Vauxhall Viva HB

1968 Vauxhall Viva 2,0 GT

The Vauxhall Viva HB was developed in England with influence from GM's American models. A beautiful, small car which for several years was a common sight on the roads. Today they are almost gone.

 

Vauxhall Viva HB in brief

Vauxhall Viva HB are beautiful cars with a typical Coke-bottle shape. They had good road characteristics thanks to better suspension than the competitors at the same time. The cars with the smallest engine option were among the cheapest on Norwegian price lists, and the Vauxhall Viva became a regular feature in the traffic picture. Unfortunately, very few remain today, largely due to rust, but also because many people see no value in preserving them. Sadly, not in Vauxhall's home country, England either.

Model history

De første bilene ble satt i produksjon i 1966 som 1967 årsmodell. Viva HB ble etterfulgt av Viva HC høsten 1970 – da som 1971 årsmodell. Basismodellen fikk en motor på 1159 ccm, mens man året etter kunne bestille Viva GT med 2.0 liters motor med to Strømberg-forgassere, tettsteget 4-trinns girkasse med «limited slip» differensial. To år etter introduksjonen kunne man også få Viva med 1600-motorer. Videre kunne man også få Viva som en stilig Estate-modell i form av 3 dører stasjonsvogn. Den mest populære varianten var 2-dørs sedan, men fra 1969 kunne man også få Viva med 4 dører. Ifølge eieren av den avbildede 4-dørs-utgaven under, så ble 4-dørs Viva HB levert også i 1971 – parallelt med nye Viva HC.

Vauxhall Viva vs. Opel Kadett

The first version of the Vauxhall Viva HA and the Opel Kadett A were jointly developed. The two cars are based on a common platform, while the successors, Viva HB and Kadett B, had no matching components. The Vauxhall Viva was thus 100% developed in England, albeit with great influence from GM's American models. Viva received a bolder design than the German Opel Kadett, and in one area the Vauxhall Viva HB surpassed its "cousin" Opel Kadett. The Viva HB received a more advanced rear suspension than the first year models of the Opel Kadett.

 

1970 Vauxhall Viva SL

About the pictures

The silver-grey Viva GT was on display at the Oslo Motor Show 2024. The red car took part in a car meet at Brooklands in Weybridge, England 2023.

 
Click on an image to view in a larger format.
    Copyright notice

 


See

Vauxhall Victor

It had panoramic windows and color schemes like the Americans of the time. Conservative English car buyers thought it had a vulgar appearance.

Vauxhall Norway (closed FB group)