Lot Ended
Description
Only 38,700 miles indicated; just one owner from 1984 - 2017; recent
brake overhaul and unleaded head; fabulous condition; time warp interior; find a
better one!
Launched in
1963, the Viva marked Vauxhall’s first step to cash in on the small family car
market that was being dominated by rivals like the Ford Anglia, Morris Minor and
Austin 1100.
Virtually identical to the two-door Opel Kadett that parent
company General Motors had launched in Europe the year before, the Viva radiated
crisp Continental modernity, shunning the bulbous lines of its competitors in
favour of a straight-edged box on wheels approach.
This no-nonsense spirit paid off in spades and the Viva sold
like hot cakes, being one of the first cars actively marketed towards women, the
ads emphasising how light and easy it was to drive with good all-round
visibility.
With a modest 1,057cc engine it was
never going to win any drag races, but that was hardly the point. Its beauty lay
in its simplicity and reliability. It had a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox
that was a joy to use, rack-and-pinion steering that made it pleasingly nimble,
and a turning circle so tight you could park it on a postage stamp. Around
310,000 were sold before it was replaced by the larger ‘coke bottle’ styled HB
in 1966.
First registered in West Sussex in June 1965, this fabulous Viva
Deluxe sadly comes with precious little history but from 1984 – 2017 it was
owned by a Mr J Potter of Bognor Regis who clearly loved it to bits, judging by
the wonderful condition. It shows only 37,861 miles on the clock which could
well be correct if the time warp interior is anything to go by. Old MOTs show
that it has only covered 1,800 miles since 2006.
Being a Deluxe model, it has chrome side stripes and a more plush
interior with a padded dash, more comfortable seats, carpets in place of rubber
mats, extra sound proofing, a passenger sun visor, hinged rear quarter lights,
armrests on the doors, a screen washer and, most important for the UK market, a
heater. It also has the optional servo-assisted front disc
brakes.
Our vendor acquired the car from Mr
Potter’s son to join his collection of fine cars in January 2018, mainly because
of the condition but also because it was first registered just 7 days before he
was born.
During our vendor’s 7-year ownership it
has been treated to hardened valve seats to make it suitable for unleaded fuel
and a full brake overhaul including new front brake calipers and pads and new
rear wheel cylinders.
Finished in what looks like
a fairly fresh coat of Pacific Blue with a matching Meteor Blue interior, we are
told that it drives as well as it looks and it has certainly been starting
promptly and running very sweetly indeed as we have moved it around on site.
Although it no longer needs one, it has an MOT until February 2026 with
no advisories recorded. It also comes with a nice selection of period literature including a handbook, two maintenance
manuals, an original Viva sales brochure and what looks like the original
factory paint finish inspection sheet.
Surely one of the finest
examples surviving, this charming little Vauxhall has oodles of no-frills
Sixties style and would sit well in any collection. We love it
and we are sure you will too so make sure you come and see
it!
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com