HB GT OR ESTATE NEEDED OR BIG ENGINED HC.

[AUTOMAN]

Do you own or have access to an HB GT or Estate. We are also looking for a big engined HC. The cars must have been built at Luton. The VBOA are putting on a special dissplay at the Billing 2007 event and are looking for an example of every car that was built there. The car will be needed for the 2 days of the event and guarded by a security person and a dog at night. The more orriginal the bas the better.

Please help the clubs prominance by letting your car be used.

Thank you.

Ian
AUTOMAN.
VVOC CHAIRMAN.

[MattHC1600SL]

Luton? Surely all the Vivas were built at Ellesmere?

[ADRIAN]

Luton tended to make the big saloons, Victor/Cresta / Velox etc.
For logistical reasons, they also made the following Viva' s

Early Viva HA, Luton started making them in 1962 to around the end of 1963, because the Ellesmere Port factory wasn't fully production ready. Later, the HA bodyshells were transported by train to Ellesmere Port for fitting out, until they could start to make the bodyshells themselves and start to make complete cars from 1964 onwards.

ALL Vivas HB Estates were made at LUTON. That's every single model of HB estate produced.

All HB saloon bodyshells were made at Ellesmere Port.

Early Viva HB 1600's bodies made at Ellesmere Port, then shipped down to Luton for OHC running gear to be fitted. Later, from 1969 onwards, all 1600's came from Ellesmere Port.

Early Mk1 Viva GT (The ones with Matt black bonnets), - the saloon bodies for these were made at Luton because the modified Victor OHC running gear was to be fitted.
Later, from around 1969 onwards, all MK 2 Viva GTs were made at Ellesmere Port, because the OHC running gear was shipped up there from Luton.

ALL Viva HC models, including all the Estates, were made at Ellesmere Port, that's every model in every flavour and engine size. Inc Magnum / Firenza. Luton just made the running gear for the OHC 's, these were sent up to Ellesmere for fitting.

So the only Viva's made at Luton were - . Early HA HB Estates Viva GT (Mk1)
And that's all.

Adrian

[MattHC1600SL]

Didnt know that. I though all the Vivas were made at Ellesmere. Finding a Luton made HC might be tricky though?

[pbottomley]

Yep, the fun of finding a Luton car will be a game in itself, let alone a near mint one.... we have a few months yet, so no need to worry just yet.

[AUTOMAN]

Production Line C at Luton. This is a picture of the finishing shop where you can clearly see the viva HC's on the line.


copyright Vauxhall Heratige

Ian.
AUTOMAN.

[MattHC1600SL]

Explanation please Adrian? Could it possibly be a posed publicity shot? I am sure all the HC's were made at Ellesmere. That shot has be to be after 1972 as thats when the FE Victor came out, so the HC's being pre-production prototypes seems unlikely?

[ADRIAN]

Yes, apparently Luton handled approximately 20 % of the total Viva HC production. Could it be that these were the special orders and / or overseas cars. I know that Ellesmere tended to do the cars for Export because of the access to the docks.
Luton built Viva HC's had a "Y" in the chassis number, Ellesmere Port had an "X", so this may help us to find a Luton car.

Looks like I will have to read up thought the many books again, as my memory must be getting blured!
Adrian HB1

[MAGNUM 2300]

Well, my Magnum is an ELLESMERE PORT assembled piece. Also my junk-Magnum came from the same place. Both X'es...

But I'd love to come to Billing if I'll find time and money... just for the beer..

[bulldog]

so that means that viva that is for free is made at Luton. my 72 firenza has a v in it my 73 firenza has a x in it. not looked at my viva yet