Michael Ryman has been working hard on the restoration of his Ford Capri, GVX 40H. The car is the Team Dunton Capri Mk1 that competed in the 1974 UDT World Cup Rally.
The car also ran as car 69 in the London to Mexico 1970 and is believed to be the only surviving car in the world to have competed in both World Cup Rallies. She ran as car no2 in 1974, with same crew .
Read more about the 1974 UDT World Cup Rally that went from London to Munich via the Sahara here.
Beyond thrilled to have received this 1970 photo of my Capri from a chap who works at Ford’s R&D centre at Dunton, Essex, where the car was built by a 22 man team in January 1970. Today, the car is running again after a 33 year lay up and restoration….and, judging by the recent photos I took in the workshop, looks pretty much identical to this shot. Happy Days indeed.
Michael Ryman 09 October 2020
It’s my brother’s Capri and it has been in his hands for many years, with restoration taking place over the last few. Nearly there now, I can’t wait until he fires it up to hear that sweet V6 kick into life. Many memories of its club rallying escapades since its retirement from WCR’s, don’t think there is any chance of it being driven in competitive anger in future though….too precious by far. Oh and it’s reg is GVX40H so please amend image and text which state GYX404H. 😎
Thanks for your comment Ian. It will be great to see see and hear the car when it is finished.
Great to see this fabulous Capri is going to be back on the road soon.
My father headed up the team at Dunton that built it, and I have many memories growing up following the cars progress even down to the competition that created the livery the car is now painted. Also I still have some pics and press cuttings from the time, and photos showing car under construction.
Good luck with finishing the restoration, would love to see it again one day.
Andrew, lovely to read your comment and back-story. What is or was your father’s name? I’ve a pretty comprehensive knowledge of the Dunton story but of course never stop learning! You’ll see from the pics that the car is now in 1974 World Cup Rally livery, which is how she was when I bought her in 1980/81. Very very few photos exist of the original 1970 Orange/aubergine livery but anything you can add would be very much appreciated. The rebuild (patinated as much as possible) is only days away from completion and it’s wonderful to hear from people with memories, knowledge, photos and stories who can add value and fill some gaps.
If possible I’d like to chat. 07989 075937 will find me, or email me at [email protected]
Thanks!
I am in the picture with the car my name is Alan Coutts, 4th one in from left to right. I was one of the 22 team members that helped to rebuild the car for the 1974 WCR. I was also a service crew member with a colleague John Moore. We supported the vehicle through France and Spain until it left us at the port of Algeciras.
Great Memories!
Alan, lovely to read your post here, and thank you for the photo, which I understand was posted to a Dunton web page by you recently. Can we have a chat please? Loads to talk about, and maybe you can also fill some knowledge and history gaps too! You can contact me via the administrator here, or by finding me on Facebook. Thanks so much…Michael Ryman