CLASSIC DRIVE: 1971 Ford Capri Perana Auto

It is one of the truly special "homegrown" performance cars that was only ever offered for sale in South Africa. We get behind the wheel of the unforgettable Ford Capri Perana.

Words and pictures: Wilhelm Lutjeharms

This doesn’t happen with a lot of cars. As I get ready to climb into the Capri, a guy walks over to ask if whether this is, indeed, a "real Capri Perana". A quick conversation ensue. I eventually drive off, head just across the road to the fuel station, and as I stop another enthusiast in his 40s walks over and wants to share an anecdote about the Capri Perana.

He admits that he has little interest in modern sports cars, but that he has always had an appreciation for the Perana. I expected this from someone in their 70s, but not 40s! It just shows you how these cars are admired across many generations and how their legend has endured.

Ford Capri Perana History

Last year we mourned the passing of Basil Green, the man behind the legend that is the Ford Capri Perana. Green was known for modifying the Capri, as well as many other Fords, during the 1960s and 1970s for racing purposes.

The pinnacle of the Perana's career was undoubtedly its dominance in Group 5 racing. Car number Z181 with its Gunston livery, driven by non other than Bobby Olthoff, won 13 out of 14 races in the 1970 season. It clocked over 270 km/h on the old Kyalami’s straight and is said to smashed the saloon car lap records at each of SA’s race tracks. Needless to say, it was quite a performance car back in the day and it was all developed and built here in South Africa. 

Behind the wheel

What makes these South African-only cars unique, is that it was the only Ford factory-sanctioned Capri fitted with a V8 engine – from the Mustang. CAR magazine tested it in January of 1971 when it achieved a very impressive (especially for this era) 0-100 km/h acceleration time of only 6.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 228 km/h. That test unit was fitted with a four-speed manual transmission though, the other option buyers could specify.

Today, there is no denying the car’s age, but that brings with it several enjoyable factors. I open the bonnet (held in place by a standard latch and then two pins as well, usually only seen on race cars) and here you will find the Mustang's 5.0-litre, V8 engine. You would expect there to be little space left in the engine bay, but that is not the case. The engine fits perfectly and there is even some space around it to work on it.

Move to the cabin and the driver’s seat does need new base cushions, but the result is that I sit lower and have enough headroom – not always the case in classic cars if you are 1.87 metres tall, as I am. The interior will be familiar to any Capri owner. However, there is a beautiful deep-dish three-spoke steering wheel and to my left the gearlever for the automatic transmission. The cabin is mostly a combination of strong vinyl and plastics, which is in line with most cars from this era.

I pull out the choke, turn the key and the engines catches. It spits and splatters a little, but then soon settles into a more constant idle. However, each little prod of the throttle unleashes a deep burble from the engine and the two exhaust pipes.

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As I pull away from the petrol station there is an immediate feeling that the drivetrain wants to be let loose. I also quickly learn that you really need to press the brake pedal hard at the traffic lights to keep the car from creeping forward.

The moment you press the throttle the car jumps forward and the deep burble always surprises pedestrians and it doesn’t take long for a few fingers to be pointed towards the Capri.

Ou Kaapse Weg offers a beautiful vista at the top, but as I start to climb the mountain, it is evident that you need to pay close attention to the Capri’s handling "nuances". The tyres on the car need to be replaced, which further accentuates the Capri's lively nature. A new set of tyres will definitely instill more confidence, but at the same time the steering does provide honest, real world feedback. You are fully aware of each gearshift, whether it is an upshift or a downshift when you press the throttle pedal to its stop.

As I get to the top and stop for a few moments, I notice a number of the smaller, unique details of the car. There is the “Basil Green Motors” sticker on the rear window below those period correct shade louvres. There is the Perana and XL badges on the front fenders while the rear boot lid and lower panel is painted black.

I head back down the mountain and is again impressed by the Perana’s level of acceleration. The grip levels of the old tyres are very easy to overcome and on pull-aways the rear wheels will easily spin. It feels rather quick, even by modern standards, and I can only try to imagine how genuinely fast it must have been more than half a century years ago.

A manual version might be more enjoyable and collectable for some enthusiasts, but at the same time the automatic version allows you to concentrate more on the handling of the car if you want to drive fast – which is a good thing. 

Gauging by the interest this car generated during this short drive, it will undoubtedly be one of the highlights at Creative Rides’ upcoming auction in Mach. Not only does it offer a high-level of classic car performance, but it also has that strong South African connection.

Specifications:

1971 Ford Capri Perana

Weight: 1 090 kg

Engine: 5.0-litre, V8, petrol

Power: 210 kW at 5 800 rpm

Torque: 407 Nm at 3 500 rpm

Top speed: 228 kph (tested)

0-100 km/h: 6.7 seconds (tested)

Gearbox: three-speed, automatic, RWD

Price: >R850 000