RE: PH Heroes: Vauxhall Firenza HP 'Droopsnoot'
Discussion
gremlin666 said:
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.
I'd never heard that one, though I did talk to someone who worked at Ellesmere Port who was convinced that the Firenza had the nosecone stuck on it to make it look like the new Chevette, and no amount of telling him that the Firenza pre-dated the Chevette by two years got me anywhere. Shows how these things take root, though, when even people working there at the time get it mixed up. I guess it was quite a long time ago now.gremlin666 said:
And the 'Avon Wheels'. I'd forgotten about the safety features. Great idea really, and quite innovative for the time.
It was quite a topic back then with these, the Dunlop Denovo and, I think, another similar idea.gremlin666 said:
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.
Yes, you're right. Some of the snoot prototypes (mostly rejected for cost reasons) were quite impressive looking, but the production (if that's the right word) version was constrained to having no special pressings due to tooling costs, so it had to use the standard front end, albeit in modified form. The nosecone was a fibreglass section made by Specialised Mouldings who, I think, also did some of the Chevette HS parts.LuS1fer said:
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.
Yes, I've got a photo of my snoot alongside a Camaro at Tatton Park a few years back and the resemblance is striking. Nowadays, it's a pity they didn't use those easy-to-get headlamps on the snoot instead of opting for Cibies that are unique to the Firenza and a handful of small-production vehicles.A friend of my dad's had one in the mid 80s. Tuned up quite a bit if I remember properly. I'd never seen one before and thought it was a viva with a body kit, but I was taken out for a ride once and lived it.
Sadly written off when a woman in a fiesta pulled out in front of him when he was going <some>.
Think they were all silver weren't they?
Sadly written off when a woman in a fiesta pulled out in front of him when he was going <some>.
Think they were all silver weren't they?
droopsnoot said:
Yes, I've got a photo of my snoot alongside a Camaro at Tatton Park a few years back and the resemblance is striking. Nowadays, it's a pity they didn't use those easy-to-get headlamps on the snoot instead of opting for Cibies that are unique to the Firenza and a handful of small-production vehicles.
Even more so as the replacement headlights for my Camaro were made by Cibie too.
monzaxjr said:
Love these. I don't know what garages Pistionheads are going to to get a good example for £5k though, double that maybe. Although if somebody has a rather lovely one for £5k i'll happily take it!
Check out the July (or possibly August)issue of Classic & Sports Car - page 152. That's where I got the £5k figure from...Krikkit said:
Lovely. £5k seems cheap for such a low-volume and interesting car.
I agree. Didnt think they would be that cheap.My friends building a Firenza at the moment. Its got a 500bhp LS2 Lump so its gonna go ok. Think the colour he has chosen has worked very well. He has been deciding on that colour for the 15years I have known him!
LuS1fer said:
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.
Porkie said:
I agree. Didnt think they would be that cheap.
My friends building a Firenza at the moment. Its got a 500bhp LS2 Lump so its gonna go ok. Think the colour he has chosen has worked very well. He has been deciding on that colour for the 15years I have known him!
That looks great in a more modern colour. Funny that I saw a photo from a car show last weekend with a similar colour X Pack RS2000 and that looked good too. Probably upsets the concours fans, but stuff 'em it's his car. My friends building a Firenza at the moment. Its got a 500bhp LS2 Lump so its gonna go ok. Think the colour he has chosen has worked very well. He has been deciding on that colour for the 15years I have known him!
I'm surprised at the £5k price (unless it is a shed for that money) given what silly prices RS2000s go for these days as it seems almost unfair especially as the droop snoot Firenza is rarer. If true, get one while they're cheap I reckon.
I really like the paintwork on that. It has the right feel but updated, if you see what I mean. On the other hand, I utterly hate those wheels. Horrible things.
When I was 16 I started at the local college (long story but I left after a few weeks and went back to 6th form to do A-levels) and in the first 2 weeks all the technical students did an intro course in all the subjects before finalising their choice. So we did electronics, machining, automotive etc. Our automotive teacher had a droop-snoot Firenza, and one of the things we got to do was to run it on the dyno and brake tester. Great for for a bunch of 16 year olds! I didnt realise they were quite so rare though.
(Hello Mr Rowley if you are reading this)
When I was 16 I started at the local college (long story but I left after a few weeks and went back to 6th form to do A-levels) and in the first 2 weeks all the technical students did an intro course in all the subjects before finalising their choice. So we did electronics, machining, automotive etc. Our automotive teacher had a droop-snoot Firenza, and one of the things we got to do was to run it on the dyno and brake tester. Great for for a bunch of 16 year olds! I didnt realise they were quite so rare though.
(Hello Mr Rowley if you are reading this)
Porkie said:
I agree. Didnt think they would be that cheap.
My friends building a Firenza at the moment. Its got a 500bhp LS2 Lump so its gonna go ok. Think the colour he has chosen has worked very well. He has been deciding on that colour for the 15years I have known him!
15 years well spent, I'd say. I want that car so badly.My friends building a Firenza at the moment. Its got a 500bhp LS2 Lump so its gonna go ok. Think the colour he has chosen has worked very well. He has been deciding on that colour for the 15years I have known him!
nismo48 said:
For a nigh on 40 yr old car its not that bad...
And a shed...?????
He thinks VW Audis are stylish though.And a shed...?????
Dave Hedgehog said:
what a horrible shed
actually makes modern vauxhalls look half decent and thats going some
actually makes modern vauxhalls look half decent and thats going some
Me? I like trains...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AG0ePq5LlA&fea...
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