The Vauxhall Viva HB, produced between 1968 and 1969, represented a significant update to the original Viva, which had debuted in 1963. Positioned as a small family car in the United Kingdom, the Viva HB aimed to provide affordable and practical transportation for the burgeoning post-war British population. It was a direct competitor to vehicles like the Ford Anglia and Morris Minor, offering a blend of compact dimensions, reasonable performance, and a relatively modern design for its time. While not officially sold in the United States, understanding the Viva HB provides insight into the British automotive landscape of the late 1960s and the evolution of small, economical cars.
Vauxhall Viva HB 1.2: A Detailed Overview
The Viva HB was more than just a facelift of the original Viva; it incorporated substantial mechanical improvements and styling changes. The most notable update was the introduction of a larger 1.2-liter engine, replacing the earlier 1.1-liter unit. This increase in displacement resulted in a modest power increase, improving the car’s overall drivability. The HB also featured improved suspension and braking systems, enhancing both comfort and safety. Available in both two-door and four-door body styles, the Viva HB catered to a wider range of customer needs.
Engine & Performance
The heart of the Vauxhall Viva HB 1.2 was its 1159 cc (70.73 cubic inches) inline-four cylinder engine. This engine produced 70 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 93 Nm (68.59 lb-ft) of torque at 4200 rpm. While these figures may seem modest by modern standards, they were competitive for a small car of its era. The engine utilized a single carburetor for fuel delivery and featured a compression ratio of 8.5:1. The power-to-weight ratio of 12.7 kg/Hp (78.9 Hp/tonne) and torque-to-weight ratio of 9.5 kg/Nm (104.8 Nm/tonne) provided adequate performance for everyday driving. The engine was naturally aspirated, meaning it did not employ forced induction like a turbocharger or supercharger. The drivetrain consisted of a rear-wheel drive configuration coupled with a four-speed manual transmission. Engine oil capacity was 2.8 liters (2.96 US qt / 2.46 UK qt), and the cooling system required 6.5 liters (6.87 US qt / 5.72 UK qt) of coolant.
Design & Features
The Vauxhall Viva HB was a traditional sedan, characterized by its boxy shape and relatively simple lines. The two-door and four-door versions offered varying levels of practicality. The four-door model, naturally, provided easier access to the rear seats, making it more suitable for families. The interior was functional and spartan, reflecting the car’s affordable price point. Features were limited by the standards of the time, but typically included basic instrumentation, vinyl upholstery, and manually operated windows. Safety features were also rudimentary, consisting primarily of basic seatbelts. The car’s design prioritized practicality and affordability over luxury or advanced features. The Viva HB’s dimensions were 4094 mm (161.18 in) in length, 1600 mm (62.99 in) in width, and 1338 mm (52.68 in) in height, with a wheelbase of 2433 mm (95.79 in). The front and rear track measured 1295 mm (50.98 in). The minimum turning circle was 9.7 meters (31.82 ft).
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Vauxhall |
| Model | Viva |
| Generation | Viva HB |
| Type (Engine) | 1.2 (70 Hp) |
| Start of production | 1968 |
| End of production | 1969 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Sedan |
| Seats | 4 |
| Doors | 2-4 |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 12.7 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 9.5 kg/Nm |
| Power | 70 Hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Power per litre | 60.4 Hp/l |
| Torque | 93 Nm @ 4200 rpm |
| Torque (lb.-ft.) | 68.59 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm |
| Engine displacement | 1159 cm3 |
| Engine displacement (cu. in.) | 70.73 cu. in. |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 77.7 mm |
| Cylinder Bore (in.) | 3.06 in. |
| Piston Stroke | 61 mm |
| Piston Stroke (in.) | 2.4 in. |
| Compression ratio | 8.5:1 |
| Fuel injection system | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Engine oil capacity | 2.8 l |
| Engine oil capacity (US qt) | 2.96 US qt |
| Engine oil capacity (UK qt) | 2.46 UK qt |
| Coolant | 6.5 l |
| Coolant (US qt) | 6.87 US qt |
| Coolant (UK qt) | 5.72 UK qt |
| Kerb Weight | 887-949 kg |
| Kerb Weight (lbs.) | 1955.5 – 2092.19 lbs. |
| Max. weight | 1148 kg |
| Max. weight (lbs.) | 2530.91 lbs. |
| Max load | 199-261 kg |
| Max load (lbs.) | 438.72 – 575.41 lbs. |
| Fuel tank capacity | 36 l |
| Fuel tank capacity (US gal) | 9.51 US gal |
| Fuel tank capacity (UK gal) | 7.92 UK gal |
| Length | 4094 mm |
| Length (in.) | 161.18 in. |
| Width | 1600 mm |
| Width (in.) | 62.99 in. |
| Height | 1338 mm |
| Height (in.) | 52.68 in. |
| Wheelbase | 2433 mm |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 95.79 in. |
| Front track | 1295 mm |
| Front track (in.) | 50.98 in. |
| Rear track | 1295 mm |
| Rear track (in.) | 50.98 in. |
| Minimum turning circle | 9.7 m |
| Minimum turning circle (ft.) | 31.82 ft. |
| Drivetrain Architecture | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Gearbox type | Manual transmission |
| Wheel rims size | 4J x 12 |
The Vauxhall Viva HB, while a relatively simple car, played an important role in providing affordable transportation to a wide segment of the British population. Its improvements over the original Viva, particularly the larger engine and enhanced mechanical components, made it a more refined and practical vehicle. Though never sold in the US market, it represents a significant chapter in the history of British automotive manufacturing and the evolution of the small family car.
