CLUB PROJECT CAPRI 2.0 Laser

In order to transport our vast range of show display material to show events we need to tow either the Club caravan or trailer to the various venues. Over the year's this job has alway's been carried out by Club Member John Wallis, who is the only member with a towbar fitted to his Capri! However in order to spread the load and take pressure off John and his Laser the membership decided to address the problem. As no one was willing to put a towbar onto their Capri the other option was a Club owned Capri fitted with one. The members would then take turns to tow the Caravan/Trailer to events and thus spread the load. In order to carry out this project a consortium was formed amongst the membership with each member contributing an amount of cash to the fund to purchase, restore and maintain the Capri purchased. A suitable 2.0 Laser model was offerred to the club by a local owner at the right time and this was duly inspected. The 1986 car was basically sound with current road tax and MOT certificate. However it was in need of some attention in most areas and was subsequently purchased for the modest sum of £ 75! The car was given a full 12,000 mile service and fitted with a new cambelt, new rear wheel cylinders and brake shoes. Unfortunately shortly after purchase the already weak rear springs failed with one breaking three of the four leaves. These were duly replaced along with new bushes, U-bolts, locknuts etc. At the same time the new towbar, ball and electrics were fitted. To add insult to injury the following week a front coil spring broke at the bottom of the coils. Thankfully we managed to replace these in time for the car to make it's debut run - towing the caravan to the Beaumanor Hall event. We intend to continue returning the Capri to its former glory, as the car is used as a running restoration. Work will be carried out by the membership over the coming months. As time and capital permits. It is hoped that we may be able to attract some sponsors for the project either by cash  parts or labour donations - All support will be promoted both on the website and in our newsletter and at events. If you would like to assist please contact our club chairman (contact details are on the homepage!) MEMBER DONATIONS Thanks to the following members for cash donations:- Mick Ward, Jeannette Hoult, Richard Hoult, John Wallis, Alison Eyre, Craig Jenkins, Paul Orange, Tony Sewell, Nick Parr and Keith Smith. Special thanks to member Richard Hoult for many hours of assistance with fitting of springs etc to the car. TRADE SUPPORT We are very grateful to the following for their most welcome support of the project:- MWR CAPRI - Capri Specialists for supply of parts (many used parts supplied FOC) Plus over 40 hours labour on servicing and repair work. DAVE COOPER - Classic Car Specialist for all assistance with this and other club projects and events. BRITISH SPRINGS LTD - Leaf spring manufacturers for kind support supplying new rear springs Free of charge for the project Capri. LMC HADRIAN LTD - Supply of full set of repair panels and pair of bumper bars to restore car free of charge - a major contribution for which we are most grateful! R.L. DUMELOW - Shot blasting and Stove enamelling roadwheels, towbar and various metal brackets and components on car free of charge. APPLIED RADIATORS LTD - Supplied brand new radiator free of charge. We are pleased to have managed to put this car into regular Club use for a little over £ 300 total spend so far! We could not have achieved this without all of the free parts and labour! More information as the project continues.

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FURTHER PROGRESS Further work was carried out on the car in particular to enable it to pass the MOT Test. This was carried out by Dave Cooper and required plating both front suspension tops on the inner wings (work had been carried out by previous owner but to a poor standard). A new steering rack was required and also the windscreen was chipped and Dave provided and fitted a good used windscreen. This was all that was needed to pass the test! Additional work carried out to the car is the fitting of new number plates (with Burton Capri Club logo!), new rear wheel bearings, battery, passenger door mirror, seat tilt wire on drivers seat, antifreeze, and wiper blades all round. The radio/cassette player has been upgraded to the digital ESRT32PS model. At the March 2005 National Restoration show as part of our display we will replace front and rear bumper bars with new ones supplied by Hadrian body panels and also knock out the rear quarter panel dents. We are desperately in need of further cash and or parts donations to enable further progress with the car!