Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

This is an area for discussion about Restoration issues.

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

Postby Colin » Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:20 pm

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
Attachments
User avatar
Colin
Brabham Viva
Brabham Viva
 
Posts: 845
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:53 pm
Location: A secret location somewhere in England

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

Postby jpsmit » Thu Jan 29, 2015 4:48 am

Interestingly the Canadian brochure shows a different console too

Image

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.
User avatar
jpsmit
Baby Bertha
Baby Bertha
 
Posts: 1130
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:00 am
Location: Toronto

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

Postby jpsmit » Thu Jan 29, 2015 4:53 am

So, tonight's progress - rear brakes! Only one side (had to get my daughter from the bus) but, I am thrilled.

Started with

Image

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

then added Slave & Adjuster

Image

and shoes and clips

Image

and finally drum

Image

and of course shinyish wheel

Image

and from the back:

Image

I am pleased.

and one more surprise (for me at least - but in a separate post in the mechanical thread)
User avatar
jpsmit
Baby Bertha
Baby Bertha
 
Posts: 1130
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:00 am
Location: Toronto

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

Postby jpsmit » Tue Feb 24, 2015 1:07 am

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:

Image

after:

Image

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!
User avatar
jpsmit
Baby Bertha
Baby Bertha
 
Posts: 1130
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:00 am
Location: Toronto

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

Postby jpsmit » Thu Mar 26, 2015 2:44 am

Almost there! Not quite finished but I just had to share.

Image

Image

I am very very pleased!
User avatar
jpsmit
Baby Bertha
Baby Bertha
 
Posts: 1130
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:00 am
Location: Toronto

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

Postby hbpeter » Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:26 pm

And so you should be, very nice, :respekt:

Peter
Reading between the lines, dangerous if your waiting for a train.
User avatar
hbpeter
Register Rep
 
Posts: 10915
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2005 12:11 pm
Location: Thornaby, Cleveland

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

Postby Paul Dawson » Fri Mar 27, 2015 7:13 pm

That's looking very good - great attention to detail
User avatar
Paul Dawson
GT Viva
GT Viva
 
Posts: 498
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:27 am
Location: Chester

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

Postby Colin » Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:11 pm

That engine looks great, JP. All the way from Luton, Bedfordshire, England, many years ago. 8)

(Just like me actually!)
User avatar
Colin
Brabham Viva
Brabham Viva
 
Posts: 845
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:53 pm
Location: A secret location somewhere in England

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

Postby jpsmit » Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:41 pm

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
User avatar
jpsmit
Baby Bertha
Baby Bertha
 
Posts: 1130
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:00 am
Location: Toronto

Re: Viva GT - resto thread - recap and restart

Postby junkyarddog » Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:46 pm

Looks fantastic :D 8)
Just one more turn should do it....
User avatar
junkyarddog
GT Viva
GT Viva
 
Posts: 195
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:00 pm
Location: ireland

PreviousNext

Return to Restoration

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests