I had a HC circa 1987 to 1995 as a skint college / post college kid - it took me from Portsmouth to the highlands of Scotland - I camped in it and it didn’t let me down (too often ;-) great to see the love still out there
Brings back memories, an Aunt had one like that from new for about 15 years. Never reliable at all.... I enjoyed driving it, the steering was nice and not too heavy, the engine was sweet and the controls were well thought through for the era. It was also comfortable and roomy inside.
@@RetroRebuildthe reason the steering is light - without power steering - is because it ISN'T FRONT WHEEL DRIVE! That's why they didn't have it at first, but now there IS power steering heavy steering is a thing of the past!
My Father had the same model, same colour, and it was my dream car as a 8yr old....Would love one today...Great videos....Oh, drove a Vauxhall Senator, in my career, back in the 90s. THE BEST of all time....
I had one of these car back in 1973, soon after i pass my test, it was my first car, i can remember the gear stick is always coming undone, and the float in the petrol thank, never seems to work properly, i can remember putting a radio in it and a sunroof, also i had problems with the engine mount, its the csr i learn on to be a d i y mechanic, i will be watch this car progress, they are so easy to work on.
A true North East Viva! With its proppa PT North East (Durham) Reg number. Fantastic, and a good watch! I remember these in this colour being everywhwre in Newcastle Durham and Sunderland!
Thanks for the video. It brought back a lot of memories, I had a 1971 viva SL my first car. I learnt a lot about machanics and life in general back then. R.
What a car.. Took me back... Loved watching this, really admire anyone who can do mechanical work... Loved the accent, lovely family, loved the traditional Englishness about the whole video... What a joy!!! 👍 👍
I had two ha vivas, one hb and two hc vivas such a simple car to work on and maintain, biggest fault was clutch cables shearing and corrosion of the inner wings.
@@bernardrandles8013corrosion of inner wings, and PARTICULARLY the front panel on old MINIS, is because not many cars had mud shields inside the wings. A firm on the internet, called LOKARI can make them to order, for all makes!
Fantastic to see the old girl moving under her own steam. The best new RUclipsr of the year by far. Have recommended to everyone I know. Keep up the great work 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
😀 Thank you very much! Appreciate it!! Yes it was great to get her moving, even if it was just on the driveway. Thanks for watching and recommending 👍 👍
This took me back to when I were a kid. My dad had a viva and remember helping him work on it.. Thanks for bringing great memories back to me. Brill video 👍
Your camera work was great good old vintage fix loved this video you could see your hart was in the job loved the joy on your face doing this car great job.
The first drive is always a big moment, even if it's only the length of the driveway. Nice one. And thanks for fixing the indicator, man. I'm made up. 👌😊
Fair play. Nothing more rewarding than getting an old car going again..and even more bloody rewarding when it works. This was awesome to watch, and I can see how bloody chuffed you were to get it finally running and driving. Well done that man...well done :)
Being a complete Vauxhall addict, I love watching your videos, great to see her moving under her own power, I could see by the smile on your face how satisfying it was, fair play to you mate and keep up the good work 😁
Had one of these as first car he viva had small sports steering wheel, sideways every wet roundabout. 1256cc ohv. Rolled it after clipped a kerb going sideways. If had passenger they would have been squashed flat. I got out unscathed car wrecked and bill withers playing “lovely day” mine was a 1971 and i crashed it in 1977. Still fresh in my mind. Thanks for sharing
Excellent Sunday morning entertainment again fella and she is alive breathing and moving, little steps and looking forward to seeing her going along the street, it's nice to see the basics on the old cars so simple and not a computer or sensor in sight awesome mate
Thank you very much mate, appreciate it! Old school engineering is a pleasure to work on, as long as nothing is seized or rounded off 🤣 Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Fantastic to see the old girl being restored to her former glory, all the best with this.! Reminds me in the 90s, i nearly bought a vauxhall magnum 1800 auto, with velour seats! Wish i had now, was only £180.!
@@RetroRebuild pleasure my friend.! Looking forward to seeing more of your restoration, yes, that magnum i nearly bought had the black vinyl roof, rostyle wheels, and twin front headlights, it was the poshest viva you could get i think.! It was a 79 T reg if I remember.!
My dad bought one in the 70s. For weeks beforehand he walked around the house singing Viva Espana. He bought it home and to his horror discovered that the clock stopped when you switched off the engine. And that was the end of the Viva! For those who are interested it was a deep copper colour. Quite nice really.
Got the exact ramps myself with the label on as well.Got them for my dad in early 70’s.Went round asking if I could have folks coupons when I was a kid,took me years to collect enough.Think it was a few thousand .Great content,keep up the good work
Ah very cool! the good old days 😀 I did the same thing when saving up for a walkman though my Dad was a heavy smoker at the time so didn't take too long 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
My 72 viva, bought in 77 has now sat in the garage for 17 years. Sitting next to my late father’s 73 avenger. Would so love to have them running again.
Wow thats great that you've had it for so long! And very cool that you still have your late Fathers avenger. 2 great cars! Hope you get them running. Thanks for watching 👍
I live in New Zealand, and these Vauxhalls were a common sight on the road back in the 1970s. They were assembled here. The vinyl roof was such a seventies thing on cars back then. You are getting it going. It will be on the road in no time.
Another kiwi here.yeah one of the first cars I had.hate to take the wind out of ya sail's but was the worst heap of 💩ever! I swore that I would never own another one,and never did!!! Spent more time pushing the fuckin thing than driving it!!! good luck with the bastard!😁
Thank you very much mate! Sounds like a lovely car. Don't know what garnet starmist is but it sounds good! Going to check it out now! 😀 Thanks for watching neighbour! 👍
Wow, this brings back memories. My first car was a HC (well first one on the road). Wedgwood blue, 1256 with a slight knocking bottom end. Hats off to you and thrilling to see her move.
I had one of those for a while, my endearing memory was driving along, when the whole gear lever came off in my hand, and having to push the thing down on to the changing mechanism , and having a go at finding the gear you think you need. Luckily I had a mate who drilled holes and screwed the thing back on, unluckily forget a "gate" system on the gears , it was like a pudding bowl spoon.
I started working at Vauxhall’s in Ellesmere Port Merseyside, in 1977 and retired 35 years later, put various parts on thousands of them over the years. Was a good seller at the time, solidly built compared to some cars of that Era, the bonnet weighed a ton! Always liked the viva. I had one identical in colour and black vinyl roof, only mine was a 2 door.
Ah brilliant! I can only imagine what it would have been like in the factories back then! Sounds like you had a cool car, I would love a 2 door for my collection 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Thanks. I love 1970s cars, then again I'm nearly 70! Also, we only landed on the Moon between 1969 and 1972. So, the gear must have been better....because we have never been back! Peace be unto you.
Stumbled across your channel and really enjoying it. Great stuff and fair play to you. Really looking forward to continuing following you on your journey with the Viva. Brilliant to see it moving under its own steam after so long.
My Dad had a 1974 viva sl in exactly the same shade of yellow 💛 insects were attracted to it in the summer 🪰. He had it for years when I was a kid, I remember helping him drop in a reconditioned chevette engine and gearbox in the mid eighties. He squeezed a few thousand more miles out of it before the bodywork finally let go. Amazing to see an almost identical car all these years later 🙌
Absolutely fantastic to see it running and moving under its own power after all those years. I passed my driving test in 1980 in my Dad's 1968 viva HB so always had a soft spot for the cars. Looking forward to more episodes, just subscribed to your channel thanks Mike.👍
Well done for getting this far . Between work, sleep and family life you've done great . Can't wait to see it flying roun Gateshead in the near future . 😊😊
My first car in 1983! In green, and I put the obligatory spotlights on front grille😂! loved it! Seem to recall non retractable seatbelts (the UK seatbelt law came in a month before my test) and the clutch and accelerator were linked somehow, if you pressed one then the other moved slightly! Great to see this video!
Awesome video, popped up as recommended after I watched a Hubnut video. Going to go back and watch from the start. Love this sort of thing, nothing better than seeing the old girls awoken from their slumber to do what they were designed to. I always think that old abandoned cars get sad because they no longer work 🤣 It’s what keeps me going with keeping my 32yr old Mk3 Granada on the road. Keep up the good work 😎
Thank you very much! Appreciate your comments. Yes I agree entirely, nothing better than seeing a survivor back on the road. Love the Mk3 Granadas, my Dad had a couple. Lovely big, comfortable cruisers! Thanks for watching 👍
Great video - and great job too! I had had two of these back in the day, the saloon version and then the "Firenza" which I had from new and went on for years. Good basic cars that were well built for those times but had two faults I came across. Clutch peddles were prone to fail due to metal fatigue, and as were the frames on the front seats. Particularly the driver's one as it got more wear and even though I was far from being a heavy guy. Great seeing you bring one back to life, and it still looks in amazingly good nick, including underneath. Super job!
Thank you very much! Very cool! Love the firenzas. I've heard about both of those problems, I have another Viva and the seat has completely gone on it! Thanks for watching👍
When you decide to subscribe about 2 mins in to the first video you've watched on a channel... Anyhoo... the lump of wood on the clutch pedal is an upgraded stopper on a Viva, first time I saw it was on a Shuv-it back in the day.
I learnt to drive and passed my test in a Viva SL, purchased for £300. An excellent car to learn basic mechanical skills, non of these fancy computer modules. There was so much space around the 1256cc engine you could almost stand inside the bay and work on the engine. My brother had the Viva E which was the Ferenza (sp) body shell on a Viva chassis, but modified it by fitting a 2ltr Ford cortina engine and gearbox with twin webber carbs.... boy did it shift !
Very cool! 😀 Yes there is lots of space, I've stood in the engine bay working on it when the radiator was out 😀 The Viva E sounds, I bet it did shift! Thanks for watching👍
Yesss, great to see the old girl moving under her own power, btw, the wood on the clutch pedal was an optional extra, but only for 1975 lol, great vid.
Always wanted to be a mechanic, but no patience, always seems a bolt that won't come off or go on. or drop on the floor. Famous last words, 'you only clip this on '..3 hrs later . So good on ya mate , well done.👍
Do you get into any welding I have a 1976 midget I'm doing busy trying to work out the best way to start the drivers side floor, spring hanger inner bulkhead and inner and outer sills lolso much for it doesn't need much work lol
No not yet, I plan to though 😀 Do you watch Trev's blog and Urchfab? Both brilliant fabricators and welders. You might pick up some tips from the restorations they have done. Good luck!! 👍
God that brings back memories, first car was a viva hc sl or slx I don't recall exactly,built one car out of two with my dad when i was 17,maroon with a vinyl roof, loved that old girl,stumbled across your channel and will be watching to see your progress, great to see one being brought back to life 🙂
Ah brilliant. Won't be long before you're flying down the Coast Road for a trip to the seaside in her! I've got a battle ahead with mine to try and open the immobiliser solenoid on the fuel pump as it has just decided to stop working.
Great video. Ah, the dreaded top prop shaft bolt. Always took longer to do up than the other three put together! Incidentally, quite a few HC's still knocking about here in New Zealand. Loads of other classics too. Nothing rots here!
Thank you very much! Yes it was a bit of a pain to tighten up! Yes I've heard from a few people from New Zealand now about the Vivas over there. No rot sounds amazing! 😀 Thanks for watching👍
Hello I've recently been watching these videos and great progress on the Viva HC,I've just subbed to the channel,it's brilliant to see it running on its own power.
Well done mate there is nothing better than like getting an old forgotten car up and running and driving I did a total engine rebuild on an old hillman avenger estate back in 1989 could only get cord piston rings at the time But ran so well and I had a grin on my face just like you did 😀 I also had a yellow 2 door viva but it was not as good as yours Looking forward to seeing your first drive on the road
i had one of these as my first car many years ago, i purchased it second hand from a lady, the weird thig was this viva was painted red with a starsky and hutch black stripe down the sides, it had nice sporty alloys and the interior was also trimmed in red and black, it didnt look like something the lady would have done, it looked factory fitted..the engine was sporty and it sounded great.. i have never seen one like that since..
Sounds very cool! Would love to see a picture if you have any? My Dad and his brother did the Starsky and Hutch paint job on a Cortina back in the 70's 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
@@RetroRebuild I wish i had photos, especially as ive never seen one like it before or since, it was over 35 years ago i had it..one day it broke down and i just walked away from it, left it parked on a roadside,, i never heard anything from the police or the dvlc..shame as its probably worth all of about 50 quid these days lol.
My father's one and only ever brand new car in the 70’s...broke down on the way from Manchester to London...all these years later, I now know how disappointed he must have been, it was gutting, the hard work it took to afford it must have broke his heart, it would have pissed me off big style!!! Thank you GMA 53OK...
😀 My Dad also painted quite a few cars with a brush! Infact you've just reminded me of one that I will have to mention in a future video. Great memories! 🤣 Thanks for watching 👍
SOF 873M... My first car, back in 1987; a polar white Viva 1256 HC. The wipers would move up the screen the faster you went, the chain fixed door mirros also fell off with the merest touch, and due my my abusive driving style; as with most newly passed hooligan drivers; it didn't survive much past six months, at which point the bottom nearside suspension unit collapsed; as must due to rust as my driivng; hence the scraping of what had been a fun car up until that point.
Another great vid there my friend. Excellent to see her move again. The end is in sight now, a decent service and a once over with T Cut you will be showing her off at the Classic Shows next spring. Seriously though, well done and keep chipping away at her.
Good job! I had a two door HC, went to France in it and the timing chain tensioner failed. Got a new(ish) tensioner and chain off an Opel Rekord in a local scrap yard, reset the timing with a piece of string, put in a tried and tested gasket from a Cornflakes box and did 1500 miles touring. I forgot all about it and never sorted it out properly. Absolutely no chance of doing anything like that on modern cars. More reliability, zero fun. Good days. Looking forward to seeing more.
Awesome... 👍 My first car was an HC Viva. Still got the number plate, JGR 285N. Bought it for £25 from a mate, paid £10 for a gearbox from the local scrappers and ran it for 3 years before the rust got too much. 🖖
Nice one mate , great to see her moving under her own power,I was never in any doubt..! A set of 165-13 tyres on her then hopefully be on the long awaited first road trip..! (Great to see the indicator lense finally fitted by the way! ) 🤣🤣
In New Zealand 🇳🇿 original fitment for tyres after say 1975 would have been 155x13, the only exception would have been for Rostyles ( 175x13 ), typically for the UK's GLS, or New Zealands 🇳🇿 equivalent " Score Seven " 👌👍
@@paulhellawell5920 Both my Dads 1800 HC Auto 🚘 and my 1256 Magnum ( NZ assembled ) had 155x13 radials from New. Dads car 1976-1982, mine new in 77 owned 1983 till road worthy 1997.
My dad had a yellow 1975 viva , I remember going with him to pick it up from the showroom on the first August brand new 😊, if I remember correctly it was a 1.3 SL and the reg was HSP 607N, how’s that for memory 😂😂
I had a HC circa 1987 to 1995 as a skint college / post college kid - it took me from Portsmouth to the highlands of Scotland - I camped in it and it didn’t let me down (too often ;-) great to see the love still out there
Ah brilliant mate! Great memories! Love stories like that. Thanks for watching 👍
My Nan had a green Viva, the reg was OLD 446L, really enjoyed watching this, thank you.
Very cool! Great memories! 😀 Thank you for watching 👍
@@RetroRebuild My pleasure! I didn't realise exactly how big it was until you were trying to back out of the drive! Strong work Sir!
Brings back memories, an Aunt had one like that from new for about 15 years. Never reliable at all....
I enjoyed driving it, the steering was nice and not too heavy, the engine was sweet and the controls were well thought through for the era. It was also comfortable and roomy inside.
Ah great memories! You're right, for having no power steering the steering is very light! Thanks for watching 👍
@@RetroRebuildthe reason the steering is light - without power steering - is because it ISN'T FRONT WHEEL DRIVE!
That's why they didn't have it at first, but now there IS power steering heavy steering is a thing of the past!
My Father had the same model, same colour, and it was my dream car as a 8yr old....Would love one today...Great videos....Oh, drove a Vauxhall Senator, in my career, back in the 90s. THE BEST of all time....
Thank you very much! Ah your Father had good taste! I also love the Senators, big old luxury cruiser, its on my wishlist 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
To tx3851
Yes, I think this colour suits it TOO!
My 1st car was a HC Vauxhall Firenza, same colour as yours. Brings back memories of many hours spent keeping it on the road.
Very cool, love the Firenzas! Appreciate the comments! Thanks for watching 👍
It's lovely to see classic cars like this being cared for and looked after. All the best to you for the rest of the project.
Thank you very much! Appreciate it. Thanks for watching 👍
Never, in my lifetime, did I ever think anyone would call a HC Viva a classic car!
@@Biffo1262 well they are now, and they are much loved thanks for watching
I had one of these car back in 1973, soon after i pass my test, it was my first car, i can remember the gear stick is always coming undone, and the float in the petrol thank, never seems to work properly, i can remember putting a radio in it and a sunroof, also i had problems with the engine mount, its the csr i learn on to be a d i y mechanic, i will be watch this car progress, they are so easy to work on.
Ah brilliant! Great memories! Thank you for watching 👍
A true North East Viva! With its proppa PT North East (Durham) Reg number. Fantastic, and a good watch! I remember these in this colour being everywhwre in Newcastle Durham and Sunderland!
Ah brilliant! Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching 👍
Thanks for the video. It brought back a lot of memories, I had a 1971 viva SL my first car. I learnt a lot about machanics and life in general back then. R.
Great memories! Thanks for watching 👍
Project has really turned a corner now, well done, and nice to see her drive again, no matter how short the distance is!
Thank you very much! Appreciate it. Can't wait to take her on a proper drive. Thanks for watching 👍
Zenith Stromberg CARB? dx
@@davidwaterhouse2552 yes mate stromerg thanks for watching 👍
What a car.. Took me back... Loved watching this, really admire anyone who can do mechanical work... Loved the accent, lovely family, loved the traditional Englishness about the whole video... What a joy!!! 👍 👍
Thank you very much! Really appreciate your comments! Thanks for watching 👍
I had two ha vivas, one hb and two hc vivas such a simple car to work on and maintain, biggest fault was clutch cables shearing and corrosion of the inner wings.
@@bernardrandles8013corrosion of inner wings, and PARTICULARLY the front panel on old MINIS, is because not many cars had mud shields inside the wings. A firm on the internet, called LOKARI can make them to order, for all makes!
Passed my driving test first time in one of them vivas, it was 17th April 1975 I only had 3 driving lessons @ £2.50 a lesson .
Ah brilliant memories! Wow £2.50 a lesson! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
To tutsywutsy. Oh my god! Passed your driving test after THREE lessons?
Takes me back to helping my dad with his Hillman Hunter 1725cc.
Ah brilliant, great memories. I love a Hillman Hunter! Thanks for watching 👍
@@RetroRebuild Build quality was great. Served us well but front wings rotted as there were no wheel arch liners! Handbrake on right was quirky too,
i bought a viva in 87 for £100 great little car bit rusty it lasted me 10 months then swapped it for a raleigh bike,great vid mate.
Brilliant! Great memories, you got your moneys worth out of that then! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Fantastic to see the old girl moving under her own steam. The best new RUclipsr of the year by far. Have recommended to everyone I know. Keep up the great work 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
😀 Thank you very much! Appreciate it!! Yes it was great to get her moving, even if it was just on the driveway. Thanks for watching and recommending 👍 👍
My buddy had a Vauxhall when I was in high school. It had a 327 in it. It was a rocket
Ah excellent! Yes I bet it was! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Great viewing !
Fun, simple retro mechanics.
Fair play to you ! 🔧🔨🔩🚗
Thank you very much! Thanks for watching 👍
This took me back to when I were a kid.
My dad had a viva and remember helping him work on it..
Thanks for bringing great memories back to me. Brill video 👍
Thank you very much! Great memories! Thanks for watching 👍
Your camera work was great good old vintage fix loved this video you could see your hart was in the job loved the joy on your face doing this car great job.
Thank you very much! Appreciate it! Thanks for watching 👍
The first drive is always a big moment, even if it's only the length of the driveway. Nice one. And thanks for fixing the indicator, man. I'm made up. 👌😊
Thank you very much and you're very welcome 🤣 Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
@@RetroRebuild 👍😊
GOOD VIDEO ENJOYED INTERESTING BRINGS ME BACK IN TIME HAVING THE SAME VIVA WAS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE CARS RELIABLE LOVED IT
Thank you very much! Thanks for watching 👍
Fair play. Nothing more rewarding than getting an old car going again..and even more bloody rewarding when it works. This was awesome to watch, and I can see how bloody chuffed you were to get it finally running and driving. Well done that man...well done :)
Thank you very much Alex! Yes I was well chuffed 😀 Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Being a complete Vauxhall addict, I love watching your videos, great to see her moving under her own power, I could see by the smile on your face how satisfying it was, fair play to you mate and keep up the good work 😁
Thank you very much! Appreciate it! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Great To see another old British classic brought back to life. 😊
Thank you very much! Thanks for watching👍
@@RetroRebuild You are very welcome. I have subscribed and I am looking forward to watching further posts.
Had one of these as first car he viva had small sports steering wheel, sideways every wet roundabout. 1256cc ohv. Rolled it after clipped a kerb going sideways. If had passenger they would have been squashed flat. I got out unscathed car wrecked and bill withers playing “lovely day” mine was a 1971 and i crashed it in 1977. Still fresh in my mind. Thanks for sharing
Wow lucky to walk away from that unscathed! I can imagine that will stay fresh in your mind! Thanks for watching 👍
Excellent Sunday morning entertainment again fella and she is alive breathing and moving, little steps and looking forward to seeing her going along the street, it's nice to see the basics on the old cars so simple and not a computer or sensor in sight awesome mate
Thank you very much mate, appreciate it! Old school engineering is a pleasure to work on, as long as nothing is seized or rounded off 🤣 Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Fantastic to see the old girl being restored to her former glory, all the best with this.!
Reminds me in the 90s, i nearly bought a vauxhall magnum 1800 auto, with velour seats! Wish i had now, was only £180.!
Thank you very much! That sounds like it would have been very nice! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
@@RetroRebuild pleasure my friend.! Looking forward to seeing more of your restoration, yes, that magnum i nearly bought had the black vinyl roof, rostyle wheels, and twin front headlights, it was the poshest viva you could get i think.! It was a 79 T reg if I remember.!
My dad bought one in the 70s. For weeks beforehand he walked around the house singing Viva Espana. He bought it home and to his horror discovered that the clock stopped when you switched off the engine. And that was the end of the Viva! For those who are interested it was a deep copper colour. Quite nice really.
😀 Great memories! Sounds like a lovely colour! Thanks for watching 👍
Sweeeeet! She's alive now and I'm loving this build, regards from sunny Stockton, keep on keeping on neigbour 👋
Thank you very much neighbour! Appreciate it. Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Wow!. My dear old Dad had a metallic green three door in about 1977. Nice one!.
Brilliant! Your Dad had good taste, sounds nice! Thanks for watching 👍
Got the exact ramps myself with the label on as well.Got them for my dad in early 70’s.Went round asking if I could have folks coupons when I was a kid,took me years to collect enough.Think it was a few thousand .Great content,keep up the good work
Ah very cool! the good old days 😀 I did the same thing when saving up for a walkman though my Dad was a heavy smoker at the time so didn't take too long 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
My dad had a Viva, I can still remember the reg. NCX 282 M... This looks in better condition than his did, and he had that in the early 80's...
Ah brilliant! Thanks for watching 👍
Well done. Great achievement and look forward to seeing her properly on the road
Thank you very much! Thanks for watching 👍
Me Dad had a white Viva HC GDM363N god he loved that car and so did I , thanks for sharing she is a beauty, take care mate.
Thank you very much! Great memories 😀 Thank you for watching 👍
My 72 viva, bought in 77 has now sat in the garage for 17 years. Sitting next to my late father’s 73 avenger. Would so love to have them running again.
Wow thats great that you've had it for so long! And very cool that you still have your late Fathers avenger. 2 great cars! Hope you get them running. Thanks for watching 👍
@@RetroRebuild as soon as I saw the picture of the HC, a 4 door at that, DNR 503K is only 2 , I just HAD to watch the video.
Amazing what a little indicator cover can do to the look of a vehicle 🤗 makes it look like progress!!
Thank you very much mate! Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
I live in New Zealand, and these Vauxhalls were a common sight on the road back in the 1970s. They were assembled here. The vinyl roof was such a seventies thing on cars back then. You are getting it going. It will be on the road in no time.
Thank you very much! Yes I've had a few people from New Zealand telling me about the history of Vivas over there, very cool! Thanks for watching 👍
Another kiwi here.yeah one of the first cars I had.hate to take the wind out of ya sail's but was the worst heap of 💩ever! I swore that I would never own another one,and never did!!! Spent more time pushing the fuckin thing than driving it!!! good luck with the bastard!😁
Great job marra! My first car was a 72 Viva SL in garnet starmist. Brought back so many memories. Cheers from Rowlands Gill.
Thank you very much mate! Sounds like a lovely car. Don't know what garnet starmist is but it sounds good! Going to check it out now! 😀 Thanks for watching neighbour! 👍
@@RetroRebuild Garnet Starmist is the metallic paint colour. It was a gorgeous car - FDC 788 K, 1256cc engine. I could go on for hours, neighbour. 🤓
Ah yes I do know that colour, just had a look. Lovely!! 👍
Wow, this brings back memories. My first car was a HC (well first one on the road). Wedgwood blue, 1256 with a slight knocking bottom end. Hats off to you and thrilling to see her move.
Thank you very much! Great memories 😀 Nice colour! Thanks for watching 👍
I had one of those for a while, my endearing memory was driving along, when the whole gear lever came off in my hand, and having to push the thing down on to the changing mechanism , and having a go at finding the gear you think you need.
Luckily I had a mate who drilled holes and screwed the thing back on, unluckily forget a "gate" system on the gears , it was like a pudding bowl spoon.
🤣 that gave me a good chuckle! Thanks for watching 👍
I started working at Vauxhall’s in Ellesmere Port Merseyside, in 1977 and retired
35 years later, put various parts on thousands of them over the years.
Was a good seller at the time, solidly built compared to some cars of that
Era, the bonnet weighed a ton!
Always liked the viva.
I had one identical in colour and black vinyl roof, only mine was a 2 door.
Ah brilliant! I can only imagine what it would have been like in the factories back then! Sounds like you had a cool car, I would love a 2 door for my collection 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Thanks. I love 1970s cars, then again I'm nearly 70! Also, we only landed on the Moon between 1969 and 1972. So, the gear must have been better....because we have never been back! Peace be unto you.
Love 70's cars too! Thank you very much for watching 👍
Very well done Alex, you've gained a sub from a fellow Geordie from Gatesheeed!!
Its Steve but thanks for the sub fellow Geordie from Gatesheeed! (where abouts are you?) Thanks for watching 👍
What a lovely old girl , can't wait to seecmore episodes, keep up the good work
Thank you very much! Appreciate it! Thanks for watching 👍
Stumbled across your channel and really enjoying it. Great stuff and fair play to you. Really looking forward to continuing following you on your journey with the Viva. Brilliant to see it moving under its own steam after so long.
Thank you very much! Appreciate it! Thanks for watching 👍
My Dad had a 1974 viva sl in exactly the same shade of yellow 💛 insects were attracted to it in the summer 🪰. He had it for years when I was a kid, I remember helping him drop in a reconditioned chevette engine and gearbox in the mid eighties. He squeezed a few thousand more miles out of it before the bodywork finally let go. Amazing to see an almost identical car all these years later 🙌
Thank you very much! Your Dad had good taste! Sounds like great memories. Thanks for watching 👍
Great video, brings back fond memories of my Dad’s J Reg gold Vauxhall Viva
Ah brilliant! Your Dad had good taste! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Absolutely fantastic to see it running and moving under its own power after all those years. I passed my driving test in 1980 in my Dad's 1968 viva HB so always had a soft spot for the cars. Looking forward to more episodes, just subscribed to your channel thanks Mike.👍
Thank you very much Mike! Appreciate your comments! Great memories, also love the HB's! Thanks for watching 👍
Wouldn't be Sunday without the viva. Massive achievement getting her moving.
Thank you very much! Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Great to see the old Viva moving, great channel mate, keep going!
Thank you very much! Appreciate it. Thanks for watching 👍
Omg ..1975 Viva hey .... those were a great little car back then I believe ..... I was born in 1979 so they were a bit before my time 😊
Before my time too 😀 but I remember a lot of them being on the road from my childhood. Thanks for watching 👍
Well done nice to the old girl move under her own power looking forward to more episodes 😊
Thank you very much! Thanks for watching 👍
Well done for getting this far . Between work, sleep and family life you've done great . Can't wait to see it flying roun Gateshead in the near future . 😊😊
Thank you very much, appreciate it! Can't wait to be flying round Gateshead 😀 Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
My first car in 1983! In green, and I put the obligatory spotlights on front grille😂! loved it! Seem to recall non retractable seatbelts (the UK seatbelt law came in a month before my test) and the clutch and accelerator were linked somehow, if you pressed one then the other moved slightly! Great to see this video!
Ah very cool! I've got some spotlamps too! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
What a classic my dad had one in the 80s
Thank you! Your Dad had good taste! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Awesome video, popped up as recommended after I watched a Hubnut video. Going to go back and watch from the start. Love this sort of thing, nothing better than seeing the old girls awoken from their slumber to do what they were designed to. I always think that old abandoned cars get sad because they no longer work 🤣 It’s what keeps me going with keeping my 32yr old Mk3 Granada on the road. Keep up the good work 😎
Thank you very much! Appreciate your comments. Yes I agree entirely, nothing better than seeing a survivor back on the road. Love the Mk3 Granadas, my Dad had a couple. Lovely big, comfortable cruisers! Thanks for watching 👍
Great video - and great job too! I had had two of these back in the day, the saloon version and then the "Firenza" which I had from new and went on for years. Good basic cars that were well built for those times but had two faults I came across. Clutch peddles were prone to fail due to metal fatigue, and as were the frames on the front seats. Particularly the driver's one as it got more wear and even though I was far from being a heavy guy. Great seeing you bring one back to life, and it still looks in amazingly good nick, including underneath. Super job!
Thank you very much! Very cool! Love the firenzas. I've heard about both of those problems, I have another Viva and the seat has completely gone on it! Thanks for watching👍
I used to have a Viva, one of my favourites cars. Took it over the tank ranges of Salisbury Plain once.
Ah very cool, mine too! Thanks for watching 👍
When you decide to subscribe about 2 mins in to the first video you've watched on a channel... Anyhoo... the lump of wood on the clutch pedal is an upgraded stopper on a Viva, first time I saw it was on a Shuv-it back in the day.
😀 Thanks for the sub! Was it a custom upgrade though or one from the factory?🤣 Thanks for watching 👍
@@RetroRebuild defo a custom job... factory used an ill fitting carpet, as I remember... 🤣
🤣
I learnt to drive and passed my test in a Viva SL, purchased for £300. An excellent car to learn basic mechanical skills, non of these fancy computer modules. There was so much space around the 1256cc engine you could almost stand inside the bay and work on the engine. My brother had the Viva E which was the Ferenza (sp) body shell on a Viva chassis, but modified it by fitting a 2ltr Ford cortina engine and gearbox with twin webber carbs.... boy did it shift !
Very cool! 😀 Yes there is lots of space, I've stood in the engine bay working on it when the radiator was out 😀 The Viva E sounds, I bet it did shift! Thanks for watching👍
An old Vauxhall!I,m surprised it hadn't dissolved by now!
Nope, this ones a fighter! Thanks for watching 👍
Nice to see the old viva move. I had one back in 1988 sky blue HHL215N.
Very cool, nice colour! Thanks for watching 👍
Yesss, great to see the old girl moving under her own power, btw, the wood on the clutch pedal was an optional extra, but only for 1975 lol, great vid.
🤣 Thank you very much! Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Nice one mate, brilliant video :-) Gonna go back and watch what I've missed now lol
Thank you very much mate! Appreciate it. Thanks for watching👍
Absolutely fantastic to see it driving after all you've done. Best youtube channel by far mate.
Well done 👏 ✔️ 👍
Thank you very much mate, appreciate it! Thanks for continuing to watch my journey 👍
Always wanted to be a mechanic, but no patience, always seems a bolt that won't come off or go on. or drop on the floor.
Famous last words, 'you only clip this on '..3 hrs later .
So good on ya mate , well done.👍
Thank you very much! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Hi fantastic videos nice to see someone locally on RUclips
Thank you very much! Appreciate it. Thanks for watching 👍
Do you get into any welding I have a 1976 midget I'm doing busy trying to work out the best way to start the drivers side floor, spring hanger inner bulkhead and inner and outer sills lolso much for it doesn't need much work lol
No not yet, I plan to though 😀 Do you watch Trev's blog and Urchfab? Both brilliant fabricators and welders. You might pick up some tips from the restorations they have done. Good luck!! 👍
Used to have one of these in a field in Boro when we were 16 in the 1990s. Amazing car!
Ah brilliant! Sounds like great memories. Thanks for watching 👍
God that brings back memories, first car was a viva hc sl or slx I don't recall exactly,built one car out of two with my dad when i was 17,maroon with a vinyl roof, loved that old girl,stumbled across your channel and will be watching to see your progress, great to see one being brought back to life 🙂
ah brilliant! Sounds like a lovely colour combo 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Great work so far and good to see it move under its own power .
Thank you very much! I was well chuffed 😀 Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Ah brilliant. Won't be long before you're flying down the Coast Road for a trip to the seaside in her! I've got a battle ahead with mine to try and open the immobiliser solenoid on the fuel pump as it has just decided to stop working.
Thank you mate! Can't wait to go for a proper drive. Thanks for continuing to watch and good luck with your fuel pump! 👍
Great video. Ah, the dreaded top prop shaft bolt. Always took longer to do up than the other three put together! Incidentally, quite a few HC's still knocking about here in New Zealand. Loads of other classics too. Nothing rots here!
Thank you very much! Yes it was a bit of a pain to tighten up! Yes I've heard from a few people from New Zealand now about the Vivas over there. No rot sounds amazing! 😀 Thanks for watching👍
Great video, brilliant to see the old girl move again.
Thank you very much! Thanks for watching 👍
Brilliant to see her move under her own power, fantastic achievement. Well done Steve! 👌👌👌👍
Cheers Chris! I was well chuffed 😀 Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
God that took me back to some very happy memories,,,,the viva c was my very first car,,thankyou
You're welcome! Thanks for watching 👍
Hello I've recently been watching these videos and great progress on the Viva HC,I've just subbed to the channel,it's brilliant to see it running on its own power.
Thank you very much mate! Appreciate it, thanks for the sub! and thanks for watching 👍
So Many memories , served my time on old Vauxhall’s
Very cool! Thanks for watching 👍
It sits well, having survived for so long it deserves nothing but the best.
👍she'll be loved and driven. Thanks very much and thanks for watching 👍
Well done mate there is nothing better than like getting an old forgotten car up and running and driving I did a total engine rebuild on an old hillman avenger estate back in 1989 could only get cord piston rings at the time But ran so well and I had a grin on my face just like you did 😀 I also had a yellow 2 door viva but it was not as good as yours
Looking forward to seeing your first drive on the road
Thank you very much mate! I agree nothing better! Great memories. I love the Hillman Avengers too. Thanks for watching 👍
i had one of these as my first car many years ago, i purchased it second hand from a lady, the weird thig was this viva was painted red with a starsky and hutch black stripe down the sides, it had nice sporty alloys and the interior was also trimmed in red and black, it didnt look like something the lady would have done, it looked factory fitted..the engine was sporty and it sounded great.. i have never seen one like that since..
Sounds very cool! Would love to see a picture if you have any? My Dad and his brother did the Starsky and Hutch paint job on a Cortina back in the 70's 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
@@RetroRebuild I wish i had photos, especially as ive never seen one like it before or since, it was over 35 years ago i had it..one day it broke down and i just walked away from it, left it parked on a roadside,, i never heard anything from the police or the dvlc..shame as its probably worth all of about 50 quid these days lol.
Well done big man. Good luck with your youtube journey I think you will go far 👍
Thank you very much! Appreciate it. Thanks for watching 👍
That brings back memories. I used to love those Viva's. Shame they don't make cars that easy to work on anymore
Not as many about as there once was. Agree! Thanks for watching 👍
My father's one and only ever brand new car in the 70’s...broke down on the way from Manchester to London...all these years later, I now know how disappointed he must have been, it was gutting, the hard work it took to afford it must have broke his heart, it would have pissed me off big style!!! Thank you GMA 53OK...
Ah nightmare! I would have been gutted too! Its happened to me plenty of times but never in a brand new car 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Well done - what a thrill for you!
Thank you very much! I was well chuffed 😀 Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Back in around 1990 I saw one these with wider arches and alloys on it. It looked really nice 😊👍
Sounds very cool! 😀 Thanks for watching👍
Brilliant! My Dad had a Viva. He painted it white - with a brush! Always breaking down. Ha!
😀 My Dad also painted quite a few cars with a brush! Infact you've just reminded me of one that I will have to mention in a future video. Great memories! 🤣 Thanks for watching 👍
A great subject for restoration, in its day a worthy competitor to the Ford Escort and a nice drive.
Thank you very much! I agree! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
my first car in 1984 NZ was a HC viva couldn't kill it. even snapped clutch cable an still drove it home. always wanted a vauxall victor with 6cyl.
Ah great memories. Love the Victors, my favourites are the FD's. Thanks for watching 👍
SOF 873M... My first car, back in 1987; a polar white Viva 1256 HC. The wipers would move up the screen the faster you went, the chain fixed door mirros also fell off with the merest touch, and due my my abusive driving style; as with most newly passed hooligan drivers; it didn't survive much past six months, at which point the bottom nearside suspension unit collapsed; as must due to rust as my driivng; hence the scraping of what had been a fun car up until that point.
Ah great memories! Sounds a bit like my first car 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Another great vid there my friend. Excellent to see her move again. The end is in sight now, a decent service and a once over with T Cut you will be showing her off at the Classic Shows next spring. Seriously though, well done and keep chipping away at her.
Thank you very much mate! Can't wait to get her on the road and hopefully to a few shows. Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Love it, the noises take me back.
😀 Thank you very much! Thanks for watching 👍
Good job! I had a two door HC, went to France in it and the timing chain tensioner failed. Got a new(ish) tensioner and chain off an Opel Rekord in a local scrap yard, reset the timing with a piece of string, put in a tried and tested gasket from a Cornflakes box and did 1500 miles touring. I forgot all about it and never sorted it out properly. Absolutely no chance of doing anything like that on modern cars. More reliability, zero fun. Good days. Looking forward to seeing more.
Very cool, love a 2 door! Sounds like fun memories! Old school, simple engineering at its best! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
Awesome... 👍 My first car was an HC Viva. Still got the number plate, JGR 285N. Bought it for £25 from a mate, paid £10 for a gearbox from the local scrappers and ran it for 3 years before the rust got too much. 🖖
Ah cool first car! Great memories! Thanks for watching 👍
@@RetroRebuild The engine went into an HA van when the Viva died 😊 Keeping an eye on your resto project, have fun dude 👍
The Viva is still sounding rough at times but has every right to after 30 yrs. I think after a good service it will run like new.
I still need to tighten up the exhaust and sort the timing and do a bit of fettling. Thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Just came across your channel mate - I've naturally subscribed 👍🏻
Noticed you're a Gateshead lad also 💪🏻 boom 💥
Excellent! Hello neighbour 😀 Thank you very much, appreciate it! Notice your soundgarden pic - brilliant band, brilliant album👌 Thanks for watching 👍
@@RetroRebuild haha aye, top album from a top band!
All the best mate, have a nice weekend. Mick
@@superunknown8775 you too mate, take it easy 👍
Great job! I love the colour combination by the way, so 70s! 😁
Thank you very much! Appreciate it! Yes I love the colour too 😀 Thanks for watching 👍
She sounds good mate and it great to see her goin.
Thanks very much Mick, thanks for continuing to watch 👍
Nice one mate , great to see her moving under her own power,I was never in any doubt..! A set of 165-13 tyres on her then hopefully be on the long awaited first road trip..! (Great to see the indicator lense finally fitted by the way! ) 🤣🤣
In New Zealand 🇳🇿 original fitment for tyres after say 1975 would have been 155x13, the only exception would have been for Rostyles ( 175x13 ), typically for the UK's GLS, or New Zealands 🇳🇿 equivalent " Score Seven " 👌👍
My two ViVa HCs had 155/13 back in the day. No posh roof coverings just basic L model. Crossply I think.
@@paulhellawell5920 Both my Dads 1800 HC Auto 🚘 and my 1256 Magnum ( NZ assembled ) had 155x13 radials from New. Dads car 1976-1982, mine new in 77 owned 1983 till road worthy 1997.
My dad had a yellow 1975 viva , I remember going with him to pick it up from the showroom on the first August brand new 😊, if I remember correctly it was a 1.3 SL and the reg was HSP 607N, how’s that for memory 😂😂
Ah very cool, great memories (and you have a great memory! Its funny how some registrations stay with us! 😀 ) Thanks for watching! 👍
Very first far I ever owned the old m reg uuc 184m metallic gold great video thx some memories there bud
Thank you very much! Cool first car 😀 Thanks for watching 👍