Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Viva Brabham 1.2 8v - [1967]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Viva Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Viva Brabham 1.2 8v is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1967. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1968 Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 and the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner 426 Hemi V8 1st Gen.This particular Vauxhall-Opel Viva has a 1159cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Viva shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Viva's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 777 kgs (1712 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Viva Brabham 1.2 8v in the same weight category as the 2011 Ginetta G40 R 2.0L or the give or take 50kg.

The Vauxhall-Opel Viva shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1159cc 8V St4 engine produces 69 bhp (51 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (67 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 66 lb-ft (89.4 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (41 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Vauxhall-Opel Viva you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2004 Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr (113.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Vauxhall-Opel Viva.

The Vauxhall-Opel Viva has a Power to weight ratio of 88.8 bhp per ton and 84.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1967 Viva competing with the 2004 Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr (113.8 bhp per ton) or the 1986 Audi 100 2.2 Turbo Quattro (113.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Vauxhall-Opel Viva generating around 84.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2002 Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT (109.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (109.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 14.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 14.9 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Viva Brabham 1.2 8v as fast as the 1951 Mercedes 300 S Roadster (14.50 secs) the 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade 4.2L (15.00 secs) the 1962 Rover P5 MkII/III (15.00 secs) the or the 1978 Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe (15.10 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Viva Brabham 1.2 8v is also faster than the 1951 Mercedes 300 S Roadster (14.50 secs) the 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade 4.2L (15.00 secs) the 1962 Rover P5 MkII/III (15.00 secs) the and the 1978 Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe (15.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Viva and the 1951 Ferrari 212 Export

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Viva on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.59 secs @ 73.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1951 Ferrari 212 Export (18.50 secs), the 1981 Lotus Esprit S3 2.0L (18.52 secs), and the 1987 Renault 5 GT Turbo (18.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1967 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Viva Brabham 1.2 8v has a maximum speed of 90mph.

Top Speed of the 1967 Viva equals the 1980 Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen (101 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1967 Vauxhall-Opel Viva Brabham 1.2 8v then how about the 1980 Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen (101 mph), the 1974 Ford Mustang Mach 1 170 2.8 V6 (101 mph), or the 1968 Vauxhall-Opel Viva GT 2.0L (101 mph).

Related Links:

1967 Viva Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison