Perana Saphire!

[302]

Car Magazine Article - May 1991

[FairmontGT]

I was amazed to see this, I never knew it existed!

So the sapphire and sierra specials are:

Perana Sapphire 3.4
Perana Saphire 3.0
Perana Cosworth Sapphire
Novel Sapphire V8
Grosvenor Sapphire V8
Lupini Sapphire V6
Lupini Sapphire V8
JT Sapphire V8
JT Sierra V8
Twin Turbo V6 Alpine XR6 Sierra
XR8 Sierra

Did I miss any?

[Gunter]

as far as i know NOVEL also built 1 Sierra V8 stationwagon!

In terms of racing....which of those cars are seen as production cars that can be used?

[FairmontGT]

Thats a good question Gunter, where can we find out?

[zahistorics]

Gunter - 'production' all depends on how it is defined. Way back in ZA just 200 examples were required for Group N.

Before that for Production, an earlier for modified Saloons only 100 (certainly as late as 1973 - remember 100 Can Ams) were required. Later (end 1970s or early 1980s) Production numbers were increased to 200.

As far as I know the 200 (or 100) did not have to be 'manufactured' like the Capri Perana. Series conversions were permissable - The Escort XR3 Perana was raced on that basis (they came up short on numbers, only built 187, and were subsequently disqualified, but that is another story).

In the end of the day I suppose it all depends of whose rules you intend to race to, and where.

This reminds me - my Perana site needs an update.

[Stealth GT]

When I was an apprentice at Salt river works one of the cigarette reps either Gunston or John Rolfe used to call on the tuck shop with one of these .

Warren

[FPT]

Hi All
Sorry for being so quiet. Schools are closed remember! This is very intresting does any of these cars still exsist? I've never heard of them but it sure looks a nice car to have.

Greetings
Andre'
There is no Replacement for Displacement!

[zahistorics]

I have heard of two survivors, one in KZN and one in GP. I expect there may be a few more around

[ZA Perana]

You did indeed leave one out....the Lupini V8 Sapphire, only 3 were made.

[zahistorics]

Tiaan - there were two Perana Sapphires 3.0 and 3.4