One of the most popular custom build upgrades when creating a Droop Snoot homage is an engine swap to the Vauxhall/Opel C20XE 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve engine – known to all and sundry as the ‘Redtop’ for the vibrant hue of its cam covers.
Many of these engine-swapped Firenzas are uprated with twin Weber 45 carbs, a DTA engine management system, a Getrag 5-speed ‘box, and a Jenvey inlet manifold.
This fine example is one such and, consequently, it has a very useful 170bhp at its disposal.
This ‘Starfire Silver’ car started off in life as a Vauxhall Firenza 2300 Deluxe and was rebuilt as a Droop Snoot tribute in the 1990s, having changed from its original blue colour to yellow in the 1980s.
It was the cover story feature in a contemporary edition of Performance Vauxhall magazine.
Circa 2001, the pre-penultimate owner purchased the car and began what was intended to be a complete restoration.

The body was stripped and painted but the project remained unfinished and the car stayed in warm,...