The Vauxhall Firenza was introduced in May 1971 and continued until 1976.

It was a development of the Viva, but had a distinctive fastback coupé body style and only two doors.

The initial Firenza was available in a base model 1159cc overhead valve and two models with overhead camshaft, in 1598cc and 1975cc variants.

The latter was the same engine as used in the earlier Viva GT.

Some six months after launch, in December 1971, performance was boosted when the engine capacities were enlarged.

All models had a front mounted four cylinder engine driving the rear wheels.

Suspension was double wishbone and coil springs at the front, and a live rear axle with trailing arms and coils at the rear.

The SL model carried the highest level of trim.

The model changes in early 1972 included the introduction of a top-of-the-line 2300 Sport SL model introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, using the 2279cc engine.

In 1973, Vauxhall acknowledged that their rather dull model range needed a makeover, ...