Vauxhall

The Vauxhall Viva was launched in September 1963, just a year after Opel introduced the Kadett. While both cars were developed under the General Motors umbrella and shared the same platform and some engine components, they were not true sister models. Despite visual similarities, most parts were not interchangeable, and each car was engineered and built independently. The Viva was produced over three generations, evolving from a basic small saloon into a more refined compact car. It played a central role in Vauxhall’s line-up throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Importantly, the Viva was the last independently developed Vauxhall model. All subsequent cars bearing the Vauxhall badge were effectively rebadged Opels, marking the end of an era for Vauxhall as a distinct design and engineering operation.

The Vauxhall Viva HB was introduced in September 1966 as the second generation of the Viva range. It featured a significant size increase over its predecessor and adopted a more modern look with Coke bottle styling, in line with the design trends of the time. In 1967, the range was expanded with the addition of a station wagon and, for the first time, an automatic transmission option, broadening its appeal to a wider audience. 

1968

The Vauxhall Viva HC, the third and final generation of the Viva, was launched in 1970. While mechanically similar to its HB predecessor, the HC featured sharper, more modern styling and a noticeably roomier interior, addressing previous criticisms of space and practicality. Between 1973 and 1978, more luxurious and powerful variants were marketed under the Vauxhall Magnum name, offering larger engines and upgraded trim. Despite its ageing platform, the Viva HC remained popular throughout the 1970s. Production ended in 1979, when the Viva was replaced by the Vauxhall Astra, a badge-engineered version of the front-wheel-drive Opel Kadett D. With that, the Viva marked the end of the last British-designed Vauxhall - from then on, all Vauxhall models would be rebadged Opels.