Envoy (automobile)

Summary

Envoy was an automobile brand created by General Motors of Canada and used to sell badge engineered British built Vauxhall and Bedford vehicles on the Canadian market from 1959 to 1970.

"Envoy" remained a trademark owned by Vauxhall and the name resurfaced as a trim designation in the 1990s, and was used to denote the entry level trim of various Vauxhall cars into the mid 2000s.

Models edit

Vauxhall Victor based models edit

 
Envoy Special (1960)
 
Envoy Sherwood FB Series Station Wagon

Envoy F Series edit

The Envoy name was first used in the Canadian market for a version of the Vauxhall Victor F Series 2.[1] It was sold through Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealerships at the same time as the Vauxhall version was sold though Pontiac-Buick dealers.[1] Introduced in 1959, the Envoy models differed from the Vauxhalls in terms of trim and equipment. The saloons were initially sold in Envoy Standard and Special models [2] and the estate version as the Envoy Sherwood Station Wagon.[3] An up-market Custom Saloon was added to the range in 1960.[2]

Envoy FB edit

Envoy versions of the Vauxhall Victor FB were available through Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealers from 1962 [1] to 1964.[4] Externally the Envoy FB resembled the European market Vauxhall VX4/90, but used Victor mechanicals and interior.[4] The Envoy FB range again comprised Standard, Special & Custom Sedans and a Sherwood Station Wagon.[4] The Envoy received an uprated 1594cc engine for the 1964 model year.[4]

Envoy FC edit

The sedan version of the Vauxhall Victor FC was marketed as the Envoy Special and the estate version as the Sherwood Wagon.[5] Again the Envoy utilized the exterior trim of the VX4/90.[5]

Envoy FD edit

The Vauxhall Victor FD was sold under the Envoy name from 1968 to 1970.[6] It was offered in 4-door Sedan and Estate Wagon variants with a choice of 1599cc and 1995cc 4 cylinder engines.[6] Again the Envoy shared its grille with the Vauxhall VX4/90 model although its use for the Canadian Envoy FD model predated the release of the FD series VX4/90.[6]

Bedford based models edit

Envoy CA edit

The Envoy name was used on Bedford CA van and minibus models on the Canadian market, where it was called the EA Envoy van. The various models were designated the EASV (Envoy half ton van), the EALV (one ton van) and the EAZ (half ton chassis only).[2]

Vauxhall Viva based models edit

Epic HA edit

In 1964 the Vauxhall Viva HA was introduced in to the Canadian market as a Vauxhall and also as the Epic.[1] The Epic differed from the Viva in that it used the grille and rear lights from the Viva SL.[1] Although not marketed as an Envoy,[7] it carried both "Envoy" and Epic" badging.[8]

Epic HB edit

The Vauxhall Viva HB was launched in Canada in 1967 as a Vauxhall and also as the Epic.[1] The Canadian models were distinguished by a four headlamp front grille, different trim, different body side mouldings and badging.[1] The Epic HB was offered in 2 door sedan, 4 door sedan and Estate Wagon models.[1] 1159cc, 1595cc and 2000cc engines were available.[1] After the 1970 model year the Envoy brand was replaced with the Chevrolet Vega at Chev-Olds dealers, while the HC Vauxhall Viva continued to be imported under the Firenza name until badge engineering returned with the Pontiac Astre, a Vega twin, becoming Canadian Pontiac-Buick dealers' small-car offering in 1973, two years before appearing in US showrooms.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i VAUXHALL HB - VIVA & EPIC CANADA , vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com Archived 2015-01-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 1 January 2015
  2. ^ a b c VAUXHALL F - VICTOR & ENVOY IN CANADA, vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com Retrieved on 1 January 2015
  3. ^ Vauxhall Victor and Envoy Canada 1957 - 1961, www.flickr.com Retrieved on 1 January 2015
  4. ^ a b c d VAUXHALL FB - VICTOR & ENVOY IN CANADA, vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com Archived 2015-01-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 1 January 2015
  5. ^ a b VAUXHALL FC - VICTOR 101 & VX4/90, vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com Retrieved on 1 January 2015
  6. ^ a b c VAUVAUXHALL FD - VICTOR & ENVOY IN CANADA, vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com Archived 2015-01-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 1 January 2015
  7. ^ VAUXHALL HA - VIVA & EPIC CANADA BROCHURES & ADVERTISING, vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com Archived 2015-01-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 1 January 2015
  8. ^ Dave Saunders, Curbside Classic Canadian Visitor Edition: 1966 (Vauxhall) Envoy Epic, www.thetruthaboutcars.com Retrieved on 1 January 2015