This 1973 Ford Capri is one of an estimated 500 Perana examples produced between 1969 and 1973, and it was acquired by the seller in Switzerland in 1979, reportedly from the first owner. It was brought to the US in 1981 and underwent a multi-year refurbishment concluding in 2019, with most of the work being performed by Grasso’s Garage of Stuart, Florida. The car is powered by a 302ci V8 linked with a Toploader four-speed manual transmission and a Borg-Warner limited-slip differential, and this example is finished in Piri Piri Orange with a black taillight panel and Perana-specification accent stripes. The engine is equipped with a factory-style Holley carburetor and a high-rise aluminum intake manifold, and the cylinder heads were fitted with hardened valve seats. The right-hand-drive cabin is outfitted with Recaro bucket seats trimmed in black vinyl and cloth, and the car rides on a lowered suspension and chrome 13″ Rostyle wheels mounted over front disc and rear drum brakes. This Capri Perana is offered with refurbishment records, a service manual disc, and a clean Florida title in the seller’s name.
The Capri Perana was engineered and developed by Basil Green, a South African automotive engineer and motorsports specialist, and sold through Basil Green Motors, a Ford-sanctioned dealership in Gauteng, South Africa. Capri 3000 XL models were shipped to the aforementioned dealership, after which they were fitted initially with Essex V6 powerplants, and later 302ci Windsor V8s, as found in this example.
This example left the factory finished in Piri Piri Orange (1A) with black accent stripes, and rust and bodywork repairs were performed before the car was stripped and repainted during the refurbishment. Exterior details include a front air dam, a duckbill spoiler, and a domed hood with retainer pins along with chrome bumpers, Cibie driving lights, and polished dual exhaust outlets. The windshield was replaced in 2016, and the factory side and rear glass were reportedly retained. Noted flaws include nonfunctional headlights and indicators, and the windshield washer mechanism and reservoir have been removed. Paint-less dent removal was performed on the hood in 2024, and invoices detailing the exterior refurbishment work are provided in the gallery.
Chrome 13″ Rostyle wheels are mounted with 185/70 Michelin XDX-B tires that show 2017 production date codes, and a full-size spare with an older Goodyear tire is stowed in the trunk. The car rides on a lowered suspension, and braking is provided by front disc and rear drum brakes. A hissing sound is present when the brakes are applied, the rear brakes were overhauled in 2017, and the master cylinder was replaced in 2018. A replacement master cylinder with booster is included in the sale and reportedly enables the conversion of Girling-style calipers to ATE units.
The front Recaro bucket seats and rear bench are trimmed in black upholstery. Woodgrain trim accents the dashboard and center console, a Sparco harness is fitted for the driver, and a fire extinguisher is mounted on the center console. Rust repairs were performed on the floors and the rear seat covers, carpets, rear side panels, and headliner were replaced between 2014 and 2016. The speakers and heater core are removed, and the turn signal stalk was replaced in preparation for the sale.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel features a Perana center and frames a nonfunctional 220-km/h speedometer, which is said to have ceased working in April 2024, and supplementary readouts. The oil pressure gauge was repaired in May 2024, and the tachometer reads high. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 24k kilometers (~15k miles), approximately 13k (~8k miles) of which were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The car is powered by a 302ci V8 that is equipped with a factory-style Holley 600cfm carburetor, a Ford high-rise intake manifold, and a chrome air cleaner assembly and valve covers. The exhaust system was replaced in 2017 and features Turbo-style mufflers and a crossover pipe, and the carburetor was rebuilt the same year. The battery was replaced and an oil change was performed in 2024. Results of a compression test performed in March 2024 can be seen in the gallery.
A photo of the engine stamping is displayed in the gallery.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a close-ratio Toploader four-speed manual transmission and a factory Borg-Warner limited-slip differential. The clutch kit and transmission mount were replaced in 2014, at which point the fuel tank was cleaned and re-welded. The clutch hydraulic tube between the slave cylinder and fluid reservoir was repaired in February 2021.
Service records, informational material, and a service manual disc are included in the sale.