Blast from the past

[Gerry]

Searching my old pics for one of the Cruiser towing the race car I came across this.
It was put together in the mid 70s for a bit of a laugh. Has loads of work on it. Completely deseemed, frenched lights and even went to the point of removing the spare wheel well to tidy up the rear end.
Pro mod scoop put on to accomadate a 8'' trumpet on the single side draft carb. Raised the rear end 10'' and the front 8''. Even made my own LST style steering wheel and then had to shorten the column by 10'' to get it into the car.
Plus we put new everything on from the bulkhead forwards. Chassis legs. inner fender, outer fenders, slam plate etc. Eventually floor rusted out so it went to the dump.
To cap it all off I used to run a red spot light up in the underside of the body to show off the rear end. Sad now when you think about it. Still it worked for me and a number of blondes that seemed to like it

Gerry

 

[fordsbyjay]

But that thing would be twice as cool today if it was still in the same condition. I love retro cars.

 

[OptimusPrime]

I like the car Gerry, kinda reminds me of the Mad Max car with out all the desert wasteland stuff added on.

 

[GizmoJoe]

Cool.
I had a 71 Vauxhall Viva wagon (I believe it was called an "Estate" wagon over there?).

It would have been a great car... if you could have replaced the engine, tranny, that tiny clutch, the suspension, electrical, braking "system" and all the body metal.

The glass was ok.

Seriously... that car taught me SO much about cars. I repaired every part on that thing MANY times.
The bigger ones like the one you showed were "better".

Still... that wagon (with the fold-down back seat) gave me a lot of .. a.. er.. good times.

 

[Gerry]

Cool.
I had a 71 Vauxhall Viva wagon (I believe it was called an "Estate" wagon over there?).

It would have been a great car... if you could have replaced the engine, tranny, that tiny clutch, the suspension, electrical, braking "system" and all the body metal.

The glass was ok.

Seriously... that car taught me SO much about cars. I repaired every part on that thing MANY times.
The bigger ones like the one you showed were "better".

Still... that wagon (with the fold-down back seat) gave me a lot of .. a.. er.. good times.

Hey Viva's were cool. The Victor, as in my pics a little better because it had, sort of Chevy lines. We had a couple of Vivas, one with the Rover 3.5L blown V8 in it and another one that almost got a V12 Jag. The front clip and suspension has found its way under a lot of Ford Pops (read English Anglia) over here.
Estates (station Wagons) were an acquired taste but a couple of COOL people went that way. Sorry I cant remember having any pics except of the Blown on on the strip. No idea where that pic is.
Gerry

 

[GizmoJoe]

Well...thanks for the memory-jog. I really did like my Viva.

Sounds like you modded them like crazy.

I could change the transmission or clutch in 20 minutes in mine (LOTS of practice).
I made money off of it too. I bought many junkers for parts and sold lots of parts. I became the go-to guy for keeping them running.

Those white-metal parts (pot metal or whatever it's called in different parts of the world) in pieces like brake adjusters were absolutely useless in our salt.
And we never had much luck with British wiring in our salty climate. And that's being VERY kind.

One of the guys here had a Victor (the larger style like you showed) with Toyota running gear. It was great.
The older style (the little square ones) were popular here too.

I'd love to have one like mine back... with modifications.

I think I'll stick to my T-building for now though.
BTW.. the next car I had was a '68 Malibu with a 327. Quite a step up in power.

 

[Gerry]

Well...thanks for the memory-jog. I really did like my Viva.

Sounds like you modded them like crazy.

I could change the transmission or clutch in 20 minutes in mine (LOTS of practice).
I made money off of it too. I bought many junkers for parts and sold lots of parts. I became the go-to guy for keeping them running.

Those white-metal parts (pot metal or whatever it's called in different parts of the world) in pieces like brake adjusters were absolutely useless in our salt.
And we never had much luck with British wiring in our salty climate. And that's being VERY kind.

One of the guys here had a Victor (the larger style like you showed) with Toyota running gear. It was great.
The older style (the little square ones) were popular here too.

I'd love to have one like mine back... with modifications.

I think I'll stick to my T-building for now though.
BTW.. the next car I had was a '68 Malibu with a 327. Quite a step up in power.

Early Victors are as prized over here as triChevys. rare, beautiful and Horney as hell, especially with sun visors. Did you ever run in to a Firenza. It was a Coupe version of the Viva and VERY desirable. May have a pic of one. I really must have look through my old pics.
G

 

[GizmoJoe]

Yup.. The Firenza was here too.
They really were a nicely styled car.
The poor buggers just rotted out so fast over here.
Ah well....

 

[Gerry]

Yup.. The Firenza was here too.
They really were a nicely styled car.
The poor buggers just rotted out so fast over here.
Ah well....

Most of them here burned out through bad wiring Hence the name they got of FIRE-ENZA
G

 

[GizmoJoe]

Sad but funny too..
Hope you didn't taking their lead when wiring your T.

I am a long ways from that stage.
I have been de-rusting body panels and was ready to start welding them together.
However.... my nephew owns the welder I was using and finally took it to his place. So.. I have no welder for a while.
Sigh....
Oh well. It could be worse.