The Vauxhall Firenza was the British brand’s answer to the Ford Capri, but it never saw great success
On the 26th of May 1971, Vauxhall launched its rival to the Ford Capri.
Only 43 remain on the road today, and Christopher Yearby’s Flamenco Red example is the only 1300SL still in use. Even more remarkably, it has been in the same family since new.
The Firenza was a coupe version of the HC-series Viva, which debuted in September 1970. Vauxhall promoted it as “the kind of car that makes you impatient to be on your way.” Unfortunately, the poor equipment levels meant one brochure was reduced to extolling the “face level air vents that are adjustable to any angle.” More importantly, the “dramatic new shape” used the same panels as a two-door HC saloon below the waistline.
Consequently, the Firenza received an underwhelming reception at the dealer presentation in March 1971, where one guest referred to it as a “bubble top Viva!” The editor of Motor Sport bluntly stated, “Ford has said, and I have repeated and will repeat again for them, that the only substitute for the Capri is another Capri.”