Makes › Ford › Sierra and Capri › Capri RS2600 · Factory competition · 1970–1974 Rare
Ford
Capri RS2600
Cologne-built fuel-injected homologation Capri for Group 2 racing; first 50 lightweight “Plastikbombe” cars.
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 3,532 Built
- Years
- 1970–1974
- Engine
- 60 degree V6, front, longitudinal · 2,637 cc / 2.6 LFactory: 2,637 cc
- Power
- 112 kW / 152 PSFactory: 150 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 200 km/hFactory: 124 mph · converted
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Ford competition department, Boreham (development); built at Cologne
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The RS2600 was Ford's homologation special for the Capri, created so the car could compete in the European Touring Car Championship, where the regulations required a set number (usually 500) of showroom cars. It was the first fuel-injected Capri and the base for the works touring cars that won the early 1970s Group 2 titles.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Ford Capri RS2600 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BY 2.0
Ford Capri RS2600 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BY 2.0
Ford Capri RS2600 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BY 2.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionRS2600 completed by December 1973 | 3,5321,2 | Factory production | Registry reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Work on a "special RS Capri" began in late 1969 at Ford's Boreham competition department in England, and the car was built in Cologne. The RS2600 debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1970 with a mock-up fuel-injection system; the first fully developed fuel-injected cars left the Niehl line in Cologne in September 1970.
One catalogued car dating from November 1971 is described as one of 256 RS2600s originally exported to France. A 1973 car in the same auction series was found in a barn in France and had its identification plates and chassis stampings checked by the marque expert before sale.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Capri RS2600.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | 26M3 Independently researched |
| Layout | 60 degree V6, front, longitudinal3 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 63 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 2,637 cc / 2.6 LFactory: 2,637 cc4 Independently researchedTwo lots agree on 2,637 cc. The RS Owners Club overview page lists 2673 cc (apparent transposition) and a 1975-77 production span, which conflicts with the 1970-74 production years. |
| Bore | 90 mmFactory: 90 mm3 Independently researched |
| Stroke | 69 mmFactory: 69 mm3 Independently researched |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:13,1 Independently researched |
| Valvetrain | Pushrod OHV, two valves per cylinder3 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection4 Independently researched |
| Power | 112 kW / 152 PSFactory: 150 hp · converted4 Independently researchedSource states bhp. |
| Power at | 5,800 rpm4 Independently researched |
| Torque | 224 NmFactory: 165 lb-ft · converted3,5 Independently researchedS2 states 166 lb ft. For power S1 states 148 bhp at 5600 rpm while S2 and S3 give 150 bhp at 5800 rpm. |
| Torque at | 3,500 rpm3 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Manual4 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 43 Independently researched |
| Final drive | 3.22:13,1 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | RWD3 Independently researched |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Front cross-member re-drilled for negative camber; competition front springs; Bilstein dampers4 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Single-leaf rear springs; Bilstein dampers4 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Uprated Ferodo pads and linings4 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 2,560 mmFactory: 2,560 mm3 Independently researched |
| Length | 4,262 mmFactory: 4,262 mm5 Independently researched |
| Width | 1,646 mmFactory: 1,646 mm5 Independently researched |
| Height | 1,288 mmFactory: 1,288 mm5 Independently researched |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 1,060 kgFactory: 1,060 kg1 Independently researchedS3 gives 1,080 kg kerb weight. |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 200 km/hFactory: 124 mph · converted4 Independently researchedSame source gives 0-62 mph in 8.6 s. |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8.6 s1 Independently researched |
| Fuel tank | 58 LFactory: 58 L3 Independently researched |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Ford Capri RS2600 - 1970 Level B Ford RS Owners Club (Australia)
- 3532 RS2600's had been built when production ceased in early 1974
- 2637cc and 10:1 compression ratio
- Atlas diff with 3.22:1 Ratio
- road going Capri RS2600 weighed in at 1060kg
- 0 to 100 kph in 8.6 seconds
-
2
Supercar Nostalgia – Ford Capri RS2600 Level C
- 3532 RS2600 completed by December 1973
-
3
Guide: Ford Capri RS2600 - a Historical & Technical Appraisal Level A Supercar Nostalgia · 2022-12-12
- The 26M motor fitted to the RS2600
- longitudinally-mounted 60° V6
- 60° V6
- 90mm cylinder bores were carried over from the 2600 GT
- Stroke length was increased ... to 69mm
- compression ratio was hiked ... to 10.0:1
- pushrod overhead valves (two per cylinder)
- 165lb-ft at 3500rpm
- close-ratio four-speed manual gearbox
- Atlas differential with 3.22:1 axle ratio
- classic front-engined rear-drive layout
- standard steel Capri monocoque with 2560mm wheelbase
- A 58-litre fuel tank
-
4
1973 Ford Capri RS2600, lot 756 Level C Iconic Auctioneers · 2023-08-26
- 2,637cc producing 150bhp at 5,800rpm
- first fuel injected RS2600 left the Niehl assembly line
- 150bhp at 5,800rpm
- Transmission: Manual (Specification)
- front cross-member re-drilled for negative camber ... competition front springs
- single-leaf rear springs and Bilstein shock absorbers all-round
- uprated brake pads and linings supplied by Ferodo
- 0-62mph in 8.6secs and on to a top speed of 124mph
-
5
Ford Capri RS2600 specs (1970-1973) Level A encyCARpedia
- Peak Torque 165 lb·ft @ 3,500 RPM
- Length 4,262 mm
- Width 1,646 mm
- Height 1,288 mm
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