My '68 Vauxhall Viva HB Deluxe
Discussion
This gentlemen (and ladies) is my 1968 Vauxhall Viva HB Deluxe 2-door, I am in the process of acquiring it off my uncle in Ireland, the difficulty lies in the fact the car hasn't been used since the last owner died in 1988, and as such all the papers, keys and documents will be buried somewhere in the old house. Also the fact I'm not familiar with the irish paperwork.
Anyway a little about the car, my uncle and the rest of my family know very little about the car itself, just about it's use. But after some research with the chassis number, I found out it was a 1968 Deluxe model, built at Ellesmere port, I haven't however had any luck discovering what engine it has, but most likely the 1159cc. It's had two owners, brothers, who are distant cousins of mine and has covered only 36,000 miles. I doubt there are the documents to back this up but speaking to my family they were surprised it had even done that much, since it was only ever used to drive from the farm it lives on to the village to go to church and the shop every now and then.
The car is currently sat in a shed/garage/former living room (owner had his priorities right)
I wanted to get it out to have a look round the back and try and check it out better, so my uncle got out the Terrano and the tow-rope and we tied it to the most solid thing under the car we could find, then once the handbrake was off tried to pull it out.... Nothing, so more revs... still nothing. Then with much black smoke, and wheels spinning the Viva began to slide, but sideways as the there wasn't must space in front of the car we tried to tow at an angle. So we scrapped that and made the rope about a foot long, and tried again, there was tyre smoke, diesel smoke, mud flying everywhere, but no movement, so against my wishes my uncle preceded to let the rope slack and try sharp tugs at getting the car free, after three groans and tugs the viva finally slid forward with one wheel rotating about a metre forward, and with the Terrano in the hedge that's all we could manage. So I had a look around the car and it seems mostly solid. (Forgot my camera so no pictures of this). We then had a sudden thought... how were we to get the car back in? So after much thinking I decided to use the tractor and tow the car back in through a small window in the back of the shed. The Viva put up less of a fight and three wheels freed themselves up this way, but in the process we did break a fence and let a horse escape. But don't worry we put him back later.
Sorry bit off topic there, but now for more pictures.
I'm told it used to be beige once, but the rust has rather taken hold, I'm pleased to say though that apart from the sills, the body work and underneath all appear to be solid with just surface rust. The sills however have rotted towards the front rather badly.
The interior of the car although quite mouldy seems to be very good, and just require a damn good clean. We also found the handbook in the glovebox in very good condition, a mass card from 1987, the second owner's driving licence and single toffee left in a packet with a use by date of 1984.
Sadly at some point some bugger has pinched various bits off the engine, such as the leads, distributor and some other bits I'm not sure of.
So this is to be my project, although I'm currently doing Automotive Engineering I have very little/if any experience getting my hands dirty with a car, so I'm hoping this is going to be an exciting and interesting learning curve. As to what project I'm not sure yet, it will be difficult to work on it where it is and if I were to get it home, the mother would have a heart-attack if it were to be in the driveway.
I'm also not sure yet what approach to take with the project, I don't really know what state the engine is in, so I think I have three options: restore it back to it's former 1968 glory and have it as the factory intended, OR create a mild sleeper of sorts, keep the looks the same, but put a slightly more powerful engine in. OR, and this is my favourite idea but I have no idea what the insurance companies will say about it with me being 18 and all, create a rally/race car of sorts, wide tyres, rally spotlights, bucket seats, perhaps a castrol style paint job, and then something like a volvo 5-pot under the bonnet.
I know the last idea is perhaps a bit balmy and I'm not thinking it through properly, but I've never done anything like this before. So between now and the summer I'm going to be researching when I have any spare time from Uni. Hopefully then in the Summer I can get cracking sorting it out, and properly assessing what needs replacing, and what the future for the car is.
And just for those with any hint of doubt
Sorry that was rather long, and I don't know as much as all you others who have done this before, but I'm hoping after a year or so that'll improve. I'll update this when I can, but don't expect much until after the summer.
I'd also really appreciate any tips, information or advice from anyone. I'm trying to track down a Haynes manual on eBay at the moment to ponder over.
Thanks for looking
Tom
Anyway a little about the car, my uncle and the rest of my family know very little about the car itself, just about it's use. But after some research with the chassis number, I found out it was a 1968 Deluxe model, built at Ellesmere port, I haven't however had any luck discovering what engine it has, but most likely the 1159cc. It's had two owners, brothers, who are distant cousins of mine and has covered only 36,000 miles. I doubt there are the documents to back this up but speaking to my family they were surprised it had even done that much, since it was only ever used to drive from the farm it lives on to the village to go to church and the shop every now and then.
The car is currently sat in a shed/garage/former living room (owner had his priorities right)
I wanted to get it out to have a look round the back and try and check it out better, so my uncle got out the Terrano and the tow-rope and we tied it to the most solid thing under the car we could find, then once the handbrake was off tried to pull it out.... Nothing, so more revs... still nothing. Then with much black smoke, and wheels spinning the Viva began to slide, but sideways as the there wasn't must space in front of the car we tried to tow at an angle. So we scrapped that and made the rope about a foot long, and tried again, there was tyre smoke, diesel smoke, mud flying everywhere, but no movement, so against my wishes my uncle preceded to let the rope slack and try sharp tugs at getting the car free, after three groans and tugs the viva finally slid forward with one wheel rotating about a metre forward, and with the Terrano in the hedge that's all we could manage. So I had a look around the car and it seems mostly solid. (Forgot my camera so no pictures of this). We then had a sudden thought... how were we to get the car back in? So after much thinking I decided to use the tractor and tow the car back in through a small window in the back of the shed. The Viva put up less of a fight and three wheels freed themselves up this way, but in the process we did break a fence and let a horse escape. But don't worry we put him back later. Sorry bit off topic there, but now for more pictures.
I'm told it used to be beige once, but the rust has rather taken hold, I'm pleased to say though that apart from the sills, the body work and underneath all appear to be solid with just surface rust. The sills however have rotted towards the front rather badly.
The interior of the car although quite mouldy seems to be very good, and just require a damn good clean. We also found the handbook in the glovebox in very good condition, a mass card from 1987, the second owner's driving licence and single toffee left in a packet with a use by date of 1984.
Sadly at some point some bugger has pinched various bits off the engine, such as the leads, distributor and some other bits I'm not sure of.
So this is to be my project, although I'm currently doing Automotive Engineering I have very little/if any experience getting my hands dirty with a car, so I'm hoping this is going to be an exciting and interesting learning curve. As to what project I'm not sure yet, it will be difficult to work on it where it is and if I were to get it home, the mother would have a heart-attack if it were to be in the driveway.
I'm also not sure yet what approach to take with the project, I don't really know what state the engine is in, so I think I have three options: restore it back to it's former 1968 glory and have it as the factory intended, OR create a mild sleeper of sorts, keep the looks the same, but put a slightly more powerful engine in. OR, and this is my favourite idea but I have no idea what the insurance companies will say about it with me being 18 and all, create a rally/race car of sorts, wide tyres, rally spotlights, bucket seats, perhaps a castrol style paint job, and then something like a volvo 5-pot under the bonnet.
I know the last idea is perhaps a bit balmy and I'm not thinking it through properly, but I've never done anything like this before. So between now and the summer I'm going to be researching when I have any spare time from Uni. Hopefully then in the Summer I can get cracking sorting it out, and properly assessing what needs replacing, and what the future for the car is.
And just for those with any hint of doubt
Sorry that was rather long, and I don't know as much as all you others who have done this before, but I'm hoping after a year or so that'll improve. I'll update this when I can, but don't expect much until after the summer.
I'd also really appreciate any tips, information or advice from anyone. I'm trying to track down a Haynes manual on eBay at the moment to ponder over.
Thanks for looking
Tom
Edited by petrolveins on Friday 22 April 19:06
That's one hell of a project. I'd fully assess the extent of the tinworm and how bad the "surface" rust is before even thinking about other mechanical considerations.
But hey, this is Pistonheads so good luck. Sleeper is the way forward I think as it'll be pretty hard to restore everything to OEM specs/components.
Manage to MoT it and that numberplate's worth a few bob too!
But hey, this is Pistonheads so good luck. Sleeper is the way forward I think as it'll be pretty hard to restore everything to OEM specs/components.
Manage to MoT it and that numberplate's worth a few bob too!
My Dad had one of these I remember it caught fire on the way to school - literally sprang into flames with fire coming out of the bonnet. I never felt so scared but I was only abput ten. My Dad had loads of bangers and he said the Viva was the worse car ever. But when I look at yours and see the odd one around, I do feel blimey what a cool car!
carreauchompeur said:
Manage to MoT it and that numberplate's worth a few bob too!
I doubt it, that's a irish plate from Co. Clare that. I'll be registering it in the UK eventually if I ever get that far. I also edited the last digit off, just in case.As for the keeping it Vauxhall comments, I'm not sure, I'm afraid I've not been Vauxhall's biggest fan my whole life, and was hoping to put something interesting in there, I was thinking my ultimate car would be a RWD 5-pot, just imagine the noise with a dab of oppo!
Edited by petrolveins on Friday 22 April 21:01
. Should make a great restoration project! Good luck with it.In all honesty, and I don't mean to rain on your parade, but going by the photos, that looks beyond practical restoration. Looks like it's been stored in a very damp, unventilated environment.
Aside from anything else, every body panel looks like it will need to be replaced, as the rust has almost completely taken hold. Surface rust this is not. I doubt there will be very much good metal at all, once you start sanding back.
Also, you've got to ask yourself, if the rust on the outer shell is that bad, imagine what its like underneath?
Not trying to be negative, just talking from a bit of experience.
Aside from anything else, every body panel looks like it will need to be replaced, as the rust has almost completely taken hold. Surface rust this is not. I doubt there will be very much good metal at all, once you start sanding back.
Also, you've got to ask yourself, if the rust on the outer shell is that bad, imagine what its like underneath?
Not trying to be negative, just talking from a bit of experience.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff