Barn Find!

[pbottomley]

Just had the pictures of the Car I wa son about thats been stored away for 30 years, i can definatly say its not the same car as the OP of this thread, my mistake.... This is somewhat dusty and tin worm has eaten some of the outershell god know what the inner shell or chassis is like...

I should get to collect this in a few weeks and assess what is best for its future.

[minimissionary]

Hi all,
Finally have photos of the car. Please have a look through.

http://s1141.photobucket.com/albums/n596/hfg88/

They're a little haphazard, but I've tried to show as much of the car as I could think of. I couldn't get under the bonnet since the release cable was seized and I didn't fancy forcing it in front of the owner. She kept talking, so I was slightly distracted with the photos
Feel free to give me an estimate of the value, and if anybody is interested in purchasing, don't hesitate to ask.
Many thanks
Henry

[hbpeter]

Not being a HA expert, but that dosent look too bad. Can I nick some of those photos for the club register?

Peter

[minimissionary]

Don't see why not. It's a bit of a time warp car. If it wasn't for the fact that some parts will have, almost certainly seized, I reckon it'd be road worthy
What does something like this go for in the world of Viva? (Roof rack not included)

[pbottomley]

As a resto job prob going to need an engine un-seized if not rebuilt, all new brakes, new tyres, possibly some welding, id say going on present eBay prices for similar cars in need of similar work £200 - £400. Depends on the day, which way the wind is blowing and if you have interest from soemone on that day.

[minimissionary]

£200-£400? If only other classic car markets were so pessimistic!
I have to say, its a damn shame this car is worth so little. Guess they're better off staying hidden in garages for now, 'til they're finally appreciated for the boxy, and slightly awkward charm they possess.
Boo!
H
Edit: With regards to welding; arches at worst, surely? The rest of it is more solid than some of the cars roaming these very streets (including mine!).

[pbottomley]

£200-£400? If only other classic car markets were so pessimistic!

My personal valuation is neither optimistic nor pessimistic its what it is. However if you were thinking thousands then I think you always bound to feel a little disappointed. Here is a price guide from the VBOA (our overall organisation representing Vauxhall, Bedford and Opal vehicles)
http://www.vboa.org.uk/toplevel.php?p=p1

Right reality, Vivas are a dying breed, and the lack of investment in the manufacture of replacement panels has almost killed them off . This club has raised the profile of the Viva and has done what it can to help the supply of parts. But its not a rich club and doesn't have the following other marks have.

Look at the Mini for example, loads of clubs 1000's of owners and lots of parts specialists who remake panel, in fact you can get new shells. If the Viva got to this high standard of support then yes the cars would climb in value and my estimate of value would be much higher.

However its not going to happen when the number of HA saloons left, hovers around the 100 mark and maybe only 30 on the road No one is going to pay for small amounts of panels runs and still have the prices realistically affordable.

This is generally why as a CLUB it has NOT offered valuations as it always seems to insult and inflame the owner that's their pride and joy is not worth what they assumed it was worth.

The best thing you can do is either look at the car for what it is, A CAR and invest money into it that your unlikely to see if sold at a later date. OR lock it away and make sure it doesn't deteriorate any-more and face this same question at a later date.