1973/75 Ford Capri RS3100 Group 2 - Ex-works, hugely successful period history

Being the only original RS3100-spec Group 2 racer ever to race in black is special. But there’s a lot more to this car.

Chassis BFC 002 started life as a works Ford RS2600 Group 2, built by Broadspeed to ‘73 Cologne spec for Ford Motor Co. It was immediately on the continent as a works Ford of Belgium entry in BP colours winning the ‘73 Belgian Group 2 championship (over 1300cc) with Claude Bourgoignie. It won, or was on the podium in every race that season apart from two DNF’s at Zolder and Nivelles 24hr (on pole for both). At the end of the season Ford entered the car into the ETCC Silverstone TT for Andy Rouse, only to be black flagged for a flapping body panel. So in its first season it took five podiums, two wins and the over 1300cc Group 2 championship.

For 1974 the car went to Swedish racing legend Bosse Emanuelsson, aka Bo Emma. As a factory supported STP Ford entry into the Swedish Touring Car Championship, it was again on the podium in every race entered. And winning too. 

Over the winter of 1975, the car was sent from Sweden to Ford’s factory in Cologne, where it was upgraded to full RS3100 spec, as per the other works ETCC cars of Mass, Stommelen, Hezemans, Glemser and Lauda. These upgrades included the howling 475bhp 24-valve GAA Cosworth V6, fuel injection system, gearbox, suspension, brakes, aero, bodywork, wheels, tyres, radiators, and a lot more. The car remained uniquely right-hand-drive, unlike all other RS3100 works cars. Shipped back to Bo Emma and painted jet black, it was back to winning ways in 1975 and ran at the front in the German Grand Prix Supporting International DRM race on the Nordschleife (pictured here with the Alpina BMW and Zakspeed Escort).