Vauxhall Viva?

[Mk3Spitfire]

So after a couple of years of Classic car motoring (only a Spitfire, granted) I am looking to source a second classic car. I do not want to spend a fortune as my money will be better spent elsewhere, but I have fallen in love with classic car driving.

So...I have been looking for my second classic. Main priorities were something that looked classic, and was pre tax (or soon to be). Looked at Moggies, Triumph 2000/2500, Rover P6's etc and liked all of them really. Then I looked at Viva's, Victor's and even Ventora's.

I dont know why, but the Viva just seems to jump out at me. It has the very faintest hint of a baby muscle car (use your imagination), and yes...I am fully aware that it is far from such. If I had the disposable income I would go for an early Capri or a Mk3/4 Cortina....or, in a perfect world a Celica GT2000. That's the kind of look I want.

Anyway, what are your opinions on Viva's. I know rust will be an issue, but prices seem to be modest enough that a better example wont break the bank.

I have had a couple of beers tonight, so please don't link any classifieds (at least not until the morning), or I will do something silly, and we will fall out.

[Mk3Spitfire]

Thanks both. I'd seen that one in the bay, and a few other nice looking ones on a classic car site. The more I look at them, the more I like what I see.
Haven't seen any 101's, but I'll have a look.
Funny, I wouldn't dream of owning a today's vauxhall, but these ones I'm quite liking!
The engine won't be too important as I don't plan to hoon round in it anyway.

[Mk3Spitfire]

MarkwG said:

We must have had 10+ in the family back in the 60's & 70's: the 1256 engine (often badged as 1300) was a bit gutless to be honest, but the bigger engined cars were ok. The best was my mums which was a Gold Riband in Garnet Starmist, with beige interior, Rostyles, gold pin stripes, even a radio I think: smashing old bus, although had a bh of a flat spot which caught me out quite dramatically early in my driving career...
For the time, the handling & braking was ok, what held them back was probably the lack of image compared to the equivalent Fords, the confusing badging & naming policy & the relative lack of sporting achievement. Although they were raced & rallied very successfully, they didn't benefit from factory support as Ford did. The blue car above looks very tidy. As mentioned, they could rot, but not as badly as previous Vauxhalls; they were badly bitten by the F Type victors, which could hold water like a fish tank.
Although all of mine were HCs, I prefer the coke bottle look of the HB: inside the HC was much better specced, though. The HA is really a 50's car, really antiquated inside compared to the HB & HC. If I was in the market & couldn't reach a Droopsnoot Firenza, I'd probably be looking towards a Magnum 2300, perhaps an estate or a 2 door, or maybe an HB GT, lovely car, much prettier than an Escort!

Thanks for that. If I had the money I would go for the Ford equivalent, but I cant justify spending that much. I would guess that Viva's although rather unlikely to hit super-classic status, must have hit the bottom as far as price goes, so if ever, now would be the time to buy one. I still havent managed to find a Magnum but will keep an eye out. Failing that then, it seems the HB or HC are the ones. Yes that blue one is lovely.

[Mk3Spitfire]

MarshPhantom said:

What's your budget, this is very cool, 2.3 Magnum Estate.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/281408921253?clk_rvr_id=68...

That would probably be at the very top end of my budget, and realistically, if I want to retain my marital status, is beyond it.
However...Wow. That is a stunning car. That colour is amazing.

[Mk3Spitfire]

Markgenesis said:

Had loads of classics always fancied a Viva, this one caught my eye last night, love the colour, Rostyle wheels and it's a two door.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Viva-X14-Specia...

Yea, its a beauty, and a pretty good price at the moment. They have a certain look about them. It's either a Viva or a P6 i think.

[Mk3Spitfire]

Jonnas said:

I'd take the stickers off but otherwise I'm loving this......

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C516102#

That was one of the very few Magnums I could find.
I also am not a fan of lairy stickers and those oversized rally lights.

[Mk3Spitfire]

cheddar said:

At the amount of money the 'good' Viva's seem to be advertised for would you consider a 2.0 E Ascona B, 2.0 Cavalier Coupe or Opel Manta GTE? They're good lookers with punchy motors and fine driving manners.

I very much like the look of those early manta's. Very few from the pre tax era though. And Ascona and Cav dont seem to have any. I dont like the 80's look, but those manta's from the 70's...just right.

[Mk3Spitfire]

Opel Kadet fastback's seem to have that look too.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C491803

That one is nice looking. Except for the rust. And the mechanics. And the LHD. And the fact that it's in Portugal.
But the look....the look is spot on.

[Mk3Spitfire]

Thanks Cheddar, and love the photos!
I am in no rush at all. In fact the longer I wait, the longer I have a Missus, and the more money I can squirrel away, so I'll just keep checking for the right one. I'll know when I see it.

And as for the "cigarette"...it was the 70's. So I guess we can let you, I mean him off.

[Mk3Spitfire]

skeeterm5 said:

My very first car was a HB Viva, which I hand painted with Hammerite paint in blue and silver - those were the days!

S

Pictures?!