Full Description
SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED
A delightful Vauxhall Viva HB Super Luxury with just 11,869 miles from new.
EQUIPMENT
Triple-Nickel chrome bumpers, chrome window trim, opening ventipanes, front door courtesy switches, dash-top ashtray, rear ashtrays, aluminium kick plates, deep-cowled safety padded facia, full-width parcel shelf, adjustable face-level ventilation, heater with two speed fan, screen wash, headlamp flasher, oil pressure warning light. Super Luxury additional equipment; Super Luxury badges, distinctly different grille, coachline, additional brightwork, wheel embellishers, extensive sound insulation, Pleated Ambla Upholstery, wood-grained fascia inlays, temperature gauge, lockable glovebox. Factory options; Borg-Warner Model 35 automatic transmission. Dealer fitted options; Chrome door mirrors, locking fuel cap, underseal.
EXTERIOR
This wonderful top of the range Super Luxury model Viva HB is finished in the original colour of Grecian White, (Code 1WH). The paint finish is superb with only minor blemishes visible to the close scrutineer. All factory panels are straight and free from damage and signs of repair, a result of the very low mileage and dry storage. Trim sections including the optional door mirrors and SL badging to the wings and boot lid are fully intact. The chrome bumpers and trim are bright with only faint pitting visible, and the rubbers to the front and rear screens show signs of age. Further Super Luxury features such as the distinctly different grille and single coachline have been retained exactly as Vauxhall intended. Original black and white pressed steel plates remain fitted along with a Vauxhall Viva Owners Club sticker. A rare surviving and unmolested example, presented in beautiful condition.
INTERIOR
The factory original interior in this top of the range for luxury example is 100% original and just as it left the assembly line at Ellesmere Port. Unique to the Super Luxury model, the Pleated Ambla upholstery in Casino Red, (Code 1R2), adorns the special moulded front and rear seats. The fabric is in excellent condition and serves as a true reflection of the genuine low mileage. Only a tiny repair to the driver’s seat back is visible to an otherwise flawless trim. The matching full door cards are perfect, and the deep-cowled fascia and original switchgear are virtually as new with only slight aging to the chrome instrument binnacle bezel. The headlining is fully intact and the Casino Red carpeting shows only very minor wear. A beautifully preserved classic Vauxhall Viva interior, worthy of the term ‘timewarp’.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
A 4 cylinder 1159cc engine producing 56.2bhp at 5400rpm hums along perfectly having covered such few miles. A very clean engine bay displays wonderful originality in the form of the original Vauxhall lubrication and period Castrol stickers as well as the Vauxhall Motors British Standard build plate. The factory optional Borg-Warner Model 35 automatic transmission with Lock Up function for low range operates exactly as it should to offer relaxed driving. Marvellous.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Pressed steel wheels fitted with tri-nickel chrome plated steel hubcaps and Super Luxury embellishers show only tiny markings. Matching branded 155/80 R12 tyres have masses of tread remaining. Hydraulic 8 inch drum brakes all round with two leading shoes at the front offer adequate stopping power.
HISTORY FILE
Supplied new by Vauxhall agents, Skurray’s Ltd of Swindon, this rare-surviving pre-facelift example was first registered on the 1st December 1967. A new car order form and order confirmation letter in the history file is made out to first owner to Mrs M Knapp, and the price new was £814, 6S and 12D including £83, 11S and 8D for the optional automatic gearbox! Incredibly, even the original factory build sheet has been kept confirming the vehicle identification, body type, model, options and colour trim and codes! The huge and simply amazing history file even includes the original service booklet in the nearside inner footwell holder and dealer supplied Skurray’s tax disc holder as well as insurance certificates from when the car was brand new in 1967. In 1987 the car was put into dry storage having covered just 10,744 miles where it stayed for 22 years. In 2009 the car was discovered where it’s amazing originality and preserved state were quickly realised. Recommissioning work along with sympathetic paintwork rectification was carried out, all documented in the comprehensive history file. Furthermore, there is a huge collection of invoices, MOT’s certificates and even a maintenance log kept by previous owners. All handbooks, guides and even original sales brochures have been kept.
In May 2017 the car was auctioned by Historics at Brooklands where it sold for £4,928 including fees to a Mr Nigel Shepherd, an avid classic car enthusiast. Mr Shepherd, an existing customer of KGF Classic Cars, immediately spent a further £1,063.48 on a full tune-up and fuel system overhaul with supporting invoice in the history file. The decision to part with the Viva occurred only when KGF Classic Cars listed a low mileage MGTF, a car Mr Shepherd had been searching for some time. The next lucky custodian will certainly benefit and become the proud owner of one of the best HB Viva’s in existence.
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