motorpunk Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 During my weekly battering at the village pub quiz (came last but one, seems the locals are all boffins), someone mentioned having a ‘73 Vauxhall Viva that an old chap put into a garage in ‘93 and hasn’t turned a wheel since. He’s passed away and the family want rid. No other pics or info, I’ll take a look in a couple of weeks. My first car was a Chevette, and I have a thing for stuff made in ‘72, so it sort of piqued my interest. But I have too many cars and a house move on the cards at some point. Is this worth the bother of digging it out and getting it sorted? I imagine even a good one isn’t worth much but I’d like to help if I can get another shite-box back in the road. Anyone? Cheers. PS - Capital of New South Wales? Answer was worth £4, which doesn’t even cover the price of a good pint anymore… warren t claim, BlankFrank, Barry Cade and 10 others 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sham Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 New Swansea? I'd say saving any car that can be saved is worth it. I've not seen a Viva in a long time. Shite Ron, Dyslexic Viking, Cavcraft and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warren t claim Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Well you're having more luck than I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyarddog Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 L Like everything of that era,if it's not rotten then the mechanical side of things are easy. I like the Viva,probably a better car than it's rival the Mk1/2 Escort,but worth a pittance in comparison. I have 3 of the things,a '79 saloon rescued from a scrapyard in '92,was to be my first car,but didn't actually make it onto the road until 2003🙄 A '75 saloon,that was an amalgamation of a spares car I had and another car picked up from a mate that actually turned out to have previously belonged to @Datsuncog from these hallowed pages. '78 1300 L estate,another scrapyard refuge. They are starting to creep up in value as Escorts become more and more expensive. I guess it all boils down to,do you actually want it? AnnoyingPentium, sdkrc, danthecapriman and 14 others 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorpunk Posted October 23, 2022 Author Share Posted October 23, 2022 Thanks ‘dog. I’m not exactly smitten with ‘em, sadly, and am not the sort inclined to flip old stuff for profit. I might take a look anyway, and if anyone on here likes the idea I’ll put them in touch with the owner. bunglebus, chaseracer, Erebus and 5 others 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warren t claim Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 What engine does it have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabergé Greggs Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Does it happen to be an estate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HillmanImp Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Yeah, its an if its rotten or not thang isn't it. If it needs some mechanical fettling its fine. If its a weldathon its a different story. Six-cylinder 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorpunk Posted October 23, 2022 Author Share Posted October 23, 2022 8 minutes ago, warren t claim said: What engine does it have? Dunno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorpunk Posted October 23, 2022 Author Share Posted October 23, 2022 4 minutes ago, Fabergé Greggs said: Does it happen to be an estate? Dunno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 I hope it's a magnum. eddyramrod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradders59 Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 1256 HC I would imagine. Cavcraft 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 From that description one would expect a gold HC with a crunchy black vinyl roof and hammerite accents around the lower 6". It could also end up being a four door Nova, a crash damaged Mk5 Cortina, or a Silver Cross pram and four mouldering cardboard boxes containing the full collection of Woman's Weekly 1978-1992 with a pink quilted sateen blanket thrown over it. You'll never know until you go and have a look. It's like doing the lottery without having to pay for a ticket first. AnthonyG, Twiggy, somewhatfoolish and 18 others 7 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyG Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 If it’s definitely a 1973 Viva it will be a 1256. Bigger engines (1800 & 2300) were in the Magnums, and they didn’t drop that name until 76 or so. If it has been in a dry garage it could well be a good project. If it has been in a damp garage it will likely be parts only. Mechanicals for Vivas are simple, it will be the condition of the bodywork that’s key. Missing trim would be a pain but it doesn’t sound like it’s been mucked around with, could be some great giffer trinkets and mods inside. 20 years old - about twice as long as the average Viva lifetime - when parked up so bear in mind it may well have been damn rough even then! RichardK and motorpunk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garbaldy Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 If it's a two door its worth a bit more that you might think as they have surged in price. danthecapriman, Dyslexic Viking, privatewire and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobloseven Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 You're motoring writer. There's a story. What's not to like? Rescuing a 50 year old Vauxhall is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. Be gentle, make sure her openings are well lubricated before attempting entry......... Seriously, is it in Leicestershire? Matty and eddyramrod 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutty2006 Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 Do it. get it bought. get it saved. otherwise someone else on here will have to. Plenty of old Vauxhall lickers on here. …….oh wait hang on a min AnnoyingPentium, eddyramrod, Matty and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyberg Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 If all else fails, Jonny Smith may be interested for a video?? Ghosty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIsleofShite Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 Is that even a question, of course it is. Get it bought! motorpunk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobloseven Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 A long while ago an old boy I know paid well over 3k for a tidy one to take to shows etc. Just a 1256 one as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisbon_road Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 They are going up in value a bit. They're also sought after for modifications as there is so much space under the bonnet. Even a rotten one is saleable now, though not for Escort values as everyone has said. I have had mine since 1984 .... still have a few spare parts if you need anything. They are odd cars really, didn't go as rusty as Escorts/1100s/etc as Vauxhall were making an effort to shed their image in the 50s, but the engines are pretty dire really, though the 'box is nice and positive. Engines just didn't seem as dependable as some of the competition. If it has been stored that long, the rust will be all about how dry the garage is anyway. Saw a Viva modified with a small Datsun engine, 1.5 litre, OHC with a five speed box. I'm not much of a one for modifying cars but that's the car they should have made. goosey, lesapandre and motorpunk 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorpunk Posted October 24, 2022 Author Share Posted October 24, 2022 1 hour ago, Dobloseven said: You're motoring writer. There's a story. What's not to like? Rescuing a 50 year old Vauxhall is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. Be gentle, make sure her openings are well lubricated before attempting entry......... Seriously, is it in Leicestershire? What's not to like is rust and an earful off the GF when I've got 3 cars on the go already and we just looked at moving house to a place with only on-street parking... I just don't like the idea of something 'seventies and uncool being sat unloved. A bit like me before I met the GF. And me again if I buy a hopeless Vauxhall. Yup. I think I've mentioned to you where I live, it's in a garage behind the cottages opposite the pub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDorson Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 It's got to be worth a look if nothing else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsuncog Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 I loved my '73 Viva. If you do go to view it, and you pull open the garage to reveal something like this inside... ...would you feel crushed with disappointment? (Note: @vulgalour spec gold paint, black vinyl roof and pink sateen blanket present and correct) I don't get the 'uncool' label, I think these look awesome. I still love the rear light treatment on these; such a simple and stylish design. Letting mine go remains one of the biggest regrets of my life. They were worthless in the mid-2000s for reasons I still can't fathom- which led to this one becoming neglected and ultimately parted out after leaving my ownership, as mentioned upthread - but that's not really the case anymore. So you won't get an unbiased opinion from me, but I'd say it's well worth a look and posting a few pics up here - and maybe someone else will ride to its rescue? drum, lisbon_road, sutty2006 and 11 others 13 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobloseven Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 47 minutes ago, motorpunk said: What's not to like is rust and an earful off the GF when I've got 3 cars on the go already and we just looked at moving house to a place with only on-street parking... I just don't like the idea of something 'seventies and uncool being sat unloved. A bit like me before I met the GF. And me again if I buy a hopeless Vauxhall. Yup. I think I've mentioned to you where I live, it's in a garage behind the cottages opposite the pub. I've heard you mention Barkby. And posted a picture of the white HA van that stood outside for many years. motorpunk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dozeydustman Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 Have a look at least @motorpunk. There will be a member on here more willing to do it if you aren’t. Even of you store it for a few weeks or months and pass it on at what you have paid you’ll have saved a rarer car than the equivalent Ford. I’d love an HB or HC but I have nowhere to store one and I’m saving for a mortgage. I echo others words about rust and rot being the dealbreaker. motorpunk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorpunk Posted October 24, 2022 Author Share Posted October 24, 2022 11 minutes ago, Dobloseven said: I've heard you mention Barkby. And posted a picture of the white HA van that stood outside for many years. Not a million miles from there 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorpunk Posted October 24, 2022 Author Share Posted October 24, 2022 5 minutes ago, dozeydustman said: Have a look at least @motorpunk. There will be a member on here more willing to do it if you aren’t. Even of you store it for a few weeks or months and pass it on at what you have paid you’ll have saved a rarer car than the equivalent Ford. I’d love an HB or HC but I have nowhere to store one and I’m saving for a mortgage. I echo others words about rust and rot being the dealbreaker. Thanks, I think the best action is that I take a look, post some pics, and then see if someone else wants to take it on. I’m away for a few weeks now but I doubt it’s going anywhere… dozeydustman, wesacosa, chaseracer and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaughant Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 12 hours ago, Sham said: New Swansea? I'd say saving any car that can be saved is worth it. I've not seen a Viva in a long time. Should be after breaking a new record and beating 20th placed "New Cardiff" again 😂😂😂. Sydney apparently? There's a Swansea in Australia and one in the USA as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisItalSLX Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 13 hours ago, motorpunk said: PS - Capital of New South Wales? Answer was worth £4, which doesn’t even cover the price of a good pint anymore… Cough, Sydney, Cough. Also, GIB FFS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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