Super Speed Mk1 Capri V8 Restoration
Mk1 Superspeed Capri Current Project
Read the full write-up at Mk1 Superspeed Capri Current Project ↗
Photo: Mk1 Superspeed Capri Current ProjectA one-off 1974 Capri Mk1 Super Speed V8, restored by Andys Auto Body
This Mk1 Capri was factory-converted to V8 power by Super Speed in 1975, the only such conversion they are known to have done, then raced at Santa Pod before being stripped and left dormant for over a decade. The current owner commissioned Andys Auto Body to restore the rolling shell and upgrade the suspension, brakes and axle to cope with the rebuilt 351 Cleveland's power.
Specs
As stated in the original write-up.
- Engine
- Ford 351 Cleveland V8, rebuilt with alloy heads and twin Edelbrock carburettors, targeting 300-400bhp
- Rear axle
- Mk1 Atlas axle with Tran-x half shafts and diff machined to fit, five link kit, slipper leaf springs, rear disc conversion
- Suspension
- Bilstein front legs with coil-over conversion and roller bearing top mounts, rear Bilstein coil-overs, poly bushes
- Brakes
- Hi-Spec brakes with Green Stuff pads
- Wheels
- 14 inch RS 4-spoke type wheels made by Pirelli
- Body
- Rolling shell with genuine Ford wings and front valance, repaired rear arch section
- Paint
- Sunset red (original Super Speed colour), satin black on rear panel, sills and window surrounds
- Interior
- New headlining and door cards from Alldridge trimming, tailored sound deadening pads
- Electrical
- New lamp units refitted into refurbished backings, loom retaped with OE spec insulating tape, remote servo mounted in passenger footwell
Parts used
Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.
Engine 1
- Ford 351 Cleveland V8 with alloy heads
Removed and rebuilt to produce 300-400bhp
Fuel & Ignition 1
- Twin Edelbrock carburettors
Fitted as part of the engine rebuild
In the shops
Fuel Hose - Pump to Carburettor 18" (Twin Pump) ↗MGbits4U· £45.56 GBP
Gearbox & Drivetrain 1
- Tran-x half shafts and diff
Purchased and machined to fit the shorter Mk1 Atlas axle
In the shops
Half Shaft ↗
Half Shaft ↗
Half Shaft ↗
Suspension & Steering 2
- Bilstein front and rear coil-over suspension legs
Coil-over conversion with roller bearing top mounts for front, matching rear coil-overs sourced
In the shops
Ridex Rear Suspension Coil Spring ↗
MazSpec MX-5 Spares & Accessories· £24.49 GBP
Air Suspension Damper, front, Bilstein ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £1,424.50 GBP
Air Suspension Damper, front, Bilstein ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £1,424.50 GBP - Five link kit and slipper leaf springs
Blasted, powdercoated and re-bushed with poly bushes before refitting to the axle
In the shops
GRP4 Fabrications PTFE Slipper Kit for Leaf Spring, Ford Escort Mk1 ↗
Timms24 Classic Ford Parts – Capri Mk1 catalogue· €94.70 EUR
Leaf Spring ↗
Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $463.00 USD
Leaf Spring ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $143.65 USD
Brakes 1
- Hi-Spec brakes with Green Stuff pads
Upgraded braking to cope with increased power
In the shops
Brake Pads Set - Green Stuff Kevlar ↗James Paddock Ltd· £49.50 GBP
EBC Green Stuff Brake Pads (Type 16P) ↗
TRGB· £40.65 GBP
Brake Pads Set Green Stuff (Vitesse 2 Litre) ↗
Wheels & Tyres 1
- 14 inch RS 4-spoke wheels
Rare wheels manufactured by Pirelli, fitted to the car on arrival
Body & Trim 1
- New genuine Ford wings and front valance
Already fitted to the shell when it arrived for restoration
Interior 2
- HeadliningAlldridge trimming
New item supplied by Alldridge trimming
- Door cardsAlldridge trimming
New copies from Alldridge trimming replacing warped originals
In the shops
Rear Door Cards, 4 DR ↗
Techno Toy Tuning· $140.00 USD
Door Cards (TE27 Corolla) ↗Techno Toy Tuning· $195.00 USD
N20 Hilux Truck Door Cards ↗Techno Toy Tuning· $175.00 USD
Electrical 3
- Lamp units
New units sourced and fitted into refurbished backings and bezels
- OE spec insulating tape
Used to re-tape the wiring loom
- Remote brake servo
Mounted in the passenger footwell behind a modified glove box due to restricted engine bay space
In the shops
Brake Remote Servo Kit ↗
Photos
40 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from Mk1 Superspeed Capri Current Project. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.
How it was done
History
Built as a 3000GXL, this Mk1 Capri was shipped from Ford to Super Speed conversions in Essex and turned into a V8, but the original customer never collected it. Sold and registered in 1979, it was featured in Street Machine magazine and used for street and drag racing at Santa Pod before being stripped for a restoration and then forgotten for over a decade.
Starting condition
The car arrived at Andys Auto Body as a rolling shell fitted with new genuine Ford wings and front valance, riding on rare 14 inch Pirelli-made RS 4-spoke wheels. The shell proved to be in very good condition, needing only a few repairs including a rear arch section.
Mechanical work
The 351 Cleveland engine was sent off for a rebuild with alloy heads and twin Edelbrock carbs. Running gear was stripped, media blasted and powdercoated. To handle the increased power, the suspension and brakes were upgraded with a coil-over conversion, Hi-Spec brakes, poly bushes, and Tran-x half shafts and diff machined for the Mk1 Atlas axle.
Body and paint
The shell was media blasted, coated in zinc primer, repaired, then painted underneath, in the engine bay and inner wings before the suspension was assembled to check clearances. The exterior was then prepped and resprayed in the original Sunset red, with satin black applied to the rear panel, sills and window surrounds.
Trim and finishing
Sound deadening, a new vinyl roof with chrome trims, a new headlining and new door cards from Alldridge trimming were fitted. New lamp units went into refurbished backings, and a remote servo was mounted behind a modified glove box due to limited engine bay space.
Progress so far
With trim and interior complete, the car was intended to debut at the Classic Ford show at Santa Pod, but the engine was still under construction so it did not reach the unveiling stand and was instead shown on Andys Auto Body's own stand.
A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at Mk1 Superspeed Capri Current Project ↗