Fabulous Fords Forever at Knott's Berry Farm 2002
CCNA Capris At The Glen 2012
First and foremost would like to congratulate and thank Don Murphy for a well-planned and run event. It’s daunting to launch a new event, and this was no different. Don’s wife, Jeanne, worked overtime making sure everybody was comfortable, had food, and something to drink. The Murphys put together wine and sunblock goodies for Capri drivers in the concours. They brought down a grille, lots and lots of food, cooked, and served and put on an all-day party! THANKS, Don and Jeanne! Above and beyond!
Don even tossed Norm the keys to his sweet red 73 V6, so he could bomb around the Glen racetrack with his wife and youngest son, doing some “Thunder Road” laps. Now that’s a leap of faith! The mirrors were full of Larry Wells’ and Mike Rahamut’s beautiful Capris too. The Capris led the pack, natch!
Second, HUGE thanks to Ira and Ross for bringing out their racing Capris. Immaculately prepared, and well-driven, both.
Ira’s 2.0L TransAm Under 2.5L Class Tribute Capri was doing exceptionally well all weekend in the SVRA Group 8 BS Class after a minor Friday re-wire job on a bad tach which had been killing MSD boxes when shorting. Ira was able to get a 2:24.5 lap time, near his best time ever at The Glen. During the race Sunday an old tire repair failed, unspectacularly thank goodness. Just a premature end to his run, no associated damage to fix.
Ross’s 3.0L Weslake Essex V6 IMSA Capri was hooked up well all weekend, getting down to a 2:16 lap time in the SVRA Group 8 RS Class race on Sunday. The huge heavy V6 motor makes plenty of “go”, but it’s a bunch of weight up in the nose without power steering too and you literally heave it in and out of corners. Sadly, Ross announced that the Glen is probably the last racing event for the Capri. It’s very expensive to run and maintain compared to his other Euro Ford racers, and much rarer if anything major breaks. He tagged a Porsche 914 that bounced off the Armco and back onto the track during the qualifying race Saturday. But true to form, Ross didn’t slow down, just went on and finished the race and raced again on Sunday as noted. The damage is already being repaired at his shop, using a German Werkes factory-moulded Team Blitz fender (which owns the original Ford molds today).
Please let me also point out the quick contributions of CCNA-ers Bill Davidson and Jim Brozynski in helping Ross gaffer tape the nose of the Capri so it could race on Sunday. Ross was very appreciative of the instant crew, guys.
Third, MEGA thanks to all the Capri owners who brought their rides out for the show. There were some really special people and cars in attendance.
Mike Rahamut won Best Modified with his Yellow 1974 2.8L, just days fresh from the paint booth! What an effort to reassemble and get the car to the Glen. Mike has been evolving his Capri for many years from back when it was a “normal” stock rootbeer-brown Capri to its high state of tune today.
Jeff Mathyssen won Best Restored with his Light Blue 1974 2.8L. Few people have ever brought back a Capri from the brink like Jeff. His car needed a whole roof, whole floor pan, and a bunch of other serious metal work to nearly every panel on the car. And you just can’t tell, really incredible.
Bill Daws Sr. won Best Survivor with his 1976 2.3L Yellow Mk2. Bill and his son, also Bill, worked on this puppy from the time it was dropped off in their driveway right up to the show. It runs great, only has a re-paint and a few minor changes from its born date. It’s like the one Bill had “back when”!
Don Murphy’s Capri was unanimously voted Best Daily Driver, a new CCNA class, despite not being in the concours. With all the votes for Don, and no one else, it made the selection both easy and popular. Don drives his Capri whenever he can, and in pretty much all conditions. Superb choice.
Also there, Larry Wells with the inimitable 1971 Colonel Mustard 2.0L. Bill Davidson with his spanking clean Green 1974 2.0L. Mike VandenBoom with his immaculate red/black 1972 V6. Steve Burris with his 1973 V6 wundercar. All of these cars are past CCNA trophy winners as well! An incredible field of Capris were represented at CCNA Capris At The Glen.
The Club still has T-shirts available. Link here
Thanks to Brenda Murdock, Exec Director Max, who the CCNA is about to lose through retirement, David for his CCNA web mastering, and thanks to the Capri-List for the use of its airwaves.
The event was also a tribute to the late Carroll Shelby, and there were a lot of luminaries and cars associated with him in attendance. In particular, we met with Tom Yeager, Shelby’s first GT350-R test-pilot and racer-driver. He was most generous with his time and autographs for the boys, and a hoot to boot! Here’s a clipping from an article written around 8 years ago:
Thanks to everyone who attended the first CCNA Capris At The Glen. You made it special with your decision to be there. Whether you brought a Capri or raced or took pics or just hung out. Thank you. It’s all about you. We’re planning to do it again in 2013. Hope you can join us then.
Capris at Carlisle 2009 Gallery
Photos courtesy of Mike R.
Carlisle 2006
Capris at Carlisle 2004
Capris at Carlisle 2002
Author: Ted Szypulski
Hi all,
I got back from the “Capri’s at Carlisle” late last night. I must say my daughter and I had a wonderful time! We could only stay one day, but had a lot of fun anyway, this despite the small electrical FIRE in my Capri! I want to publicly thank Bart Manhard, Joe Bennardo, Lee and Toni Shepherd, and Dave Wells for their assistance and patience during this ordeal. My problem was due to a wire falling off my choke preheater and shorting to ground on the exhaust manifold after melting through the connector. This wire is UNFUSED in the Capri design. Once I get the harness cleaned up and sorted, it will be fused.
There were eight Capri’s present, 3 MKII’s and 5 MKI’s. I got to finally meet, in person, Joe Bennardo, Dave and Larry Wells, Norm Murdock and Lee and Toni Shepherd. We will make photos available soon on my web page.
Bart’s immaculate ’74 2000, 4 speed was a pleasure to see again. What time did you leave my house for New Hampshire this morning, 5 a.m.?
Joe’s 2.3 EFI/Turbo project continues. I hope the Merkur guys got you all fixed up! You are a funny man!Thanks Joe, for organizing a fine event!
We met a new Capri owner, Keith, who had a BEAUTIFUL ’77 that was totally restored and modified. It was a glossy red with yellow and orange flames on the front fenders. Toni mentioned that after my electrical fire I might want to consider adding flames to my fenders too. Thanks Toni! Anyway, Keith’s MKII had a 5.0L engine with automatic and a lot of performance additions along with nicely flared rear wheel wells. His work was impeccable.
We had a nice dinner on Friday evening at the Hanover House restaurant. Norm’s presentation on 2.0L performance modifications was informative. I’ll leave it to others to mention the “goody” on board Norm’s truck. On Saturday evening we had a drawing for door prizes courtesy CCNA, presentations of awards, and a photo shoot, all at the Bonanza Steak House.
My Capri, now with 120,000 miles on it, hummed all the way to Carlisle and back. A total trip of about 700 miles. Bart and I got back to my house at 12:30 a.m. We were both passed multiple times by a large tour bus on I84 in Connecticut. The second time Bart was passed he disappeared from my rear view mirror for a while. Then the bus passed me a final time. Bart called me on the radio to tell me he was delayed because he was dodging a wheel and tire that broke free of the bus! He said it came off the bus when he was along side it, it rolled down the road ahead of him, he slowed to watch it drift across lanes and then finally careen into the guard rail! I didn’t even notice it was missing a wheel the second time it passed me. Apparently neither did the driver, who was doing about 80 at the time. All the passengers were enjoying a video on the monitors too. Scary!
Ted Szypulski
Photographers: Joe Bennardo, Ted Szypulski
2002 European Car Show & Shine - Omaha, Nebraska
Author: Doug Wilson
Omaha Capris
Sunday June 16th saw 2 Capris among over 60 European cars at the All-European Car Show & Shine at Eagle Hills Golf Course near Omaha, NE. Humidity was low and temperatures were in the 80’s most of the afternoon. Kurt Mueller brought his 76 Black Cat all the way from the Minneapolis area and I brought my 74 2.0 150 miles from Grand Island. Interestingly, we had both purchased our Capris in March and this was their first significant road trip under power since their purchase!
Not to be forgotten, Chuck Brown brought his immaculate Merkur Scorpio from Lincoln. This was an award-winning car at Carlisle 2 weeks before. While not a Capri, it is a rarely seen and notable German Ford.
Omaha Capris Mechanical gremlins made me very late for the event… Not how I had hoped to host my first Capri gathering! Still I got there in time to visit with Kurt, take in the sights (many incredible cars!) and talk with observers. We had many compliments on our cars as well as many sharing memories of their Capris. Kurt said a member of the Capri-list, without his Capri, from Davenport, Iowa was at the show before I arrived. We can hope he can bring it with him next year.
This was the first gathering of Capris in the Heartland and we hope we can see more growth next year.
CCNA NorCal Meet 2002
CCNA Canadian Maple Leaf Tour 2002
Author: Bev Connell
June, 2002
The only Canadian Capri Club of North America meet was held in Oshawa on May 25, 2002. 14 Capri enthusiasts gathered at The Canadian Automotive Museum in downtown Oshawa. The museum housed some very old vehicles like the 1898 Fisher Electric, various Ford products and even artifacts like gas pumps, bicycles and other memorabilia of the early 1900s. However I must admit… the 5 Sexy European Fords sitting in the parking lot were the focus of the gathering. We had 5 very interesting and well-kept Capris in attendance. Several of these were just pulled out of hibernation not less then 24 hours prior to the meet after a long winter storage.
The following were in attendance: Jeff Lantz and his son Ian arrived with one of his several Capris arrived from London, Ontario. He had the oldest Capri, which was a 1971. Carl Hathaway from Toronto showed off his 1973 model. Dave and Sue Reid from Toronto also had a Mark 1 Capri which was just taken out of storage a few days before this meet. His Capri is the only I have seen with the side mirrors on the front fenders (as they were sold in England). Dave Bryan and his son Nick arrived in a perfectly stock Black Cat. It is one of his five Capris and a beauty it is. Dave is local to Oshawa and led us to a huge gorgeous park on the waterfront for our tail gate lunch. The final Capri of the lot roared in to the lot with Dan Vance at the wheel. Dan and son Nick own this 1977 Ghia Capri which is armed with a turbo under the hood. It’s 300 horse-powered engine is something every Capri enthusiast should see. Others in attendance were Rob Harber, whose 1972 Capri is undergoing a V-8 transplant and the Connells (Bev hosted the gathering) whose Capri is still in restoration.
Jeff Lantz
After the tour through the museum, we all drove down to a huge park on the water front. We all parked together and had a picnic lunch. The weather was sunny, however, a bit cool for the time of year. During lunch we chatted about Capris, part sources, how to install various parts and shared photos and magazines articles on Capris.
Bev hosts a directory of Canadian Capri owners and if you or know someone who should be on her list for future gatherings and resources, please let her know.
Texas CCNA Roundup 2002
Authors: Frank Richardson, Hugh T. Kelly
April, 2002
Texas CCNA Roundup 2002
We all met at Hugh’s house Friday evening. The day had been unusually cool and damp earlier but had turned out to be a fine evening. Hugh welcomed everyone with some genuine Texas BBQ, with beans and beer….this eventually lead to a somewhat musical event.;-)
Dave “Lammy” brought his library of Capri memorabilia, which we all enjoyed checking out. Hugh brought out part of his extensive collection of Capri models of all sorts. Looking at his collection of pieces from all over the world, you could truly see the Capri is admired the world over. We continued to brainstorm various induction ideas and admire Hugh’s newest “secret weapon” and learn a lot from one another. We watched John Wayne in “Brannigan” commandeer a Capri Mk2 and race it through London as well as a couple of other short flicks with a Capri. We ended with the original “Gone In 60 Seconds”. I think we finally got to sleep about 1am.
Texas CCNA Roundup 2002
Next morning we headed from Hugh’s place toward the swap meet. The area where Hugh lives is out in the country and is quite scenic. The highway we took to the interstate made for an enjoyable ride with lots of opportunities to stir the gears through some twisty turns. Once on the interstate headed north toward Fort Worth, we seemed to attract some attention by the curious as well as a “thumbs up” from a Camaro driver passing the other way. After a brief stop for gas and grub, we made it to the Pate Swap Meet held at the Texas Motor Speedway.
We spent the rest of the day haggling for bargains, searching for elusive parts and manuals and admiring cars from the unusual to the exquisite. I lucked out and found an entire NOS camber kit for a Capri. The folks that ran the booth continued to look through their parts catalogs and located several Capri suspension parts they didn’t know they had until we asked.
Overall, I think everyone had a great time. We plan to announce things much earlier for next year and add some events. We believe the attendance will increase greatly if we can get the word out sooner.
Capris in attendance were:
Frank Richardson – Red ’72 V6
Hugh T. Kelly – LSD Capri
Dave Lamoureux – Green ’73 V6
The CCNA trophy winners of the weekend were:
Best Mk 1 – Dave Lamoureux
Best Mk 2 – Hugh T. Kelly
Texas CCNA Roundup 2002
Author:Ed Rossier
Fourteen Capris were at Knott’s Berry Ford Show. Wow, that is more than the ten we were looking for and more than the Merkurs. Last year we had five Capris and we wanted to double that. But fourteen?! There were Capris from as far away as Phoenix, Arizona, San Jose, and north of Fresno.
It started Saturday night before the show. Five Capris were at my house for a get together and to help Norm Murdock load a Cosworth 4 cyl. non-turbo motor into his truck. That Cosworth really looked great. I couldn’t believe looking out my front window and seeing five Capris.
Sunday started early at Denny’s near Knotts. It was clear but not hot like it had been at previous events. Some had breakfast and some came just because that was our gathering area. About 9:30 we all got in a single line and drove the short distance to Knotts. I wish I had thought of having someone video us driving in. There were about ten of us driving in together. Some were already there and a couple came in just before the deadline of 10 o’clock. We really had a great variety of Capris. One black ’73 with a V8 that sounded awesome. There was a rare Le Cat (Black), Rocco had his Mk I Racer that looked real mean and there was even a Dobi Mk II.
Norm had contributed three really nice trophies for best Mk I, best Mk II, and furthest distance driven. I won the Mk I and the Dobi Mk II, owned by Eddy Medina, won the MK II. I think Mike Robertson from Phoenix won the longest distance driven trophy. Then we had a drawing for more “stuff” that Norm bought.
There is going to be a meeting of the group that sets up the show. Chris Roseneau and myself will go. We are going to get the “European Fords – Anglias, Cortinas, Capris, and Merkurs” as there own class. It will make it easier for everyone to sign up.
All and all it turned out just great. Our only problem is how to get 28 Capris next year. We have to keep doubling our previous year’s turn-out. Yeah, right!?