Spotted: 1974 Vauxhall Firenza HPF

Still want that Mk2 Escort, then?

By Silversixx / Wednesday, 14 September 2011 / Loading comments

It's not often that we feature a Vauxhall in Spotted, but the sight of

quickly had excited 'have-you-seen-this?' e-mails pinging around the PH office.

Maybe it's the associated imagery of Gerry Marshall hurling a similar car around back in the day or possibly the svelte seventies coupe styling with that eponymous, shovel-like schnozzle, but there's no doubt that this is a cool car.

As is so often the case with low-volume production cars the total number built is disputed, but a total figure of just 204 appears to be there or thereabouts. In the many years that the vendor (an engineer) has owned this car it's been completely restored, including a full bare-metal paint job, and then prepared primarily for track-day use. The list of work he's carried out and the collection of parts included in the sale is enormous and can be seen in full on the advert.

You can also see the net results of all the hard work in the form of an

in-car video clip

which was recorded at Castle Combe a couple of years ago. The picture isn't great, but what the vid lacks in crispness it more than makes up for with the sound...

The vendor 'conservatively' reckons that the dry-sumped motor is delivering about 170bhp, which is enough to make this a lively car. It comes with full MOT and tax, but if you're planning on putting it to use on Her Majesty's highways you might find the 700lb front springs to be on the firm side...just a tad.

The asking price of £13,000 also seems pretty good when you realise that the parts package included in the price features enough bits to open your own historic Vauxhall competition parts emporium - or perhaps build a replica of the famous DTV 'Old Nail' Firenza as driven by the legendary (and for once that term is entirely fitting) Mr Marshall.

If you're anywhere near Castle Combe this weekend it might be worth your while dropping in to witness the HPF at full-chat. Just take a very big van with you to carry all the parts if you want to buy it...