I well believe the first may have welded plates on to satisfy ADR. I know working in new car storage facility around 2003 they would weld up cars in back of house to fit plates etc to meet standards. If that was happening in 2003 I'm sure it happened in 1969 when they were first introduced. Ask yourself the question why all OZ Capris have the extra strength plates that many english cars never received.

it was thought Australian roads were sub standard so the heavy duty body was specified for export here

And they'd be right... our roads are rubbish! Well may area anyway!

My car is one of, if not the first built capris (first built 1600GT at least) and my strut towers are not welded, but spot welded instead. That's my reason for doubting it.

Agree I had one of the first Capris. Slam panel completely different to norm and strut was spot welded. I only say things happen from normal in the car world. We both had 4cyl but the V6 was a different car correct? I just always give some benefit of doubt with early models now.

spud15
More importantly Wiggy
what was the chassis no of the first v6 assembled here. my earliest is CK17KL65166
A 1/70 delivered

Spud15, the earliest Australian assembled GT/V6 that I have come across is CK17JE65142, assembled in December, 1969 and stamped as completed with compliance in 1/70. It has been verified by Ford Australia as a 3000GT finished in Vermillion Fire and sold by Nuford Motors in Lakemba, NSW.

Old thread I know but does anyone know if the early Australian V6's were assembled in a 4cyl shell?  I have found a 2/70 V6 but it's definitely a 4cyl shell.  It appears to be painted the correct colour and is an Australian compliance plate.  I cant see a stamp on the slam panel but it's thick with paint.  I cant see the engine number on the strut tower either but again it was covered in dirt and paint.  Could it be legit or a re-body from back in the day?

To my knowledge no, but I could be convinced otherwise with the proof via the ID Plate and photo's. It should have a large ID Plate, which superceded the old 1969 small one, the newer, large one, also contains reference to the ADRs that the vehicle complies with at that time. The engine number displayed on it should start with JE1###B, the engine number can also be found on the block! It's located at the rear of the block, viewed from the right hand side, next to the rear firewall. The model code should be 13018 and the Prefix Body should be CK17K*12345 or similar. Does it have this plate and this information and what about some photo's of the engine bay to show why you think it's not a V6 shell. Cheers Terry

Thanks Terry.  It's definitely a legit V6 plate, but body has 4cyl radiator supports, no corner gussets all the usual stuff.  But more worrying was that the car has a 2001 QLD mod plate for LPG and Seat belt codes and that plate is marked with a CK14.. chassis number, and a non genuine plate with the CK14 number has been attached to the strut tower.  I told the owner that the plates didnt match and would look into it.  It was being advertised as a converted 4cyl as part of a deceased estate but I was wondering if it was a genuine early V6.  It didn't make sense being advertised as a 4cyl but with a genuine ck17 plate in the correct place.  Someone has since bought it.  If you ever watched outback car hunters it is the V6 that they didn't buy.