PERFORMANCE NEWS

SINCE the Ford Capri was announced the manufacturers have made sure that nearly every individual whim is catered for, straight from the production line. X, L and even R packs, plus a choice of engines ranging from 1,300 c.c. to 3,000 c.c. have all made it difficult for the specialists to find a hole in the Ford defences and make some money.

However, as the car is such a success more people are beginning to discover the truth about living with an appalling standard lighting system (the optional Wipac Rallypack accessories are an insult in terms of finish and illumination too). Our staff Capri now has four lamps on the front, tacked hither and thither, and we could still ask for more !

In April WATS (Wembley Auto Transport Supply Co.) of 199 Ealing Road, Wembley, Middlesex, announced a quicker version of the 3-litre V6 model, which also has four round headlamps where just one unhappy rectangular unit nestled before. Customers can opt for either Lucas or Cibie 5 ¾ diameter units, with or without quartz iodine in the case of Lucas equipment. Prices start at £46 fitted up to £57 complete for the Cibies.

Like Broadspeed the company also offer a number of parts to give a distinctive touch to the front, including a new number plate mounting, quarter bumpers and indicators installed either side of the grille.

For £338 WATS will supply a 3-litre Capri with the 170 b.h.p. Weslake-Ford motor (revised heads, camshaft, inlet manifold and carburetter), twin-pipe exhaust system with one branch on either side of the car (instead of the Peco-style standard effort)t, leather rim steering wheel, thermostatically controlled electric fan (many road tests complain about the standard mechanical fan’s noise), quarter bumpers and built-in number plate mounting, electric screen washers, side mounted indicators, sleek wing mirrors (called racing style of course), matt black paintwork—including the bonnet’s Trans-Am style stripe, and many of the features found on production Capris with the R pack. Total cost of a car so equipped (with gaiety belts and an electric rear window) is £1,742 15s. 8d.

Useful Goody Emporium

An unusually useful speed shop opened in London a few months ago: owned by John Stanton and trading under the name of J. 8: J. Stanton at 55 Goldhawk Road, Shepherds Bush, London, W12; it offers-not only many bolt-on parts, but also items such as brake linings, fan belts and other bread-and-butter items. Stanton was an unusually active sponsor of racing cars last year in club events (among the men he backed was Redex class winner Michael Darrieulat of Talon Engineering and Gerry Birrell, the European Formula Ford Champion), but for this year he has cut back to a share in Birrell’s F3 Brabham and an ex-factory Alpina-tuned BMW 2002TI, driven by his business partner, Cohn Youle, in international Group 2 Saloon Car meetings.

Cooler and Wider Avengers

Cosmic Wheels Ltd. of Walsall in Staffordshire and a division of the Serck radiator people (Car Plates in Nottingham) have both gone into the market for Rootes’ “make or break” model. The Cosmic wheels are in their current spoked pattern with 5 in. wide rim and 13 in. diameter, costing £9 each. More information from the makers at Bridgeman Street, Walsall., Staffs. The same company also make aluminium wheels to fit Alfa Romeos, BMWs, Vauxhalls (as tested in this issue, Saabs, Toyotas, Hondas, Opels, Lancias, NSUs, Simcas, Datsuns and Fiats (excellent for the 124). as well as the more popularly catered for Fords and British Leyland models.

A press release on behalf of Car Plates, Greasly Street, Bulwell, Birmingham, informs us that the firm are marketing an oil cooler kit for the Avenger at £17 to fit either 1,250 or 1,500 C.C. models. What the release does not say is that the kit is of the thermostatically controlled type which Taurus Performance Ltd. were selling a few years back, before their amalgamation with Lloyd’s Industries. However, we think this Avenger cooler is probably along these lines as the hand-out notes ” …. ensuring that oil temperature never exceeds 100°C. and never falls below 75°C.”—J. W.