Just as on the other side of the Channel or the North Sea, the M-word should not be discussed in public among classic lovers - we are talking about the Austin Metro, Maestro and Montego - the same target group on the Continent would rather not about the Vauxhall Viva…
More popular than the VW Beetle
Although it was a highly appreciated and popular vehicle worldwide that we will certainly come back to. The Vauxhall Viva has a number of interesting features. Thus, after the introduction in 1963, that car became the most imported vehicle in Canada in no time. Much more popular than the Volkswagen Beetle. In the second place was the Vauxhall Victor; only then the Beetle ... In the sixties, the Viva - a product of parent company General Motors - was assembled in different countries. For example in Denmark, (then West) Germany, New Zealand, Australia and even New Guinea! The Viva was available in many countries and received its own type designation there. In France the Viva was called 'Envoy', in Canada 'Epic' in Australia was not spoken of at all about Vauxhall because they were produced by another General Motors daughter and the car was called Holden Torana. The other models from Vauxhall, Firenza and Magnum had the same fate ...
Bob Marley
(Pop) stars like Bob Marley also moved into a Viva. His was cream-colored. Would that have led to his blockbusterLively Up Yourself '? And then we have Elvis Costello, because what do you think of his text dating from 1978? "I've been a bad boy with the standard leader. My neighbor's reving up his Vauxhall Viva. On the Beat, on the Upbeat" The late Formula 1 driver James Hunt was also closely involved in the publicity for the Viva in which shot up boy racers got the message to go to the dealer and then say "Tell them James Hunt sent You" Started in September 1963 stopped production in 1979. The Viva was available in various versions. Also as a closed order. The Viva saw the light of day again in 2015. A small hatchback built in Korea.