8 replies to this topic

[EJI]

In looking around at some of the rarer saloon cars raced in the 1960's I wondered

if anyone had any recollections of the humble Vauxhall Viva HA being entered in

any UK races?

I am aware that some raced at Bathurst.

[Lee Nicolle]

And one 'fell over' at Bathurst with the roof collapsing sideways. Usually on memory footage from Bathurst.

[Tim Murray]

Alan Wright used to race one:

Alan Wright - Vauxhall Viva saloon

[doc knutsen]

In looking around at some of the rarer saloon cars raced in the 1960's I wondered

if anyone had any recollections of the humble Vauxhall Viva HA being entered in

any UK races?

I am aware that some raced at Bathurst.

There was a blue one raced in special saloons in the late Seventies or early Eighties. It was featured in Cars & Car Conversions magazine. Much modified, right enough, but still clearly recognizable as a Viva.

Incidentally, front brake discs from the Viva were homologated for the Gr 2 Hillman/Sunbeam Imp in early 1970, contributing to three straight BTCC titles for the Bevan Imps and Bill McGovern. A GM part homologated for competiton purposes on a Chrysler motor car...

[Terry Walker]

Another non-UK:  John Hughes (now a major new car dealer in Western Australia) entered an HA Viva in the 1964 Six Hour Race at Caversham, and placed 10th in a trouble free run. 171 laps of the 2.06 mile circuit; winner (an E-type Jag) did 199 laps. It was John Hughes only race; co-driver Jim Brewer. Hughes was then working in the sales department of one of Perth's biggest Holden dealers, and talked them into running a stock off-the-floor car, probably demo car.

[Repco22]

Another non-UK:  John Hughes (now a major new car dealer in Western Australia) entered an HA Viva in the 1964 Six Hour Race at Caversham, and placed 10th in a trouble free run. 171 laps of the 2.06 mile circuit; winner (an E-type Jag) did 199 laps. It was John Hughes only race; co-driver Jim Brewer. Hughes was then working in the sales department of one of Perth's biggest Holden dealers, and talked them into running a stock off-the-floor car, probably demo car.

Terry, are you sure that John Hughes drove the Viva? I remember him driving a white EH Holden in a wet [as usual] 6-hour I was in. Or did he only practice in it?
   I had a vague idea Jim Brewer and another Motorama salesman shared the Viva.  Don Black? I'm pretty sure the Holden & the Viva were entered in the same race.
 

Edited by Repco22, 24 October 2016 - 12:43.

[pete53]

Alan Wright used to race one:

Alan Wright - Vauxhall Viva saloon

Other than this one I really don't remember any HAs racing in the UK in period i.e. from the car's introduction in 1963. As a close follower of club racing during that era I suspect I would have remembered such a car as it would have stood out among the usual hoards of Minis, Anglia,Imps and Cortinas. Happy to be corrected though.

[Terry Walker]

The official 1964 6-Hr results gave John Hughes / Jim Brewer as the Viva drivers.  In 1965 the Viva raced (maybe it was a different Viva) with Brewer/Black as the crew, but it DNF'd.  John Hughes did run in a second Six Hour, after all, in a Holden, No 40, also co-driving with D Black. So your memory is still sharp!

[Repco22]

The official 1964 6-Hr results gave John Hughes / Jim Brewer as the Viva drivers.  In 1965 the Viva raced (maybe it was a different Viva) with Brewer/Black as the crew, but it DNF'd.  John Hughes did run in a second Six Hour, after all, in a Holden, No 40, also co-driving with D Black. So your memory is still sharp!

Thanks Terry. I wouldn't say 'sharp' though! Not to go too far off track but John Hughes did more than work in sales for  the Young family. He was their dynamic manager of 'Motorama', WA's biggest used car dealers at the time. Our Perth paper, 'The West Australian', even had him address their advertising sales team with a lecture on salesmanship!