Dave Brodie's 'Black Beast' Capri MKII info
#1
Posted 14 February 2008 - 08:12
I ´m looking for some materials about this car.
1) Is this picture from launch??
2) Have somebody pictures from race or training?
3) Was this car always black?
4) Where is this car now , was destroyed? or it´s location is unknown?
Many thanks for helping me.
THE MARK2 CAPRI, ALTHOUGH NOT BACKED BY FORD, DID RACE IN BRITAIN AT THE HANDS OF PRIVATEERS ESPECIALLY GORDON SPICE WHO RULED THE BRITISH SALOON CAR CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 6 CONSECUTIVE SEASONS FROM 1975 TO 1980. THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHT FOR SPICE WAS WINNING THE SPA 24HOUR RACE IN BELGIUM IN 1978.
PERHAPS THE MOST EYE-CATCHING RACING MARK 2 WAS THE "BLACK BEAST" DRIVEN BY DAVE BRODIE. THE HIGHLY IMPRESSIVE LOOKING CAR WAS DESIGNED TO TAKE ON VAUXHALL'S VENTORA AND FIRENZA V8 RACERS IN THE BRITISH CLUB RACING CATEGORY FOR SPECIAL SALOONS. GLASSFIBRE PANELS LIFTED OFF TO REVEAL A SKIMPY PRODUCTION FRAME SUPPORTED BY TUBULAR REINFORCEMENT. FRONT ENGINE WAS THE 3.4-LITRE COSWORTH, EVENTUALLY, BUT THE CAR ALSO APPEARED USING THE OLD WESLAKE 3.0-LITRE ENGINE. DESPITE ITS LOOKS THE CAR FAILED TO LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS. EVENTUALLY IT WAS TAKEN TO FORD RESEARCH AT DUNTON FOR STYLING TO HAVE A LOOK AT AND CERTAINLY IMPRESSED EVERYONE THERE.
CERTAINLY IF YOU LOOK AT THE MARK 3 ZAKSPEED MODELS, THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPARISONS SUCH AS THE OUTRAGEOUS FLARED ARCHES AND FRONT-BIB SPOILER, SO WHO KNOWS MAYBE THIS CAR DID HAVE AN INSTUMENTAL ROLE ON THE DESIGN OF THE FORTHCOMING ZAKSPEED RACER WHICH PROVED SO SUCCESSFUL IN THE EUROPEAN TOURING CAR SCENE.
Regards
Honza
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#2
Posted 14 February 2008 - 11:07
#3
Posted 14 February 2008 - 12:07
Its last apearence was at Mallory on the short circuit (oval) early 76 but then sank without a trace. It used the 3.4 GA engine and was completly a fibreglass body. Something tells me that Tony Sugden drove it that day at Mallory, I can see the picture in Autosport in my fading memory
A pity, it was well thought out but presumably did not get the finance it required.
#4
Posted 14 February 2008 - 13:02
#5
Posted 14 February 2008 - 13:26
The supersalloon versions were all Mk 1 capri varitions with the exceptions of this one.
Dan it was definatly this car and definatly '76 Nick Whiting had a cologne capri (not Woodmans) for one outing at Mallory but it then disapeared without a trace. The following year of course he had the GA Kent Messanger car seen on the paddock thread.
Sorry Honza, all this rambling isn't really helping you is it? As for where it is now almost certainly broken up, if not competitive (which it wasn't) it had no value. It never had any sponsorship decals on it so who did fund it??
#6
Posted 14 February 2008 - 20:07
#7
Posted 14 February 2008 - 20:24
His cars were always beautifully turned out, competitive, and a joy to see in action. The 'Run Baby Run' mk1 Escorts and the big arched black S4 FHC Lotus Elan with the distictive yellow pin striping of fond memory.
#8
Posted 14 February 2008 - 21:39
No idea why it is carrying number T7 in the pic above, however. Don't remember spare cars being a common feature of contemporary Special Saloon paddocks...
...unfortunately, it wasn't to be a particularly successful day.
#9
Posted 15 February 2008 - 05:20
#10
Posted 03 March 2008 - 10:02
Also, several of the Capris used in Group 1 racing in 77 and 78 were actually mk 2 Capris with mk 3 bodies on; I know my late Dad's/Colin Vandervell CC Engineering-built Triple car was.
#11
Posted 16 December 2014 - 10:56
I do have a photo of it somewhere I took way back then
No idea where it went after he had it
I'm sure the GA motor he fitted into his single seater Lola Boss racer in the mid 90s
#12
Posted 17 December 2014 - 10:44
Probably running out of session during practice - looks like the T is made from tank tape.No idea why it is carrying number T7 in the pic above, however. Don't remember spare cars being a common feature of contemporary Special Saloon paddocks...
#13
Posted 17 December 2014 - 12:34
There are a couple of pics of David Brodie's Mk II Capri on his website linked here.
#14
Posted 17 December 2014 - 12:59
There are a couple of pics of David Brodie's Mk II Capri on his website linked here.
Talking of the Brode...does someone know: is his biography
Last train to Cockfosters published, or only chapters on his website??
Thanks Michael
#15
Posted 17 December 2014 - 15:28
I'm sure the Big Nelly Anglia was owned by Norman Abbot, I remember seeing it at Brands as a kid, anyone confirm it
#16
Posted 17 December 2014 - 18:07
Talking of the Brode...does someone know: is his biography
Last train to Cockfosters published, or only chapters on his website??
Thanks Michael
When I went to see him speak a couple of weeks ago I got the impression it was still work in progress.
#17
Posted 17 December 2014 - 18:21
When I went to see him speak a couple of weeks ago I got the impression it was still work in progress.
Ralph thank you--'we' keep it on the famous list...
Michael
#18
Posted 18 December 2014 - 10:25
A recent image of Dave at this year's Birkett Six Hour, here chatting with Bill Withey (who drove his red Camaro) and Andy Actman in his Sprite
http://postimg.cc/image/3od176zb1/
#19
Posted 18 December 2014 - 12:26
When I went to see him speak a couple of weeks ago I got the impression it was still work in progress.
I asked the 'Master'.
here his promising answer:
Hi and my book is now in 3 volumes, 450 pages per volume, and will be available maybe from MA 015, keep an eye on my site?
Regards DB.
Best regards Michael