Restoring A Ford Factory Racing Legend - Part 1
Of the six cars prepared for the 1973 season, four were brand new builds like this one, all powered by the Cologne V6 engine just under 3 liters, enhanced with Kugelfischer fuel injection producing around 330 horsepower. Compared to earlier 1971 and 1972 models, these 1973 cars featured bold box-style fender flares, a significant visual and aerodynamic update symbolizing a fresh push for dominance in touring car racing.
The competition in 1973 was intense. Ford brought top drivers, including Formula 1 World Champions Jackie Stewart and Emerson Fittipaldi. Despite the star power, the opening races were a two-horse race between Ford and BMW, each winning two events. However, BMW’s arrival at the Nürburgring with the newly homologated 3 CSL, complete with a dramatic aero package and wings, turned the tide, allowing BMW to dominate the final races and take the championship.
Despite the setback for Ford in Europe, this Capri carried on an impressive career. The car was distinguished by its unique yellow Ford windscreen banner and matching yellow accents along the rear window. It also had the unique detail of hood pin wires wrapping both over and under the front of the hood—small touches that enthusiasts will appreciate.
Racing beyond Europe, Paul Fahey brought the car to New Zealand, where it made its debut in the local racing scene. Fahey raced the car in the 1974 New Zealand Saloon Car Championship, initially keeping the original blue paint with Air New Zealand colors. Although competitive, the Capri eventually struggled against bigger V8 challengers, prompting Fahey to swap in a more powerful Cosworth GA engine producing about 440 horsepower. This upgrade transformed the car, leading to multiple race wins in 1975, including a memorable victory at Wigram against tough Australian contenders.
Following Fahey’s retirement, the Capri passed through several hands, including rising star Grant Walker, who raced it in both the New Zealand and Australian sports car championships with some success. The car was still a Group 2 class vehicle competing against increasingly advanced V8s and tube-frame cars that were becoming dominant at the time.
Later, South Island racer Inky Tullik revitalized the Capri’s career by fitting a small block Chevy V8 conversion for the popular Oscar racing series. Tullik swapped the gearbox and installed a Ford 9-inch rear end, turning the slippery German coupe into a formidable competitor in New Zealand's highly competitive modified sedan racing scene. Tullik went on to win the 1979 Oscar championship and scored many victories, making the Capri a feared contender.
Ownership of the car changed again in the 1980s, passing to John Osborne and then Ross Cameron, before landing with Roger Townsend, who remains its caretaker today. Roger is undertaking a slow, careful restoration, driven by a passion for authenticity and attention to detail. The restoration requires painstaking work, sourcing rare parts, and repairing body damage from its racing past, including a roll when raced by Grant Walker.
What makes this restoration story even more special is the deep local connection. The Capri is part of New Zealand’s racing heritage and resonates with enthusiasts who witnessed its battles on the track during the 70s and 80s. It’s a car full of stories—from factory racing glory in Europe to fighting V8 muscle on Kiwi soil—and it’s being lovingly brought back to its former glory.
This is just the first chapter in the restoration journey of an iconic factory race car that carries the spirit of an era when touring cars were at the heart of motorsport passion. The Ford Capri RS2600 is not just a car; it’s a living legend being revived to remind the world of its place in racing history. Part two promises even more insight into the painstaking work being done to preserve this extraordinary machine.