The HA Viva marked Vauxhall’s return to the 1.0 litre class and was an instant sales success, with 100,000 cars produced in just over one year. Initially available in two trims, the car was first manufactured in Luton, before production re-located to the all-new Ellesmere Port plant in 1964. In 1965 two new versions were introduced – the SL and the 90 – and by the end of the year the 1/4 millionth HA, rolled off the line. In March 1966, the HA was replaced by the new HB model.
Vauxhall started building its compact cars at the Cheshire plant in 1964.
In 1964, when the first Viva HA rolled off the line, the HA Viva marked Vauxhall’s return to the 1.0 litre class and was an instant sales success, with 100,000 cars produced in just over one year. Initially available in two trims, the car was first manufactured in Luton, before production re-located to the all-new Ellesmere Port plant in 1964. In 1965 two new versions were introduced – the SL and the 90 – and by the end of the year the 1/4 millionth HA, rolled off the line. In March 1966, the HA was replaced by the new HB model.
The HS had a Vauxhall-designed 16-valve twin cam cylinder head and Getrag gearbox, while its body structure was near-identical to the standard Chevette. The HS was capable of 0-60mph in 8.8 seconds and 117mph. While the HS was actually finished at Vauxhall’s Luton plant, the base Chevette was built at Ellesmere Port.