Model Page
Ford Capri RS2600
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Produced: |
1970 - 1974 |
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Production Run: |
3,532 |
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Built: |
Niehl 1970 - 1972 (Germany) |
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Saarlouis 1972 - 1974 (Germany) |
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Engine: |
Ford Cologne 2,637cc V6 Injection |
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0-60: |
8.0 secs |
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Max Speed: |
124 mph |
The Ford Capri RS2600 was developed by Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations in South Ockendon with the first vehicles rolling off the production line in March of 1970. Production was split into two distinct sections - the initial batch of fifty cars manufactured were the lightweight specials (know as “Plastikbombes”) that were built for homologation purposes to allow the car to compete in international events. The second batch of cars manufactured was the road going RS2600’s that weighed in at 1080Kg.
Ford Capri RS2600 Front Shot (later model)
Engineers were given a race trim target weight of 900kg for the vehicle, to meet these requirements the car was fitted with a fibreglass bonnet, boot lid and doors. Glass was no longer used for the side windows these now being manufactured from Perspex, the front and rear windscreens fitted were made from a thinner glass. The internal heaters and carpets were deleted from this model and the front seats were replaced with fixed back Scheel units, the weight savings even extended to reducing the number of coats of paint applied to the cars. The fifty lightweight specials did not have the fuel injected system installed to the engine as was fitted to the road going equivalents but did have a long throw crankshaft that gave a displacement that exceeded 2.6 litres. The car made its official debut at the Geneva Motor show in March 1970, interestingly the show cars however did not sport the completed fuel injection system that was eventually fitted to the production vehicles.
The RS2600 was powered by the 2,673cc V6 overhead valve Cologne engine (bore and stroke 90mm x 69mm). A Kugelfischer mechnical fuel injection system was installed and gave the engine a power output of 150 bhp @ 5,800 rpm and 165 lb/ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. Power was fed exclusively to the rear wheels through a four speed manual gearbox.
Ford Capri RS2600 Rear Shot
The first road-going Capri RS2600 rolled off the production line at the Niehl plant in September 1970 (where production remained until manufacture was transferred to Saarlouis from 1972), a design flaw was soon identified whereby on full lock the alloy wheels fouled the front wings. Ford’s engineers moved quickly to bypass the problem by redesigning the wings to include a slight flare, although the fact remained that this was a huge oversight. The cars were reasonably heavily revised from the standard Mk1 Capri - the front panel including two vents and the front and rear bumpers were removed, twin Cibie headlights were fitted. Richard Grant road wheels were fitted to the car as standard, RS2600 badges were fitted to the front wings in a similar design to those fitted to the early RS Escorts and an RS badge was added to the boot lid. The front cross member was re-drilled to provide a negative camber. Competition front spring and single leaf rear suspension was added complemented by Bilstein shock absorbers all round. To improve the stopping ability up rated brake pads and linings were fitted. Moving to the interior cabin the model did not receive a centre console, the steering wheel was changed for a Springall sourced unit and Scheel reclining sports seats were installed – not the fixed back units fitted to the lightweight specials.
Ford Capri RS2600 Engine Bay
In October 1971 the RS2600 benefited from its first updates to improve handling and braking efficiency revised suspension settings and ventilated front discs were installed. The vehicle was now fitted with a gearbox sourced form the Granada, this along with the rear axle ratio being modified from 3.22:1 to 3.09:1 gave the car a much less frantic 22.6 Mph per 1,000 rpm in top gear (a significant improvement over the previous 19.9 Mph per 1,000 rpm). Wanting to freshen the appearance of the car 6 inch RS four spoke alloy wheels became standard fit, the two vents that were integrated into the front panel were removed and smart Chrome quarter bumpers replaced the old units. The most striking revision was made to the choice of paint finish for the vehicle, the range of available colours was expanded with the model now made available in any colour within the Ford range, the engine bay, wing tops, screen pillars, bonnet and the tops of the doors were all finish in Satin black. Updates continued to the interior cabin, the Scheel seats featured a revised trim made from a soft cord and an RS badge was added to the top of the backrest.
TThe RS2600 received its final raft of updates in September of 1972, the majority of which were exterior revisions. The car received a new set of decals that included for the first time the fuel filler cap that had the words RS 2600 Injection applied, new shield shaped badges were fixed onto the wings that had the 2600 V6 embossed. The quarter bumpers were now finished in black, the Cibie headlamp units were replaced by Hella sourced units and the headlamp bezels fitted were taken direct from the GXL Capri model. The car now came complete with spot lamp brackets fitted as standard. Minor changes were made to the interior cabin that included the installation of a map reading light and centre console, at this point the steering wheel was replaced for a three spoke item and the rear seats were now trimmed in cloth. The engine received minor updates with a newly designed fuel injectors and fuel pump installed. The list of optional extra’s grew considerably with a limited slip differential, sunroof, opening rear quarter windows, radio, head rests and spot lights all now being available at additional cost.
The Capri RS2600 received no further updates and after a production run totalling 3,532, the RS2600 ceased production in 1974 alongside the Mk1 as the Mk2 Capri was introduced.
The Facts
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Engine: |
Ford Cologne V6 |
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Capacity: |
2,637 cc |
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Valves: |
12 |
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Compression Ratio: |
10:1 |
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Fuel System: |
Bosch K-Jetronic Injection |
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Maximum Power: |
150bhp @ 5,800rpm (Pre ‘72) / 150bhp @ 5,600 rpm (‘72 onward) |
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Maximum Torque: |
166lb ft @ 3500rpm (Pre ‘72) / 159lb ft @ 3,500 rpm (‘72 onward) |
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Transmission: |
Manual 4 Speed |
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Top Gear: |
19.9 mph (‘71) 22.6 mph per 1000 rpm (’72 onward) |
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Brakes: |
Servo Assisted Vented front discs / rear drums |
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Kerb Weight: |
1050 Kg |
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0-60: |
8.0 secs |
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Max Speed: |
124 mph |
