Capricornia (Australia) - AllCarIndex

Capricornia was an Australian automotive brand that operated from 1957 to 1959, founded by Albert Ludgate in Adelaide, South Australia. After Lea-Francis Cars ceased production in 1953, Ludgate, who had served as Chief Engineer, joined J.A. Lawton & Sons. His passion for performance vehicles led him to design a sports car that utilized a duplex tube chassis frame compatible with Holden components.

The Capricornia sports car featured a wheelbase of 91 inches (2311 mm) and had a weight of 713 kg. The first model in the series was equipped with a fibreglass body manufactured by English company R.G.S. Over time, other body styles were introduced, including one with a Buchanan body. A notable variant, which incorporated a Repco Highpower cylinder head, achieved considerable success in competitive racing, later being known as the Ricardian.

In addition to sports cars, Capricornia also produced junior go-karts and T.Q. midget racing cars during its brief existence. The brand drew its name from the Tropic of Capricorn region, reflecting its Australian heritage. Despite its short operational period, Capricornia contributed to the local automotive scene with its innovative designs and racing endeavors.