Firenza sedan

[IndianaJones]

Saw this on Gumtree...

1975 Chevrolet Firenza sedan
http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bakkies ... 0206637209
R35000
Was there a specific model which came with twin carb's?

[Johann72]

There was a GT that was sold. But I don't have any detail I think there is something on the Net!! will go surf!!

[Johann72]

So Waar as wragtig!!



1972 Chevrolet Firenza 2.5 GT

•Chevrolet Firenza 2.5 GT, manufactured or sold in 1972, version for Africa (since mid-year 1972)
•4-door sedan body type
•RWD (rear-wheel drive), manual 4-speed gearbox
•petrol (gasoline) engine with displacement: 2512 cm3 / 153.3 cui, advertised power: 75 87.5 kW / 101 117 hp / 102 119 PS ( SAE net SAE gross ), Torque net: 220 Nm / 162 lb-ft
•characteristic dimensions: outside length: 4140 mm / 163 in, wheelbase: 2465 mm / 97 in
•reference weights: base curb weight: 995 kg / 2193 lbs
•how fast is this car ? top speed: 170 km/h (106 mph) (theoretical);
•accelerations: 0- 60 mph 9.4 s; 0- 100 km/h 10 s (a-c simulation); 1/4 mile drag time (402 m) 17.1 s (a-c simulation)
•fuel consumption and mileage: average estimated by a-c: 12 l/100km / 23.6 mpg (imp.) / 19.6 mpg (U.S.) / 8.4 km/l

[Johann72]

Cut-away! Twin Carbs

1971vauxhallfirenza2000.jpg (168.78 KiB) Viewed 7120 times

[IndianaJones]

Dankie vir die opsoek oom Johann

But that cutaway is of a Vauxhall Firenza with the the slanted Vauxhall 4-cyl engine, AFAIK our Chevrolet Firenza's never came equiped with that engine, they were fitted with a 1200/1300(was that the Viva engine?) and the 2,5L(153 Chevrolet?).
So I'm still not sure if there were a SA model produced, with twin carburetors?

[Johann72]

Dankie vir die opsoek oom Johann

But that cutaway is of a Vauxhall Firenza with the the slanted Vauxhall 4-cyl engine, AFAIK our Chevrolet Firenza's never came equiped with that engine, they were fitted with a 1200/1300(was that the Viva engine?) and the 2,5L(153 Chevrolet?).
So I'm still not sure if there were a SA model produced, with twin carburetors?

I suspect that there may have been some conversions that found its way onto the market. Like "van der Linde", "Meisner" etc!!
Will love to see that engine!! I know of a 2.1 Rekord with twin carbs! Home made!!

[Johann72]

There was a greater variety of Firenza's and some very "Hot" models! Some were born out of the 60's development?
Here are their specs"
SPECIFICATIONS:
I have the Can-Am specs around somewhere!!

Production: February 1971 to July 1973 HC Firenza 1200DL 2 & 4 door Saloon& Station Wagon
August 1973 to July 1975 HC Firenza 1300DL 2 & 4 door Saloon
August 1975 to July 1978 HC 1300DL & SL 4 door Saloon
August 1975 to July 1978 HC 1900SL 4 door Saloon & Auto 4 door Saloon
August 1976 to July 1978 HC 1300DL & SL 3 door Hatch
August 1976 to July 1978 HC 1900SL 3 door Hatch & Auto Hatch
February 1971 to July 1972 HC Firenza 2500SL 4 door Saloon& Auto 4 door Saloon
August 1972 to July 1976 HC Firenza 2500GT 4 door Saloon & GT Auto 4 door Saloon
February 1971 to July 1973 HC Firenza 2500SL 3 door Coupe
August 1973 to July 1976 HC Firenza 2500GT 3 door Coupe

Production Plant: Port Elizabeth South Africa (CKD kits from Luton)

Sales: 22,650 (approx)

Models: HC 2 door Saloon (until July 1975)
HC 4 door Saloon (until July 1978
HC 3 door Coupe (until July 1976)
HC 3 door Station Wagon (until July 1973)
HC 3 door Hatch (until July 1978)

Engines: Vauxhall 1159cc 4cylinder 8v Weber Carburettor
74bhp@ 5800rpm (gross) 70.0ft-lbs @ 4200rpm Comp ratio: 8.5:1

Vauxhall 1256cc 4cylinder 8v Stromberg 150CDS Carburettor
59bhp @ 5400rpm (nett) 63.0ft-lbs @ 3400rpm Comp ratio: 9.2:1


GM Chevrolet 1959cc 8v Weber 28/32DCD Carburettor
91bhp @ 5000rpm (nett) 118.0ft-lbs @ 3600rpm Comp ratio: 9.0:1


GM Chevrolet Gen 3 2512cc 8v Rochester Carburettor
100bhp @ 4400rpm (gross) 159.0ft-lbs @ 2600rpm Comp ratio: 8.5:1


GM Chevrolet Gen 3 2512cc 8v Weber 36DCD7 2-barrel Carburettor
117bhp @ 4600rpm (gross) 162.0ft-lbs @ 2600rpm Comp ratio: 8.5:1

Transmission: 4 speed floor change = Standard on all models
4 speed Automatic = Standard on 1.9SL Auto, 2.5SL Auto & 2.5GT Auto (GM THM)

Brakes: Front = discs
Rear = drums

Tyres: 1200 = 5.20 X 13 Crossply
1300 = 155SR X 13 Radial
1900 = 165SR X 13 Radial
2500 = 155SR X 13 Radial
2500GT = 165/70SR X 13 Radial

Exterior Dimensions: Length = 163.0ins 153.0ins (Hatch)
Width: = 64.8ins
Height: = 53.3ins
Wheelbase = 97.0ins

Gross Weight: Firenza 1200 / 1300 = 1830lbs
Firenza 1200 Estate = 1918lbs
Firenza 2500 Saloon = 2094lbs
Firenza 2500 Coupe = 2116lbs
Firenza 2500 Saloon Auto = 2138lbs
Firenza 2500GT = 2194lbs
Firenza 2500GT Auto = 2238lbs
1300 Hatch = 1918lbs
1900 Hatch = 2138lbs
1900 Hatch Auto = 2238lbs
1300 Saloon = 1918lbs
1900 Saloon = 2116lbs
1900 Saloon Auto = 2216lbs

Turning circle: 31.5ft kerb to kerb

Rear axle ratio: 1200 = 4.125
1300 = 4.11
1900 = 3.70
2500 = 3.45
2500GT = 3.08
2500GT (A) = 3.45


Fuel tank capacity: Firenza = 10.1 gallons
1300 & 1900 = 13.2 gallons

Performance: 1200 89mph - 0 to 60mph = 16.1secs
1300 88mph - 0 to 60mph = 16.4secs
1900 104mph - 0 to 60mph = 11.2secs
1900A 103mph - 0 to 60mph = 12.6secs
2500 94mph - 0 to 60mph = 12.0secs
2500A 92mph - 0 to 60mph = 13.2secs
2500GT 106mph - 0 to 60mph = 9.4secs
2500GT A 95mph - 0 to 60mph = 10.4secs

[Johann72]

Here is the GT!!

Firenza 1.jpg (70.25 KiB) Viewed 6977 times

[IndianaJones]

Insomnia oom Johann, posting at 2:36am? Thank you very much for sharing, that’s very usable info.
I must say, I’ve never seen a station wagon Firenza, and it is in your model line-up.

I assume the 1900(GM Chevrolet 1959cc 8v) engine is from the same family as the 153ci 2.5L engine, which was derived from the 6-cylinder? The 2.3 engine in the Chevair, was also a member of this engine family, and I’ve been wondering why GM SA went to the 2.3, and didn’t stay with the 2.5 for the Chevair?

Also which other changes were made between the standard 2.5L and the High Output 2.5L, besides the carburetor?

I can add, although I don’t have the magazines, Car Magazine(SA) tested various 2.5L Firenza’s.

Unfortunately with the last 2, I’m not sure which bodystyle it was.

[Scorpionman]

Pulled the CAR mags from archive. Will scan and post in the morning.

Oct 1971 - New model range and 2500 4 door roadtest
April 1972 - New model (2500 GT) and 2500 Coupe AT roadtest
June 1972 - 2500 Coupe road test
July 1972 - 2500 GT 4 door road test
April 1973 - 2500 HO SL 4 door road test