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1970 Vauxhall Viva
1992 to 2000 and 2001 to 2002
I purchased the Viva as a long-term project for both me and my son Jonathan.
He was only 10 at the time and very keen, my thinking was that it would be
ready for his eighteenth birthday. It would take that long because the Victor
conversion was running at the same time.
During the initial restoration we decided it would be a great idea to alter it into
a convertible, using the experience I had gained with the F Type Victor.
After measuring every medium sized convertible around, the Escort MK3/4
would be the ideal donor. It was the right size and just as important, had the
perfect shaped hood.
I fabricated a box chassis and this time welded to the floor. It started in the
boot and on to the front wheel arch, up the ‘A’ post and under the dash to
eliminate scuttle shake. After removing the Viva roof the Escort ‘unit’ that
included inner rear quarter panels, parcel shelf, roll bar and front rail was
positioned and welded into the Viva.
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All the white bits are from the Escort, the Viva floor was already strong so only a small box section was used |
To test the strength of the finished shell my friend Brian who weighs in excess
of 18 stone stood in the middle of the floor and bounced up and down with
great enthusiasm, there was no movement (apart from his belly!) and to this day
the measurements we took at that time are still spot on.
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The roll-over bar extends right down and is welded to the inner sill |
We used the 2.2 Carlton engine and gearbox I took out of the Victor, back axle
from a Manta (another mistake), seats from a Calibra and a bespoke interior.
New mohair hood with charcoal headlining and she was ready more or less in time
for Jonathan's eighteenth
He drove her around for about a year but always complained about the lack of
performance and noisy axle. So fresh from the success from the Victor conversion,
I decided to do the same with the Viva. So as not to worry Jonathan while he
was studying at university, I did the major structural work while he was away.
Unlike the Victor, because the Viva had my secondary chassis, I only replaced
the front half of the floor that included the bulkhead and inner wings. This time
a MK3 Astra would be the donor car. Extra care had to be taken in ensuring it
was welded in straight, and knowing it would be driven by my flesh and blood,
I wanted it to handle and drive perfect.
We used a low mileage Astra 1.8 16v engine and gearbox, along with a
Citroen Saxo P.A.S pump hooked upto the Astra rack and Cavalier rear beam
and disc brakes, with uprated front and rear suspension and she was ready.
Her first meaningful trip was to Bristol (300 mile round trip) to get a bespoke
stainless steel exhaust fitted. We needn’t have worried; the journey was hassle
free and she handled great.
In 2006 Jonathan decided he wanted more power, so he sourced a 10,000 mile
Vauxhall recon 2.0 16v ‘red top’ with loom. This also has high lift cams and a
chipped ECU, about 170 BHP. I managed to find a brand new F20 5 speed
gearbox, and had a radiator made to fit under the landing panel and
the latest conversion was complete.
It’s now very quick and with brakes and handling to match.
specifications
Engine: Modern fuel injected 2.0 litre 16 valve C20XE “red top” engine.
The engine has had high lift cams fitted, has a K&N filter, has been de-cat’d,
and has had the power steering pulley removed. Never dyno’d, but should
be between 165-170bhp. Runs on normal unleaded petrol.
Gearbox: New F20 5-speed manual
Exhaust: Professionally made custom stainless steel exhaust system running
from the standard C20XE 4-2-1 stainless steel manifold.
Steering: Hydraulic power steering using a brand new Astra Mk3 steering
rack and a Citroen Saxo electric power steering pump (works superbly).
Suspension: Astra Mk3 rear beam with Manta coil springs and shocks.
Astra Mk3 front McPherson struts with upgraded coil springs and Koni
adjustable dampers. The “track” of this car is a lot wider than
a standard Viva, providing better handling.
Brakes: Front (ventilated) and rear disc brakes. Duel circuit braking system
fitted for safety.
Wheels: 16” 8-spoke alloy wheels fitted with low profile tyres.
Body: fully restored and heavily customised, finished in Nightfire Red Metallic.
Converted into a cabriolet based on a Mk3 Escort hood mechanism and roll cage.
A second chassis was welded (full length) into the car to strengthen
the shell (this car does not suffer from any body flex).
Converted to front wheel drive using the front chassis of a Mk3 Astra, including
the bulk head, strut towers and H-Frame.
All body modifications, such as flared wheel arches, are constructed from metal.
Hood: Professionally fitted Mohair hood. Manual operation.
This is a cabriolet so has a internal headlining and insulation built into the hood.
Interior: Honda accord front and rear seats (The front seats are Recaro sport
line buckets, offering excellent levels of support and comfort.
Momo steering wheel fitted. Modern Cavalier dials fitted into the original Viva dashboard.
Fully custom made door cards and centre console. Electric front windows.
Ice: 4x50 watt Sony CD head unit with 2-way Infinity speakers front and rear.
Cat 1 Sigma Alarm system.
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