Marshall Junior reunited with iconic Vauxhalls ahead of Goodwood auction

Marshall Junior reunited with iconic Vauxhalls ahead of  Goodwood auction

(L-R) The race car 'Old Nail' and Vauxhall Heritage's Firenza HP

History repeated itself today as Gregor Marshall, son of famous Vauxhall racer Gerry Marshall, got behind the wheel of his father’s legendary race car, ‘Old Nail’, ahead of this weekend’s Bonhams Goodwood Members’ Meeting Sale.


And just as it was in Gerry’s day, Vauxhall was able to lend Gregor a company Firenza HP ‘droopsnoot’ from its Heritage Collection to get him to and from the circuit through the event.
Old Nail graced Goodwood’s start line on the eve of Bonhams’ Members’ Meeting sale, in which the famous race car is estimated to fetch between £90-130,000. Originally built and first raced in 1971, the Firenza competition car went on to become one of the most successful racing saloons of its era, winning 66 out of 101 races in its four-year competition life.

“My dad loved this car,’ said Gregor. ‘Even after he officially retired Old Nail in ’75, he still used it to set a Fastest Time of the Day and achieved an overall win at a Brands Hatch Sprint three years later. DTV (Dealer Team Vauxhall) was so grateful for the publicity generated through its life that dad was presented with Old Nail in 1977.”


Gregor was equally bowled over by his new ‘company car’. “Vauxhall gave dad a Firenza HP to use between races, and he registered it ‘666 DTV’. This car is near-identical, and has been beautifully restored by Vauxhall Heritage. It’s still a great road car; you can see why it formed such a good base for Old Nail.”
Old Nail was the only competition car kept by Gerry Marshall, until his untimely death in 2005. The Marshall family sold the car through Bonhams in 2011, after which it underwent a comprehensive restoration by the new owner. Since then, the car has competed in only four races and covered just 100 miles.


Perhaps Gerry Marshall himself summed up best what made Old Nail so special: “I have to think hard to remember it retiring from more than two races. A great credit to everyone at Shepreth, that car. I always point out that I never put a scratch on Old Nail – the boys did more damage dropping it off the trailer!”

‘Old Nail’

Retained 80% of production parts from the standard Firenza, compared with less than 25% from its race rivals
September 1971: launched/raced for first time; originally sponsored by Thames Television  
1973: adopted 16-valve engine, 5-speed gearbox and ‘droopsnoot’
1975: adopted the famous DTV (Dealer Team Vauxhall) / Castrol colour scheme
May 1975: last Gerry Marshall DTV outing after 62 race wins
1977: Old Nail presented to Gerry Marshall as a thank you for his services from DTV
February 1978: Marshall and Old Nail set Fastest Time of the Day and won Brands Hatch Sprint
The only racing car kept by Gerry Marshall until his untimely death in 2005
Retained by Marshall family until 2011, when it was purchased from Bonhams Goodwood FoS auction and faithfully restored
Out of 101 races, Old Nail won 66 events, 63 in the hands of Gerry Marshall, and three with Bill Dryden driving

1972 Forward Trust Championship winner (Gerry Marshall) 
1973 Forward Trust Class winner (Gerry Marshall)
1974 Forward Trust Class winner (Gerry Marshall)
1974 Simoniz Championship winner (Gerry Marshall, including some points accrued in ‘Big Bertha’)
1975 Scottish Saloon Car Class winner (Bill Dryden)
Vauxhall Heritage’s 1975 Firenza HP ‘droopsnoot’, KAU 398N

Part of 75-strong Vauxhall Heritage Collection, housed at Vauxhall’s Luton HQ
Restored by Vauxhall Heritage’s Andy Boddy & Terry Forder between 2009-11
65,000 miles
Engine: SOHC, 2279cc, 4-cylinders in-line, inclined 45 degrees
Power: 131bhp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 146lb ft @ 3,500rpm
Top speed: 120mph
0-60mph: 7.4 seconds
Production: 204
Value: £25,000

Bonhams’ auction takes place at 13:00 on Sunday, April 7 at Goodwood Members’ Meeting.

Click here for full sale details for' Old Nail'

Goodwood Members’ Meeting is held on April 6 & 7 at Goodwood Circuit

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