Capri Factory Authorized Body Parts/Ground Effects

RARE-ASC · Post by **RARE-ASC** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:36 pm

Sounds like a interesting project good luck with it!

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:38 pm

Rescard, where are you in Jersey ? I'm here too. Essex County

Post by **negusm** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:40 pm

rescard wrote:Mike, this is great stuff! Thanks for showing me those brochures. It actually helps me out w/ interior ideas as well. Couple of other quick questions. First, you made no reference to the GS model(s). NHRA lists them but w/no details. Do you have info. on those as well? Secondly, many mid 80's Fords/Mercs had grey interior panels/plastic and dashs. I will print out the web site you referenced, but in the meantime, did Capri's have grey as well? Finally, on the hood scoops, I agree w/ ur assessment. My plan is to use the forced air induction as in the stock design, but I was wondering if, in addition, I should open the underneath of the scoop and have that assist drawing cool air. At 125mph or more, that could make a difference. What do you think? Ray

Well, for 84-86 the "GS" model was just the base Capri. The RS/5.0L added to it.

84-86 Capris could have grey interiors. 79-83 could have black. Reds/blues/tans and others were mixed around all the years.

I found the page on my site for 1985 curb weight: http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Literatu ... ook_10.jpg

If you can get away with an open hood scoop and hood cutout, I would say that yeah, it should help keep the engine compartment cooler. Also, there is an old racer's trick whereby you shim the back of the hood where it bolts to the hood hinges so that the rear of the hood sticks up 1/4" in the back. That's supposed to draw hot air out the back.

-Mike

85GPIV · Post by **85GPIV** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:15 am

Rescard,

I'm not sure what type of induction you are running... But you should be able to fit most Carb/intake combos under the stock hood. I have a 351 Windsor block (taller than the 302) with a Edelbrock Victor Jr, a 1" Phenolic spacer, a Holley 750 HP, and a regular 3" tall 14" dia. chrome aircleaner that all fits under the hood scoop of my '79. I did cut the hood for the air cleaner, and I opened up the front so it's functional. The air cleaner rides nicely in the fresh air of the hood scoop...

Just thought I'd mention that unless you are running a tunnel ram or blower or something crazy like that (which I'm sure you aren't since you are looking for "factory parts") you should be able to fit your 289 under the stock hood.

mustang marty · Post by **mustang marty** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:52 pm

This looks like a 'glass Capri hood with a molded on stock style scoop.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0108300199

rescard · Post by **rescard** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:30 am

All of you have been very helpful and I have some great ideas now.

Sandy, I live in Manalapan, NJ - so we are close. After you helped me months ago w/ some tough questions I decided (after my project is complete) to offer you my spare Capri for parts. Since we are so close I can get it to you easily. Might not be worth your time - and rarely is anything thats free of any real value, but I am sure you can find some good stuff on it. If you plan on going to the Summernationals at Englishtown, let me know. I will have the Probe competiting in Super Stock.

Mike, the insight on the weights and interior is exactly what I needed. All the plastic and components inside are now stained/painted the original grey. I do believe that the 86 GS model is the Grand Prix version that uses the ASC components w/o any reference of that on the car.

Scot, I just may take your advise and open the scoop. Cutting the ribs is chancy, but that is what I will need to do to fit the 289 w/ the customer manifold and the Autolite carb.

Lastly, Marty, that fiberglass hood could be a lifesaver. Getting NHRA to believe that came stock on any Capri could be difficult, but surely worth a try.

I will let you guys know how I make out as the project continues.

Post by **negusm** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:31 am

rescard wrote:I do believe that the 86 GS model is the Grand Prix version that uses the ASC components w/o any reference of that on the car.

I don't really think you have it right although I'm not exactly sure what you mean.

The 85 Grand Prix cars were built according to the 1985 "5.0L/RS" model specifications. HOWEVER Ford in their infinite wisdom may have used the GS model designation for EVERY Capri it made for a while. So we see lots of cars sold as "85 GS" cars when they were really the top of the line "5.0L" trim level.

In 86 it seems they split things back into the proper GS (base model) and "5.0L" model.

The GS from 83 always meant the lower trim level. It didn't have any ground effects or air dam or sport seats and such. ONLY in 1985 did things get confusion since it seems Ford may have used the "GS" and "GS 5.0L" designations to confuse us.

The ground effects asc put on the car have NOTHING to do with Ford. Forget EVERYTHING about asc when you talk about what Ford did with the GP4s. Forget it forget it forget it. The side and rear ground effects and rear bubble wing was NOTHING ford ever used in mass production. You could say they were sanctioned by Ford I guess for those 30 cars but do NOT relate thsoe items to GS/RS/5.0L or anything else Ford was using in their Capri model line.

-Mike

Post by **negusm** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:34 am

Cool fiber glass hood. I would DEFINIELY SNAG it and try to sneak it past NHRA if you possibly can. It's worth a shot.

-Mike

rescard · Post by **rescard** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:49 am

Mike, I can sure get myself all caught up in my shorts on this one! I used the info you guys gave me and read this stuff as well: http://www.mercurycapri.com/grandprix/. Based on that, I came to some conclusions.

Thank goodness that I am not trying to construct a real 5.0L or GS - that data is confusing and not consistent. I figure it this way: if it jumbles me up, it will surely not be easy for NHRA to understand it. Hopefully that will give me a benefit getting components approved. Mike I will probably reach out to you again before I purchase the front or rear spoiler/wing or the side panels. Once I am that far, hopefully the decision will be easier and NHRA accepted. I may jump on the hood though regardless... Thanks again. Ray

Post by **negusm** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 2:37 am

rescard wrote:Mike, I can sure get myself all caught up in my shorts on this one! I used the info you guys gave me and read this stuff as well: http://www.mercurycapri.com/grandprix/. Based on that, I came to some conclusions.

Remember, the Grand Prix cars were just "5.0L" cars pulled from Ford's assembly line and sent to asc for the "effects" and then sent off to the Grand Prix. In 1985 though the GS name was used on everything so technically you could actually call them "5.0L GS" Capris or whatever.

None were ordered by dealer's or customers and there was no subsequent program to sell more cars afterwards like they did the 1979 Mustang Pace Car Replicas.

So in effect, there were exactly 30 cars officially sanctioned by Ford to have the side skirts, rear valence, rear wing and the funky paint job.

-Mike

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:55 pm

Actually I think that the 47 EuroCoupes were more different from the full packaged ascMcLaren Coupes than were the 30 Grand Prix IV different. Not so much by additions, but moreso by omissions on the EuroCoupes, as well as the ordering process, because the public could order a EuroCoupe, but not a Grand Prix IV. (As witnessed by the barn-storm turnout of an additional 17 private citizens stampeding to local Lincoln-Mercury dealers to order one.)