1974 Vauxhall Viva HC 1.3 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The best £90 spent in the world...ever!

Faults:

The starter motor jammed one morning for no apparent reason.

The electrics were occasionally tempremental.

The front wings were very prone to rust, and were mostly made out of filler by the time I got the car!

General Comments:

A great car for the money. I paid £90 for this car, and drove 350 miles per week in it for 18 months with very few troubles. It was also surprisingly good to drive, and an excellent advert for Vauxhall durability. Unfortunately rust got the better of it in the end, and I eventually drove it to the scrapyard with the engine and gearbox still running sweetly!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st July, 2003

21st Apr 2005, 09:44

A shame to hear about the scrap yard having the viva, but I do agree with your general comments.

19th Jan 2006, 08:35

Agree with all the above, my first car was a metallic blue HC 1159 cc (K). Bought it for £550 Ran it for 2 years when again rust got the better of it. Mechanically sound though, and do you remember that speedo?

9th May 2006, 16:38

Yes the speedo is very similar to the Hillman Avenger! Both great british cars!

24th Jul 2008, 10:44

One thing I remember from the HC VIva was the strange little sign in the middle of the steering wheel stating 'Vauxhall Energy Absorbing', I know it was referring to the collapsible steering column but it always made me think my arms would get knackered just steering the thing.