1971 FORD CAPRI PERANA REPLICA

This 1971 Ford Capri Perana Replica is a fully prepared tarmac rally car that has undergone a comprehensive custom build and then a recent refresh, resulting in a very well-presented vehicle with multiple wins to its name. It is powered by a 363 cubic inch (5.9-litre) Ford Motorsport V8 engine and mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The odometer reads 3,084 miles, understood to be the figure since the car was rebuilt.

This Ford Perana Replica was purpose built in Western Australia in 2012 by a racing enthusiast who was well experienced with the Perana cars – tuned Fords built in period by Basil Green Motors in South Africa. This racer already owned a Cologne-bodied Perana, which was the state's most successful classic tarmac rally car, and wanted a narrow-bodied car to run as well. The current owner is also a Perana aficionado, having owned a highly successful Rainsford prepared example that has competed around the world. Acquiring this vehicle in 2018, it immediately underwent a full cosmetic and mechanical overhaul to ensure that it is in superb, race-ready condition.

The exterior of the vehicle presents in very well, with the bold lines of the Capri further accentuated by the wide wheel arches. The car’s shell was acid dipped when it was first built in 2012, before being treated to a full respray in its current orange paintwork with black accents to match. The factory glass has been replaced with perspex to suit its racing application, and the electrically heated windscreen is also a recent replacement. The owner reports the paint has been maintained to a good standard, with some stone chips present, but no significant damage.

Inside, the interior has been completely stripped to prepare it for race and rally duties. A full roll cage is present, and the type 3 full safety cage structure has been certified and registered with CAMS for national level racing. Additional safety is provided by a pair of Schroth racing harnesses and Velo race seats for the driver and passenger. The driver is presented with a race steering wheel, and a full complement of Autometer gauges, while the passenger footwell features an aluminium brace. The owner reports that everything operates without fault.

Under the bonnet is a neatly installed Ford Motorsport 363ci V8 engine producing roughly 500hp. Fuelling is courtesy of a Holley 650 carburettor on an Edelbrock intake manifold, with a large K&N air filter above. The driveline consists of a Tremec TKO 600 five-speed gearbox, and a BW 8&3/4-inch rear end with KAZ limited-slip differential and 31-spline axles. The battery has been relocated to the boot, where it sits alongside an Aeroflow black fuel pump and competition approved race fuel tank.

The complete front end of the vehicle was supplied by the highly regarded Grp4 Fabrications in Ireland. The rear end has a four-link suspension setup with a panhard rod and adjustable roll centre. The front shock absorbers are Bilstein items, while GAZ units are mounted at the rear. The owner reports that rally driver Alister McRae helped with the suspension adjustment at its last outing, to ensure that the vehicle is exceptionally well balanced. The braking system is by Wilwood, while there is also power steering, and 17-inch wheels shod in Yokohama ADVAN A050 Motorsport tyres. Weighing in at around 1,100kg, the power-to-weight ratio means it delivers truly thrilling performance.

This Ford Capri Perana Replica is an outstanding example of a motorsport-prepared vehicle that is ready to compete. A Category 5 classic rally car complete with CAMS logbook, and which has undergone a professional refurbishment just six years after its initial build; this Capri is a very well-presented example. Remaining in very impressive condition, it would be a great choice for an aspiring classic racer, or perhaps for an experienced competitor to add to a stable of rally cars.

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This vehicle’s VIN has been checked against the Australian Personal Property Securities Register, and there is no security interest or other registration kind logged against the serial number. This vehicle has been checked through the Austroads NEVDIS system, and there are no markers under the written-off or stolen databases.