Genuine Capri perana and Chevrolet firenza can am - genuine

[mahleu]

You may want to advertise in Classic and Performance Car Africa and maybe contact the big circuits to see if you get an advert on their notice boards/mailing lists.

[Tony69]

I'm interested to know what mods are required for a standard 2dr Firenza\Capri body to accept a V8.
I always had this idea that the CanAm hood is a lil longer than the Firenza, what differences are there in the body?

As a kid, I would hear bed-time stories of a tiny but vicious zebra-like monster that devoured everything that opposed it, even big 455-powered Pontiacs. I don't know much about this mystical beast, but I have a great respect for it.

[CanAm17]

The CanAm's were based on the standard 2,5 SL Firenza two door shells. Same length bonnet, just a fibre glass version with two air scoops / vents. No other changes to the body, besides the aluminium American Racing aerofoil on the boot lid. Opel GT seats with velour inserts, Rev counter with higher red line (6800) Personal Steering Wheel and Personal Rims (Very rare now). Other minor interior changes re switchgear and padded sun visors (for safety in those days!!)
SBC 302 Z28 block, forged, 4 bolt mains crank, 10.5:1 domed pistons,pink nitrided rods and last made in 1969, running up to 8500 rpm in race trim. Muncie M21 Rock Crusher box (some with M22, identical except for gearing) Borg Warner LS diff. Minor suspension and brake upgrade, but nothing spectacular. 1st gear good for 110Kph. Retail price in 1973 - R4 500.00. Same price then as the Audi 100 RS. Chassis Number Tag inside left door frame and under passenger seat for identification.
Only 100 road cars made, only in a particular slightly off-white colour, with satin black bonnet and pinstriping under the window and running up around the C-pillar. Unsubstantiated rumour that the last three had 327 c.i.d engines rather than 302's as they had run out of the 302's brought in from GM in the USA.
So if you want to create a genuine replica, you have your work cut out. Good luck.

[zahistorics]

Capri Perana: Front cross member cut away to clear radiator. Extra exhaust cut out on rear valance. That's it for sheet metal changes.

Other changes:
Custom engine cross member, rack moved to back, upside down LHD rack, struts swapped left to right.

Custom rear axle - hybrid of Falcon LSD centre and Capri tubes and hubs.

Gear selectors were a hybrid of Mustang and Cortina (auto) or Capri (manual) parts.

Engine and gearbox was basically a '69/70 mustang unit without smog kit. Some, or all, were locally fitted with Ritchie Jute made camshafts.

Manuals had a hydraulic clutch release with custom master cyl - hybrid of Landrover and Escort RS parts.

Modified speedo.

Custom BG made steering wheel.

Custom prop shaft.

Amazingly, almost all parts came from the Ford parts bin - very few custom BG Perana only parts. The genius was in dicovering which parts could be made to fit and where.

Quite a bit easier to replicate than a Can Am - simply because of parts availability.

[zahistorics]

Another nugget of interesting information - both the Firenza 2 door shell, and the Capri 3 litre XL shell used to build these monsters were unique, in detail, to South Africa.

[Burnthosetyres]

Where? Are you referring to the political rumblings of a F1 GP circuit near the New Airport?

[mahleu]

Near Port Shepstone...

I'll get some more details but it seems like the people involved are quite serious and have the wallets to make it happen.

[UGLYDUCKLIN]

Now that's new worth having....what kind of track or are you referring to the new airport possible developments.
Please fill us in if you can.
Regards
Denny

[UGLYDUCKLIN]

ooops sorry.....for the bad writing,just so excited....there were some rumblings that Des G was laying on a track for circuit...would be great if that materialises.
Regards

[Shaughn]

Dezzi Raceway is in Shelly Beach / Port Shepstone now.

http://www.dezzi.co.za/dezzi-raceway/