1971 Viva HC De-luxe
- De-luxe Saloon, 2 door [93311]
- Monaco White [7WH]
- Factory hand-painted Gold Stripe (to denote De-Luxe model)
- Claret PVC Trim [2R3]
Factory Options
- '274' Front disc brakes
- '347' Radial Tyres
- '395' Electric Temperature Gauge - Water
My Dad worked for Syd Abrams the Vauxhall main-dealer up in Manchester. He was a mechanic there, so for lots of my childhood we had a succession of Vauxhalls as family cars and I'd often spend my Saturday mornings lurking around the workshop engrossed in the work that was going on. At some point, we had a white HC Viva as our main family car, and I think other than the VX 4/90 he had, it's one of the family cars I remember the fondest. So I've always been looking out for one but have never found quite the right one that didn't need lots of body work.
Until one day, I spotted this very early HC Viva in white with factory hand-painted single gold pinstripe. It had been kept by it's first owner from 1971 until 2010 and cherished that entire time. Unfortunately it was bought at that point by someone who intended to use it for banger racing. It was stored at that point under a car cover while it's new fate awaited it. Luckily it never did get stripped and smashed up, although the time under the car cover rubbed off some of the paint from the top surfaces and sharp edges of the bodywork. It was bought and slowly recommissioned with perishables like rubber brake hoses and tyres replaced to make it roadworthy again.
I work one day a week near Southampton, which is about 60 miles each way from my home in West Sussex. I'd commuted a few times in my Elise and even in my Caterham, but liked the idea of doing the commute in a usable classic. The Viva seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Being a 1971 it's tax and MOT exempt. However it has a full current MOT from 3 months ago which was issued with no advisories. The MOT was gained as a check of road-worthiness. Work carried out to ensure it would be reliable included:
- full service
- new leads
- dizzy cap
- points
- condensor
- battery
- plugs
- full carb rebuild
- all new brake hoses and fluid
- master cylinder overhaul
- new gearbox oil
- alternator
- exhaust manifold gasket
- new clutch
I've commuted with no faults whatsoever and really enjoyed the 120 mile round journeys. I had no qualms doing the 270 mile journey from Manchester in her and it's never let me down at all, always starting and running along perfectly.
Essentially it's a survivor car, with completely original paintwork. There's an external patina of surface rust spots from when it was stored under a car cover, but absolutely no structural rust or start of any holes on the entire car. If wanted, it could be prettied up with a paint job very easily to make one of the tidiest original Vivas about. I absolutely love the original, honest paint though. The original chrome is all good.
- 55,000 miles
- Tax Exempt
- MOT exempt but current one until June 2019
I've added a few reversible, tasteful modifications which in my opinion improve how the car looks but also make it easier and safer to use in modern road conditions.
- 'Clip on' rear view mirrors
- Wider steel wheels (6J front, 7J rear) with wider tyres (185/60/R13 fr / 205/60/R13 Rr)
- Corsa springs
I wanted to keep the '70s look but hot rod it slightly. So it now sits slightly lower and slightly wider. It's a subtle change but one that gets lots of comments. The car will come with the original springs and wheels should anyone want to swap it back.
Pictures speak a thousand words, so here are a few:
I'd keep it indefinitely as it's such a fun car to own and drive. It's also incredibly cheap to run with free road tax, no MOTs and my insurance costs £108 fully comp. Unfortunately i'm just about to start major building work and really need the space.
I'd like £3750 and ideally no messers. If you're serious, drop me an email or give me a call and we can have a chat and you can come and have a look.
Cheers,
Ste
SOLD
- De-luxe Saloon, 2 door [93311]
- Monaco White [7WH]
- Factory hand-painted Gold Stripe (to denote De-Luxe model)
- Claret PVC Trim [2R3]
Factory Options
- '274' Front disc brakes
- '347' Radial Tyres
- '395' Electric Temperature Gauge - Water
- '460' High Performance Engine (HB23)
Dealer Options
- Front fog lights
My Dad worked for Syd Abrams the Vauxhall main-dealer up in Manchester. He was a mechanic there, so for lots of my childhood we had a succession of Vauxhalls as family cars and I'd often spend my Saturday mornings lurking around the workshop engrossed in the work that was going on. At some point, we had a white HC Viva as our main family car, and I think other than the VX 4/90 he had, it's one of the family cars I remember the fondest. So I've always been looking out for one but have never found quite the right one that didn't need lots of body work.
Until one day, I spotted this very early HC Viva in white with factory hand-painted single gold pinstripe. It had been kept by it's first owner from 1971 until 2010 and cherished that entire time. Unfortunately it was bought at that point by someone who intended to use it for banger racing. It was stored at that point under a car cover while it's new fate awaited it. Luckily it never did get stripped and smashed up, although the time under the car cover rubbed off some of the paint from the top surfaces and sharp edges of the bodywork. It was bought and slowly recommissioned with perishables like rubber brake hoses and tyres replaced to make it roadworthy again.
I work one day a week near Southampton, which is about 60 miles each way from my home in West Sussex. I'd commuted a few times in my Elise and even in my Caterham, but liked the idea of doing the commute in a usable classic. The Viva seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Being a 1971 it's tax and MOT exempt. However it has a full current MOT from 3 months ago which was issued with no advisories. The MOT was gained as a check of road-worthiness. Work carried out to ensure it would be reliable included:
- full service
- new leads
- dizzy cap
- points
- condensor
- battery
- plugs
- full carb rebuild
- all new brake hoses and fluid
- master cylinder overhaul
- new gearbox oil
- alternator
- exhaust manifold gasket
- new clutch
I've commuted with no faults whatsoever and really enjoyed the 120 mile round journeys. I had no qualms doing the 270 mile journey from Manchester in her and it's never let me down at all, always starting and running along perfectly.
Essentially it's a survivor car, with completely original paintwork. There's an external patina of surface rust spots from when it was stored under a car cover, but absolutely no structural rust or start of any holes on the entire car. If wanted, it could be prettied up with a paint job very easily to make one of the tidiest original Vivas about. I absolutely love the original, honest paint though. The original chrome is all good.
- 55,000 miles
- Tax Exempt
- MOT exempt but current one until June 2019
I've added a few reversible, tasteful modifications which in my opinion improve how the car looks but also make it easier and safer to use in modern road conditions.
- 'Clip on' rear view mirrors
- Wider steel wheels (6J front, 7J rear) with wider tyres (185/60/R13 fr / 205/60/R13 Rr)
- Corsa springs
I wanted to keep the '70s look but hot rod it slightly. So it now sits slightly lower and slightly wider. It's a subtle change but one that gets lots of comments. The car will come with the original springs and wheels should anyone want to swap it back.
Pictures speak a thousand words, so here are a few:
I'd keep it indefinitely as it's such a fun car to own and drive. It's also incredibly cheap to run with free road tax, no MOTs and my insurance costs £108 fully comp. Unfortunately i'm just about to start major building work and really need the space.
I'd like £3750 and ideally no messers. If you're serious, drop me an email or give me a call and we can have a chat and you can come and have a look.
Cheers,
Ste
SOLD
great car 
