1971 Vauxhall Firenza 1300SL, the only one left

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.”

Further problems occurred in Canada - Vauxhall’s principal overseas market. The entire HC range was sold there as the Firenza, but they proved so unreliable that exports ended in January 1973. Yet Motor thought the flagship 2000SL was “basically a very good car indeed” despite a notchy gearchange and a “penny-pinched specification.” 

In August 1971 the cheaper  Firenzas had a 1,256cc rather than a 1,159cc engine. “Take a look for yourself. It even starts with an elegant name,” urged Vauxhall. 

And, assuming they could afford the £1,051.88 for a Firenza 1300SL, the driver of this sporting Vauxhall could vicariously aspire to be the next Gerry Marshall. Admittedly, the top speed was a modest 83 mph, but spending £35.00 on the optional Ro-Styles – “the extra distinctive wheel that turns heads” - helped to enhance the illusion. Quad headlamps helped to distinguish the SL trim from the entry-level De Luxe, while few keen motorists could resist the lure of “form fitting seating in luxurious Ambla.”

In 1973, after 18,352 units, the HC range underwent an elaborate facelift, with all 1.8-litre and 2.3-litre saloons, estates and coupes now wearing Magnum badges. Vauxhall now reserved the Firenza name for the 2.3-litre High Performance “Droopsnoot” model, which remained in production until 1975.

The Yearby family acquired BWK 422 K new, when Christopher’s uncle took delivery. He initially ordered a 1,159cc model but didn’t like it, so the dealer replaced it with one of the first 1,256cc versions. By 1992 the Firenza passed to Mark, who explains: “It was my first car! I was just 16, and I paid my great uncle £100 to guarantee I would look after it.”

Six years later, the family embarked on a restoration that lasted for three years. “At first, I planned a quick £500 respray,” says Christopher, “but one thing always leads to another with an old car. I find the Firenza suited to travelling any distance, providing you take your time.” It recently caused quite a stir at the 2022 Classic Motor Show, especially from visitors who had never seen an HC coupe. 

Fifty-one years after its debut, the looks that did not appeal to Vauxhall dealers now attract vast amounts of positive comments. Hindsight is an easy art, but the Firenza faced significant challenges. In 1971, the Capri had already been on sale for two years; Vauxhall’s first post-war coupe bore too strong a resemblance to the Viva, and they rushed it into production. 

Vauxhall might have better realised the Firenza’s potential with a more logically planned launch and the Droopsnoot as the original flagship. As it is, the Yearby family’s 1300SL is a reminder of days when a glove box lock and a carpeted floor denoted “Super Luxury.”

There will be a display of the UK’s rarest cars, as featured in this series, at the family-friendly Silverstone Festival from 25-27 August

Read more from The Telegraph’s UK rarest cars series: 1969 Ford Capri Mk1 1600L recalls 50 years since the model was launched

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