Estimated Price: £30,000 - £35,000
The Vauxhall Firenza HP (for ‘High Performance’), or Droopsnoot as it is affectionately known, is a rare car. Just 204 were built, despite Vauxhall’s claim back in the day that the market would welcome a thousand or more, every year.
That it wasn’t more of a success is a bit odd. After all, it sports a 2,279cc engine that had been breathed on by Bill Blydenstein, the legendary Vauxhall tuner. So, you’ll find twin Stromberg carburettors, a high-lift camshaft, a gas-flowed head and a tubular manifold under the bonnet. The Droopsnoot also has a proper, dog-leg, 5-speed gearbox too, which is surely the epitome of seventies gearbox-cool, a deep-dish steering wheel, lowered, uprated suspension, more powerful brakes and Avon safety wheels (a production car first), and of course, the aerodynamic glassfibre nosecone from which it draws its name.
Vauxhall's misfortune in 1975, however, has exactly the opposite effect 50 years later with the Droopsnoot's rarity meaning that these cars have become collectable and consequently valuable in today's classic car market.
This example was first registered in 1975 and was subsequently purchased by our vendor in 1986, at which time it was registered in his business name. In December 1991, the car was transferred into his personal ownership, where it has remained since. The V5C records five former registered keepers, with the car showing 72,150 miles indicated at the time of cataloguing. Ownership history notes use from 1986 at 60,767 miles prior to the change into private ownership and our vendor advises that the car has covered approximately 12,000 miles over the last 40 years.
During current ownership, the Firenza has benefited from significant mechanical and cosmetic work. The engine has been overhauled, bored and balanced, with a new oil pump and clutch fitted, and the car has also received a complete respray. In 1989–1990, SU carburettors were fitted and subsequently set up on a rolling road by Harry Radcliffe of Littleborough. Further mechanical attention was carried out in 2010, when the cylinder head was removed and fitted with new valve guides and unleaded valve seats, along with the installation of a stainless-steel exhaust system. More recently, in 2024, maintenance included fitment of a new offside front lower ball joint, and a brake service with new front pads and a fluid change. The car's history file contains its original service book and handbooks, evidence of having been treated with Dinitrol rustproofing when new, and MOT certificates dating back to 1978.
In terms of motorsport, the Firenza will always be associated with the exploits of the late, Gerry Marshall, in 'Old Nail' scoring 59 overall victories and four class wins between September 1971 and February 1978. Judging by the DTV and associated stickers under the boot lid, our vendor obviously appreciated that connection and it's also signed by Gerry Johnstone, chief mechanic on the original DTV Firenza builds and the author of a recent book on DTV Vauxhalls and the Droopsnoot in particular.
Very well presented and obviously cared for, the Firenza continues to be used and enjoyed, with its most recent outing being the Thruxton 50th Anniversary celebration for Droopsnoots in 2024, underlining its ongoing usability alongside its rarity and historical significance and we encourage your inspection of this extremely rare car at our Race Retro Collector Car Sale.
- Body TypesOther
- Transmission
- Exterior ColourSilver
- Interior Colour
