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Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:20 pm
by Colin
Hi JP,

I would think a 1600 car fitted with a GT bonnet (hood) would have had the bonnet fitted later. Back in the seventies and eighties when Viva GTs were being scrapped a lot of people saved the 'go faster' scooped bonnets to fit to more prosaic Vivas.

In the UK and some European and other markets the Viva GT was sold from 1968 in an earlier MK I incarnation. That model had an oil temperature gauge fitted in the centre console alongside the clock. The switchgear for ignition, lights, wipers and fog lights was sited on a seperate panel beneath the main instruments like this -


As I understand things the Epic and Canadian market Viva GTs were only marketed in Canada for one year in 1970. The centre console on these cars used the same arrangement as the later MK II UK and Europe cars with the oil temperature gauge deleted and the switchgear moved from the dashboard to the centre console like the two pictures below. The middle picture is an Epic GT / Canadian Viva GT. The bottom one a UK Viva GT -

The centre consoles you have would appear to be later items from Epic / Canadian Viva GTs with the single clock and switchgear panel on the horizontal section in front of the parking brake. I doubt any of the earlier type consoles would have made their way to Canada - but I'm often wrong!

I''m certain all UK and European Viva GTs had servo assisted brakes. I've never seen one without a servo.

The Canadian Epic and Viva GTs had more basic Deluxe style interiors. I think this was something to do with the North American idea of a muscle car being a high power 'stripped out' model rather than the European idea of a GT car being a Gran Turismo higher powered luxury car. Note the lack of full door trim on the Canadian GT picture. I would think your GT would have Deluxe style trim like this rather than the SL style full door trim and seats


Continuing good luck with your restoration, JP. Keep sending us lots of pictures! :D

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 4:48 am
by jpsmit
Interestingly the Canadian brochure shows a different console too

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Bizarrely, the Canadian brochure shows GT seats in the SL and SL seats in the GT (The British GT & SL that is)

This is somewhat of a problem for me as the rear seat I have is from a Canadian SL - with the pseudo bucket shapes, and I have a matching set of fronts that are knackered, On the other hand I have 2 sets of GT front seats (Canadian GT) which are in pretty good shape, but don't match the rears. sheesh.

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 4:53 am
by jpsmit
So, tonight's progress - rear brakes! Only one side (had to get my daughter from the bus) but, I am thrilled.

Started with

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(OK opposite side - I forgot to take the first pic)

then added Slave & Adjuster

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and shoes and clips

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and finally drum

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and of course shinyish wheel

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and from the back:

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I am pleased.

and one more surprise (for me at least - but in a separate post in the mechanical thread)

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

PostPosted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 1:07 am
by jpsmit
So, not much progress, issues setting the valve clearances - but, mostly just too cold! Pipes burst in the garage last week, pipes are fixed but man is it cold! -16C even as we speak. On track to be the coldest February in Toronto ever!

that said, one issue I have had was the exhaust manifold. No problems really except it had bolts rusted in, got that sorted, and, had the suggestion made that powder coating might be a very good idea.

So, before:

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after:

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and the best part, I approached three different companies.

Last reply = 2X $150
second quote = $150
accepted quote = $50 (26 pounds) I am very happy!

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

PostPosted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 2:44 am
by jpsmit
Almost there! Not quite finished but I just had to share.

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I am very very pleased!

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

PostPosted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:26 pm
by hbpeter
And so you should be, very nice, :respekt:

Peter

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

PostPosted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 7:13 pm
by Paul Dawson
That's looking very good - great attention to detail

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

PostPosted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:11 pm
by Colin
That engine looks great, JP. All the way from Luton, Bedfordshire, England, many years ago. 8)

(Just like me actually!)

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

PostPosted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:41 pm
by jpsmit
Colin wrote:That engine looks great, JP. All the way from Luton, Bedfordshire, England, many years ago. 8)

(Just like me actually!)


you're a Vauxhall engine? :shock: :D

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

PostPosted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:46 pm
by junkyarddog
Looks fantastic :D 8)