Vauxhall Viva

Vauxhall Viva
Vauxhall Viva HC Series
Overview
Manufacturer	Vauxhall (General Motors)
Production	1963–1979 1,516,792 produced
Assembly	Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car (C)
Chronology
Successor	Vauxhall Astra Vauxhall Chevette

The Vauxhall Viva is a small family car produced by Vauxhall in a succession of three versions between 1963 and 1979. These were designated as the HA, HB and HC series.

The Viva was introduced a year after Vauxhall's sister company Opel launched the Opel Kadett A. Visually the two cars' kinship was obvious. A van version was also produced, as the Bedford HA. In the UK the Viva's principal competitors at the time of its launch included the well-established Ford Anglia and Morris Minor.

The third generation HC series was the last solely Vauxhall designed passenger car when it ceased production in 1979, since all future Vauxhalls would be badge engineered Opel models.

HA Viva (1963–1966)

Vauxhall Viva HA
Vauxhall Viva HA Series
Overview
Also called	Vauxhall Epic (France, Algeria, Tunisia) Envoy Epic (Canada)[1]
Production	1963–1966
Assembly	United Kingdom Australia [2] Azambuja, Portugal Petone, New Zealand
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door saloon
Related	Bedford HA Bedford Beagle
Powertrain
Engine	1,057 cc (64.5 cu in) ohv inline 4
Transmission	4-speed manual all-synchromesh
Dimensions
Wheelbase	91.5 in (2,324 mm)
Length	155 in (3,937 mm)
Width	59.5 in (1,511 mm)
Height	53.25 in (1,353 mm)
Kerb weight	1,564 lb (709 kg) (standard) 1,628 lb (738 kg) (90 SL)
Chronology
Successor	HB Viva

The HA Viva, announced in September 1963, and replaced in September 1966,^[3] was Vauxhall's first serious step into the compact car market after the Second World War. It was also the first new small car produced by Vauxhall since 1936. The HA Viva was powered by a 1,057 cc (64.5 cu in), overhead valve, four cylinder, front-mounted engine driving the rear wheels. It was comparable in size and mechanical specifications with the new Opel Kadett released a year earlier in continental Europe. The Viva and Kadett were sold alongside each other in many markets. The HA Viva was just an inch longer than the Ford Anglia which dated back to 1959.^[4] It was offered only as a two-door saloon.

The HA set new standards in its day for lightweight, easy to operate controls, a slick short gearchange, lightweight steering and clutch pedal, good all-round visibility and relatively nippy performance. It was one of the first cars to be actively marketed towards women, perhaps as a result of these perceived benefits for them.

The front crossmember (steering, suspension and engine mounting) assembly from the HA became a very popular item for DIY hot rod builders in the UK, due to its simple self-contained mechanics, similar to older designs such as those from the 1930s, and ability to accommodate much larger engines within its span. The assembly featured a double wishbone/vertical telescopic dampers suspension design in combination with a transverse leaf spring attached to the front crossmember at its centre position and the entire unit could be removed and adapted to another vehicle. (For similar reasons the Jaguar IRS assembly was often used at the rear of these custom cars). The Viva's rear suspension made do with conventional longitudinal semi-elliptic leaf springs and telescopic dampers.

In Canada, the HA was sold as the Vauxhall Viva by Pontiac/Buick dealers and also as the Envoy Epic by Chevrolet/Oldsmobile dealers, and was second in sales to the Volkswagen Beetle amongst imported compact cars. In France (and Algeria and Tunisia), the car was marketed as the Vauxhall Epic.

The Viva was initially launched in Standard and Deluxe versions, identifiable by their simple horizontal slatted metal grilles. Minor changes in September 1964 included improved seats and more highly geared steering.^[3] A more luxurious SL (for Super Luxury) variant appeared in June 1965. Engines were available in two states of tune: entry level models came with a power output of 44 brake horsepower (33 kW), while the Viva 90, introduced in October 1965, had a higher 9:1 compression ratio and produced 54 brake horsepower (40 kW). The availability of two engines and three trim options enabled Vauxhall to offer six Viva variants in some markets. 90 models came with front disc brakes, while SLs featured contrasting bodyside flashes, a criss-cross chrome plated front grille, full wheel covers, three-element round tail lights and better interior trim.

During its first ten months, over 100,000 HA Vivas were made,^[3] and by 1966 the HA had chalked up over 306,000 sales, proving that Vauxhall had made a successful return to the small-car market, which they had abandoned following the Second World War. One measure of the success is the fact that a budget was made available to design the car's successor with a virtually clean sheet. The Viva HB inherited engines, but little else, from the HA.^[3] 309,538 Viva HAs were produced.^[5]

The HA, however, suffered severely from corrosion problems along with other Vauxhall models of the time and very few of this model remain – one of the main problem areas being the cappings along the top side edges of the luggage compartment badly corroding and allowing water to enter, consequently leading to severe structural corrosion in the luggage-compartment floor area. As with a lot of other British cars of that period, many Vivas failed to survive long term. In addition, the HA Viva suffered badly from handling and stability problems.

The HA Viva was assembled in Australia by General Motors-Holden's commencing in 1964,^[2] and in New Zealand by General Motors at Petone. New Zealand built only the Deluxe model and a few base versions for government fleet contracts.

• 
  Viva HA de luxe from behind. The styling of the HA was modern and in most respects, by the standards of its replacement, plain.
• 
  Viva HA SL: the upmarket versions were differentiated from the base models by a relatively elaborate grille and, normally, by a painted stripe along the side of the car.
• 
  1964 Opel Kadett A: The Opel Kadett A and the 1964 Vauxhall Viva HA were both developed under conditions of some secrecy. The obvious similarity of the two models suggests closer links between the project development teams than was acknowledged at the time.

Bedford HA

1981 Bedford HA van

A van version was marketed as the Bedford HA and was offered in 6 cwt, 8 cwt and, from 1972, 10 cwt variants.^[6] It differed from the saloon in being taller, and thousands were bought by the GPO (later British Telecom), their bright yellow HA vans becoming a common sight. The HA Van was eventually supplanted by the Chevanne, but because of fleet orders, particularly from British Telecom, British Rail and the Post Office, the HA van remained in production, ultimately using the later HC Viva's engine and gearbox, all the way through to 1983.

Bedford Beagle

Although no factory built estate versions of the HA Viva were offered, a limited-production estate conversion by Martin Walter Ltd. of Folkestone, based on the Bedford HA van, was marketed as the Bedford Beagle.

HB Viva (1966–1970)

Vauxhall Viva HB
Vauxhall Viva HB Series
Overview
Also called	Envoy Epic (Canada) [1]
Production	September 1966 – July 1970
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door saloon 4-door saloon 3-door estate
Related	Holden Torana
Powertrain
Engine	1159 cc ohv Inline-four engine 1599 cc Slant-4 I4 1975 cc Slant-4 I4 (GT)
Transmission	4-speed manual all-synchromesh optional Borg Warner Type 35 automatic from February 1967[7]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	95.75 in (2,432 mm)
Length	161.6 in (4,105 mm)
Width	63 in (1,600 mm)
Height	53.3 in (1,354 mm)
Curb weight	1,698 lb (770 kg) (standard) 2,070 lb (939 kg) (GT)
Chronology
Predecessor	HA Viva
Successor	HC Viva

Viva HB Estate

The black bonnet / hood was a distinguishing feature of the HB Viva GT

The HB was the first Viva to be offered with four doors

The HB Viva, announced in September 1966^[8] and sold by Vauxhall until 1970, was a larger car than the HA, featuring coke bottle styling, and was modelled after American General Motors (GM) models such as the Chevrolet Impala/Caprice of the period. It featured the same basic engine as the HA, but enlarged to 1,159 cc, but with the added weight of the larger body the final drive gearing was reduced from 3.9 to 1 to 4.1 to keep the nippy performance (except the SL90 which retained the 3.9 diff having the power to cope with the higher ratio).

The automatic Viva HB was offered from February 1967, and fitted with the ubiquitous Borg Warner Type 35 system. Cars of this size featuring automatic transmission were still unusual owing to the amount of power the transmission systems absorbed: in a heartfelt if uncharacteristically blunt piece of criticism a major British motoring journal later described Viva HBs with automatic transmission as "among the slowest cars on the road".^[7]

The HB used a completely different suspension design from the HA, having double-wishbone and coil springs with integrated telescopic dampers at the front, and trailing arms and coil springs at the rear. Lateral location and anti-squat of the rear axle was achieved using upper trailing arms mounted at approximately 45° fixed to lugs at the top of the differential. Both front and rear could also be fitted with optional anti-roll bars. The HB set new standards for handling in its class as a result of the adoption of this suspension design, where many of its contemporaries stuck with leaf springs and MacPherson struts.

This time, apart from the standard and 90 stages of tune, there was also, for a brief time, a Brabham SL/90 HB that was purported to have been developed with the aid of world racing champion Jack Brabham. Brabham models were marked out externally by distinctive lateral black stripes at the front of the bonnet that curved down the wings and then headed back to end in a taper at the front doors. This model is almost impossible to find today. This model and the Viva GT are the two most sought after models made. The Brabham model differed from the standard Viva SL/90 in having a different cam-shaft, uprated suspension with anti-roll bars, different exhaust manifolds, and a unique twin-carb manifold, as well as differing interior trim. The Viva GT had substantially different engine and running gear and interior from the standard Viva HB models. It was distinguished by having a black bonnet with twin louvres and being all-over white. Later GTs came in different colours.

Two larger overhead camshaft engines from the larger Vauxhall Victor were also offered – a twin carb 1975 cc in the Viva GT from Feb 1968 and a 1599 cc making up the Viva 1600 from May 1968.

With the expanded engine programme, the HB saw numerous permutations of model offerings, with base, deluxe and SL trims offered with a choice of standard 1.2, tuned 90 1.2, Brabham 90 1.2 and the aforementioned overhead cam units offered during its run. The Brabham was effectively replaced by the 1600, although many complained of high fuel consumption with this engine. Front disc brakes came with the 90 and overhead cam engine models, while a larger 12 gallon fuel tank was also part of the 1600 and GT package.

The brakes were problematic: a 1971 survey of passenger cars registered in Sweden during 1967 place the HB Viva at the top of a list of cars identified as having faulty brakes as part of an annual testing procedure.^[9] Problems were concentrated on uneven braking and dragging brakes, generally at the rear, and affected 26% of the cars tested.^[9] Second on the list, with 24% of cars triggering brake fault reports, was the similarly configured Opel Kadett estate.^[9] Although it avoided the bottom spot in other individual categories, the poor score achieved by the brakes left the Viva with the highest overall rate of failure of the 34 passenger cars included in sufficient numbers to feature in the reports of the Swedish test results.^[9]

Originally offered as just a two-door saloon, a three-door estate joined the HB range in June 1967,^[7] but the advent of the four-door in October 1968 saw the HB breaking sales records worldwide. The introduction of the four-door option coincided with various minor improvements to the interior trim, while 'auxiliary' switches were relocated from a remote panel to positions nearer to the steering wheel.^[10] The GM "energy absorbing" steering column was now fitted to all models and the fuel tank capacity was increased from 8 to 12 British gallons (36 to 55 litres).^[10] The 4-door saloon was designed and engineered by Holden in Australia who exported it as a kit of parts back to Vauxhall in England.

In the later 1960s and early 1970s, Britain's Motor magazine polled readers about their cars: they included a poll of HB Viva 1600 owners. The answers given greatest prominence were to the final question which asked whether or not respondents would buy another car of the same model: just 21% of Viva 1600 owning respondents answered “yes”, which was the lowest score for this question achieved by any of the first seventeen models for which surveys were conducted.^[11] By the time of the readership poll, the HB Viva was within a year of being replaced even though the 1600 version itself had only been offered since 1968, so the sample will have been relatively small: it appears that the low satisfaction rate may have reflected not so much the car’s design but rather a lack of effective quality control in the manufacturing processes.

A van version of the Viva HB was developed, but it never got beyond the prototype/mock-up stage. However, General Motors New Zealand did sell versions of the three-door station wagon with no rear seat as 'van' models and continued this with the later HC version.

Aftermarket conversion specialists, Crayford, also ran off some convertibles based on the 2-door Viva. Very few of these conversions exist still, only two GT model HBs were converted, but both are known to survive, and will likely be on the show scene in the coming years.

Other markets

1970 Envoy Epic 1600 Deluxe wagon (Canada)

A variant of the HB Viva was also built in Australia, by General Motors–Holden's, from 1967 to 1969 and marketed there as the Holden HB Torana.^[12] Oddly enough despite being closer in physical location to Australia, all HB Vivas sold in New Zealand were produced from CKD kits imported from the UK and sold as Vauxhalls. The New Zealand Vivas were two- and four-door Deluxe sedans, the latter with the '90' engine. Automatic was not offered, nor was the SL trim. Some Deluxe Estates were also assembled locally along with a 'van' version minus the estate's rear seat.

Canadian Chevrolet/Oldsmobile dealers continued to sell a rebadged HB as the Envoy Epic through 1970 while Pontiac/Buick dealers kept selling the car under its original name. In South Africa, it was assembled locally. The GT model arrived there in mid-1969 and was available in a range of colours, unlike their British counterparts. The GT could be told by slim black stripes down the sides and a strip across the bonnet, as well as four exhaust tip and black paint in the area between the taillights. Power claimed was 112 hp (84 kW) SAE.^[13]

566,391 Viva HBs were produced.^[14] Body design had improved after Vauxhall's poor reputation with corrosion on previous models. The HB had better underbody protection, but UK cars were still prone to rusting through the front wings in the area behind the headlights where water, mud and salt could accumulate. This ongoing problem with salt on UK roads affected many makes and models, not just the Viva, but Vauxhall's ongoing poor reputation for corrosion undoubtedly contributed to the development of bolt-on wings and wheel-arch liners in subsequent generations of family passenger car.

HC Viva (1970–1979)

Vauxhall Viva HC
Vauxhall Viva HC Series
Overview
Production	1970–1979
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door saloon 4-door saloon 3-door estate
Related	Vauxhall Magnum Vauxhall Firenza Chevrolet Firenza
Powertrain
Engine	1159 cc OHV I4 1256 cc OHV I4 1759 cc Slant-4 I4 2279 cc Slant-4 I4
Transmission	4-speed manual GM-Automatic (with 1,759 & 2,279 cc engines: Viva SL only)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	97 in (2,464 mm)
Length	162.875 in (4,137 mm)
Width	64.75 in (1,645 mm)
Height	53 in (1,346 mm)
Curb weight	1,837 lb (833 kg) - 2,237 lb (1,015 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	HB Viva
Successor	Vauxhall Chevette Vauxhall Astra

Viva HC Estate

The HC Viva (1970–79) was mechanically the same as the HB but had more modern styling and greater interior space due to redesigned seating and positioning of bulkheads. It offered 2- and 4-door saloons and a fastback estate with the choice of either standard 1,159 cc, 90 tuned 1,159 cc or 1,600 cc overhead cam power. No 2.0 GT version was offered with the new range, although the 2.0 became the sole engine offering for Canada, where the HC became the Firenza, marketed by Pontiac/Buick dealers without the Vauxhall name. The cloned Envoy Epic was dropped as Chevrolet dealers now carried the domestic Chevrolet Vega. The HC was pulled from the Canadian market after two model years amidst consumer anger over corrosion and reliability issues. A class action lawsuit launched against General Motors of Canada by dissatisfied owners was not settled until the early 1980s.

The American influence was still obvious on the design, with narrow horizontal rear lamp clusters, flat dashboard with a "letterbox" style speedometer, and a pronounced mid bonnet hump that was echoed in the front bumper.

Firenza Coupé

A coupé version called the Firenza was introduced in early 1971 to compete with the Ford Capri and forthcoming Morris Marina Coupé. It was available in deluxe and SL forms, with the latter sporting four headlights and finally resurrecting the missing 2.0 twin-carburettor engine from the HB Viva GT.

The basic 1,159 cc engine was enlarged to 1,256 cc in late 1971 and with this the 90 version was removed from the line-up.

The overhead cam engines were upgraded in early 1972, the 1.6 becoming a 1.8 (1,759 cc) and the 2.0 (1,975 cc) twin carburettor became a 2.3 (2,279 cc). At this time, the Viva 2300 SL and Firenza Sport SL did away with the letter-box speedometer and substituted an attractive seven-dial instrument pack. Firenza SLs had a two round-dial pack, though all other Vivas and Firenzas stuck with the original presentation.

In September 1973, the Viva range was divided, the entry 1,256 cc models staying as Vivas, with an optional 1.8 litre engine if automatic transmission was chosen.

The 1.8 and 2.3 litre models took on more luxurious trim and were rebadged as the Magnum. At the same time, the Firenza coupe was given a radical makeover with an aerodynamic nose and beefed up 2.3 litre twin carb engine mated to a ZF five-speed gearbox, turning it into the HP (High Performance) Firenza.

The Viva was again revised in 1975, with trim levels becoming the E (for Economy), L and SL. The E was Vauxhall's answer to the Ford Popular and was first offered as a promotional edition two-door coupe using surplus Firenza body shells, before becoming a permanent Viva model in two-door saloon form. It was the only Viva to still have the strip speedometer after this as the L and SL adopted the Firenza SL's two round dial set up. As of the autumn of 1975 the 1800 engine was also upgraded, increasing power from 77 to 88 hp (57 to 66 kW; 78 to 89 PS).^[15]

Vauxhall Viva 1.3 Standard

For 1977, the SL was replaced by the GLS, essentially marrying the plusher Magnum trim and equipment with the base 1,256 cc pushrod ohv engine. These models all had the full seven dial instrument panel, velour seating and Rostyle wheels, among many other upgrades.

Viva production was scaled down after the launch of the Chevette in spring 1975. Originally a three-door hatchback, the Chevette offered two- and four-door saloons and a three-door estate in 1976 that all usurped the Viva's position as Vauxhall's small car entry.

The Chevette hatch was also sold as the Opel Kadett City, but the Viva remained on sale until the later part of 1979.

The Viva was effectively replaced by the new Vauxhall Astra, a variant of the front-wheel-drive Opel Kadett. By that time it was dated in comparison with more modern rivals like the Volkswagen Golf. Production ceased at a time when European manufacturers were making the transition from rear-wheel-drive saloons to front-wheel-drive hatchbacks in the family car market.

The passing of the Viva marked a significant moment for Vauxhall. The HC Viva had been the penultimate car to be completely designed by the Luton-based company, the 1972 Victor FE range being the last UK designed Vauxhall. That car was replaced in 1978 by the Opel Reckord based Carlton so the passing of the Viva in 1979 marked the end of UK designed Vauxhall production, with all Vauxhall cars now effectively being badge-engineered and German designed Opels, or in the case of the 2004 Vauxhall Monaro, a rebadged Holden.

1975 Vauxhall Viva

The domestic market launch of the Viva HC coincided with one of the UK's periodic surges of debt fueled economic growth, and the latest Viva became Vauxhall's fastest selling new model of all time, chalking up its first 100,000 units in just  7 ¹⁄₂ months.^[16] 640,863 Viva HCs were produced,^[17] making combined Viva production top the 1.5 million mark. The millionth Viva, a gold HC, was driven off the production line by a national politician amid much celebration on 20 July 1971.^[18] Although most Vivas were produced at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant in northern England, the company's production lines were by the standards of the time flexible, and the millionth car was a product of the Luton factory.^[18] However, within seconds of the Millionth Viva's completion at Luton, Ellesmere Port celebrated what was described – over-optimistically as matters turned out – as the first Viva of the second million.^[18]

In New Zealand, the Viva was originally built in two- or four-door sedan and wagon/van form with 1,159 cc and 1256 cc engines. A batch of 1.8-litre models, some with automatic transmission, was imported from the UK in 1973/4 when the government temporarily relaxed import restrictions on built-up cars as local CKD plants could not meet demand. The 1.8-litre engine and automatic transmission later were added to CKD assembly and the entire range was renamed Magnum in 1976. This had the four headlight nose and improved trim and equipment, such as a two-dial instrument pack and heated rear window, in a bid to overcome the Viva's basic car image – its original place in the GM range now taken by a newly launched, wide range of locally-made 1.3-litre Chevettes – and slowing sales. The Magnum also had an 1800 engine option, often teamed with automatic transmission.

South Africa

A version of the Viva HC, called the Chevrolet Firenza, was produced in South Africa, where it offered the small British four or a locally built Chevrolet 2.5-liter engine. After a 1975 facelift and some changes to the lineup, these lost the "Firenza" badges and were sold simply as the Chevrolet 1300 and 1900. The car was facelifted, with a new front design which mimicked that of the bigger Chevrolet 2500/3800/4100. These were originally only four-door saloons, but South Africa also saw a three-door hatch developed off this rather than taking on the then new Chevette/Kadett City; this was first shown in June 1976 and the first car rolled off the production line in August.^[19] This mixture used the T-car's rear hatch and taillights, but was a Viva ahead of the B-pillars. The arch around the rear hatch opening was considerably stronger than the T-car's, to suit local road conditions. Also, the 57 L (15 US gal) was larger than one would expect from a car this size, to suit local road conditions and petrol sales restrictions. The split rear-seat folded down. With the new Chevrolet Chevair recently introduced, cost prohibitions made such a creation a better proposition than bringing in an all-new car.^[20]

Local parts content was high from the get-go, with some Hatch models reaching 71.15% right away.^[19] The car was 3,886 mm (153.0 in) long, 252 mm shorter than the saloon. Since the Hatch's bodyork was a modification of an existing design, some compromises were necessary and the load area was particularly shallow. Another problem, common to all 1300/1900s, was the absence of a universal key - period road testers offered many complaints about requiring no less than four hard-to-tell keys.^[21]

The 1300 has Vauxhall's 1256 cc engine, carried through from the Firenza, while the 1900 has a locally built 1960 cc Chevrolet cast-iron inline-four; a smaller version of the 2.5 seen earlier in the Firenza. At the time of introduction, the Weber carburetted manual 1900 claimed 80 kW (109 PS; 107 hp) SAE and a top speed of 149 km/h (93 mph) for the Hatch.^[22] Automatics received a Rochester carburettor and more torque-oriented tuning; max power for this version is 78 kW (106 PS; 105 hp). The 1300 and 1900 were both available in De Luxe or LS trim, with a four-speed manual transmission and an available three-speed automatic for the 1900s.^[22]

Grumett

Grumett Indiana, made in Uruguay

Several cars based on the Vauxhall Viva were produced from 1970 until 1976 by Grumett in Uruguay.

They came in different models, including a double-cab, two-door pick-up, with different Vauxhall and Opel engines. The body was fibreglass; some original Vauxhalls were imported to serve as moulds. Mechanicals were either Vauxhall or Opel, depending on the batch.

Name revival

The Viva name would not appear on a General Motors car for another 25 years.

In 2004, in cooperation with Lada manufacturer AutoVAZ, General Motors launched the GM-AvtoVAZ Chevrolet Viva in Russia. This was essentially a four-door Opel Astra G (the model which was introduced as a Vauxhall/Opel in 1998 and was produced until 2004).

The name was also used by Holden in Australia and New Zealand on versions of the Daewoo Lacetti and Nubira which were marketed as the Holden Viva.

The Viva name made a comeback in 2015, as a Vauxhall model for the United Kingdom. This is based on the Korean designed, and manufactured Chevrolet Spark, which will be sold as the Opel Karl in most of Europe. It will replace the Vauxhall Agila.^[23]

References in popular culture

The car was mentioned in a song by Elvis Costello. One of the tracks from his 1978 album This Year's Model, "The Beat", contains the following lyric: "I've been a bad boy with the standard leader. My neighbour's revving up his Vauxhall Viva."^[24]

The car is referenced by The Macc Lads in their songs 'Beer & Sex & Chips 'n' Gravy' and "Knutsford": 'Vauxhall Viva's covered in rust, But you can't shag a bird on a 29 bus.' and "Skiing in the Viva." respectively. ^[25][26]

Coronation Street character Renee Roberts met her death in a Viva in 1980 whilst learning to drive.

References

1. "1970 Envoy 2000 and Epic". Old Cars Canada. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
2. "Vauxhall Viva HA". Unique Cars and Parts. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
3. "Used Cars on Test: 1963 Vauxhall Viva HA". Autocar. 127. (nbr 3739): 107–108. 12 October 1967.
4. Blain, Doug Blain (April 1965). "Vauxhall view". Car Magazine: 22–25.
5. "Vauxhall Viva HA". motorbase.com. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
6. Bedford History - Time-line of Light-Commercial Vehicles, www.vocnz.org.nz Retrieved on 8 May 2014
7. "Used Car Choice: Vauxhall Viva HB". Autocar. 140 (4040): 52–53. 8 November 1973.
8. "Used Car Test: 1969 Vauxhall Viva SL 2-door". Autocar. 134. (nbr 3928): 18–19. 8 July 1971.
9. Howard, Geoffrey (11 March 1971). "Faults in cars: a survey". Autocar. 134 (3911): 2–5.
10. "New for '69 Vivas go 4-door". Autocar. 129 (3790): 8. 3 October 1968.
11. Bulmer, Charles, ed. (3 February 1973). "On the road". Motor: 30.
12. Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, pages 274–275
13. Emslie, Robin, ed. (September 1969). "Road Test: Vauxhall Viva GT". Motoring Mirror. Cape Town, South Africa: Motorpress. 7 (5): 14–15.
14. "Vauxhall Viva HB". .motorbase.com. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
15. Braunschweig, Robert; et al., eds. (March 1, 1979). "Automobil Revue '79" (in German and French). 74. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag, AG: 529.
16. "News: The 100,000 production milestone, just reached with the HC series Vauxhall Viva....". Autocar. 134 (3923): 30. 3 June 1971.
17. "Vauxhall Viva HC". motorbase.com/. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
18. "News: A million Vauxhall Vivas". Autocar. 134 (3930): 24. 22 July 1971.
19. Howard, Tony, ed. (October 1976). "Hatched in Port Elizabeth". SA Motor. Cape Town, South Africa: Scott Publications: 23.
20. Howard, Tony (December 1976). "Chevrolet Hatch 1900". SA Motor. Cape Town, South Africa: Scott Publications: 27.
21. Howard, p. 28
22. Howard, p. 29
23. "Vauxhall Viva reborn for 2015". 20 May 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
24. http://www.elviscostello.info/lyrics/tym.html

External links

• The Vauxhall Viva Owners Club (The original club for all types of Vauxhall Viva)
• Viva Outlaws Club (Owners Club catering for modified and racing Vivas, owners of the Viva GT Register)
• Viva Drivers Club (Owners Club catering for all Viva models, for owners who wish to drive their Vivas)
• VBOA (Vauxhall, Bedford and Opel Association)