Wigan Album

Memories...memories of replacing engine after engine in the Viva's! They only had a three bearing crankshaft and they regularly failed. Hope yours wasn't one of those Fred.

I used to have the 'older model' 1968 Viva estate. It was fine for 12 months, once the warranty ran out it fell apart. The propshaft came off on the M6 - not recommended

Yours would be the HB model Keenee, this one of Fred's is the HC Viva. To-day colour match is done by computers at good body shops. But your right Fred, that colour and silver one of the most difficult to match.

Its tax ran out 01/09/1983!!!!

I'd be interested to know where this is, and are the houses still there.

Yes, mine was a HB, I think it had a better engine (1256cc) than the HC. I didn't have any engine trouble, but I got through 2 gearboxes and the propshaft, of course. Sadly the quality of Vauxhalls deteriorated badly in the late sixties.
I have mentioned elsewhere that I used to drive a HA van for Knott Mill (same 1256cc engine I think) those vans were hammered but they seemed to go on for ever.
The 'Starmist' colours were quite futuristic for the time, a choice of 2 or 3 shades of silver as well as Honey.

the pic was taken in Derbyshire at Darley Dale.Vineyard Terrace where our Dave lived at that time. The houses are still there and one was sold a few months ago for £199000. They have an open yard at the back, but the view is magnificent they are close to Chatsworth. Houses around that area fetch big money as they are in the Peak Park

Hi Bill did you work at Reeds

Joan, look at the photo of the air ship, your answer could be there.

the ha viva had the 1056cc, the hb 1159cc and the hc 1256cc