Every car and every deal has a story and this particular Capri has a good one. The owner and designer of this highly modified Ford Capri is seeking a win/win deal in the transfer of its ownership. It is a valuable Capri in consideration to the ROKSTOCK brand. The informative Ad includes the cars history, its relevance and/or its obvious collector-car value importance as the only ROKSTOCK RSR GT Capri (also dubbed the Drag'n Rat) in the entire world (and a bit of a tribute to Shelby's 8 Dragon Snake 289 Cobras of the 60's) As we are positive this valid-point will only relate to a select group of the few discriminate individuals that wholly understands its true importance of being a critical element of the ROKSTOCK Capri brand. That said, its a very special RS Capri that was designed and personally built solely by ROK of the ROKSTOCK Capri brand. And notably at 80 it could be the very last RS Capri its founder and chief designer ever builds... But, as useability is meaningful, this ROKSTOCK RSR GT Capri was firstly considered/conceived to be a drag-racer, but it began to take on a different personality of varying degrees. And as (you can see) the final result, it became obvious that it harbors on many different possibilities of potential levels of Motorsport. In short, that potential will be left solely to its new owners decision.

With its beguiling looks this significant ROKSTOCK designed RSR GT Capri upon completion was first featured in the November 2021 issue of the Classic Ford Magazine UK. The extensive feature article; describing its full details, its history and its all-important PROVENANCE connected to the ROKSTOCK brand, the special Capri earned 6 colorful pages and a picture of the car in the contents page. ROKSTOCK was the very first Capri specialty company in the USA and also considered the very best for its high-quality aftermarket parts and accessories for the European Ford Capri I and Capri II from not only the automotive press in the day, but also from the North American Capri owners. The Ford Capri was imported into North America from 1970-1977 and sold through Lincoln Mercury dealerships. ROKSTOCK also designed, developed and produced a special high-performance Capri II (in Europe the Mk2) known as the ROKSTOCK RSR turbo. That iconic design and now classic Capri incorporated a 180/200 BHP turbocharged 2.8 V/6 engine and earned two front cover credits and helped achieve 21/23 leading automotive magazine articles on ROKSTOCK and its RSR turbo Capri II's performance achievements throughout the 1970's early 80’s.

Historically, the very first #001 Black/Gold 1976 RSR turbo Capri put ROKSTOCK on the map as a serious specialty car builder. But the lack of catalytic converters and much of the smog and emission equipment had to be scraped in order to produce the RSR turbo's BHP from its 2.8 V/6. That (necessity-decision) eliminated the chance for any Ford Lincoln Mercury factory involvement. Even when all the ROKSTOCK modifications to the 2.8 V/6 engine gave the car a cleaner bill of health from EPA/DEQ tests, they would not get a pass. That limitation for the RSR turbo put serious reservations on most Capri owners' interests for the complete RSR turbo conversion. But the high-performance ROKSTOCK RSR turbo made good reading (in the auto mags) for the North American Capri owners and was a great role model for the Capri's USA popularity. As a result, it helped to sell thousands of Capri owners on the ROKSTOCK RSR Suspension/Cosmetic components. But for the few (less than 50 in-house built and mail order sent RSR turbo pkgs.) daring souls who opted for the full RSR turbo conversion on their Capri II, that issue seemed unimportant. The ROKSTOCK RSR turbo Capri II was the 0-60 super-star in the day and reaching 0.81g's on skid pad tests for its handling ability was a major factor for its impact. The RSR turbo Capri II could run with the Porsche 911SC and Ferrari's 308GTB and hold its own, often times beating them at their own game. Road Test magazine in 1977 placed the RSR turbo Capri on the front cover coupled to 8 pages describing its full details. And also rated the RSR turbo Capri #3 in performance and #5 overall out of 79 cars they had tested up to that month. It was a comparison test between the Chastain S3 Capri and the ROKSTOCK RSR turbo. The Chastain Capri won at showroom floor level (as its success, 1K of the S3 cosmetic creations made the grade and were sold from L/M showrooms. And the real story of the friendship/association of Roger Chastain and ROKSTOCK will be a complete chapter in the RS book Story) but the S3 Chastain fell vastly short in trying to keep up with the RSR turbos Classic Capri look and above all, to its exceedingly impressive performance. Today's efforts and plans are leaning towards a second generation of extensively built ROKSTOCK RSR turbo Capris. And when created will no doubt be a 6-figure proposition of costs investment to build/produce and more importantly 6 figures to own one. If you're interested ROK is seeking interested parties for the new automotive venture.

This ROKSTOCK RSR GT Capri comes with proper paperwork and exclusive badging that states it is number 001/001. As ROKSTOCK was well known in the USA for its road and track worthy V/6 turbocharged Capri cars, this special Capri shares the same exacting criteria. This one of a kind RSR GT Capri (in ROKSTOCK speak, the RSR designation stands for ROKSTOCK Racer) offered here was a design exercise that was to incorporate both a drag-racer theme-tribute to Carroll Shelby's eight Dragon Snake Cobras, but also some technically optimized secrets of the original ROKSTOCK RSR turbo Capri II. ROKSTOCK RSR GT is offered as a FRESH build for everything NEW. Its high powered 351c Cleveland engine was pro built by AC Nutter, a well-known North American race car engine builder. The final result for the engine was dyno tested to prove its worthiness, power and performance credibility. The car does have several miles on it (shake-down) to test and calculate its strengths and abilities for its safety. ROKSTOCK has a well-known reputation for its attention to detail and advanced engineering (for their well-built well-equipped) RSR turbo Capri's. This special one-of-a-kind ROKSTOCK RSR GT Capri II with its BOSS 351c Cleveland engine can be taken to the track as well as driven on the street. But for sure as an in-house-built ROKSTOCK Capri variant will no doubt be a welcomed entry at any Ford Capri function, and more than likely steal the show as this RSR GT Capri makes a serious overwhelming statement.

This one of a kind ROKSTOCK Capri was designed to earn the proverbial WOW factor title and that it does extremely well. From its classic two-tone GT350 Wimbledon White and bright silver livery of its race car look to the beastly sound of its snotty high lift cam (at idle) gives added credence to the cars near 500 horsepower and a hood scoop that allows onlookers to get a glimpse of its power source. Its overall statement is startling and one that seems to question one's opinion, could this even be a Capri? As its radical look and stance forces you to give it full attention and then forces you to peer into its all-business cabin and then also to take a peek underneath its construction that one begins to be taken in by the cars overall mission... it's a Bad Ass Capri. And then everything begins to add up for that overall mouthwatering thought possibility and you're thinking, I WANT this thing. And as a real car guy/gal your mind contemplates the thought, I just want to burn those tires right off the face of the earth with this thing as it's just that kind of a car. And you begin to realize this ROKSTOCK RSR GT Capri with its big block V/8 motor, a few nicks, minor cracks, chipped paint here and there was once a serious road warrior at one time. No $20K paint job here, no priss, no fluff, this thing is a serious contender as a street brawler and possibly a serious player as a drag racer. But for sure a unique and one very menacing Capri and one that appears ultra-functional for many different venues including a jaw-dropping show car. And as a one of a kind ROKSTOCK Capri just makes it all the better. This RS Capri has an unprecedented future and historic value, that is... if you understand its real provenance. It was designed, created and built from a trademark brand that was substantially a very important factor for helping in the success and popularity in the United States and Canada for the Ford L/M Capri I and Capri II's automotive history. As no aftermarket company did more for the N/A Capri owners than ROKSTOCK did in the 1970's. ROKSTOCK Capri designs and its products were and still are replicated; copied and no doubt helped others enter the automotive aftermarket industry. As the automotive press raved and rallied around the tiny aftermarket ROKSTOCK Capri Company and its RSR turbo Capri's for one basic reason, they tested them, evaluated them, and they understood all of the efforts that went into their high-quality high-performance value.

The quality of the ROKSTOCK Capri components that made up their RSR turbo builds and also those components that went onto the ROKSTOCK Capri customer. The many Automotive magazines that did articles and showcased ROKSTOCK tried to help RS gain the interests from not only Capri owners but also Ford L/M with many extensive road and track tested articles that told the real story, ROKSTOCK had created a modern day GT350 Mustang-like Capri II that had real promise and unparalleled value and should have and could have been considered as a mainstream variant from the Ford L/M dealer. The ROKSTOCK RSR turbo could have and should have been given far more consideration from Ford L/M. The Ford Capri is sadly slipping away in many areas of the world and ones that are left need serious restoration. A new ROKSTOCK RSR turbo will be limited to a very low build run (think Singer and Gunther Porsche cars) but also like those two examples, a new second generation RSR turbo has to be an extreme build, design and engineering feat, above all be created to perform like a modern-day super-car. Built on the body/chassis of the Ford Capri II and will be unlike any Capri ever created. Its basic concept as a ROKSTOCK RSR turbo is still a valid starting point, but it must enter the future as a super Capri with looks and performance to compete comparatively with the modern-day supercars, like the Singers. The RSR turbo Capri that I have in mind will enter that hallowed arena and do what the first gen RSR turbo Capri did many years ago, only better. The plan to start incorporates only 12 cars. What does this new RSR turbo info have to do with the sale of this RSR GT Beast? Everything.

This once stone stock Ford Capri II started its life in 1976 Orange in color with a 2.3 engine. But, as it was once constructed as a hot rod with a Ford small block 302 V/8 with a few poorly made copies of ROKSTOCK Capri suspension components and also with the Ford X-Pac wide-body fenders that were actually sold by ROKSTOCK in 1978 to its original owner. Its previous two owners (partners) terrorized the SE valley streets of Portland Oregon, chewing up Mustangs, Camaros, Corvettes and the like with their 302 V/8 Capri II for years, that is until it blew up. It then sat for 12/13 years in a shed/barn shortly after they parted ways, but one of them managed to replace the 302 V/8 with a stock 351c Cleveland out of a wrecked 72 Mustang but could not make it work properly. And it sat. ROKSTOCK purchased this Capri 7 years ago not running and in sad condition and began its extensive build. But, as a seasoned road warrior and also some actual road racing hours registered on its flanks, I decided to create this RS Capri with a fast and furious look, keeping its well-earned patina but adding the saucy flavor of a real race car, a street racer… that stop-light to stop-light street racer, a Capri II as an over-the-top Street-Rod. But also, very important a build that gives it the ability to go to the drag strip if that is what its new owner wants to do. I wanted to build this Capri just as RS once did as an RSR Capri built for another owner. Built to sell as a new restored Capri, NOT a hobby-build, but a back in business build for the RS brand. The brand that built serious Capri's for a living, but also keeping it close to its past owners intended plan... as a race car. The final result as you can see here makes it clear that it harbors on all of those possibilities. It’s most calculating and important feature is its highly tuned well-built Ford (and now) BOSS 351c Cleveland engine that has a power band that is amazing.

The famous racing engine builder; AC Nutter (and who passed away in 2025) built and produced Chevy and Ford racing engines for many top name driver(s) throughout the years and put this 351c Ford engine together like it was his own baby, as he was quite impressed with the ROKSTOCK background for its accomplishments with and for the Ford Capri. The motor in this Capri also has the provenance of an AC Nutter Racing Engine, and truly the critical heart and soul of this RSR GT's potential (15 pulls on his engine-dyno proved its worthiness). And for sure this RSR GT Capri's bloodline incorporates some of the ROKSTOCK RSR turbo Capri's DNA.

This ROKSTOCK RSR GT Capri with its FORD BOSS 351c engine and robust muscular body amplifies real bravado but is quite different from the 70's RSR turbo’s. Its loud, it’s fast, it borders on obnoxious. On the chassis-dyno it reached 134MPH with ease at 7,000 RPM but wanted to go faster. But after 3 runs on the chassis-dyno we knew it was solid, strong and had a promising future for someone who would recognize its real provenance as a ROKSTOCK Capri. A Capri that will always appreciate in value as the years go by and also for helping the USA Capri's historic ROKSTOCK builder/tuner of the 1970's earn its just do. Go to You-tube and put in ROKSTOCK Capri to witness one of the 3 runs on the chassis dyno and the objective of calibrating/tuning its engine for maximum output. It comes with a clean title, all build receipts and full documentation stating clearly there will never be another ROKSTOCK RSR GT Capri produced like this one, giving it a built-in advantage for its future value. And hopefully it will never be altered but remain as it was created. This Capri was also dubbed the ROKSTOCK Drag n' Rat... rat rod, as in a rat Ford. As it's not a pretty Capri that can win trophies at the Show n' Shine. The car was created to be a nasty machine with difficult manners but also with rewarding benefits for its new owner. I created this Capri II for the sole purpose of helping re-launch the ROKSTOCK Capri brand back into the mainstream of the automotive world with a special designed ROKSTOCK Capri that has an amazing personality. Entering its cabin and settling yourself into its tight-fitting HMS/Cobra racing seat and depress its black start button, you quickly realize that it's a typical Ford cold-blooded beast (and takes real practice to master the maneuver) and it fires up its big-block Ford 351c Cleveland V/8 and its beautiful acoustic sound instantly rips and tears through the air as you work the foot feed, it translates its power potential back through its special Hamm designed exhaust system. And in a split second it receives a different kind of attention respect level from you as well as its onlookers. Instantly the overall response and interests in this Capri becomes one of serious admiration. This one of a kind ROKSTOCK Capri was created to help take the ROKSTOCK brand into its potential future BUT also for the remaining Capri car owners that are left on the planet with some new RS interests. That is, Capri owners that will want some of the original ROKSTOCK Capri parts and accessories when those are recreated.

The future of the ROKSTOCK Capri brand weighs heavily on the success of this particular Capri not only from its interests, but also its SALE. I do have plans to re-produce some of the original ROKSTOCK Capri components, money and time is the bottom-line in the equation. As that plan is still a comprehensive and active effort in actively seeking interested individuals for the new ROKSTOCK Motorsports venture. ROK can be contacted in the USA at: 503. 997.2221

The Bottom Line: This RSR GT Capri reflects the real-world provenance of a USA Capri specialty company's success, its rise and its fall. This special RSR GT Capri adds to the history of the designer brand of the ROKSTOCK Capri. For the impact that it made on the North American Capri owners with its aftermarket parts and accessories and the amazing automotive history that it also earned for the Ford L/M USA Capri. ROKSTOCK earned the attention and sales from 30K+ Capri owners. 6% (and if you are a marketing specialist or student then you would know that 6% was/is a huge accomplishment, because in the 1970's, there were no cell phones, no internet, no web and no social media) out of the 500K+ USA/Canadian Ford Capri import-car market. And basically from its technical and informative high-quality ROKSTOCK Capri catalogue for its well-received and much-needed parts and accessories for the Ford Capri (L/M sold cars) in the 70's. But as a huge disappointment to ROKSTOCK, Ford's Sexy European Capri was discontinued as an import-car from Lincoln Mercury showrooms in 1977 and soon after, the USA fell prey to a devastating and horrific economic storm. That untimely and negative economic decline plus the loss of the Capri in the USA market and coupled to ill-advised counsel to expand into a bigger (facility move) operation and to include adding other makes of cars for its aftermarket parts and accessories business, everything sadly took the specialty RS Capri company down and out of business in 1981. In addition to all that, it did not help in the efforts of ROKSTOCK in trying to continue in enhancing the Ford Capri when several individuals, start-up companies that simply copied and/or replicated the original ROKSTOCK Capri designs (for their offers) its parts and accessories and were able to offer them for far less than RS, as no research and development costs were needed from the copiers (and a bit like the dilemma that Carroll Shelby was faced with in the 70's when his Cobra was replicated and copied by so many. And he found out that he too had no real legal rights to the Cobra, basically just his namesake) And sadly, I also found that legally I had no legal protection for ALL of my RS Capri designs, my efforts, money and time of research and development costs. As all that I had legally and federally protected was my registered trademarked nomenclature (name) of ROKSTOCK. And today ROKSTOCK's Capri designs and product's are still being replicated and produced by several companies. But, famously and determined... RS is now on the rise and looking forward to the continuation of the ROKSTOCK brand with this overpowered RSR GT Capri offered here. Its a mere start, but also one that is opening the doors once again for ROKSTOCK, that entity of collective efforts that gave the N/A Capri owners excellent parts and accessories and a turbocharged Capri that made a real impression. The advent of the ROKSTOCK Capri in its day no doubt set the bar and cemented a serious impact on USA and Canadian Ford L/M Capri owners. Its legacy of accomplishments for the Ford Capri automobile and for all Capri owners worldwide has to be of major consideration for the real historic and monetary value of this iconic European-American inspired Ford Capri from the ROKSTOCK brand. And conclusively there is a book is in the works describing in full details the entire ROKSTOCK Capri Story by Richard O. Kiser. And the historic story of this particular RSR GT Capri will no doubt fill a few pages in it of an important part of ROKSTOCK Capri history...

TECHNICAL INFO:
ENGINE: ROKSTOCK design, AC Nutter (built from a stock 351c Cleveland motor) Ford BOSS 351c V/8; Hydraulic Comp cam w/roller rockers, big valves, KB pistons, special rods, Speed master Aluminum Australian heads/intake, Holley carburetion, special modified block, crank, bearings and rings. The AC Nutter motor produced 457-485 BHP at 5200 RPM on premium pump gas and could produce up to 500BHP with racing fuel. Mallory distributor, dual electric fans, HC Mishimoto radiator, electronic fuel pump, 12-gallon fuel-cell.

TRANSMISSION: Modified Ford C6-3 speed automatic, Hughes stall converter, B&M shifter.

SUSPENSION: ROKSTOCK 1 1/8"- 3/4'' front/rear Anti-Sway bars, solid bushings, RS traction bars, RS mono-leaf and coil springs, Koni Gas struts/shocks, 3-pot Wilwood and 3-pot HI-Spec brakes/big rotors, special AVO Capri master cylinder, Comp Brake pieces, special modified rack and pinion unit, RS modified and strengthened chassis/frame, cross member.

REAREND ASSEMBLY: Ford 9 inch with 32'' spline axles; Yukon Nodular Traction-Lok with 3.70 gear ratios.
WHEELS/TIRES: American Racing Torque-Thrust wheels 15 x 8.5, Mickey Thompson Street SS tires 235x60x15.

CABIN/INTERIOR: HMS/Cobra Monaco-Pro seating, Simpson lap belts, padded roll bar, Racemark leather steering wheel, Auto Meter oil-filled gauges and a special ROKSTOCK designed dash. Depending on its future use AS IS as a ROKSTOCK RSR GT Capri Show Car (no other modifications needed) But, as a full out race car and depending on the type of racing use (road circuit-drag racing) I am sure it would require additional modifications: fire extinguishing system to current regulations and/or additional components.

PLEASE NOTE: This special RS Capri comes with a clear Oregon Title (in Richard O. Kiser’s name) and a Bill of Sale stating its origin, originality and serial numbered ROKTOCK design of #001/#001. And to include massive amounts of receipts covering all of its parts, components, machine-work, fabrication, engineering costs and its engine builds including its engine and chassis Dyno specs and its Alignment set-up specs.

Photos: Tony Leckband
Words: Richard O. Kiser