Hello to everyone
My late grandfather left me his two classic cars, a Vauxhall Viva HC and a Lea Francis. I understand the Lea Francis is not a "retro" car therefore this thread is about the Viva however I though I would mention it.
The story goes that my grandfather put a ad in the local paper in about 1990 for "old cars for cash". He received a call from a lady with a disabled son who explained she had a Vauxhall Viva which she put away in a garage about 5 years ago and didn't want it as she was paying rent for the garage. My grandparents went and had a look at it and the lady said it had been involved in a small crash and that it had been completely re-sprayed as she insisted upon it. The door to the garage was very difficult to open and in it contained the Viva which had flat tyres and was covered in a thick layer of dust. My grandfather gave the lady about £40 for the car, pumped up the tyres and towed it home. When it was home my grandfather gave it a wash and was amazed by the condition of the Viva and although the initial intention was to resell the car for a profit they decided to keep it.
My grandfather then stored it in some barns for many years until 2010 when him and I went to collect it on a trailer. Once again the Viva was covered in dust and dirt and the tyres were flat but we pumped them up and pushed it onto the trailer. When it was home my grandfather and I washed it and then a couple of years later my grandfather spend quite a lot of money on the engine getting it un-seized and from then on we started it up periodically.
The car is in overall really good, solid condition with only a bit of surface rust and has only done 47,000 miles however there are a couple of minor dents in the chrome bumpers as well as a slight dent in the bonnet, one in the boot lid and the roof seems to have ripples in it.
The Viva is a 1971 vehicle (free tax) which is fitted with the smallest, 1159cc engine. I hope to get it running well and to get it passed its MOT ready for the leaner plates in November. Other plans include changing the number plates for black metal ones, fitting speakers and a radio, fitting new carpet, changing the seat belts to self adjusting ones, fitting a clock, touching up a few paint chips and maybe some smaller springs to lower it and some alloys. Any other suggestions are very welcome!
I will upload some photos very soon.
My late grandfather left me his two classic cars, a Vauxhall Viva HC and a Lea Francis. I understand the Lea Francis is not a "retro" car therefore this thread is about the Viva however I though I would mention it.
The story goes that my grandfather put a ad in the local paper in about 1990 for "old cars for cash". He received a call from a lady with a disabled son who explained she had a Vauxhall Viva which she put away in a garage about 5 years ago and didn't want it as she was paying rent for the garage. My grandparents went and had a look at it and the lady said it had been involved in a small crash and that it had been completely re-sprayed as she insisted upon it. The door to the garage was very difficult to open and in it contained the Viva which had flat tyres and was covered in a thick layer of dust. My grandfather gave the lady about £40 for the car, pumped up the tyres and towed it home. When it was home my grandfather gave it a wash and was amazed by the condition of the Viva and although the initial intention was to resell the car for a profit they decided to keep it.
My grandfather then stored it in some barns for many years until 2010 when him and I went to collect it on a trailer. Once again the Viva was covered in dust and dirt and the tyres were flat but we pumped them up and pushed it onto the trailer. When it was home my grandfather and I washed it and then a couple of years later my grandfather spend quite a lot of money on the engine getting it un-seized and from then on we started it up periodically.
The car is in overall really good, solid condition with only a bit of surface rust and has only done 47,000 miles however there are a couple of minor dents in the chrome bumpers as well as a slight dent in the bonnet, one in the boot lid and the roof seems to have ripples in it.
The Viva is a 1971 vehicle (free tax) which is fitted with the smallest, 1159cc engine. I hope to get it running well and to get it passed its MOT ready for the leaner plates in November. Other plans include changing the number plates for black metal ones, fitting speakers and a radio, fitting new carpet, changing the seat belts to self adjusting ones, fitting a clock, touching up a few paint chips and maybe some smaller springs to lower it and some alloys. Any other suggestions are very welcome!
I will upload some photos very soon.
