I never thought these Viva’s looked at all cool in their heyday but time has changed my point of view as it looks pretty dam cool now especially in 2 door and those alloys.
The HB viva was the best looking of all the Vauxhall models, it was not over stated just very smooth in its lines from front to back, also the interior was in harmony with the exterior! It had that hint of the "Coke Bottle" profile so relevant of the era! Having driven them back in the 70's and numerous other makes and models since I have to say the HB viva is in my top 5 favorite cars of all time. Its outstanding feature for me was the super slick gear change, as it just begged to be driven in a spirited manner!
When cars had style and easy to fix not like today's one style fits all and cramped with more electronics than a NASA spaceship totally useless when you brake down in the middle of nowhere bloody hate them.😠
The gearbox was held in place by a cross member two long bolts on either side. I had to get the clutch changed at the local workshop a job which requires dropping the gearbox. The mechanic let his appprentice reinstall the cross member. I then took it for a good drive down the motorway, then back through a country road to test it. About 5 miles from home had to change down a cog and reached for the gear shift, which promptly disappeared down through the console. So I carefully pulled of the road and looked underneath one side of the cross member had dropped out and was hanging an inch from the ground. Thank god it hadn't happened on the motorway. Turned out the apprentice had been over enthusiastic with the rattle gun and stripped the bolts.
I know you said that you didn't like but I'm sorry to say I love them, i reckon they really suit this viva. I've always liked the look of minilights ( or are they super lights, I never can tell) whether on classic fords or mini coopers now vauxhall vivas!! If i had the money (gotta stop dreaming!!) I'd fully restore it, undecided whether to put in a period engine or modern vauxhall twin cam but spray it old english white but with a satin black bonnet plus a pair of recaro seats, then enjoy it on a really good B road
I’m in the minority here that actually digs the minilite knockoffs, very period correct racer boy wannabe..
I never thought these Viva’s looked at all cool in their heyday but time has changed my point of view as it looks pretty dam cool now especially in 2 door and those alloys.
I reckon the wheels really suit the little HB, possibly because I had them on my SL90 many years ago, but I was in my early 20s then
The HB viva was the best looking of all the Vauxhall models, it was not over stated just very smooth in its lines from front to back, also the interior was in harmony with the exterior! It had that hint of the "Coke Bottle" profile so relevant of the era! Having driven them back in the 70's and numerous other makes and models since I have to say the HB viva is in my top 5 favorite cars of all time. Its outstanding feature for me was the super slick gear change, as it just begged to be driven in a spirited manner!
When cars had style and easy to fix not like today's one style fits all and cramped with more electronics than a NASA spaceship totally useless when you brake down in the middle of nowhere bloody hate them.😠
The gearbox was held in place by a cross member two long bolts on either side. I had to get the clutch changed at the local workshop a job which requires dropping the gearbox. The mechanic let his appprentice reinstall the cross member. I then took it for a good drive down the motorway, then back through a country road to test it. About 5 miles from home had to change down a cog and reached for the gear shift, which promptly disappeared down through the console. So I carefully pulled of the road and looked underneath one side of the cross member had dropped out and was hanging an inch from the ground. Thank god it hadn't happened on the motorway. Turned out the apprentice had been over enthusiastic with the rattle gun and stripped the bolts.
another beautiful little car saved 😎👍love the shape of them looks like a proper motor car.
I know you said that you didn't like but I'm sorry to say I love them, i reckon they really suit this viva. I've always liked the look of minilights ( or are they super lights, I never can tell) whether on classic fords or mini coopers now vauxhall vivas!! If i had the money (gotta stop dreaming!!) I'd fully restore it, undecided whether to put in a period engine or modern vauxhall twin cam but spray it old english white but with a satin black bonnet plus a pair of recaro seats, then enjoy it on a really good B road
Lovely to see you rescuing these cars and giving them another chance…
I’ve owned over 60 cars and vauxhall viva was the worse one by far had nothing but trouble with it mainly electrics
What a great looking little car 😊
Tell you what... That's a genuine, straight little car.
I’m addictive to watching now ..
I learnt to drive in one of these. In Australia they were marketed as a Torana by Holden. Great little cars.
I had my first driving lessons in the late '70s in our dark green Viva BB SL... GVM 882E! 😀
Brilliant man ❤👀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Its amazing what a good wash can do, different car altogether. 👍🏻
Bob' in "The Likely Lads" had one of these 'a very special version that had the ability to change back and forth from 2 door to 4 door.
Sound is good, content great , continuity very very good. Keep bringing us more please.
I had a few of these brilliant little car, wish I still had mine it was even the same colour.