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Sometimes age catches up with even the most alert of classic enthusiasts – not least the fact that on the 1^st October the Vauxhall Viva HC celebrates its 50^th birthday. Firstly, it does not look half-a-century old as its clean lines are far less “1970s” than its contemporary, the Ford Cortina Mk. III. And secondly, many of us literally grew up with such a vehicle.

The HC’s smart but not flamboyant mid-Atlantic appearance was a result of Canada representing one of Vauxhall’s main export territories. The company advised its dealers to cite ‘Plumaflex front seating’ and the ’20 cu ft. boot’ as significant features, but the new Viva’s looks alone represented a selling point. Luton announced that here was ‘the car we beat around…to beat any car around’ – i.e. it was the first Vauxhall to have been tested at the Millbrook Proving Ground.

The original line-up consisted of the two-door “Standard” while the De Luxe - the Viva that ‘really shows what the good life is all about’ – boasted a heater, rear ashtrays and a lid for the glove compartment. It is important to remember that such items represented high-living, early 1970s Fareham style. The latter trim level was also available in four-door guise, for Laurence Harvey-style ‘Room at the top’, or as an extremely handsome three-door fastback estate.

Meanwhile, the SL featured the “90” version of the familiar 1,159cc engine and front disc brakes. Equally importantly, it offered ‘opulence that is hard to beat’ with its Ambla upholstery, fitted carpets, a boot lamp and a water temperature gauge. Many potential owners were further tempted by the option of the 1.6-litre OHC unit, to make your Viva better suited to motorway work. As for the double coachline and the wheel trims, these were further proof that Vauxhall would not ‘let you forget for a minute what luxury is‘.

Naturally, your local dealer would offer a list of accessories to make a) your HC even more desirable and b) enhance your image at the Angus Steakhouse. Admittedly some of the items did highlight the Viva’s quite limited specification – an ‘Anti-Dazzle’ mirror for £1 8s or a petrol cap lock for £1 12s 6d. However, a vinyl roof kit for a very reasonable £9 would transform your De Luxe saloon into a miniature Pontiac, albeit from a distance. In the fog. In mid-October.

Luton, with their usual grasp of PR, arranged for a silver two-door SL to guest-star in Jason King, although the fact the same car surfaced in Hong Kong and Turkish-set episodes gave the impression of it chasing Peter Wyngarde across the globe. Motor regarded their test De Luxe as ‘no innovator, either in engineering or appearance’ but ‘pleasant and practical family transport with few basic faults apart from its indifferent performance’.

1971 saw the same title evaluate the 1600 SL four-door, priced at £1,108.10 in the new decimal coinage, opposite the Citroen GS, the Hillman Avenger GT, the Morris Marina 1.8 TC Coupe and the Opel Ascona 1.6. Here, the scribe complained that the Viva was not only ‘almost the slowest’ of the quintet but also featured ‘the poorest road holding’. Autocar found the same HC ‘a quiet, comfortable, and well-finished car’ but grumbled about 85.7 mph top speed.

However, Vauxhall was to progressively improve the Viva with a quite mind-bending choice of engine and bodyshells. We will speak later of the Firenza and the Magnum but for now, here is one of the best-remembered Viva commercials. After all, if it was good enough for James Hunt -

Why choose Lancaster Insurance?

Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.

We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the country and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.

Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:

• Historic rally cover
• Static show cover
• Limited mileage discounts
• Choice of repairer
• 24-hour claims helpline

Give your classic the protection it deserves and get a quote for your Vauxhall today.