The Frankston 69 GT Capri
As a wheeler dealer in the car game, its all about making the connections. I would trawl the internet for possible unfinished project and call contacts on a regular basis just to see what was out there. Sometimes I was lucky enough to have people call me and this next car was one of those occasions.
I had bought a shell of an RS2000 replica for spares from a speedway racer who had liberated the engine and box. The guy was an affable chap who would buy wrecks and unfinished small Ford projects from time to time to get parts, take off what he wanted then move them on. He was located in a less than fashionable suburb at the time (mid 2000s) that was know for its car culture. The catchcry of the suburb was, to quote one associate at the time, "If you aren't into V8s, you are either gay or a girl." Small four cylinder Fords just weren't socially cool in this bayside suburb, despite an underground following that was very much present, if not shouting it from the roof tops.
The call came about one evening from the contact asking if I was interested in an ex-speedway Capri. A 1600 GT with the original, but highly modified Kent engine. The conversation went along the lines of give me $1500 and its yours, otherwise its going on ebay on the weekend with no reserve.
I ventured down to Frankston, the previously mentioned bayside suburb, to quickly check out the Capri and get back out with my life. This was a time when parking in front of the wrong house meant not being able to leave through lack of wheels left on your vehicle.
After a quick assessment of parts value, I agreed to pay the $1500 and I spent the next few weeks stripping down the rusty ex-racer and selling off the parts. I can't say I felt guilty ending the life of what is now considered a highly sort after car, because this was far from an original, untouched example that we all dream about finding. It was in the context of the time just a parts car that had lived out its usefulness. Amen.
I had bought a shell of an RS2000 replica for spares from a speedway racer who had liberated the engine and box. The guy was an affable chap who would buy wrecks and unfinished small Ford projects from time to time to get parts, take off what he wanted then move them on. He was located in a less than fashionable suburb at the time (mid 2000s) that was know for its car culture. The catchcry of the suburb was, to quote one associate at the time, "If you aren't into V8s, you are either gay or a girl." Small four cylinder Fords just weren't socially cool in this bayside suburb, despite an underground following that was very much present, if not shouting it from the roof tops.
The call came about one evening from the contact asking if I was interested in an ex-speedway Capri. A 1600 GT with the original, but highly modified Kent engine. The conversation went along the lines of give me $1500 and its yours, otherwise its going on ebay on the weekend with no reserve.
I ventured down to Frankston, the previously mentioned bayside suburb, to quickly check out the Capri and get back out with my life. This was a time when parking in front of the wrong house meant not being able to leave through lack of wheels left on your vehicle.
After a quick assessment of parts value, I agreed to pay the $1500 and I spent the next few weeks stripping down the rusty ex-racer and selling off the parts. I can't say I felt guilty ending the life of what is now considered a highly sort after car, because this was far from an original, untouched example that we all dream about finding. It was in the context of the time just a parts car that had lived out its usefulness. Amen.
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