SWAYMAR CAPRI
In the 1980s Swaymar Engineering built two special, stroked 3.2-litre Capris — and Jarrod Swain’s is the sole survivor.
Jarrod Swain’s Capri is a mid-1980s slice of excellence — a genuine Swaymar 3.2.
Back in the not too distant past, our March issue to be precise, we took a closer look at Jarrod Swain’s stunning Strato Silver Capri 3.0S. For many Capri fans that car would tick all the boxes and more we’d probably never even considered, but Jarrod also happens to share his passion with a second Capri, the sole survivor built by Swaymar Engineering no less!
Developed and built in an era when engineering companies such as Turbo Technics and Tickford offered their own modified variants of Ford’s popular performance-enhanced production models, Swaymar Engineering also briefly joined the party, too. For longtime Capri fan Jarrod, the Swaymar complete with its intimidating no-nonsense looks and a potent 3.2 stroker with 260 bhp under the bonnet is nothing short of the Holy Grail.
Since he was 17, Jarrod has remained a die-hard Capri fanatic. His first car arrived in the shape of a Mk2 3-litre Ghia, and he’s owned numerous models since then — his passion for Capris remains as strong now as it ever was. “I remembered the Swaymar name from back in the day, but never thought I’d actually get to own one,” Jarrod smiles.
Just two Capris were built for Currie Motors by Swaymar in 1985. Sadly, the second example, which made a brief appearance on Top Gear, was destroyed by fire in 1997 making Jarrod’s car a unique piece of Ford history. “I briefly owned this very car back in 2004, but with work and life getting in the way, regrettably I made the decision to sell it,” Jarrod remembers. “Ever since I’d kept a look out for it in case it popped up for sale.”
“AFTER 13 YEARS SUDDENLY THERE IT WAS ON THE MOST POPULAR AUCTION SITE OF ALL”
Up for grabs
Jarrod would be waiting patiently for a long time, 13 years in fact, before he spotted the Swaymar come up for sale again. “Suddenly there it was, on the most popular internet auction site of all,” Jarrod smiles. “I knew from past experience I would need to act swiftly as the car would create a lot of interest.” You may remember a similar scenario when Jarrod tracked down and purchased his silver 3.0S, his quick action securing the car before anyone else had a look in. “I contacted the vendor immediately and a deal was done over the phone,” Jarrod explains. “Just like the 3.0S, typically the Swaymar was located miles away from me, and this time it was in Falkirk.” Not wanting to waste any time, Jarrod bought a plane ticket and flew from the Midlands to Scotland the very next day.
“I was pleased to see the bodywork was in excellent condition, having just had several thousand Pounds spent at Investor Classics to keep on top of things,” Jarrod recalls. Both 2.8i Capris converted by Swaymar were painted Paris Blue and the paintwork on this example remains as spotless as it did when it first left the factory. “The underside had been repainted along with the engine bay,” Jarrod points out. Genuine Ford wings complete with their Series X flared arches had replaced the originals some time ago, which were beginning to show their age. The Series X front spoiler, flared rear wings and polyurethane rear aerofoil all remain in place.
“Body-wise I couldn’t fault the car, but the mechanical side needed some attention,” Jarrod recalls. “I wasn’t keen on risking a long drive back, so I had it transported home.” This turned out to be a wise decision
as the radiator was shot, Jarrod quickly replacing this which solved an overheating issue. “It also had the wrong master cylinder fitted so the brakes were non-existent,” Jarrod points out. “I overhauled the whole system and fitted the correct master cylinder.” To cope with the impressive 3.2 stroker which we’ll move on to shortly, the Swaymar Capri benefits from Princess four-pot callipers and 300 mm vented discs up front along with a Cosworth rear disc conversion, which was carried out in more recent times.
Those 15 inch Revolution spilt-rims with colour-coded centres have remained on the car since it was built and changing them would be unthinkable. “They came as 9x15 inch all round and my only real niggle was the rear wheels didn’t fully fill the arches,” Jarrod explains. “I had the rear pair widened to 10 inches which looks far more pleasing aesthetically — it’s a subtle change but it makes all the difference.” 225/50-section tyres remain at the front while the rears now come in at a whopping 285/40!
Big-bore
It’s within the engine department where things get really interesting and the expertise of David Martin and Swaymar Engineering shows. The standard 2.8 V6 was ditched in favour of a 3.2 with a completely new stroker crank made from EN40B billet steel, crossdrilled, nitrided and balanced. The larger displacement was arrived at by lengthening the stroke from 68.5 mm to 78.5 mm and not by boring out the block, the longer stoke providing a huge increase in torque. This Capri will pull away at 1500 rpm in top gear without hesitation, impressive stuff! The forged pistons were designed by Swaymar, manufactured by Cosworth and fitted with
race-quality gudgeon pins while reverse H-section drop-forged EN24T con-rods, phosphor bronze end bushes and Vandervell big-end bearings also feature. The rods were shotpeened and balanced and a high pressure oil pump fitted.
“The Swaymar heads are radically different from standard as they feature one output port per cylinder which greatly improves the breathing,” Jarrod explains. “The heads have been ported and polished with larger valves and a V6T6 Kent Cams camshaft fitted, too.”
As you’d expect, the exhaust system is also a one-off piece of engineering, the twin three-branch manifolds and stainless system fabricated by Janspeed and yes, it does sound like the world is about to end when the loud pedal is pressed! This unique set up raises the output by 100 bhp to 260 bhp compared to a standard 2.8 Cologne V6 with bags of available torque, all thanks to Swaymar’s clever engineering skills and development.
All that extra power and torque required a stronger transmission set-up, Swaymar sensibly opting to use a Cosworth T5 gearbox with Granada bellhousing and LSD rear axle. “I’ve had this rebuilt recently for peace of mind along with renewing the suspension and the engine’s ancillaries,” Jarrod points out. “This year the engine will come out for refurbishment by my trusted friend, John Wade.”
In trim
In the mid 1980s, the interior of a Capri 2.8i was a plush place to be and Swaymar sensibly decided to retain the original grey trim and Recaro seats. The only addition comes in the shape of a classy Tickford centre console which is just how Jarrod prefers it!
As this is the only remaining Swaymar Capri in existence, we can’t imagine Jarrod will be letting this car go any time soon!