Vauxhall Magnum
Encyclopedia
The Magnum was a car
manufactured by Vauxhall Motors
from 1973 to 1978. First seen at the London Motor Show in October 1973, the Magnum as was an HC Viva
with a larger engine, more luxurious interior, vinyl roof
, higher trim level and twin headlights. It shared its suspension
and drive train with the larger-engined variants of the Vauxhall Viva and Firenza
.
The smaller engined version used the 1800 cc Slant Four
engine, and a twin-dial instrument panel, while the more powerful version used the 2279 cc Slant Four and had a 7-dial instrument panel. Both were available in 2 and 4-door versions, a fastback-shaped 3-door estate and a coupe. All had "Rostyle
" wheels. Confusingly, it was also possible to buy Viva models with the larger engines, but with vinyl interior trim. The continuing lack of coherency of the model range during that period was one of Vauxhall's main marketing problems. Late in the model's life there was a mild "upgrade" which saw the 2300 switch from twin to single carb with a drop of 2 hp to 108 hp, although the 1800 jumped from 77 hp to 88 hp which cut the 0-60 mph time by 3s to 12.5s, and raised the top speed to 100 mph from 93 mph previously.
The Magnum badge also superseded the Firenza badge used on the 2-door coupé
model, which name was then used exclusively for the HPF "droopsnoot" model from 1974 (see Firenza
). The Magnum model range continued until 1978: by then it was increasingly being overshadowed in the domestic market place by the Ascona based Vauxhall Cavalier.
The various trim and body options that were originally exclusive to the Magnum made their way over to the Viva, producing the top of the line Viva GLS, in a bid to shore up the increasingly poor sales of the model. The main difference aside from badging were that the Viva GLS only had the 1256cc and 1759cc engines, the latter only with an automatic box. The Viva range was finally discontinued in 1979. The Magnum name was adopted for the Viva 1300 in New Zealand from 1975, where it had the four headlight frontal treatment of the British Magnum, but standard Viva interior trim.
A special variant of the Magnum estate, known as the Sportshatch, was produced in limited numbers (197) in 1976. This model used the "droopsnoot" nose cone, which had been designed by Wayne Cherry, Vauxhall's Chief Design Engineer to be used in the HP Firenza Droop Snoot model. In Trevor Alder's book "Vauxhall - The Post War Years" mention is made of a HP Firenza Sport Hatch prototype which was a one-off and was painted in silver starfire, with a six light version of the droop snoot nose and also sharing the Viva/Magnum estate body shell. This car (registration plate GNK 31N) has survived and is known to be in the hands of Vauxhall enthusiasts.
The HP Firenza project was proposed to produce over 2,000 cars a year, but production of this model ceased after just 204 examples were built. Some nose cones were left over at end of production and these were used in the limited run of "Sports Hatch" models as described above.
The Sports Hatch limited edition did not share the uprated 2279cc slant four engine with the HP Firenza Droop Snoot model, but instead was fitted with the standard tune single carb 2279cc slant four engine and running gear of the Magnum. Also included in the standard specification was the famous "seven dial dash", Avon Safety Wheel
s and a distinctive paint finish in a then brand new Vauxhall "Extra Dark Wine" (only available otherwise on the brand new for 1976 VX 2300 GLS model) which was complemented with bright red striping and highlights. This model was always rare with 197 vehicles being completed and is now highly collectable. Vauxhall marketed this car as a "hatchback", since it was coming under increasing pressure from new European models such as the Golf that were hatchbacks. However, the Sportshatch shared its bodyshell with the Viva Estate (which was only ever produced in a two door plus tailgate configuration).
Performance was quite brisk, but fuel economy was never the Magnum's (or the Vauxhall Slant Four Engine's generally) strong point. In normal use the Magnum 2300 would manage around 25mpg, rising to over 30mpg on a restrained motorway journey.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
manufactured by Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors is a British automotive company owned by General Motors and headquartered in Luton. It was founded in 1857 as a pump and marine engine manufacturer, began manufacturing cars in 1903 and was acquired by GM in 1925. It has been the second-largest selling car brand in the UK for...
from 1973 to 1978. First seen at the London Motor Show in October 1973, the Magnum as was an HC Viva
Vauxhall Viva
The Viva was a small family car produced by Vauxhall Motors in a succession of three versions between 1963 and 1979. These were known as the HA, the HB and the HC series....
with a larger engine, more luxurious interior, vinyl roof
Vinyl roof
Vinyl roof refers to a vinyl covering for an automobile's top. This covering was originally designed to give the appearance of a convertible to models with a fixed roof, but eventually it evolved into a styling statement in its own right. Vinyl roofs were most popular in the American market, and...
, higher trim level and twin headlights. It shared its suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
and drive train with the larger-engined variants of the Vauxhall Viva and Firenza
Vauxhall Firenza
The Firenza is a model of car offered by Vauxhall Motors from May 1971 till 1975. It was a development of the Viva, but had a distinctive coupé body style and only two doors....
.
The smaller engined version used the 1800 cc Slant Four
Slant Four
The Slant Four is a type of car engine manufactured by Vauxhall Motors and in modified form by Lotus Cars. Unveiled in 1966, it was one of the first production overhead camshaft designs to use a rubber toothed belt to drive the camshaft from the crankshaft , a method developed in 1956 by Bill...
engine, and a twin-dial instrument panel, while the more powerful version used the 2279 cc Slant Four and had a 7-dial instrument panel. Both were available in 2 and 4-door versions, a fastback-shaped 3-door estate and a coupe. All had "Rostyle
Rostyle wheel
Rostyle wheels are a notable design of wheels for cars made by the British firm of Rubery Owen, a diversified industrial company which made many car parts. The wheels had an unusual pressed steel form to imitate the few ribs of mag wheels at the time, but were painted black and aluminium...
" wheels. Confusingly, it was also possible to buy Viva models with the larger engines, but with vinyl interior trim. The continuing lack of coherency of the model range during that period was one of Vauxhall's main marketing problems. Late in the model's life there was a mild "upgrade" which saw the 2300 switch from twin to single carb with a drop of 2 hp to 108 hp, although the 1800 jumped from 77 hp to 88 hp which cut the 0-60 mph time by 3s to 12.5s, and raised the top speed to 100 mph from 93 mph previously.
The Magnum badge also superseded the Firenza badge used on the 2-door coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
model, which name was then used exclusively for the HPF "droopsnoot" model from 1974 (see Firenza
Vauxhall Firenza
The Firenza is a model of car offered by Vauxhall Motors from May 1971 till 1975. It was a development of the Viva, but had a distinctive coupé body style and only two doors....
). The Magnum model range continued until 1978: by then it was increasingly being overshadowed in the domestic market place by the Ascona based Vauxhall Cavalier.
The various trim and body options that were originally exclusive to the Magnum made their way over to the Viva, producing the top of the line Viva GLS, in a bid to shore up the increasingly poor sales of the model. The main difference aside from badging were that the Viva GLS only had the 1256cc and 1759cc engines, the latter only with an automatic box. The Viva range was finally discontinued in 1979. The Magnum name was adopted for the Viva 1300 in New Zealand from 1975, where it had the four headlight frontal treatment of the British Magnum, but standard Viva interior trim.
The HP Firenza project was proposed to produce over 2,000 cars a year, but production of this model ceased after just 204 examples were built. Some nose cones were left over at end of production and these were used in the limited run of "Sports Hatch" models as described above.
The Sports Hatch limited edition did not share the uprated 2279cc slant four engine with the HP Firenza Droop Snoot model, but instead was fitted with the standard tune single carb 2279cc slant four engine and running gear of the Magnum. Also included in the standard specification was the famous "seven dial dash", Avon Safety Wheel
Avon Safety Wheel
The Avon Safety Wheel was a new type of wheel for cars, invented by the Avon Tyre Company of Britain in the early 1970s. With the advent of radial tyres, taking over from the older crossply type, it was found that in the event of a puncture or blowout, the tyre would be much more prone to detach...
s and a distinctive paint finish in a then brand new Vauxhall "Extra Dark Wine" (only available otherwise on the brand new for 1976 VX 2300 GLS model) which was complemented with bright red striping and highlights. This model was always rare with 197 vehicles being completed and is now highly collectable. Vauxhall marketed this car as a "hatchback", since it was coming under increasing pressure from new European models such as the Golf that were hatchbacks. However, the Sportshatch shared its bodyshell with the Viva Estate (which was only ever produced in a two door plus tailgate configuration).
Performance was quite brisk, but fuel economy was never the Magnum's (or the Vauxhall Slant Four Engine's generally) strong point. In normal use the Magnum 2300 would manage around 25mpg, rising to over 30mpg on a restrained motorway journey.
Variations
| MODEL TYPE | BODY STYLE | PRODUCED | ENGINE | TRANSMISSION |
| Magnum | 2-door Saloon 4-door Saloon 3-door Estate |
1973–1977 1973–1977 1973–1977 |
4 cyl 1759 cc 4 cyl 2279cc |
Manual Automatic |
| Magnum Coupe | 2-door Coupe | 1973–1975 1973–1975 |
4 cyl 1759 cc 4 cyl 2279cc |
Manual |
| Magnum Sports | 3-door Estate | 1976 | 4 cyl 2279cc | Manual |
External links
- The Vauxhall Viva Owner's Club (Owner's Club catering for all Viva models)
- DroopSnoot Group (Owners' Club catering for Vauxhall's 'droopsnoot' model cars, including the Firenza, Magnum and Chevette HS/R)
- Vauxhall Heritage (Suppliers of Heritage Vauxhall Spare Parts, closing down apparently soon)
- VBOA (Vauxhall, Bedford and Opel Association)
- Viva Outlaws (Owners Club catering for modified and racing Vivas, owners of the Viva GT Register)
- Viva Drivers Club (Owners Club catering for all Viva models, for owners who wish to drive their Vivas)