

'Wood Trim' option?

I can fix that!

 

Wiper motor burned out?

I can fix that!

 

Car stereo stolen?

I can fix that!

 

 

Capris For Sale

It is always interesting for me to gauge the local Capri market so here are some of the current cars for sale.

1. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/capalaba/cars-vans-utes/1969-ford-capri/1073153830
    Looks interesting for $7000
    PS. Looked for this car on the weekend after I posted this & it was sold in about 3 days!!!

2. http://www.uniquecarsales.com.au/car/FORD/CAPRI?eapi=2&sort=UniqVotes&vertical=Car&silo=Stock&base=1216+1841&Range=Price:Min,Max~1
    There is a really nice two tone V6 for $30,000.

3. http://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/search/type-cars/subtype-unique+cars/keywords-capri
    The XL looks a nice example.

4. In the latest Unique Cars magazine (Issue 373), there is a report & picture of a white 1972 Capri XL, complete with vinyl roof, which sold at Shannons in Melbourne for $10,750. It doesn't say whether it is auto or manual.

There are a few others around but these represent a good sample.

 A couple of these cars are similar to my white XL but the high teens may be a bit optimistic for a 4 cylinder. However, you never know who will come along & really want a Capri & has the ready cash.

Capri - Weber 32/36 DGAV Carburettor

Last year at a swap meet I bought a pretty ordinary looking Weber for about $10. I have had it sitting in the box at home since then and looking for an easy project to do during our recent hot weather, I thought I would clean it up & see if it could be used. As you can see from the photos, it was very dirty & hadn't seen any action for some time so a great deal of carbie cleaner, wire brushing & cleaning were necessary. I had a few spare parts from previous jobs so I was able to replace what was necessary but I still need a choke pull off diaphragm. They are available so I will keep looking around for one at a reasonable price. The whole carbie looks a lot better & I may use it if I can score a good manifold.

If you are rebuilding a similar carbie, this is an excellent forum article that shows photos each step of the way. It is one of the best articles I have come across.
http://www.mk3supra.org/topic/561-guide-rebuilding-a-weber-3236-dgav-carb/

Capri - Logan PCYC Car Show

I spent a few hours this morning at the annual Logan PCYC Car Show. There is always an interesting mix of cars on display. The Capri brand was represented by approx. 8 SA Capri convertibles and my green 1970 Deluxe. There were no other small Fords around - which is surprising. No Escorts or Cortinas.
Shows in bitumen car parks get a little hot around this time of year so I didn't stick around too long - maybe in my middle age I feel the heat a bit more!
Here are some pics of various vehicles. I would love to stick the supercharger that is shown on the Torana on my Capri. Wouldn't that be something?



(Click on photos to enlarge)