Clone V6 Capri No. 2
One of my long term Capri project is a Mk 3 that I've owned since 2005. More on that car later but in pursuit of parts for that project, I have wanted to option to build that particular car in a number of engine specifications. The car left the factory as a lowly 1300 L but came to me with a 2.0lt pinto on board. I was looking to build it in 3.0s specification however V6 Essex engines are in very limited supplies down under. Only 3000 original V6 Capris were every sold in Australia, so these engines more often than not ended up in 4 cylinder shells when the V6 cars were written off or rusted away.
One such car came up for sale on ebay. It was advertised as a genuine matching number V6 engine car and on initial examination of the photos presented, it looked genuine. Numbers matched, and all V6 components like the 140mph dash, correct redline on tacho etc all pointed to the car being genuine. At a buy now price of just $7500 it looked like a bargain despite obvious rust and a fibreglass bonnet.
A quick phone conversation with one of my mates and we agreed to take a risk on it. I was strapped for cash at the time, having just sold a very nice Mk 1 Escort, I was waiting to be paid so i couldn't commit the funds immediately so my friend inspected the car and arranged the funds.
Unfortunately, on closer inspection the Capri turned out to be a very good clone. The only distinguishing features the builder of the car had forgotten was the inner wing strengthen plates. The upgraded suspension top mounts hid the 4 cylinder vin stamping. It was enough to fool the previous owner but not quite enough to fool my friend who is pretty much the authority on these cars in Australia.
After a revised deal was done, I agreed to buy the car off my friend and remove the engine for my Mk 3 project. To recover my funds, I quickly relisted the car on to a contact and the car now is being re-built as a V8 custom. Winners allround.
One such car came up for sale on ebay. It was advertised as a genuine matching number V6 engine car and on initial examination of the photos presented, it looked genuine. Numbers matched, and all V6 components like the 140mph dash, correct redline on tacho etc all pointed to the car being genuine. At a buy now price of just $7500 it looked like a bargain despite obvious rust and a fibreglass bonnet.
A quick phone conversation with one of my mates and we agreed to take a risk on it. I was strapped for cash at the time, having just sold a very nice Mk 1 Escort, I was waiting to be paid so i couldn't commit the funds immediately so my friend inspected the car and arranged the funds.
Unfortunately, on closer inspection the Capri turned out to be a very good clone. The only distinguishing features the builder of the car had forgotten was the inner wing strengthen plates. The upgraded suspension top mounts hid the 4 cylinder vin stamping. It was enough to fool the previous owner but not quite enough to fool my friend who is pretty much the authority on these cars in Australia.
After a revised deal was done, I agreed to buy the car off my friend and remove the engine for my Mk 3 project. To recover my funds, I quickly relisted the car on to a contact and the car now is being re-built as a V8 custom. Winners allround.
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