What Became of the Ford Zakspeed Capri?

The Ford Zakspeed Capri made its debut midway through the 1978 season. The team chose to compete with a single car in Division 2, a notch below Division 1 where the top-dog Porsche 935s and BMW 320s roamed. With 380 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged, intercooled 1.4-liter engine, the Zakspeed Capri secured four poles and won one race. However, reliability proved to be a challenge.

By the 1979 season, three Zakspeed cars were entered, featuring engine upgrades that improved reliability — a single, larger turbo combined with better intercoolers. They clinched the Division 2 title but still trailed behind the Division 1-leading Porsche, driven by Klaus Ludwig. By the end of the season, horsepower had increased to 450.

In 1980, the Ford Zakspeed Capris moved up to Division 1. Boring out the engine increased displacement to 1.7 liters, the twin turbos returned, and the aerodynamics became even more radical. Horsepower surged to 600, resulting in a top speed of over 180 MPH! Leaving nothing to chance, Ford and Zakspeed convinced champion Porsche driver Klaus Ludwig to break his contract and drive the Capri. Manfred Winklehock also joined as a driver. Unfortunately, controversies over the Zakspeed Capri’s aerodynamics led to Ludwig losing points, and Porsche emerged victorious.

The 1981 season brought a two-pronged approach from the Ford Zakspeed Capris. Ludwig competed in Division 2, while Winklehock took on Division 1. Ludwig scored 11 wins out of 13 in Division 2, with Winklehock taking six wins in Division 1, ultimately denying Porsche the victory. The Ford Zakspeed Capris had triumphed!

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