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Fifty years ago, Luton unveiled ‘the kind of car that makes you impatient to be on your way’ – the new Firenza. Here was a coupe to rival the Ford Capri at home and score a major success in the company’s crucially important Canadian export market. As it transpired, the Vauxhall with ‘distinctive styling’ reached neither goal – despite its many strong-points.

The Firenza debuted in May 1971, and dealers were immediately aware of two significant issues. Firstly, while the Capri bore no outward resemblance to the Cortina, the Vauxhall with the ‘big, bold, brilliant shape’ was clearly related to the Viva HC. Secondly the Firenza lacked the Ford’s wide choice of engines and option packs. At £1,282, the flagship 2000SL may have cost £16 less than a Capri 2000 GT but it still came with a strip speedometer.

Motor regarded the Firenza 2000SL as superior to its Ford rival in terms of ride, road noise, visibility, luggage accommodation and low-speed torque. However, the Capri possessed better fuel consumption, rear-seat space, interior appointments and gear change. In all other respects, the two cars were ‘fairly evenly matched’. A later group test concluded the Vauxhall was ‘basically a very good car indeed’ despite suffering from a ‘notchy gearchange’ and ‘penny-pinched specification’.

Such criticisms denoted a car that appeared somewhat rushed into production. In Canada, where the entire HC range wore Firenza badging and sold via Pontiac dealerships, owners’ problems were many and various. Dave Booker’s excellent website Vauxpedia lists ‘parts falling off, electrical faults, heater problems, failing to start, rough running, oil leaks, even reports of engine fires’.  

In short, the ‘Tough Little Fun Car From General Motors’ proved anything but, and sales ended in January 1973, together with all future Vauxhall imports. The fall-out at Luton was considerable, not least because the FE-Series Victor was devised for Canada and UK fleet buyers alike. Furthermore, the loss of such an export territory ended plans for a larger Viva HD that would compete directly with the Cortina.

Yet, the Firenza was a fundamentally promising vehicle. In early 1972 Vauxhall introduced a new flagship; the 2300 Sport SL boasted a seven-dial fascia, two-speed wipers and reclining front seats as befitting ‘the ultimate in high-powered compact-sized luxury motoring’. The Firenza range also gained invaluable publicity when Thames Television sponsored the Byldenstein Racing team.

The chaps at Motor believed the Sport SL’s handling to be ‘nearly as good’ as the Escort Mexico Mk. I and that its ride was superior to the Ford.  They concluded it was ‘an extremely good car’ even if the scribes still grumbled about its transmission. One Motor Sport writer echoed these compliments, and he further noted:

Taken to the ultimate limit I would suggest that this Vauxhall would corner as well, if not better, than the Escort Mexico. Furthermore it has many more creature comforts than the Ford.

Production of the original Firenza line-up ended in July 1973, and the subsequent “Droop Snoot” and Magnums belong in separate blogs. It was a Vauxhall that practically illustrated the term ‘could have been/should have been’, for the 2300 version really was ‘a smart, lively sports coupe that’s fun to drive’. Especially when ordered in “Emerald Starmist”.

Why choose Lancaster Insurance?

Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.

We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the UK and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.

Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:

• Historic rally cover
• Static show cover
• Limited mileage discounts
• Choice of repairer
• 24-hour claims helpline

Give your classic the protection it deserves and get a quote for your Vauxhall today.