Robadr found something rather out of the ordinary in Lisbon, Portugal. It’s a Vauxhall Firenza, made between 1971 and 1975. It was a somewhat pathetic attempt by Vauxhall to compete with the Ford Capri, which was a huge hit in Europe. But unlike Ford, which gave the Capri a completely new body with proper sport coupe proportions, Vauxhall just put a semi-fastback coupe roof on its rather pedestrian Viva, which was closely related to the Opel Kadett.
At least Opel’s Capri-fighter, the Manta, was based on the new Ascona platform, even if it didn’t get a proper new body either.
As was the case with the Capri, the Firenza was available with a wide range of engines, everything from the basic 1159cc pushrod four from the Viva (virtually identical to the Kadett engine), a larger 1256cc version, and a variety of sizes of the newer OHC Vauxhall four, from 1598 to 2279cc. The latter made it a hot car, given its light weight. It was a bargain considering its performance.
The Firenza was also sold in Canada, but as just Firenza, minus the Vauxhall, sold at GM Canada’s Pontiac-Firenza dealers. We covered that here.
Given its status as a budget Euro-muscle car, and its post-coupe body, this comes off something like a European Road Runner.
Maybe its just me, but the lead shot made me think of the Maverick. It must be the short body with the really rounded roof. Another parallel would be the pocket rocket image, although it took the Maverick a 302 to accomplish it.
Front looks like a Hillman Avenger to me.
Which is appropriate, considering the Avenger was imported as the Plymouth Cricket and, if you squint, you can see a bit of the ’68-’69 Road Runner in the front end.
Rings a bell…this is a fiberglass ’75 or so Grumett coupe (same mechanicals, but Uruguayan quality craftmanship 🙂
Another view. Before having wide access to pictures from around the world, I was always convinced these were based on late ’60s Opel Kadett (in fact the roof on this car is very similar to the pre-restyling, around ’67 Opel Kadett Coupe, and the Firenza’s roof is similar to the restyled Kadett coupe).
But no, it’s a Vauxhall Viva clone in fiber, with a steel frame and Viva mechanicals. For some reason I can’t fathom it was named 1825, which I though at the time to be the engine’s size (I was 10 – too early to understand that would have been too large of an engine). This car was in fact based on a 2 door, 4 passenger 🙂 pick-up…also fiberglass, of course, as utility vehicles had some tax advantage.
And this is the car-pickup the coupe was based on.
Man, that car pickup is crazy. Certainly no looker, but an interesting idea. Glad you posted it!
I like it! Its def a late 60s early 70s shape!
My reaction when I first saw it was ‘This looks more ’70’s than the 1970’s themselves!’. Like watching ‘Every 1’s a Winner’ by Hot Chocolate. 🙂
Actually the HB and HC Vivas aren’t very closely related to the Kadett as the only items carried over from the HA were the OHV engine (which was enlarged twice on the way) and the gear box. Everthing else was new in 1966 with the larger OHC engines were added from 1968: Rack and pinion steering with with new IFS (SLA) and trailing arms and coil springs at the back*. The body was all new for the HB while the 1970 HC was a new body on a revised HB platform.
I can’t disagree that the Firenza body was too close to the Viva to be really distinctive though, even this version with the 4 headlight front (and it could be had with the standard rectangular lights and dog dish hub caps). On the other hand, it wasn’t as tail-happy as the Capri with much better weight distribution. The only version with the looks to go with the performance was the HP ‘Droopsnoot’, built in tiny numbers 1974-5.
* Ford practically copied this arrangement for their Mk.III Cortina
In South Africa the HC Vauxhall range was badged Chevrolet and there was a limited run of Chev Firenzas with a 302 Chevy V8 engine, there were a few homegrown V8 HC Vivas in NZ back in the day quite the sleeper when fitted with a Holden powertrain.
I found one of those South African Chevrolet Firenza ‘Viva’ saloon in Dagenham way back in the early 1980s. One of those cases where you see the car, almost dismiss it and then notice the badge. Took a while to find out exactly what it was in those pre-internet days.
At least one available for restoration in the US
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ralf_k/40462712352/in/album-72157692607466915/
You might say the DroopSnoot Firenza was much better as a Capri rival:
Going on the 4 lamp front and Rostyle wheels, I suspect this is a 1.8 or 2.2 litre version, and therefore the model sold as the Magnum in the UK, after the Viva and Firenza range was split in two by engine size. 1256cc for the Viva, 1.8 and 2.2 litre for the Magnum, with added attitude.
Also, the plates look to be Dutch to me, so a long way from home.
these were actually pretty nice to drive – going from experience of a 74 1300 viva – but not sporting in any way. However they looked great and I desperately wanted one at one point in my teenage years.
I always loved the Manta.
Look at this one: what a cute little Muscle Car.
It looks like someone left a Nova in the dryer too long…and then to add to the indignity, Oldsmobile stole the name!
Seen it tonight. I like it.