Vauxhall Viva III (HC) gallery (1970–1979)
The third and longest-running classic Viva generation featured an elongated wheelbase, improved interior space, and famous performance offshoots.
The Vauxhall Viva HC, manufactured from 1970 until 1979, was the final generation of Vauxhall's internally engineered rear-wheel-drive small family cars. Built on a refined chassis with a stretched wheelbase, the HC addressed passenger space criticisms of earlier cars by offering significantly improved rear legroom and generous boot capacity. Body styles encompassed two-door and four-door saloons, a spacious three-door estate, and bespoke coupe variations that subsequently spawned the distinct Firenza and Magnum performance sub-lines. The powertrain roster initially featured the 1,159 cc unit, quickly superseded in 1971 by an enlarged 1,256 cc engine, while higher-grade editions utilised the larger 1.8-litre and 2.3-litre Slant Four engines with optional twin carburettors and Borg-Warner automatics. Throughout its nine-year lifespan, the HC saw ongoing detail refinements in trim levels, safety equipment, and rust protection. By the end of production in 1979, nearly 640,000 HC units had been built before handing over the baton to the front-wheel-drive Vauxhall Astra.
