Viva Espania, but Vauxhalls weren't made in Spain then. (Vauxhall Viva)

Member Name: firemanspam

Product:	Vauxhall Viva
Date:	16/12/08 (270 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smashing little cars.

Disadvantages: Attracted the rust bug.

Vauxhall Viva review.

There were actually three versions of the Viva, starting with the
HA - 1963 - 66
HB - 1966 - 70
HC - 1970 - 79

The HA bodywork was used on all Viva vans, and also the Beagle and Roma Campers. The HA vans were actually used up until 1983! This was due mainly to huge advance orders by the Post Office and the then British Telecom. The vans were eventually replaced by the Chevanne, this was of course, a commercial version of the Chevette.

The HA was a small car indeed, it weighed just 709 Kilos, held seven Gallons of petrol, and the idea was a car shaped like three boxes, one for the engine, one for people, plus a third for luggage. The concept was a good one, and the turning circle was amazing. I remember a mate of mine driving his Mini, taking a wrong turning, and doing a three point turn. I immediately asked him why he didn't just make a U-turn, to which he replied "If my Mini can't do a U-turn here pal, no car can" Next time he was in my battered old HA, I headed straight for the road in question, and performed a perfect U-turn, with him staring in disbelief! Oh happy days. The turning circle was amazing, plus the HA was only 155 inches long so it could manoeuvre anywhere.

The interior was spartan to say the least, the dashboard was steel. The engine was just over one Litre, and it attracted the rust bug like no other car. On the positive side though, it was a doddle to work on, spares were cheap, and because of the rust problems, there were always plenty in the scrapyards. I also had a starting handle, and remember using it on that vehicle as well as the replacement HA, although I did have to swap crankshaft pulleys.

I had to bin the washer fluid container, which was a polythene bag that hung on the inner wing, this leaked like a sieve, and I replaced it with a Domestos bottle! I also fitted a rear seat to my van, out of a Triumph Herald estate. I also fitted a cigarette lighter into the hole that was already thoughtfully provided by Vauxhall! I also did a lot of soundproofing, there was no provision made for that! I fitted lights in the back, because of course it had none at all.

I would like to split this review into three parts, but I know Dooyoo will not let me, so I will skip HB series, and go on to to my last Viva.

The mighty HC! (Like the one in the picture) This was my favourite Viva, I had some bog standard saloons, and estate, and then my very best. It was a GLS with a 1.3 engine! The colour was Orange Tan! Very gaudy, with chrome strips along the sides. I remember a mate of mine buying a Fiat Uno Turbo, and he bragged about having a massive row of SIX dials on the dash - I said "errr, actually I have SEVEN in my Viva". He refused to believe such a ridiculous claim, I foolishly declined the offer of a five Pound bet, but it was very satisfying to show him my factory fitted dashboard with seven dials!

The car had twin halogen headlights, twin horns, velour reclining seats, rostyle wheels, chrome bumpers, locking filler cap, plus many more pieces of spec. The gear lever was a stumpy little thing, so gear changes were swift, the car was very nippy, and I loved it. It was to me, the best Viva ever, although I did fancy the Magnum version, with the massive 2.3 litre engine! What a brilliant power to weight ratio! Sad to say, I never got one.

There are many Viva Owners clubs around these days, and I am surprised to see so many still on the road.

Happy days!

Summary: A fine small car, economical, nippy, cheap.

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