1969 Capri - What to look for

bungarra · 02-04-2011, 01:10 AM

G'day all,
going to be having a look at a 1969 capri soon and need to know where the worst spots for rust etc are and other problems to look for. Any feed back would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Wayne

Blown66 · 02-04-2011, 01:43 AM

A pillars & the plenium area was were most of the rust in my wifes 72 GT.

bungarra · 02-04-2011, 10:57 AM

Thanks Blown 66, waiting for the seller to call me back. Hoping to have a look at it today.

JG65TE · 02-04-2011, 11:09 AM

yep, take a torch and get up under the front guards. I have seen mk1s with the whole a pillar gone and it looks perfect from the outside.lower rears go as well. ya can buy panels from the uk to sort that out tho. the bit that mounts the headlight under the guards is a bit of a water trap as well. they are pretty good everywhere else.

WOGBOY69 · 02-04-2011, 11:59 AM

hi mate

great car to do up ..i have just about finished mine ....but i have spent the bucks to......

guards and pillars that is true ..for some reason they hold water there ...no tought in thoses days . all cars rusted then ..thats what metal does ..but today bit hard for plastic to rust.....

cheers bud

cosworthfreak · 02-04-2011, 12:08 PM

In short, just think of any place water (or mud) would go.

Obviously you should check everywhere, but bad A-pillar rust should make you think twice unless you are a panelbeater, or friends with one. You can get replacements from the UK, but they need careful work to replace and get right. If there are only a couple of small holes, things are easier. If you can see into the cabin from under the wheel arch, then things are very grim.

Any panel in close proximity to the A-pillar should also be checked. Each end of the scuttle panel (in front of the windscreen) can hide rust; lower front guards will almost certainly have rust (bonus if not) as well as the front 'nose' section of the front guards around the headlights; and front sections of the sill panels.

At the rear, check around the rear wheel arch and the lower sections of the rear 1/4, the spare wheel well, and around the lip where the boot lid seal goes. Check around any window seal also.

Also check the front floor sections if you can, and the gutters on the roof section. If there is a rust hole near the roof gutters, water could have got through and sat around the inner roof reinforcing causing rust there.

Check the heater plenum as Blown66 suggests, and also check around any of the front strut supports (both under the wheel arch and the reinforcing plate in the engine bay.

Definately take a torch.

Good luck!

bungarra · 03-04-2011, 06:49 PM

Thanks for the info guys, went and had a look, turned out to be a real barker, floors are gone and a pillars did have some nice rust holes, given it the skip. Still on the look out though for a project for the kids and me.

Blown66 · 04-04-2011, 10:27 PM

Something will pop up just give it some time.

bungarra · 05-04-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blown66

Something will pop up just give it some time.

Yeah, better to wait for something worth while rather than end up with a wreck.

JG65TE · 07-04-2011, 08:59 AM

i have one in the back yard, rust done, 302 c4 9" air con. Tryin to make power windows now. One more check til its engineered. Picked it up as a bitz project for 3K about 12 months ago. they are around.

bungarra · 30-04-2011, 09:18 PM

Hi Guys, will be going to have a look at another Capri today that needs "little" work according to the seller. Hopefully not another with more rust than metal.

Quick question, how hard is it to convert a 1600 Capri to a 302? Side though is depending on how much work is required initially, may be worth going the extra and dropping in the Widsor.

Any thoughts?

JG65TE · 01-05-2011, 10:19 AM

not real hard mate, if u want engineers, u will need a chassis kit, upgraded brakes front and rear, vh44 booster, 15" wheels to clear the brakes, a cut down wb radiator is usually a easy way out o save 800 bucks of desert cooler. ... have to remove the radiator support for the 4 cylinder. some people have had to pump the firewall back a little, i think that depends on if its auto or manual....... usually 10mm clearance around everything. I have a v6 crossmember here somewhere and probably engine mounts to suit windsor as well.

allanv6gt · 01-05-2011, 11:03 AM

Depending on your state of origin, you may find it imp[ossible to create a V8 capri from a 4 cyl. Some others on the forum have mentioned NSW no longer allowing the conversion.

If thinking going down that path, check your local rego reqts before laying out the bucks on extra v8 running gear etc.

Apart from the things JG65TE mentioned, you can add a diff (possibly 9" or Mustang 8 3/4 +LSD)....but sounds like the dollars are gonna add up pretty quick.

As a quick estimate, think $15-20K depending on your needs on top of initial purchase. e.g. Allow paint $4-5K professional job, diff $1k, seats/door trims $2k, dash surrounds remould $800....with you doing the grunt work for fitting.

bungarra · 01-05-2011, 12:13 PM

Thanks guys, apparently the Capri is a manual. Going to have a look this afternoon.

Cheers

JG65TE · 01-05-2011, 01:06 PM

pretty sure manuals have a narrower tranny tunnel. if u are going v8 auto, it may need a massae so to speak. Good luck with the capri mate. mine may be up for sale soon if I dont get moving on it again

bungarra · 01-05-2011, 06:07 PM

Well, went to the guys house at the time he said, no one around, finally get him on the phone and he has decided to go out to the pub and asked if I could come back next week, had to drive 90 minutes each way this time. Told him I would give him a call through the week to let him know.

Could see the Capri from the front of the house looked ok from a distance, would have loved to have had a closer look.

TICK4D · 01-05-2011, 07:38 PM

90 mins, geez. Worth jumping the fence?

bungarra · 01-05-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TICK4D

90 mins, geez. Worth jumping the fence?

Big Black Rotti made that a no go idea!! Didn't feel like being dog food this week!

cosworthfreak · 01-05-2011, 09:02 PM

Where are you from Wayne? Driving 3hrs round trip for a look at a car sounds like a country journey.

WOGBOY69 · 01-05-2011, 11:28 PM

hmmmm
bit of a drive ..but still 3 hours..some people have to make some effort.....

bungarra · 03-05-2011, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosworthfreak

Where are you from Wayne? Driving 3hrs round trip for a look at a car sounds like a country journey.

In Perth, but was a country run to where the Capri is.

Tied up with the kids football this weekend, so probably wont get back there this weekend.

93EB_SXR6 · 02-05-2011, 03:26 AM

Man, when I've sold cars I've been the one doing all the leg work... with you, the seller wasn't even interested in showing up..?

allanv6gt · 02-05-2011, 08:18 PM

90mins sounds like just across Sydney suburbia.....
Where I live in polly-town CBR, 90 mins would take me to sand and surf....or overnight base for day ski trips.

allanv6gt · 02-05-2011, 08:19 PM

The things we do for our 'art'....gotta have rocks in our heads....

mac1capri · 03-05-2011, 12:23 PM

Wayne,

have a look at the cars on my blog http://perthcapri.blogspot.com/ If the car is on there I may be able to help you with info. If you dont mind me asking how much do you want to spend ? I can keep my eyes peeled. Do you have a liking to the MK3 at all ?

Paul

bungarra · 06-05-2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac1capri

Wayne,

have a look at the cars on my blog http://perthcapri.blogspot.com/ If the car is on there I may be able to help you with info. If you dont mind me asking how much do you want to spend ? I can keep my eyes peeled. Do you have a liking to the MK3 at all ?

Paul

Hi paul like all the Capris. Having a look at a Vermillion Fire 1969 GT Cpri on Saturday afternoon. Hopefullu it will be ok. Don't expect it to be a show room car as it is going for $3K, so leaves some room for other work on it. Owner say it runs and is in reasonable condition.

mac1capri · 07-05-2011, 02:27 PM

Wayne,

good luck with the Capri, if you need help or parts, drop me a line - I still have a few bits a pieces lying around

Paul

bungarra · 07-05-2011, 07:12 PM

Rust in the roof, boot, doors, no keys, list goes on. Missing compliance plate.

he has tow going for the $3K, one white, looks like someone has gone over the bonnet and through the windscreen and the vermillion fire.

Both cars are out in the weather and have been for three years. Couldn't build one decent one out of the two.

The search continues!!!

Paul, PM me details of the Mark 3, would probably need to talk to the minister for finance!!

mac1capri · 09-05-2011, 12:28 PM

Wayne,

could have told you all about those 2 Capri's - i've been there a couple of times to look at them, they're only round the corner from me - I would have told you not to bother going. Mk3 is not on market yet (its not mine) infact it may never be - will let you know the details when i do. in the mean time I can e-mail you a Capri which is half restored and is around about the 3 grand mark - although its in bits - are you interested ?

Paul
perthcapri@bigpond.com
http://perthcapri.blogspot.com/

bungarra · 09-05-2011, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac1capri

Wayne,

could have told you all about those 2 Capri's - i've been there a couple of times to look at them, they're only round the corner from me - I would have told you not to bother going. Mk3 is not on market yet (its not mine) infact it may never be - will let you know the details when i do. in the mean time I can e-mail you a Capri which is half restored and is around about the 3 grand mark - although its in bits - are you interested ?

Paul
perthcapri@bigpond.com
http://perthcapri.blogspot.com/

Thanks Paul, That would be great!!