What was the factory stereo and fitting? HC

[JimmyJam]

Hi all, I am on the look out for some advice. 3 questions. 1: Was there a Vauxhall viva radio or radio casstette fitted to HC 1973 and does anyone have one, I am looking for it to match the look of the car, nothing modern. 2: I understand that originally they were screwed up into the lower part of the dashboard, but i am asuming that the mount fits under there and the stereo slots in. If I get hold of one(a stereo) can I get some sort of universal bracket or will it not fit. There seems to be 2 screw holes under there already. And finally, 3: Ireally dont want to be drilling holes into the bodywork for the ariel, is there any other way of installing one, without drilling holes? Thank you for anyone offering to help me, I really appreciate it, and have realised that The Viva owners club have some of the most friendly and helpful people I have ever met in the classic car scene. Thanks again. Jimmy.

[vx-mike]

Hi Jimmy

There was no radio fitted by the factory, they were dealer after fits that the new owner would purchase and have fitted by the dealer.

Vauxhall supplied a mono radio kit whereby the radio fitted into a plastic cover which was then screwed under the dash in the centre, many after fit radios were fitted using light metal brackets screwed to the radio and underside of the dash. No slide in jobs back in the seventies. The single speaker was positioned in the top centre of the dash, you will have a blanking plate on the top of your dash held in place with self tappers, the kit contained a plastic grille cover to replace the plate.

The radio was slotted into its holder from the rear and held in place by nuts on the volume and tune knobs.

Sterio radio/cassettes were either fitted by dealers, independant specialists or DIY. Where you fitted the sterio speakers was variable with many people opting for fitting two pods on the rear parcel shelf, or in each corner of the front parcel shelf under the dash. More ambitous people fitted them in the front doors (lower front corner), this requires cutting the door trim pad and the inner door shell.

As for the aerial the standard position was in the front wing (usually the offside) but as you do not wish to drill the wing then I suggest that you fit a modern accessory aerial that sticks to the inside of your windscreen.

There are specialists about that take period radios and fit modern inards so keeping that period look but having the benefits of FM and mp3 connectons, however these tend to be a bit pricey.

Hope this is of some help to you and best of luck.

Mike

[JimmyJam]

Dear Mike, thank you so much for that info, I am trying to make the interior look as original as it should. Probably fit 2 speakers somewhere instead of one. And yes these upgraded radios are pricey. I would be happy with FM radio that fits into the 70's surroundings. \anyway thanks for all your wonderful help. Jimmy.

[droopsnoot]

Mine is in a plastic pod at the bottom of the dash, though I've also seen them fitted in the pod to the right of the steering column. Because it's so far away and dangerous to adjust while driving, my radio (an old Sony off the car boot sale for £2) is fitted with a wired remote control that I've stuck to the left of the steering column shroud.

This is the mount I have:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165626

This is for a DIN-E fit stereo, as Mike said the Viva would have had a twin-post mounting radio rather than the later DIN fitting that was introduced in the 1980s, you could probably adapt this pod to mount one of those if you want that kind of originality, or find one somewhere. Halfords used to do them, maybe another audio place or autojumble still does. I had one somewhere when I used to have my Pye "Searchmachine" in the Firenza, but no idea where it is now.