The Car PartJun 14, 2023
David Wilkins
Today, we move on to the third generation of the #Vauxhall Viva, the HC, the best indirect evidence that yesterday’s #Opel Ascona was originally intended to be the third-generation Kadett. The first two Kadett and Viva generations moved closely in step in terms of model cycles and general dimensions. The Ascona and the Viva HC both appeared in 1970, and are almost exactly the same size. Conclusion: Ascona is probably the lost Kadett. Pic: #BritishMotorMuseum #WeirdCarMastodon #davidsdailycar
Jun 14, 2023 at 8:15amWeb
Show threadDamien ScullyJun 14, 2023
@davidwilkins if that registration plate is correct it looks like the Viva HC was still around in 1979, quite the sales lifespan.
Show threadDavid WilkinsJun 14, 2023

@DazzlingDamo According to Wikipedia, 1979 was its last year.

BTW this superb example of a rare Viva E Coupé featured in the Wikipedia article belongs to a friend of mine and I’ve seen it in the metal a few times - it’s a very pampered car!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vauxhall_Viva#/media/File:1975_Vauxhall_Viva_E_1.3_Front.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vauxhall_Viva#/media/File:1975_Vauxhall_Viva_E_1.3_Rear.jpg

Vauxhall Viva - Wikipedia

Show threadCrazyMyraJun 14, 2023
@davidwilkins
My first car - was a 1972 model, I think, but only got in 1980 or so. Called the Chev Firenza in South Africa
(Sorry, don't have another pic of the car without people.)
Show threadDavid WilkinsJun 14, 2023
@OutOnTheMoors Interesting - SA models are a whole other interesting subject.
Show threadCrazyMyraJun 14, 2023
@davidwilkins Politics had an interesting side-effect. Although most models were based on the European/UK/Aussie designs, there was a market for the really big US-style models too. These were used as taxis in communities where few people had cars and public transport was poor. They only went out of fashion when minibuses became popular (and legal as taxis).
Show threadDavid WilkinsJun 14, 2023
@OutOnTheMoors My 2019 Mercedes C-Class is a South African built car according to the VIN number. The SA-built cars actually seem to have a good rep in Mercedes circles.