Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Reward! Help me find my old race car 1 2 3 4

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  Dec. 19, 2011 7:37 a.m. mightymike None

  

  Long time reader (old Auto X subscriber-I guess that just makes me old...) and lurker.

  I'd like to find my old race car, a 1977 Ford Capri that I autocrossed and briefly raced in the southeast with the SCCA/SARRC in Improved Touring-A. I sold the car in the early 90's and I believe the buyer was from Virginia.

  I built the car from a street car and had a lot of fun with it along the way.

  I will give a years subscription to Grassroots Motorsports to anyone who locates the car.

  Merry Christmas!

  Mike

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  Dec. 19, 2011 8:00 a.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

  If you have the VIN, call the DMV, they may be able to help.

  Old enough to know better, too young too care!

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  Dec. 19, 2011 8:22 a.m. mightymike New Reader

  In reply to Gearheadotaku:

  We looked and could not find the old registration, but I need to look a little harder. Thanks for the reminder.

  Does anyone know if the SCCA keeps records like that? It had a current logbook when I sold it.

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  Dec. 19, 2011 4:31 p.m. jimbbski Reader

  You should also post a request here: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/capri-list/

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  Dec. 19, 2011 5:26 p.m. DrBoost SuperDork

  I have a feeling Per is going to be posting this in 10 years

  You know you are deep in boost territory when you get tire pressures and boost pressures confused

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  Dec. 19, 2011 5:31 p.m. oldsaw SuperDork

  In reply to mightymike:

  Mike, try posting your search request over here: http://www.roadraceautox.com/

  Many members are IT racers from all over the eastern seaboard and have long memories. Oh, and when asked about cupcakes and skittles, the answer is "BOTH".

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  Dec. 19, 2011 6:47 p.m. wbjones SuperDork

  I just found that web site... love it .... got lucky when I was asked that question ( hadn't read the stickies) I answered either / both followed with the beer mug emoticon ... was told I could stay

  understeer: when you hit the wall with the front end,,, oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back end.... horsepower: how hard you hit that wall.... torque: how far you drag that wall

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  Dec. 19, 2011 7:30 p.m. mightymike New Reader

  Thanks for all of the suggestions...posting on the other forums now. I found another pic as well:

  
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  Dec. 19, 2011 7:47 p.m. Tyler H Dork

  Awesome. Hope you find it, and quit lurking. You would fit right in around here.

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  Dec. 19, 2011 8:52 p.m. mightymike New Reader

  It sure is bringing back some good memories...Our oldest son was in a car seat when we went to Daytona with the Capri for a drivers school (his brother wasn't born yet) and now he graduates from college this year. My wife has already warned his fiancé about this "car guy"' disease that seems to run in the family!

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  Dec. 19, 2011 9:07 p.m. fornetti14 HalfDork

  Try www.improvedtouring.com.

  All cars are now running. Time to go shopping for something that is broken.

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  Dec. 19, 2011 10:27 p.m. Uncoiled New Reader

  Now his oldest son his following his post on the forums to see if he can see his old race car in person...

  
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  Dec. 19, 2011 11:40 p.m. jimbbski Reader

  I raced a 1980 Ford Fiesta in ITC from 1988-1995. I sold it to a young racer in NY state, he raced it in SCCA regionals for a few years and then put it up for sale. I knew this as I saw the ad in "Sports Car" about 10 years ago. Since then every once in a while I would wonder what happened to the car or if it still exsisted? I still like the original Fiestas and really wanted to buy one offered here earlier this year but just didn't have the room for it.

  Last Labor Day weekend I attended the "Capri Swarm" near Columbus, OH, it's one of two national get togethers for Capri owners.There was a meet-n-greet at the the host hotel Friday evening which I attended. After catching up on things with some longtime friends I sat down next to a guy & his son. We talked for a bit about Capris etc. We found out that we both road race. When I stated that I had started in a Fiesta after autoxing Capris for years he told me that he races a Fiesta! To make a long story a bit shorter this guy owns my old race Fiesta. It went from an ITC cat to Prod. to GT4 to now GTLite! Other then the body shell not much is left of it but it is the car that I got started racing in. Weird!

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  Dec. 28, 2011 11:59 a.m. mightymike New Reader

  Hey everyone-It looks like I found my old race car!

  Thanks to Steve Rose on the Auto X/Road Race forum who gave me a contact number for the current owner who bought the car from me twenty years ago. I've left him a message and can't wait to hear from him.

  This is really cool, it is only a few hours away from where I live. I hope I can see it again (at the very least).

  Steve also refused the "reward" of a years subscription to GRM magazine and I will be making a donation to a charity in place of that.

  I will keep posting updates. Thanks for everyone's interest and help.

  Mike

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  Dec. 28, 2011 12:04 p.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

  great news...thats so weird how such a big group of people can still have a tight knit feel. Looking forward to updates!

  "All his legs are hydraulic"

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  Dec. 28, 2011 12:04 p.m. J308 New Reader

  Awesome that you found it, the internet proves all-powerful once again... although if the guy you sold it to twenty years ago is the current owner, I can't imagine him wanting to let you get it back. You'd be better off if it had changed hands as I'm betting that guy is rather attached to it by now.

  Anyway, be sure to take pics if/when you get to see it again!

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  Dec. 28, 2011 1:28 p.m. Brett_Murphy Dork

  If you're very lucky, he raced it a bit and put it in a barn and is tired of looking at it now.

  If brute force isn't solving your problem, you're not using enough.

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  Dec. 28, 2011 2:00 p.m. CarKid1989 Dork

  i wonder if you guys can find my old yugo. it was in texas last time i heard

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  Dec. 28, 2011 2:09 p.m. Tom Heath Web Manager

  This is a great thread. Very cool to hear that a reunion might be happening!

  I tried drag racing, but kept blowing the apex for turn 2...

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  Dec. 28, 2011 4:54 p.m. mightymike New Reader

  It just gets better!

  I am going to pick up the car next week. The current owner offered me an incredible deal and I will once again own the Capri. Up until last year it had been parked in a shed since 1996 so I am very encouraged that it is still in good shape.

  I called an old friend who was my crew chief back in the day and he is going with us to get the car. He was just as blown away by this story as I am. I will post some pics as soon as we get it.

  What's next? Stay tuned...I have two kids in college so progress might be a little slow. I have to find out what kind of shape the car is in and how much work it needs. At the very least a fun Auto X and track day car. I would love to road race it again, but we'll just have to see what happens.

  Thanks again for all of the support!

  Mike

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  Dec. 28, 2011 4:56 p.m. joey48442 SuperDork

  I'm unusually pleased with this story!

  Joey

  Oh yes use the longest screwdriver in the toolbox,use my shop voice and wing the rest!

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  Dec. 28, 2011 5:11 p.m. vw_jason79 New Reader

  Wow, really cool story. I wish they would put something like this in GRM. "Finding a long lost first love."

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  Dec. 28, 2011 5:55 p.m. unevolved Dork

  This better get in the magazine.

  Texas A&M Racing

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  Dec. 28, 2011 6:10 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

  I shall be monitoring this thread for updates as the owner of two 73 GTs

  Cornering is like bringing a woman to climax. Jackie Stewart

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  Dec. 28, 2011 6:20 p.m. fasted58 SuperDork

  Great story, wow. Some things are just meant to be. Good luck w/ your reunited love.

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