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Viva HC Panel Van?

PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 10:21 pm
by merak
Hi everybody,
A few days ago, I found the remnants of a Vauxhall in the bush at my rural property in New Zealand. Not much left of it, and to boot, there was a skeleton on the driver seat :shock: ! That turned out to be a sheep's skeleton,that some joker had put in there... There was a tail light like the HC model has, but also vertically hinged cargo doors (opening sideways). I tried to find a picture on the net but no luck. Has anybody here some information about such a car or have they all simply disappeared?

Re: Viva HC Panel Van?

PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 10:35 am
by droopsnoot
I've never seen or heard of a HC panel van of a shape that could have vertically-hinged doors. I could imagine someone panelling over a HC estate, but can't see how the doors would work like that. Also the fastback shape of the rear end would make it quite a low-capacity van. I guess the questions would be : are you sure it was a Vauxhall body, and not just something using HC rear lights because they happened to be there; and - did you take any photos of what you found? For the second, I guess not otherwise you'd have posted them.

Re: Viva HC Panel Van?

PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 3:18 am
by merak
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20170426_113916_001 - Copy.jpg
20170426_113916_001 - Copy.jpg (102.47 KiB) Viewed 4506 times



Took a few pics today, maybe giving some clues ..?

Re: Viva HC Panel Van?

PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 10:20 am
by droopsnoot
Clues, certainly - there are definite HC elements in there, the light, the back panel, the fuel tank top. I just wonder if maybe the back end of a rusted-out panel van have been dumped on the top of an old HC shell.

Still, great to have a property where you can wander around and discover something like this.

Re: Viva HC Panel Van?

PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 10:39 am
by merak
Thanks for your answers, Mike! My curiosity has been stirred and since I found the number plate today, HC2803, I'll see if it is possible to get some insight into it's origins from an NZTA agent. I'll keep you posted!
Cheers, George

Re: Viva HC Panel Van?

PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 2:55 pm
by 1972nail
I've never seen the 'GM NZ Options Code' plate in the photo before. Obviously an NZ addition, could it have been a 'special' which was coach built in NZ?

Is the GM NZ Options Code plate fitted to the driver's side inner wing where the UK 'Options Plate' would be fitted?

Those hinges are BMC type hinges fitted to many BMC, Land Rover etc cars and vans, including the Morris Minor van and Traveller.

Re: Viva HC Panel Van?

PostPosted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 8:34 am
by merak
Can't tell anymore where the manufacturer's plate was fitted, as the car has deteriorated so badly. It must have been pushed down the hill from my neighbour's place many years ago when there were still sheep grazing there. Now, the forest has reclaimed the area. This also rules out the possibility of two different cars sitting on top of each other, as it must have been a wild ride all the way down the steep hill!