The Vauxhall Cresta was first introduced in 1954 as an upmarket version of the 1959 Vauxhall Velox PA. It was replaced in 1957 by the PA version one, the more elegant British car of the late 1950s even though it was not sufficiently upmarket for it to be driven by those that considered themselves the elite of British society. Rock stars could drive them; barristers and doctors would not. This was ironic, because Queen Elizabeth II for many years actually used an Estate version as personal transport.
The Cresta models were the E (1954-1957), PA (1957-1962), PB (1962-1965) and PC (1966-1972). The Viscount (1966-1972) was an upmarket Cresta PC.
[] Vauxhall Cresta E
The Vauxhall Velox had been introduced in 1948 with a new version in 1951. The Cresta E had the same 2262 cc six cylinder engine in the same state of tune but scored over the Velox in having leather upholstery, two tone paintwork, a heater as standardand a clock.
[] Vauxhall Cresta PA
The PA Cresta is probably the most well-known today. It mimicked the American fashion for giant tailfins, wrap-around windows and whitewall tyres but in a relatively understated way compared to the Cadillacs and Buicks of the time. In fact, it bears an uncanny resemblance to a 1955 Packard Caribbean.
During the 1970s many PA Crestas were modified and customised, and the model was very popular with fifties revivalists; many were driven by teddy boys and were very much seen as part of the rock 'n' roll image. A PA Cresta features in the 1981 video for Ghost Town by The Specials. The band are also wearing 50s style clothing in the video.
Today the PA Cresta is a recognised classic, with the other variants perhaps less appreciated but gaining recognition. One famous PA owner in the late 1950s was Don Lang.
[] Vauxhall Cresta PB
The PB was a major styling revision, completely eliminating the tail fins, with a flat bonnet (hood) and generally more conservative styling. It initially featured a 2.6 litre straight-six engine, with a 3.3 litre in its last year of production. The gearbox was still three speed with column change but an overdrive was available. The 3.3 litre cars had a four speed box with floor change as an option. Hydramatic automatic transmission was available with both engines. Servo assisted brakes, disc at the front were fitted.
[] Vauxhall Cresta PC
The last of the series, the PC, was a different car, larger and styled with the coke-bottle look introduced with the FD Victor series. It was very similar to the Australian Holden HR, and featured the 3.3 litre straight-six engine for its entire 3-year production run. The De-Luxe version had four headlamps.
[] Vauxhall Viscount
With the same engine and mechanics as the PC, the Viscount was the super de-luxe version. It was supplied as standard with power steering, electric windows, reclining seats, a vinyl roof and walnut dashboard. Some PC 3.3 had the twin pipes and this was a performace option of the time, The standard fitting was Powerglide automatic transmission but a four speed manual was available as a no cost option. Some South African versions were fitted with a Chrysler V8 as an option - possibly the only time ever a General Motors product used a direct rival's engine.
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