RE: PH Heroes: Vauxhall Firenza HP 'Droopsnoot'
Discussion
sideways sid said:
This seems vaguely familiar. Was this article 'loosely based upon' / 'influenced by' / 'inspired from' a recent article with similar pics in Classic & Sportscar?
Riggers attended the same event, drove the same car, on the same roads, with the same snapper etc... All his own work though! "what a horrible shed
actually makes modern vauxhalls look half decent and thats going some "
Dave Hedghog you are deluded!
And so is whoever wrote this article! £5k? I'll buy 5 at that price if you can find them and they exist; the only ones at that price I've seen are very ratty, needing work on engine and/or I terior and body or have important bits missing.
£5k would buy a real shed I'm afraid.
Oi Riggers
nice article but let me tell you a properly sorted 2.8 Capri on 15" wheels is a very good car.Granted e.g. a 2.0 Ghia was pretty dire but they are not all the same as you would expect in 16years of production from 1.3ltr to 3 ltr.
I had several over the years and a stand out was 3.0S for its time in the late 70's
However my 2.8i lowered 1" rear 1.5 front decent brake upgrade and suspension tweaks was a hoot of a Q car and refreshingly cheap to run.
nice article but let me tell you a properly sorted 2.8 Capri on 15" wheels is a very good car.Granted e.g. a 2.0 Ghia was pretty dire but they are not all the same as you would expect in 16years of production from 1.3ltr to 3 ltr.
I had several over the years and a stand out was 3.0S for its time in the late 70's
However my 2.8i lowered 1" rear 1.5 front decent brake upgrade and suspension tweaks was a hoot of a Q car and refreshingly cheap to run.
The 'Firenza HP and Spots Hatch' is an often told story.
But why Vauxhall didn't do more with that front end and those wheels is a mystery!
Well, maybe so as not to direct attention away from the newly launched Chevette and Cavalier.
Still a shame though.
Does anyone remember Cherry's 'six-lighter'?
But why Vauxhall didn't do more with that front end and those wheels is a mystery!
Well, maybe so as not to direct attention away from the newly launched Chevette and Cavalier.
Still a shame though.
Does anyone remember Cherry's 'six-lighter'?
gremlin666 said:
The 'Firenza HP and Spots Hatch' is an often told story.
But why Vauxhall didn't do more with that front end and those wheels is a mystery!
Well, the front end went on to influence the next few production Vauxhalls, including the Cavalier (Mk1) and the Chevette - remember that German versions of those cars (Ascona and Kadett) had the flat front style. Here's a picture of an early Cavalier styling prototype which really is very like the Firenza front:But why Vauxhall didn't do more with that front end and those wheels is a mystery!
Avon safety wheels were a good idea, featuring a steel band that covered the well in the wheel used for fitting the tyre - in the event of a puncture the tyre would stay on the wheel. It's an idea used to this day on caravans, but for some reason it didn't take off on cars.
One of the things that killed the Firenza off was the complicated build procedure, which meant that the cars were part-produced on the standard production line and then taken off to a shed on the outskirts of the site where the special parts were fitted.
gremlin666 said:
Does anyone remember Cherry's 'six-lighter'?
"Silver Bullet" as it was known, alive and well to this day, owned by the same lucky chap that also owns "Silver Aero", the Cavalier styling exercise. Last time I saw SB was at the NEC Classic Car Show last year, but it's around and about.droopsnoot said:
gremlin666 said:
The 'Firenza HP and Spots Hatch' is an often told story.
But why Vauxhall didn't do more with that front end and those wheels is a mystery!
Well, the front end went on to influence the next few production Vauxhalls, including the Cavalier (Mk1) and the Chevette - remember that German versions of those cars (Ascona and Kadett) had the flat front style. Here's a picture of an early Cavalier styling prototype which really is very like the Firenza front:But why Vauxhall didn't do more with that front end and those wheels is a mystery!
Avon safety wheels were a good idea, featuring a steel band that covered the well in the wheel used for fitting the tyre - in the event of a puncture the tyre would stay on the wheel. It's an idea used to this day on caravans, but for some reason it didn't take off on cars.
One of the things that killed the Firenza off was the complicated build procedure, which meant that the cars were part-produced on the standard production line and then taken off to a shed on the outskirts of the site where the special parts were fitted.
gremlin666 said:
Does anyone remember Cherry's 'six-lighter'?
"Silver Bullet" as it was known, alive and well to this day, owned by the same lucky chap that also owns "Silver Aero", the Cavalier styling exercise. Last time I saw SB was at the NEC Classic Car Show last year, but it's around and about.Yeah, I've seen the pic of the Cavalier protoype before. It's a bit of a myth that Vauxhall got the Cavalier Mk1 front end from the Manta and grafted it on to the Ascona, as all of the 'droop snoot' look was down to Cherry.
And the 'Avon Wheels'. I'd forgotten about the safety features. Great idea really, and quite innovative for the time.
I just thought how much better the last of the HCs and the Magnums would have looked with some kind of mass-produced version of the snoot and the wheels.
That Cavalier looks like a Ferrari 400.
I always considered my old Z28 was the spiritual successor to the Droop Snoot and that didn't come along until 1982, nearly 10 years later.
I also knew the quoted figures were awry so dug out my Motor road test from 1974.
The Droop actuallly hit 60 in 8.5 seconds which was faster than an RS2000 Mk 1 and Capri II 3.0, both tested at 9.1 seconds to 60 (and from memory, I think Fords were geared to hit 60 in 2nd to save some tenths).
In the comparison tables, however, the Frenzy had more formidable foes and was pitched against the RS1600 and Dolly Sprint, both of which hit 60 in the lower 8s. This was because of the high price which at something north of £2600 (laughable now isn't it) was still some £300 more than the RS1600 and Dolly Sprint. Indeed, the only car more expensive was an Alfa 2000 in the days when Alfas were considered exotic and people bought British.
I always considered my old Z28 was the spiritual successor to the Droop Snoot and that didn't come along until 1982, nearly 10 years later.
I also knew the quoted figures were awry so dug out my Motor road test from 1974.
The Droop actuallly hit 60 in 8.5 seconds which was faster than an RS2000 Mk 1 and Capri II 3.0, both tested at 9.1 seconds to 60 (and from memory, I think Fords were geared to hit 60 in 2nd to save some tenths).
In the comparison tables, however, the Frenzy had more formidable foes and was pitched against the RS1600 and Dolly Sprint, both of which hit 60 in the lower 8s. This was because of the high price which at something north of £2600 (laughable now isn't it) was still some £300 more than the RS1600 and Dolly Sprint. Indeed, the only car more expensive was an Alfa 2000 in the days when Alfas were considered exotic and people bought British.
Tyre Smoke said:
They also used a lot of old Firenza shells to make the Viva E which was a horrible base spec 1179 engined (Post Office HB Viva van engine) shed with no redeeming features.
The Viva E was had the 1256 engine, and they handled pretty well due to the small engine being placed so far back in an engine bay which was desinged to fit the 2.3's.Performance wise they were never going to be quick but I had one as my first car and it was far more fun than the front wheel shopping carts my friends had at the time.
I then progressed to a 1.8 Firenza (better engine but worse around corners), while my Dad had a 2.3 Magnum Coupe which was great fun.
pozi said:
The Viva E was had the 1256 engine, and they handled pretty well due to the small engine being placed so far back in an engine bay which was desinged to fit the 2.3's.
Performance wise they were never going to be quick but I had one as my first car and it was far more fun than the front wheel shopping carts my friends had at the time.
I then progressed to a 1.8 Firenza (better engine but worse around corners), while my Dad had a 2.3 Magnum Coupe which was great fun.
It was also a lot better than the nasty and cheap Ford Escort Popular and Popular Plus though I grant the Mk II Escort did have the benefit of a timeless clean design. I had the 1256 in a Chevette saloon and it did the job just as well as Ford's engines which dated back to the 50s. Next to an Alfasud flat four, they were all boat anchors though.Performance wise they were never going to be quick but I had one as my first car and it was far more fun than the front wheel shopping carts my friends had at the time.
I then progressed to a 1.8 Firenza (better engine but worse around corners), while my Dad had a 2.3 Magnum Coupe which was great fun.
pozi said:
The Viva E was had the 1256 engine, and they handled pretty well due to the small engine being placed so far back in an engine bay which was desinged to fit the 2.3's.
Performance wise they were never going to be quick but I had one as my first car and it was far more fun than the front wheel shopping carts my friends had at the time.
I then progressed to a 1.8 Firenza (better engine but worse around corners), while my Dad had a 2.3 Magnum Coupe which was great fun.
One of my earliest "car" memories is the Viva E being advertised on TV as what was a really low price for a "full sized" car. £1299 seems familiar.Performance wise they were never going to be quick but I had one as my first car and it was far more fun than the front wheel shopping carts my friends had at the time.
I then progressed to a 1.8 Firenza (better engine but worse around corners), while my Dad had a 2.3 Magnum Coupe which was great fun.
Bought a 1972 2300SL in 1978 for £700 great car for its time. I used it for work driving round England now and then. Used to surprise the Triumph 2500 and Rover owners. Surprisingly comfortable in my memory though vynil seats weren't good on a sunny day.
and the headlights were rubbish so fitted spotlights of the main beam.
and the headlights were rubbish so fitted spotlights of the main beam.
I had a couple of those in "Garnet Starmist" - great cars, and very tuneable IIRC.
Twin 1 3/4" SU carbs, DOHC, mine both had HUGE valves in them.
Guy I bought the first one from worked at Vauxhall and had a spare head in the boot, complete with a spare set of valves. Shame I wrecked the engine.
I took the vinyl roof off and painted a black and gold JPS logo on the roof. Happy days.
Never forget the day I picked my brother up from college and left twin tyre marks for 50 odd yards as I pulled out of the car park.
Twin 1 3/4" SU carbs, DOHC, mine both had HUGE valves in them.
Guy I bought the first one from worked at Vauxhall and had a spare head in the boot, complete with a spare set of valves. Shame I wrecked the engine.
I took the vinyl roof off and painted a black and gold JPS logo on the roof. Happy days.
Never forget the day I picked my brother up from college and left twin tyre marks for 50 odd yards as I pulled out of the car park.
Edited by mondeoman on Thursday 28th June 21:13
LuS1fer said:
I also knew the quoted figures were awry so dug out my Motor road test from 1974.
The Droop actuallly hit 60 in 8.5 seconds which was faster than an RS2000 Mk 1 and Capri II 3.0, both tested at 9.1 seconds to 60 (and from memory, I think Fords were geared to hit 60 in 2nd to save some tenths).
That Droopsnoot was also up against Mk1 F/L 3000 litre Capris - Autocar tested one ( March 8th 73 issue ) in the same year as the Droopsnoot was launched at 8.3 to 60. That did 66 in 2ndThe Droop actuallly hit 60 in 8.5 seconds which was faster than an RS2000 Mk 1 and Capri II 3.0, both tested at 9.1 seconds to 60 (and from memory, I think Fords were geared to hit 60 in 2nd to save some tenths).
s m said:
That Droopsnoot was also up against Mk1 F/L 3000 litre Capris - Autocar tested one ( March 8th 73 issue ) in the same year as the Droopsnoot was launched at 8.3 to 60. That did 66 in 2nd
How on earth did they fit a 3000 litre engine in a Capri? 
BTW just to give some ides, £2600 in 1974 was a lot of money. My parents bought a 3 bed semi for £6300 around that time.
LuS1fer said:
s m said:
That Droopsnoot was also up against Mk1 F/L 3000 litre Capris - Autocar tested one ( March 8th 73 issue ) in the same year as the Droopsnoot was launched at 8.3 to 60. That did 66 in 2nd
How on earth did they fit a 3000 litre engine in a Capri? BTW just to give some ides, £2600 in 1974 was a lot of money. My parents bought a 3 bed semi for £6300 around that time.
Yes my mistake, used a mix of cc and litres!
There's been a good spate of articles on the old Vauxhalls brought down for the launch of the new VXR. The roads down there must make a great place to sample some of these older cars
Edited by s m on Friday 29th June 09:16
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