Jump to content


Photo

Dave Brodie's 'Black Beast' Capri MKII info


  • Please log in to reply
18 replies to this topic

#1 Honza

Honza
  • Member

  • 92 posts
  • Joined: January 05

Posted 14 February 2008 - 08:12

Hi Guys,

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.

Posted Image


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

Advertisement

#2 Mallory Dan

Mallory Dan
  • Member

  • 3,121 posts
  • Joined: September 03

Posted 14 February 2008 - 11:07

The car was introduced in 1974 I think, for Brodie's use in Special/Super Saloons. From memory, it didn't appear very often at all, and didn't go very well anyway. This pic was from the launch, summer 74? I recall seeing it at that years Mallory Fordsport meeting as a demonstration, not racing, in August.

#3 Norman Jones

Norman Jones
  • Member

  • 78 posts
  • Joined: June 05

Posted 14 February 2008 - 12:07

This was one of the few supersalloons I did not get to see. It made its debut in 74 but rarely featured.

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 Mallory Dan

Mallory Dan
  • Member

  • 3,121 posts
  • Joined: September 03

Posted 14 February 2008 - 13:02

You're reminded me now Norm, wasn't it John Olding who drove it after Brodie, or somebody McMillan rings a bell. They may have shared it. Did Sugden drive Nick Whiting's ex-works Cologne Capri on occasion around 1976? Are you thinking of this?

#5 Norman Jones

Norman Jones
  • Member

  • 78 posts
  • Joined: June 05

Posted 14 February 2008 - 13:26

Gordon Spices win at Spa in 78 was at the wheel of the mk111 Capri The mk11 version was used in Gp1 but was up against Camaros untill 76 when the larger cars wre banned, then it was beatn by Dolomites!

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 Alan Cox

Alan Cox
  • Member

  • 8,397 posts
  • Joined: March 03

Posted 14 February 2008 - 20:07

Posted Image

#7 RTH

RTH
  • Member

  • 6,066 posts
  • Joined: January 03

Posted 14 February 2008 - 20:24

Dave Brodie was in the fortunate position of being able to fund his own projects at this time from his own business interests.

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 Simon Arron

Simon Arron
  • Member

  • 2,489 posts
  • Joined: November 06

Posted 14 February 2008 - 21:39

John Olding drove the car in the Esso Uniflo Special Saloon race at Oulton Park on May 21 1977, when it was entered by MacMillan Racing (which I think had something to do with Adam 'grandson of Harold' MacMillan).

Posted Image
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...

Posted Image
...unfortunately, it wasn't to be a particularly successful day.

#9 Honza

Honza
  • Member

  • 92 posts
  • Joined: January 05

Posted 15 February 2008 - 05:20

Thanks Alan and Simon, nice shots :up:

#10 Gregor Marshall

Gregor Marshall
  • Member

  • 1,324 posts
  • Joined: September 06

Posted 03 March 2008 - 10:02

A bit more info for you:-

Posted Image

Posted Image

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 km1164

km1164
  • Member

  • 82 posts
  • Joined: January 03

Posted 16 December 2014 - 10:56

This car was later owned by Bernie Harris and he took it to brands circa82 ish to race with GA motor in it but it didn't run
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 ExFlagMan

ExFlagMan
  • Member

  • 5,726 posts
  • Joined: January 10

Posted 17 December 2014 - 10:44

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...

Probably running out of session during practice - looks like the T is made from tank tape.

#13 arttidesco

arttidesco
  • Member

  • 6,709 posts
  • Joined: April 10

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 Tuboscocca

Tuboscocca
  • Member

  • 1,324 posts
  • Joined: February 08

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 jaytee

jaytee
  • New Member

  • 23 posts
  • Joined: July 12

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 arttidesco

arttidesco
  • Member

  • 6,709 posts
  • Joined: April 10

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 Tuboscocca

Tuboscocca
  • Member

  • 1,324 posts
  • Joined: February 08

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 garyfrogeye

garyfrogeye
  • Member

  • 627 posts
  • Joined: May 08

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 Tuboscocca

Tuboscocca
  • Member

  • 1,324 posts
  • Joined: February 08

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