Vauxhall to showcase a Ground Up two year restoration of the Viva GT HB, it looks stunning, a job well done !!!!

• Newly-restored rare Viva GT takes bow at this year’s Classic Motor Show
• Two-year, ground-up resto undertaken by Vauxhall Heritage’s skilled team
• Set to be highlight in ’50 Years of Viva HB’ section of Vauxhall’s ten-car stand

The restoration of a rare model, which turned in to a labour of love for Vauxhall’s Heritage team, will see the light of day for the first time at next week’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, held at the NEC.

A centre-piece of Vauxhall’s multi-themed stand this year, the gleaming Monza Red Viva GT will take pride of place in the area, celebrating 50 years since the Viva HB model was launched. 

The ten car stand also features displays based around Vauxhall’s vast export history, and 85 years since the birth of Bedford, its commercial vehicle division.

Restored on and off over a two-year period by Andy Boddy and Terry Forder (with assistance from their apprentice, Chris Smith) the 1970 Mark 1 ½ GT is believed to have been registered by Vauxhall as one of its company cars back in the day (its ‘YXD’ suffix makes this likely) and was purchased by Vauxhall from the partner of its late owner, Steve Walton, in June 2014.

Remarkably, the GT had just one other owner before Steve bought the car, making its history relatively easy to plot. Originally painted Sebring Silver, the team opted for a more vibrant hue and settled on Monza Red, which would have been available when the car was new. But before painting, the surprisingly sound body was stripped and acid-dipped at Enviro Strip in Tamworth, after which it was returned to Luton for some sheet metal work.

Since many HB panels, especially around the chassis, inner wing areas and in the boot floor, are difficult to source, specialist Keith May was brought in to painstakingly craft new metalwork from scratch, helped by the Heritage Centre’s apprentice, Chris Smith.

After a final visit to Enviro Strip for a further acid dip and etch priming, the body was prepared for paint, including long-blocking the shell. Automotive Refinish in Milton Keynes – part of the BASF group, Vauxhall Heritage’s regular paint supplier – undertook the priming and final colour coats. Such was the VH team’s attention to detail, that they tasked AR with applying the Viva GT’s Tasman Orange stripes – but these weren’t mere graphics, they were actually painted on.

In the meantime, back at the Heritage Centre, the GT’s 2.0-litre engine was being overhauled by Andy and the team, ready to be reunited with the rest of the car. The race was then on to have the GT ready in time for the show.

‘We’re now on the finishing straight with this restoration,’ said Andy. ‘It’s been a real labour of love for the team over the last couple of years, and sometimes quite a challenge when we have 70 other vehicles in the collection to maintain, too. But we’re confident that on Friday, November 11^th – the first day of the show – the car will be ready to take pride of place on our stand.’

Vauxhall to have its biggest stand ever at the upcoming Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC

• Vauxhall’s ten-vehicle stand celebrates its export history, HB Viva and Bedford vans
• Previously unseen archive material on display, along with rare and unique vehicles
• Marque owners’ clubs join manufacturer to create impressive ‘Vauxhall Zone’

Vauxhall Motors’ Heritage Centre is preparing for its largest ever display at next month’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC (November 11-13), in its fifth year supporting the event.

The Heritage Centre, home to one of the largest manufacturer-owned car collections in the UK, will be celebrating two important anniversaries – 50 years of the Viva HB and 85 years since the birth of Bedford – as well as Vauxhall’s long and illustrious export history.

Centrepiece of the HB Viva display will be the Heritage Centre’s 1970 Mark 1 ½ GT, making its public debut after a two-year ground-up restoration by Vauxhall’s Andy Boddy, Terry Forder and the Heritage Centre team. 

Resplendent in Monza Red, with its original Rostyle wheels and the later body-coloured bonnet, this 2.0-litre Viva GT is thought to have been registered by Vauxhall Motors when new.

The Viva GT will be joined by the Heritage Centre’s ’66 Viva SL and a stunning replica of Gerry Marshall’s famous DTV GT racer, which was prepared by the great Bill Blydenstein and competed in the 1971 Osram Saloon Car Championship.

Almost from its start in 1903, Vauxhall was a prolific exporter and by 1965 had manufactured ten million vehicles for sale overseas, accounting for a third of all General Motors’ exports worldwide. Three of those cars will be on the stand: a Portuguese 1949 Wyvern L-type, a North American 1957 Velox E-type and, to be confirmed, an F-type Envoy from New Zealand.

Vauxhall is now the UK’s only remaining LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) manufacturer, and to celebrate 85 years since its Bedford CV division was born in 1931, two of the most recognisable Luton-built models will be on display: a Series-1 2.3-litre Bedford CF panel van, in fully-restored condition, and a Viva HA van, which had a remarkable 20-year production run between 1963 to 1983.

Joining Vauxhall at the NEC will be a total of 13 Vauxhall owners’ clubs, including the Droopsnoot OC, the Cavalier & Chevette OC, Vauxhall Viva OC and Vauxhall Cresta OC. Together, the club’s and manufacturer’s stands will represent a ‘Vauxhall Zone’ in Hall 5 (near entrance 5.1), easily identifiable by red carpeting throughout and Vauxhall banners around the perimeter of the area.

The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show (http://www.necclassicmotorshow.com/) runs from November 11-13 at the NEC, Birmingham. It is the biggest club event of its kind in Europe and one of the top five classic car shows in the world.

JLR #3 -Jaguar Land Rover CLassic gets a new home to expand it's business further.

• Jaguar Land Rover invests initial £7.5m in brand new premises in the British Midlands for Classic business division
• New headquarters will be based near the new Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) Technical Centre in Coventry
• New premises will enable Jaguar Land Rover Classic to offer an extensive range of cars, services, parts and experiences for Jaguar and Land Rover owners and enthusiasts
• Jaguar Land Rover Classic collection of vehicles to be stored and maintained in new facility

Jaguar Land Rover Classic, the new brand offering classic car sales, restorations, parts supply and driving experiences to Jaguar and Land Rover owners and enthusiasts, will have a new home later this year following the £7.5m acquisition and development of a new headquarters in Coventry, England.

The new Classic headquarters is planned to open early in 2017, and will be based near to the Jaguar Land Rover SVO Technical Centre in Coventry – an all-new, £20m hub of specialist vehicle personalisation, assembly and finishing.

Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: “The development of a new home for Jaguar Land Rover Classic in Coventry is hugely significant for owners and enthusiasts of classic Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

“In this fantastic new facility we will offer the opportunity for owners and prospective customers to meet with us, review and select the cars or services that meet their personal requirements and then establish a close relationship with Jaguar Land Rover Classic throughout the purchase process and beyond.” 

The expansive new Jaguar Land Rover Classic site will continually feature a selection of cars from the growing Jaguar Land Rover Classic collection, which is made up of a variety of important historic cars from the two great British brands. The Classic business will continue to offer customers the opportunity to experience some of these notable cars through its Classic Drives programme: http://www.jaguar.co.uk/about-jaguar/jaguar-classic/classic-driving.html

Customers will also be able to view and buy Jaguar and Land Rover Classic vehicles, which are restored through programmes like Land Rover ‘Reborn’*. Other models will also get a   similar treatment, allowing customers to experience classic Jaguars and Land Rovers as they were when they were first manufacture

USA - New Honda Heritage Centre opens in Marysville, Ohio.

The Honda Heritage Center in Marysville officially opened its doors today, offering the world a glimpse of the innovative history and growth the company has achieved in Ohio and North America during the past 55 years.

"The new Honda Heritage Center is a collection of Honda dreams in the form of products that are responsible for millions of customer relationships," said Takuji Yamada, chief operating officer of Honda's North American regional operations. "The great variety of products on display – including powersports, power equipment and automobiles, as well as aviation and robotics – together with the major milestones highlighted, tell the stories of Honda associates in Ohio and from throughout North America."

Ohio Gov. John Kasich joined Honda officials and state and local community leaders to celebrate the opening of the new $35 million, 160,000-square-foot facility, which includes a museum, Technical Development Center and office space for Honda North America.

The new museum, which will open to the public in January, pays tribute to Honda's unique tradition and highlights products and significant milestones in the history of Honda in North America, including a natural focus on the role of Honda's operations in Ohio. A vision to dream big is evident throughout the museum, exemplified by the visible evolution of the motorcycles, automobiles and power equipment on display.  In addition, the space honors groundbreaking new Honda technologies such as a replica of the humanoid robot ASIMO and the HondaJet, which will begin customer deliveries in 2015.

In addition to the Honda museum, the building is home to a new Technical Development Center, which is focused on advancing the skills of Honda engineers, equipment service technicians, and production associates involved in auto production at Honda plants in Ohio and throughout North America. This will help prepare Honda and its associates for the 21st century of manufacturing where success will be defined by the successful interaction between associates and advanced technology.

According to Tom Shoupe, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Honda of America Mfg. Inc., the Technical Development Center is significant as Honda's North American operations take on an even greater role in the development and production of global Honda models.

"Honda is committed to investing in its team of associates and this new training center will allow our associates to continually develop their manufacturing skills so that they can lead the production of critical global models," Shoupe said. "As we introduce more sophisticated technologies in our products and in our plants, we are working to ensure that our associates are equipped with the skills required for the manufacturing demands of the future. We view this investment in Honda people as critical to our future success."

The Technical Development Center, supported with a grant from JobsOhio, features five dedicated classrooms and includes robotic manufacturing cells designed to give technicians more hands-on experience. The curriculum provides instruction in basic fundamentals such as fluid power, maintenance math and frequency drives as well as advanced training for specialized areas, such as die molds and machining.

"Honda's Heritage Center showcases this global company's extraordinary growth, including right here in Ohio," said John Minor, JobsOhio President and Chief Investment Officer. "We are proud that Ohio is home to this impressive facility, which will serve as an important hub for Honda and enhance workforce development in the region."

Vauxhall celebrates last Vivaro as new model comes on stream.

• Last current generation Vivaro built in Luton ahead of all-new model
• Approaching a million vans built in Luton since 2001
• Over eight million vehicles manufactured in Luton since 1905

Vauxhall reached an important milestone on Friday as the last current generation Vivaro rolled off the production line at its Luton plant.

Jubilant workers cheered off the Vivaro van, the 957,107^th built there, before they start building the all-new model later this month.  This milestone vehicle will take pride of place at Vauxhall’s Heritage Centre at its Griffin House headquarters in Luton.

The all-new Vivaro secures 1,200 jobs, a 10-year contract and a £185 million investment at the Luton facility. Vauxhall announced last month that it will add a second shift at its Luton plant in January 2015, creating around 250 new jobs.

Rival Ford shut its Transit factory in Southampton last year making Vauxhall’s Luton facility the sole flag bearer for UK van manufacturing – on a site where over eight million vehicles have been built since 1905.

The plant is a significant contributor to the local and national economies building nearly a million Vivaro vans since 2001, including 44,000 vans built in 2013, and is a major exporter with 52 per cent of production destined for European markets.

“The current Vivaro has been a huge success and our workforce at Luton is very much looking forward to building the all-new model,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director.

“The Vivaro van is of critical importance to Vauxhall and its manufacturing facility in Luton. I’m very proud of the men and women who build this vehicle to world class levels of quality and productivity.”