|
 Club Update |
| Our next gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, 19th November, 2024, at the Matthew Flinders Hotel, Dinner from 6pm. |
| Note: Updates are also posted on our Club Facebook page at Capri Car Club |
| Ford Capri Mk1 RS3100 |
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A total of 250 RS3100 Capri's were built, 249 during November 1973 at Halewood the other car was built at South Ockendon before the others, this car could well be one of the 6 pre production cars built as it differs from the other 249 in that it has fixed rear quarter windows, flat 3 spoke steering wheel and black finished rocker covers it was also used for the studio shots which in turn were used on the Single Sheet Sales Brochure and the Supplementary Handbook the latter being supplied with all production cars.
The RS3100 was based on a basic 3000GT. There were no optional extras, the only small differences between models were that some had red needles on the dashboard others white, some had imitation leather gear knobs while others had plastic, some were fitted with inertia seat belts although most had static.
Mechanically the RS3100 sported a Essex 3000V6 bored out to 3090cc with inlet manifold, cylinder head ports hand polished and rocker covers were painted blue, everything else was as standard. The suspension was as used on the RS2600 with Bilstein shock absorbers all round a unique hub and vented disc assembly along with Granada callipers up front, the front cross member was also redrilled to give negative camber, single leaf springs with lowering blocks at the rear. The rear bump stop rubbers were also revised on the RS3100 as was the suspension (directors settings were used) as opposed to the RS2600. Other components i.e. gearbox, rear axle, anti roll bars were all standard 3litre items. RS3100's were available in 7 different colours Diamond White, Daytona Yellow, Sebring Red, Modena Green, Stardust Silver, Olympic Blue and Marine Blue all with gold decals around the power bulge, around the rear of the car and a triple line down the sides care of the RPO pack available at the time, externally the RS3100 also differed from the standard 3000GT with quarter bumpers up front (the N/S bumper iron incorporating a towing eye) along with a bib spoiler and a pair of spot lamp brackets which helped support the bumpers ( no spot lamps) single piece rear bumper finished in black ( the rear incorporating 2 number plate lamps) and a large Ducktail boot spoiler, all of these items were carried over from the RS2600 with exception of the Ducktail spoiler. The RS3100 was also fitted with the same unique flared front wings as the RS2600 along with the equally unique RS 6x13 4 spoke alloy wheels. On the inside of the car all RS3100's had black headlining and black PVCseats fitted all other fitments were as the standard 3000GT Capri. RS3100's were only sold through RS Dealerships, they were an expensive road car at 2,450 Pounds and arrived right in the middle of the 70's oil crisis and the Mk2 Capri was waiting in the wings which resulted in the RS Capri being somewhat of a nightmare to sell indeed Ford registered 23 of these cars for their Area Sales Managers to use in an attempt to push sales these particular cars were offered at discount prices with very few miles on them, and in June/July 1974 Ford Australia managed to import 50 examples of this "special" Capri and many of these cars still exist today in private collections. These 50 examples sold in Australia for $6250. At the time the RS3100 was the fastest Ford production car with 3,093cc producing 148bhp @ 5,000rpm and 187lb.ft@ 3,000rpm this propelled the RS3100 from 0-60mph in approx 7.6 secs and on to a top speed of 125mph. Thanks to rscapris.com for the information found on this page.
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