1971 Ford Capri Perana 5.0 V8

During the 1960s in Johannesburg, South Africa, Basil Green established a reputation for modifying European saloons to great effect, notably Minis and more latterly Ford Cortinas. In 1969, his imagination was set alight by the arrival of the Ford Capri, instantly he could see the potential to make a bespoke, more powerful and exciting version for the road. Hence the birth of the Ford Capri Perana based on a Ford Capri but with many specialist components such as engines derived from the Ford Mustang (the 5.0 litre '302 Windsor' engine running on a four barrel Holley carburettor) with a Borg Warner Limited slip differntial, alloy bell housing, alloy inlet manifold, a large capacity radiator and a specially made strengthened propshaft. The road car included modified suspension and brakes to cope with the increase in power to nearly 300bhp.

Production and sales looked promising at first with over 500 road cars sold and delivered between 1970 and 1973 in South Africa but cash was sadly lacking and production of the road car ceased early in 1973.

A limited few numbers were taken to be converted to full house racing saloons to compete head on with the dominant American cars of the time, such as Mustangs and Camaros. Basil himself drove a racing version to win the South African Championship no less than 3 times.

This 1971 version was professionally prepared for racing from an acid dipped and seam welded shell in 2008/09 and has susequently raced in 'Masters Touring 70's' and 'Heritage GT' with considerable success. It is fully prepared for European historic racing and now offers a very potent, quick car to take on the BMW Batmobiles and European Ford Capris of today, with something a little different.The engine is a 302ci Ford racing V8 built by Allspeed Ltd. giving about 490 bhp, mated to a Tremec TK0600 5 speed gearbox with Ford 9"rear axle with Detroit locker LSD and Strange halfshafts.Coming with 10 wheels in total, it is finished in a subtle tone of orange and with extremely aggressive looks, it certainly won't be missed.