Vauxhall Cresta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Vauxhall Cresta | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Vauxhall |
| Production | 1954-1972 |
| Predecessor | Vauxhall Wyvern |
| Successor | Vauxhall Victor FE |
| Related | Vauxhall Velox Vauxhall Wyvern |
The Vauxhall Cresta is a British car first introduced in 1954 as an upmarket version of the Vauxhall Velox (itself a six cylinder version of the Vauxhall Wyvern). When the Wyvern was replaced in 1957 the new larger car took the Cresta name. This car, code named the PA version one, was one of 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 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.
Contents |
[edit] Cresta E
| Vauxhall Cresta E | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1954-1957 166,504 produced.[1] |
| Body style(s) | 4-door saloon |
| Engine(s) | 2.3 L Straight-6 ohv |
| Transmission(s) | 3 speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 103 inches (2.62 m)[2] |
| Length | 172 in (4369 mm)[3] |
| Width | 66.5 in (1689 mm)[3] |
| Height | 61.5 in (1562 mm)[3] |
The Vauxhall Velox had been introduced in 1948 with a new version in 1951 that looked very much like a Chevrolet of the era. The Cresta E version, launched in 1954, had the same 2262 cc six cylinder engine in the same state of tune but scored over the Velox in having a choice of leather or fabric upholstery, optional two tone paintwork, a heater as standard, a small electric facia mounted clock, a cigar lighter, a lamp automatically illuminating the boot / trunk when opened, a vanity mirror on the inside of the front passenger's sun visor long with a special ornamental badge above the V (for Vauxhall) badge on the nose of the car. A radio was optional.
A Cresta tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956 had a top speed of 82.2 mph (132.3 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 20.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 23.5 miles per imperial gallon (12.0 L/100 km/19.6 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £931 including taxes. [3]
[edit] Cresta PA
| Vauxhall Cresta PA | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1957-1962 81,841 made[1] |
| Body style(s) | 4-door saloon 4-door estate car |
| Engine(s) | 2.2 L Straight-6 ohv 1958-1960, 2.6L Straight-6 from 1961-1962 |
| Transmission(s) | 3 speed manual, Overdrive optional, Hydramatic Automatic available from 1961 |
| Wheelbase | 105 inches (2.67 m)[2] |
| Length | 177 inches (4.50 m) Saloon |
| Width | 68 inches (1.73 m) |
The PA Cresta is probably the most well-known version. It mimicked the American fashion for giant tailfins, wrap-around windows and whitewall tyres but in an understated way compared to the Cadillacs and Buicks of the time. It bears a strong resemblance to a 1955 Packard Caribbean. All factory-built PAs were 4-Door Saloons, the Estate cars were converted by Friary of Basingstoke, Hampshire and are rare cars today.
During the 1970s many PA Crestas were modified and customised. 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 1960 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.
[edit] Cresta PB
| Vauxhall Cresta PB | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1962-1965 87,047 made[1] |
| Body style(s) | 4-door saloon 4-door estate car |
| Engine(s) | 2.4 L Straight-6 ohv 3.3 L Straight-6 ohv |
| Transmission(s) | 3 or 4 speed manual 2 or 3 speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 107 inches (2.73 m)[2] |
| Length | 182 inches (4.62 m) |
| Width | 70 inches (1.78 m) |
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.
[edit] Cresta PC
| Vauxhall Cresta PC | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1965-1972 53,912 made[1] |
| Body style(s) | 4-door saloon 4-door estate car |
| Engine(s) | 3.3 L Straight-6 ohv |
| Transmission(s) | 3 or 4 speed manual 2 or 3 speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in (2731 mm)[2] |
| Length | 187.1 in (4752 mm) |
| Width | 69.8 in (1773 mm) |
| Height | 55.6 in (1412 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2796 lb (1268 kg) (standard) |
| Fuel capacity | 15 imp gal (68 L/18 US gal) |
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 last estate cars were made in 1968.
The De-Luxe version had four headlamps.
[edit] Viscount
| Vauxhall Viscount | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1966-1972 7025 made[1] |
| Body style(s) | 4-door saloon |
| Engine(s) | 3.3 L Straight-6 ohv (or 318ci Chrysler V8 in South Africa) |
| Transmission(s) | 4 speed manual 3 speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in (2731 mm) |
| Length | 187.1 in (4752 mm) |
| Width | 69.8 in (1773 mm) |
| Height | 55.6 in (1412 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 15 imp gal (68 L/18 US gal) |
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 performance 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.
