Vauxhall Firenza Category 2 Historic Stage Rally Car

Vauxhall Firenza CAT 2 Historic Rally Car Spec 
The car was originally built from a bare shell in 2013/14 by Wizbang Fabrication. A great deal of research was carried out during the build to ensure the car was built as close as possible to the specification that Vauxhall ran its works cars in period. The car is in the colours of George Hill’s 1974 Lombard RAC Rally car which was sponsored by the Martin Group a Vauxhall Dealership in the North of England. The car has been mainly used on sealed surface events over the past 6 years including the Isle of Man Rally and rounds of the HRCR Asphalt Rally Championship. Last year it was completely rebuilt to enter the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally. It was one of only 38 cars to complete every stage of the event and finished 64th overall and 3rd in class. The car is now offered for sale in the same spec as it finished the 2019 RAC and is currently undergoing a full check prior to sale.  
This is a fully sorted CAT 2 Historic Stage Rally Car developed over several years and has been set up to provide very predictable handling on both asphalt and gravel surfaces. The AMAC Engineering 2300cc engine has lots of torque and produces around 190 bhp making the car really enjoyable to drive. The car is ready to enter any Historic Stage Rally or Historic demonstration event.                                                                
Shell: 

• Stripped back to a bare shell and sandblasted  

• Welded in historic spec roll cage 
• Seam welded and strengthened to period Vauxhall spec 
• Floor modified for high level exhaust and big diff tunnel 
• Fireproof Bulkhead 
• Sills modified for Bilstein Quick Lift Jack  ​

Transmission: 

• AP single plate Competition Clutch with paddle type friction plate 

• Tracsport heavy duty semi-helical close ratio gearbox new for the RAC 
• Heavy Duty gearbox mounting  
• Alloy Bellhousing modified for quick release gearbox 
• Single piece heavy duty propshaft 
• Salisbury 4HA axle with 4.54 CWP and power-loc plated LSD. Built, serviced and set up by Ian Jemison Engineering (re-built prior to the RAC) 

Interior/Safety: 

• In date Seats, Turn One Trophy – S (Manufactured by Sparco) valid until the end of 2025 
• New TRS Magnum 6pt harnesses will be included in the sale of the car 
• Plumbed-in SPA mechanical fire extinguisher system and hand held extinguisher to MSA regulations 
• Works type dash and cowling 

• Sparco steering wheel 
• Helmet net 
• Brantz Pro 2 Int trip meter 
• Intercom 
• Bespoke competition wiring loom with fused links 

• Laminated windscreen 
• Film on side windows 
• GP4 Fabrications alloy fuel tank 
• Battery re-located in the boot 
• 2 Cibie Super Oscar & 2 Cibie Oscar spot lights on alloy brackets 

• Alloy sump guard 
• 6” x 13” Revolution wheels with a choice of gravel or asphalt tyres ​

For sale is my Historic Category 2 Vauxhall Firenza painted in the colours of George Hill’s Martin Group Car he drove on the 1974 Lombard RAC Rally. It was built from a shell by Wizbang Fabrication in East Yorkshire to a very high specification. Prior to the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally (64th Overall and 3rdin Class) it was treated to a full rebuild including a new AMAC Engineering Engine, Rocket Gearbox and Ian Jemison Engineering re-built Salisbury 4HA Axle. The 2.3L Slant 4 single cam engine has around 190 bhp and excellent torque. Developed and refined over the past few years the car handles well on both asphalt and gravel. With a full supporting spec the car is ready to go for when we get back rallying again. A spares package will be available by separate negotiation and the buyer will also have the option to purchase the matching Bedford Service Van, renovated and converted in 2018/19 by Wizbang Fabrication.

Engine: 
​(New for the RAC) 2.3L Single Cam approx. 190 bhp 

• Built by Alistair McKay at AMAC Engineering Northallerton who has been building these engines since the mid 70’s 
• Balanced bottom end, heavy duty rods, new pistons, lightened flywheel 
• New big-end and mains journal bearings 

• AMAC engineering big Valve Head with solid lifters 
• Kent cam KCVXR which is a hybrid between a VF2(Rally) and VF3(Race) profile 
• Period style Vernier Cam Pulley 
• New High pressure oil pump 
• Lucas Distributor with Lumenition Electronic Ignition 

• Twin 45 Weber Carburettors with works type air box, ITG filter and cold air trunking 
• Twin Throttle Cables 
• Tony Law exhaust manifold and system with re-packable rear silencer 
• Twin Electric fuel pumps, fuel filter & pressure regulator 
• Heavy duty starter motor                                                                                                                                                                                  
• Suspension & Steering: 
• Strengthened Front sub-frame to works spec modified for heavy duty engine mountings 
• Strengthened and skidded Ventora bottom arms 
• Strengthened negative Camber top arms 
• Front Bilstein Dampers (rebuilt by Bilstein UK when car was built) 
• Front heavy duty gravel spec springs 
• HPF anti-roll bar 
• Front suspension poly bushed (new for the RAC) 
• 2.5 Turns high ratio steering rack & HPF Steering Arms 
• Strengthened rear lower arms (gravel spec) with poly Bushes 
• Heavy duty rear top arms 
• Rear Bilstein Dampers (New when car was built) 
• Heavy Duty Rear Springs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Brakes: 
• Front AP 4 Pot Historic Callipers with vented discs (Similar to GP4 Escort) 
• Rear 9” dia 2.25” wide rear drums 
• Mintex 1144 front pads & heavy duty rear linings 
• Balance bar pedal box with AP master cylinders (new for RAC) 
• All lines aeroquip and routed through the car 
• Hydraulic handbrake (with cable linkage for MOT)                                                                                                                                Cooling System: 
• Magnum Radiator 
• Electric Cooling Fan  

SOLD