CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot: The Chevrolet Firenza Can-Am 302

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Welcome to the CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot, a feature in which we try and introduce you to muscle cars you may never have known about, as well as re-define what a muscle car can be. I received a message from a fan on my Facebook Page (Thanks Richard!) about two V-8 powered muscle cars of the ’70s that were manufactured by Ford and GM. Neither one of these machines were produced for the North American Market, nor were they made for our close cousins down under in Australia. These were locally produced in the country of South Africa, to be certified for racing in a local Production Car series. I will get to the Ford version at another time, but first, let’s discover the Chevrolet Firenza Can-Am 302!

The Chevrolet Can-Am was always referred to as ‘The Little Chev’ in local advertising campaigns. However, there was an American V8 power plant that put out massive amounts of power, which sat in one of the smallest cars ever. Results, an ultimate track winner that killed its competition. Before the car could be raced, one hundred had to be built to comply with the rules for the South African Argus Production Car series.

According to the South African Magazine Top Car, it is estimated that today only thirty of these scalding hot rods are still in existence. The Can Am owes its existence because of two very different reasons; One was the other South African great V8, the Ford Capri Perana (A feature on this car is forthcoming), and the other is due to the efforts of local racing legend Basil van Rooyen. Van Rooyen was a South African race driver, engineer and founder of tuning company Superformance at the time. This establishment oversaw the building of a couple of Firenza coupes (A British Vauxhall Design originally) with a 308 cubic inch Holden V8, Van Rooyen took the cars to Port Elizabeth to prove a point to General Motors management.

The project was giving the go ahead by GM, although funding only came from the Chevrolet Dealer Team, set up by Van Rooyen. The initiative established that for every Chev sold in the country, R5 (The Local Currency is the Rand, which was virtually equal to the American Dollar at that time) would be contributed to the competition budget.

The Argus Production Car regulations stipulated a maximum capacity of five liters. The V8 was therefore 45 cc over what was needed, a batch of 302 CI small block engines were sourced and imported from Michigan. These engines were prepared for the Camaro Z28s competing in the Trans-Am racing series, but after Chevy decided not to compete in the North American Series any longer, these engines were readily available. The big-valve engine had four-bolt main bearing blocks, ran a 11:1 compression ratio and with an 800 CFM Holley on top, it was rated at a conservative 290 hp and 300 foot pounds of torque.

Production took place in the latter part of 1972 and early 1973. Chassis numbers suggest the Can Am’s were built in relatively small numbers, with a team of specialists assembling the cars. Superformance provided GM all the kits comprising of; Personal branded 13 inch wheels, a Personal three spoke leather steering wheel, Koni shocks and vented hood slats. Added to the package was the trademark American Racing Equipment spoiler which could be adjusted. The wing was aluminum while the hood was fabricated using some rather crude fiberglass. This helped keep weight down to 1100 kg (2,425 Lbs.), helping the Can Am sprint from 0 – 100 km/h (Close to 0 – 62 MPH) in a very impressive 5.4 seconds, while top speed was an estimated 229 km/h (Over 140 MPH!). All cars were fitted with a Municie M21 four-speed manual box.

The ‘Little Chev’ is firmly embedded in South Africa’s motor sport history. The oil crisis hurt sales, although new examples were still being purchased in 1975 at a reduced price of R 5,800. The standard Firenza could be had for a little over R 2,600! Just like in America, if one had a crystal ball to see their future worth, more of these scalding cars would have been bought. But what I would like to know is this: Do you really care about South African Muscle Cars in this series? Sure they were fast, and they are rather obscure, but do they belong in the parking lot? They have American V-8 power, and a Muncie 4 Speed transmission, but is that enough for you? Let me know.