Capri Engine Test

Here are 12 engines from British vehicles. Which one is the Capri & do you know the others? (click on photo to enlarge)






Answers from the top row & left to right:
Zephyr Mk 3 with Falcon engine; Austin Champ with Rolls Royce engine; Ford Anglia; Hillman Imp; Mini; 1934 Wolseley Hornet with supercharger; MGB; Austin Healey; Morgan; Morris Minor; Triumph Spitfire; Ford Capri V6

Capri - All British Day, 23 September 2013

The All British Day was held at the Gregory Terrace College Sports Grounds at Tennyson. The venue is ideal for car shows as the ovals are surrounded by trees which provide some shade. This event is organised by the MG Car Club with the major sponsor being RACQ Batteries. The Care Flight helicopter is the main charity to benefit from the day but the $15 entry fee (a nice metal badge is included) to display your car does not always sit well with all car owners.

There was quite a good turnout of vehicles but I suspect, not as many spectators, as I didn’t see any advertising in the press regarding the event. The range of British vehicles is amazing. It also provides a glimpse of the advanced engineering skills of a past British Empire. There were big numbers of Austins, MGs, Minis, Vauxhalls, Land Rovers, Jaguars and British Fords (Cortinas, Prefects, Escorts & Zephyrs).

Unfortunately Capri numbers were down this year with only two on display – my white XL and Anthony’s beautiful V6. We parked next to the British Ford Club who had a big turnout of their members. On the other side, the Zephyr Club showed a variety of well-presented sedans & utes.

All the usual British brands were represented, including the Hillman Imp enthusiast who carts around his spare engine on a trailer. There was a beautiful partially restored 1934 Wolseley Hornet complete with supercharger. Also the engine bay of an unfinished Austin Healey was a work of art, representing a lot of work & a lot of money. As always at these shows, I am amazed at the variety & quality of the vehicles on display. They reflect a great deal of effort and a great deal of pride.

Capri Brakes - missing retaining pin

For many months, my white XL has had a squeaking noise coming from the front right wheel. It had something to do with the brakes and I finally decided to have a look. It didn't take long to see that the lower brake pad retaining pin was missing! (see photo) I have no idea how long it has been like that as I have driven it to a number of places.
I had an old front calliper in my limited spare parts bin and it had the two retaining pins so I was in luck. Well, for a few minutes! I cleaned it up & went to put in in the slot but it was way too thick. Must go the other way - no, not that way either! I don't believe it! I withdrew the existing pin & it was very obvious that the pins were completely different in diameter. Where can I get the proper size pin from?
My local Repco store couldn't help so I drove to All Brake & Clutch at Rocklea who are always helpful. The guy laughed & said no hope but told me what they do is insert either a big split pin or a long thin bolt. Good advice, so off to Bunnings where I bought a packet of 3/16" x 75mm bolts & nuts. See the differences in the photo.(The one in the middle was the one I was trying to replace.)
Luckily, these bolts are a good fit & will have do until I can get an original type of pin. Hope this stops the rattle as it was too late to test drive it today.
Again, it seems that every Capri is different & I am not sure what types of callipers were used but the white one has a Girling set.

Capri Owner's Manual

Check out the price that this owner's manual went for on EBay last night - $59.98!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1970s-Ford-Capri-Owners-car-manual-/261285308697

I saw it a few nights ago & it looked in excellent condition so I thought I would put in a bid. I already have one but I it is not as good as the one that was advertised. I put in a few bids but they were quickly passed. I was prepared to go to about $20 but, as you can see, that was way out. If you look at the bids, the winner went way over the next bidder.

It just goes to show that good Capri bits & pieces can still pull top prices.

Capri Barn Find - not really, but I wish!

Here is the greatest barn finds of all times.

Have a look at this site:
http://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/

It details the sale of a collection of some brand new vehicles from the 1960s which have been stored in the Lambrecht Chevrolet Company in Pierce, Nebraska. The company shut its doors some 17 years ago and the building has not been touched. Some of the vehicles have less than 5 miles on them & one ute has just 1 mile on it. They even have the original plastic covers on the seats.

When you are in the site, click on the video down on the right hand side & it shows how the garage was and the removal of some of the vehicles.

Wouldn't it be great if someone found a similar stash of old Capris, especially here in Australia?