by 1972nail » Fri Sep 14, 2018 11:32 pm
As far as HC's go there were a number of limited edition models, Blue Riband, Gold Riband, X14, Viva S, DS model (Driving School), E Coupe plus a few others that I can't recall, all of those would be rare now.
The 'fleet model' mentioned was the Delux made from 1970 to 72 which had rubber mats instead of carpets, only a very few of those have been identified and noted in the register. Other cost saving details were cross ply tyres, a single sun visor, rubber rimmed steering wheel, windscreen rubbers without the groves for the chrome strip, (which was also used for the HPF front windscreen) simple straps for interior door handles, later revived for the 1300 L and the E coupe and saloon.
There was the later 1800L (saloon and estate) and the later OHC versions of the Viva GLS which later became Magnums again. Speaking of Magnums, there were only 525 2300 Magnum Coupes made.
Of course the HPF (Droop Snoot Firenza) and Sports Hatch were only produced in small numbers to begin with, 204 and 197 are the figures which are accepted as being the best estimates. However, a surprising number have survived (or been recreated) with estimates of over 100 HPF's and 40 - 50 odd Sports Hatches.
We mustn't forget the Firenza 2300 Sport SL of which there are only 33 known examples left worldwide of both the MK1 and Mk2 models, including those which are parts donors. The sister cars to the Firenza Sport SL were the Firenza 1800 Delux and SL and 2300 SL, Viva 1800 Delux, 1800 and 2300 SL in 2 and 4 door Saloon as well as estates. Again rare now.
Editor of the VVOC Magazine ReVival
"When you have a Firenza like mine, who needs any Minis?" copyright David Maxwell 1979.