Holy moly! What a car. I really can't remember the last time I saw a PA. They rotted soooo quickly in the day. Full marks to Steve for looking after that one so nicely. Beautiful job.
One of the early 'PA' models (with the three-piece rear window and those 'rocket ship' giant tail-lights) drove (chugged) past me last year: the bodywork had that 'more-filler-than-metal' look but what can anyone expect of a 60+ year-old 'thin-metal car'.
Steel strikes at the time meant Vauxhalls were made from naff Eastern Bloc steel. By the early '70s, there was a big push to shake off the rust-bucket image.
I’ve heard this car described as “Luton’s finest hour”. Lovely to see this Steph. Great video again! In fact, I know you said it could be one of the favourite cars featured in 2021, I’m almost beginning to think that it is one of my favourite cars ever featured on your channel. This could be Steph’s finest hour!
These I remember in the U.S. They were sold through Pontiac dealers here, which makes sense, as the interior/ exterior color schemes are very Pontiac of that era (mid 1950s to early 1960s). From the "knee-knocker" ingress/ egress of the front doors created by the wrap around windshield, to the reverse C pillar. and the multi-color leather seat covers (Pontiac used three color vinyl, no leather available, and called it Morrokide). Unusual touches like blacked out textured metal surrounds on controls, the full sweep speedometer and so many other things. The designers of the time added ornamentation to everything from the door lock buttons to the window regulator handles. The cars of this era always remind me of an older home, where not a surface is without an accent of some sort. By the time I started driving and working on vehicles fifty years ago, most of these were in the junkyards, but for me, the junkyards were like visiting a toy store. Great car. Great review. Be well.
Probably a silly question but Were they left hand drive in the USA? Imagine finding a rust free example there!, And I cant believe they came with a set of funbags!
@@chunxxxxter They were left hand drive. I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area as a kid, and most vehicles were fairly rust free (though not like desert vehicles). We really disliked vehicle from the East Coast. Most had "road cancer" and were a pain to work on.
Shows you how times have changed, cars now are an appliance rather than luxury. New car sales are so much less personal and its almost expected/implied that you've already been on line and chose your desired spec and just want a test drive in a similar spec one before you sign up for your finance/pcp/lease. Back when I was a kid I remember my mum and dad being in the dealership for ages going over things with the dealer and then coming home with loads of brochures that were richly made, none of that now, a lost age.
@@bunter6 Yep, same experience. Now the most important thing is how big the screen on the dash is and if it is Apple car play and Android compatible. Upholstery colours are charcoal or charcoal....sounds like T model Ford selections.
@@idriveaclassic That clock can be fixed, there are people who specialise in that. So many classic cars have that problem, even the ones that are really well restored and I always think it looks like the job has not been finished. Clocks in old cars can be fitted with quartz movements these days too.
@@peterriggall8409 and yet even the Model T had color in 1908-1913 to 1925-27. 1914-1924 was all black. And as for the Model A, I believe there was 28 different color combinations.
I am from Bluff in New Zealand and way back in 1983 out the back of one of the local garages there was a1962 Pax Vauxhall Velox, just sitting there and no one took much notice of it. It was dark blue with a thin white stipe at the top of the doors back to the end of the fins. It was complete just had no back wheels on it, so it was just sitting on the ground in long the grass the keys were even in it but no battery. Then it was 21 years old not much rust that I could see, it just looked original with faded paint. I was 15 yrs old back then, it just sat there for nearly 3 years and then one day it was gone. All I can say is I really wish some how I could have got it. They are such cool cars and I have always loved them.
I grew up in the days when these were viewed as old bangers. I especially remember a maroon grey with its front wing and lower front panel rotted out on the street we played in the early 70s. Yet even then, it was a special car to me, it was different, it was like the cars we saw on the many American shows and films that were on TV in those days. My affection for these cars was heightened after leaving a showing of American Graffiti in around 1977, walking out of the cinema to be greeted with a Cresta gleaming in all its glory. For me, you can keep your Ferrari, Lambourn, Aston etc. The pseudo American cars of the 50s early 60s are what I really love. Thanks Steph for featuring the PA.
My favourite Vauxhall of all time , this PA DX Cresta the last of the line before becoming much more restrained .My best mate's dad had a ' 58 PA Cresta ( 2.2 litre , 3-piece rear window , oval rear lamps and flat fronted bonnet with a round lens mascot ! ).It was duo-grey with red/black leather interior , reg.no VJJ 118 , always loved going out in it !.Steve is a lucky man to have kept this beautiful example - glittering unashamedly - can tell you loved it Steph !.
@@thomascarroll9556 Yes indeed Thomas.I can still see his dad replacing a bulb in the nearside rear indicator fin and unable to refit the screw holding the chrome reverse angle finisher trim .It ended up having a wood screw fitted but it seemed to work !.
@@Roger.Coleman1949 when I was a child in short pants I used to pass two of these parked behind each other, with the two types of light clusters, on my way home from school, liked the one withe the indicators in the fin better. At the time my dad had the older (55?) Wyvern and Velox, the wyvern had friction windows!
A friend of mine had a PA Cresta, which I got to drive a few times. It was beautiful to drive, so smooth and quiet, thanks to the flexibility of that engine. You could literally drive it in top gear all the time as long as you were doing over 20 mph. I had a Mk. 2 Zephyr, a lovely car but no match for the Cresta. A little known point is that this model Cresta handled as well as a Jaguar at speed. Ideal as a bank robber's getaway car, and more chance of getting away because the cops were looking for Jaguars.
Oh, what a lovely video to brighten up a lockdown Sunday. I'm really pleased that you included the image of the Queen in her Friary estate - I believe that at the time, the snotty brigade pooh-poohed the car until Her Majesty (the ultimate royal petrolhead) started hurtling around in one. Steph, thank you again for another brilliant video.
What an iconic bit of 50's/60's motoring! I remember someone in the village where I grew up having a Cresta in the early '60's. I thought it was a fantastic shape then and it still looks great. Well done for getting one on your channel.
What an amazing book Stephie. The idea was so advanced that i never imagined people in the 50s could come up with this idea. The car is so beautiful too. Thanks for your comprehensive research and the generosity of the owner to share the car with us. I am most grateful
Great video. I bought a 1960 PA Cresta with my Father in the late 80's and have regretted selling it ever since. I think it had only covered 28,000 miles. It also hand a very rare 45 record player slung under the passenger side dash.Brilliant.
Very rarely, the only time was if we drove over a pot hole. The the turntable part was sprung to avoid skipping. If memory serves it was a Philips unit.
That has to be the most American/Brit looking car of that era. The GM styling influence is so overwhelming I'm sure many unfamiliar with it upon first sight might say it's obviously an American car. Thanks for the great scenic drive. Another amazing 'I Drive A Classic'!
This is A Proper Motor Car! Same age as me, and in a much better condition! All credit to the owner. Why can't we make cars like this now? A lovely 6 cylinder engine, rear wheel drive and a superb interior. Thanks for another superb video!
Stunning car,absolutely immaculate,a credit to the owner. I look forward to your reviews on a Sunday morning as never know what you will review next, fantastic variety on your channel. Already looking forward to next week. By the way you r outfit coordinates beautifully with the car.
Interesting about the disc brakes option, in the states during that era on almost all domestic makes it wasn’t even offered. It wasn’t until 1962 that Ford made front discs standard equipment on the Lincoln. Very remarkable example of an English classic there, thanks for sharing
@@idriveaclassic uhm no, disk brakes were first offered on General motor sedans in 1926 to improve the Taxi culture in the cities from having to brake fast.
Excellent description of the Vauxhall PA Cresta, Steph. I loved the extra detail in this particular review and the dealer trim/paint trim combo book. Keep up the fantastic work. Always interesting.
Steph, it was the Plymouth Fury video where I first discovered you, and how lovely and wonderful you are. This Vauxhall is a wonderful example. The Colors and Upholstery book was brilliant! I love the way they did the exterior rear door handles. Thanks again Steph for a fun and interesting video.
@@idriveaclassic they would be had they not started rotting after the first year on the road! They were even worse than Peugeot for rust, which is really saying something.
Superb test, how lucky you were to get behind the wheel of this beautiful and rare car. Seeing that really interesting colour and trim book was quite the treat too. Thanks to owner Steve, what a lucky man owning a real piece of British motoring history. Thanks for another terrific review.
What a beautiful car! And especially in those colours. The video takes me back to my childhood when there were lots of these on the roads. I also remember the rear window stickers or little red triangle rear bumper badges proclaiming "Warning Disc Brakes"! My father had FA and FB Victor's and so the umbrella handle hand brake and ignition key slot with the twisting collar around the outside were very familiar as well. Thank you 🙂😎
Another great video Steph and so much nostalgia for me as I remember these as a kid and they were stunning against the opposition when new and still carry their looks well today. So lovely to see one in such a good condition, I think Ive only ever seen one in such condition 🙂🙂🙂
Excellent style combination. Beautiful scenery beautiful car. Too many so called experts have knocked the PA Cresta for its American Styling. I have always believed that it was the most glamorous of all the 1960s big saloons. They have good strong engines, nice gearchange, beautiful interior, smooth body, they drive well and easily equal to big Westminsters, Zodiacs and Super Snipes. Well spoken Steph driving should always be an occasion not a means of A to B travel. These weren't really big but the PBs and PCs were massive.
What a beautiful car! So American in styling but I love American classics so it’s definitely a beauty in my eyes. Some lovely engineering in it too with the screens, the choke and those beautiful rear door handles! Great review Steph
I remember as a 19yr old going to Measham Car sales with my father to buy a car. I indicated an identical car to that shown and he gave me one of his looks. We finished up with a low line Ford Consul still a nice motor.
In the early 70's, a near neighbour of mine had a yellow 2 tone one of these (fugly colour) but I thought it was the best thing I had ever seen. He had it waxoiled and it was in pristine condition. I begged him regularly to sell it to me to no avail. He said there was no money could buy his baby. Sadly he moved in the late 70's so what happened to it I have no idea. I did eventually get a Ford Zodiac MkII with column change.
Another great video. Love the colour coordination with you and the car. Magnificent the scenery, reminds me of driving around the Cork/Kerry mountains in the South West of Ireland.
I remember seeing Vauxhalls of this shape in the late 1960's, then they got replaced with a 'boxy' version. Ford went down the 'Americana' path with the Classic, Cortina/Consul and Anglia, Zodiac/Zephyr wing-thing throughout that era. The Rootes group had their American influenced 'Audax' shape Hillman Minxes et al. Even my Dad's Austin 1800 mark 2 from 1971 had distinctive front wings and tail fins to accommodate the rear light clusters. All of those cars had one thing that modern cars do not. Style. I enjoyed watching this well-informed review of a great classic car, thank you! Love and peace.
Great cars when new.Our next door neighbour had a new Vauxhall Velox as a company car every year,so as a kid I was familiar travelling in ,when invited,and viewing these cars every day.Even the earlier cars had a crackly exhaust note and later on in my mechanical career,I found out that GM -UK were not frightened to install , as standard ,a quite progressive camshaft.These Vauxhalls were immensely popular in my country NZ and were driven by many a taxi driver.The later FD Victor that received the 3.3 l. 6 cylinder engine were raced here.The 3.3 engine was an obvious development of the 2.6 lump featured in this PA interview. My Vauxhall in those times ?A tidy 1971 Victor 3.3 bought for $3100 NZ secondhand in1972.
As a young boy in the 1960s I remember a gentlemen who lived in the same street had one of these a real head turner. We had a Vauxhall Cresta from 1950s styling though that car suffered from rust.
This brought back memories ... my dad had one of these which was 2 tone blue. In 1966 he had a Viscount which was another level .... even had electric windows !!!!! Luxury .... hahaha. Thanks for the memories Steph .... try and get a Viscount.
Love the way you co-ordinate your outfits and even makeup to match the colour and era of the car Steph, adds great attention to detail to a thorough test drive and review :) ........
One of my older friends told me a story about how her and her girlfriends used to go down to Yarmouth in a Cresta, drawing alongside her boyfriend's car filled with his mates and pass drinks and cigarettes to each other from car to car along the Acle Straight at speed.... I told her what happened in 1964 should stay in 1964! Great video!
I had a 1960 Cresta PA, maroon and silver grey, long tail lights not like this later version. I believe that it cost just over £1000 when it was new, mine was two years old. I learned to drive on this car and loved it. No overdrive just the three speed box. I fitted reverse lights, side repeater lights, electric washers and twin aerials just behind the rear window by the rear fins. Rust was the main problem in those days with most cars and this one was no exception, I remember fitting new sills to both sides under the doors and rust could creep in along the top of the fins. It only took about an hour to change the clutch plate, the gear box was quite light in weight compared to the Zephyrs and Zodiacs which had four speed boxes. I remember that it took me almost as long to clean all of the chrome as it did the paintwork. After the PA I went on to own a white Velox and a maroon Cresta deluxe PC a 3 litre automatic which I remember having a massive boot. In their day they were a big car but when I see one now I think that they look smaller than I remember them.
A beautiful car. My Dad had a Cresta in the late 60s, It was white over nipple pink. I used to feel like an American when Dad was driving around. Good video Steph. it brought back some great memories. Thank you very much. :-))
Stunning car. Many many years ago I saw a very nice hotrod customization of one of these. I was always reminded of these when I saw my next door neighbour's Ford Consul.
My uncle had one of these Crestas when I was a child and he used to take us to Wales occasionally to see our relatives,what a thrill it was to travel in this super car we felt like Royalty,he had the previous model too but that was nowhere near as good as this model, happy days and memories.
Love the P.A. Loved 'em from the age of 5 when I first asked me dad what that car was what 'uncle Jim' had arrived in. Maroon and grey ,it was , like most I saw back in the day . Like a 1960's Durex packet !. Pestered Dad to get one, but 'too expensive' was the response - they were new at the time . Finally got me one in early '83, painted it pink , and in '87 put a small-block Chevy in it. Sold it in '90, along with my '63 P.B. , and imported a '57 Ford Fairlane. The yank addiction was started by that P.A. , and has led to a selection of Corvettes , which persists to this day.
In my mind, the BEST! British Classic! ..... Took my test (and passed) in my first one with a cracked Bell-Housing that made pulling away and hill-start a bit hit-and-miss :-) ......... Had several through the 70's and Loved every one of them, I have a picture of one infront of my computer hoping one day 'The Law Of Attraction' will put one in my way one day ...... Though they ARE extremely expensive these days, so will need to win the lotto first !! ........... Great StuFF!! :-)
My dad had one of these, grey over maroon. We used to drive from Scotland to the West Country on holiday. I remember it fondly. My dad was a Vauxhall man until he graduated to Wolseleys.
I really enjoyed this one, Steph - such a lovely car. There were still quite a few of these about in South Africa when I was primary school age and fascinated by just about every vehicle that crossed my path. Interesting regional difference - in South Africa we referred to the cheaper PA as the Vee-lox but it seems in the UK it was the Vel-ox. Ah, you forgot to give us a close-up of the Corgi model car on the back seat. And I think that was the high beam/low beam switch to the left of the clutch. I had a 1961 Borgward Isabella in the late 80s so I got to know the "quirks and features" of cars of this era (and the Isabella is a great driver's car, would love to see one again if you are ever able to get hold of one!)
I like what,you say. I was also a kid in the 70s. In New Zealand. We had a 1954 Velox. I adored the PA Velox . I had a 'dinky Toy ' one. It was a 58 with the three piece back window. I have never,owed a P.A. but I did own a P.B. I ALSO owned a Borgward Isabella. It was a 59. Loved that car. Should not have sold it .kiwis sat Vee-lox as well. We also say Vaux-hall. In reality it should be pronounced Falks-Hall. Because that it where the town got its name from. The family were the Falks and they owned a large hall. ( house)
Stunning car with the rare matching dress option. The rear door handle incorporated into the leading edge of the tail fin blew me away. I bet Ed over at Twin Cam is just itching to get his hands on that amazing brochure. Great video!
Rumours were that they were left outside unprotected,sometimes before painting. If true it's no wonder they had rust issues! This one is top notch and a credit to the owner, it's too good really, I'd be scared to use it. When we were looking for our classic we narrowed it down to a PA, MK2 Jag, or MK2 Zephyr or Zodiac. It had to be in good condition but not a trolley dolly as we wanted to use it for more than showing, and automatic as the wife is disabled. To cut a long story short, we ended up with a Zephyr as we couldn't find a PA, the jag's were stupid money and we weren't too keen on the aluminium rear on the zodiac. That was in 2004 and it's still with us, still making us smile and still dragging us into chats with some lovely like-minded people. They certainly change your lives that's for sure!🤓
That trim booklet is the sort of thing you do on line these days when you can change colours etc on a manufacturers website - the person who came up with that concept for Vauxhall was a true visionary
@@idriveaclassic That was the internet in 1960. They just didn't know it. Bet if looked on the back it would have gad "visit Vauxhall UK at www.vauxhallcars.com". Nobody at the printers knew what it was they were printing ha ha ha ha
i must say its brilliant to see how you dress up for the cars, This time the effect was outstanding ! And the way your hair worked with the notwood.....Just brilliant ! well I really enjoyed the pretty car too.. Keep it up Steph !
It was easy until it froze in cold weather. Ma had to back into the garage and park in first. One of her parents came out to the garage every morning in winter to close the garage doors or Ma would have to shut off the engine to get out and do it. If she was lucky, she was able to get into 3rd by the time she got to the highway to drive to work.
Great review and great comments from Steph - she handled that column change like a pro! This was from an age when Vauxhalls WERE Vauxhalls - top quality and innovation in spades. Now what are we left with? PSA!!! ARGHHHHHHHHH! Still, at least you won't be hanging on to one for long.
I used to dream of owning a PA Cresta, one of the best designs in the 50s and 60s. I tried to buy one in 76 but it was too corroded, I ended up with an immaculate 1967 PC Cresta 3.3 ltr with a 4 speed floor change. Vauxhalls had the best designs and great mechanics and were only let down by the dreaded rust bug. Thanks for showing this beauty its in amazing condition.
I am so enjoying your car videos over here in the States. Your Vauxhall video so reminds me of riding with my cousin in her 1962 Rambler classic. The 2 cars are so similar. The styling on the outside reminds me of the late 50's Nash Ramblers and also the Ford Anglia in another of your videos. You are very beautiful lady who is very knowledgeable about your cars. Even though it is not a classic yet, I would really love to see you drive a Smart Fortwo and give your opinions on it. I drive one here in the US and it is the tiniest thing on the road.
One of the vehicles that I look for when I go to the classic car shows, that one. Yes, they used to rot, but the ones that are left still give you a wonderful take on what they were like, as I don't think I have seen a shabby one in over 20 years! There's one that colour over here (New Zealand) but with the vinyl/cloth seats, along with a pink-over-salmon one with a similar colour interior and a cream over lemon with a green interior.....and they are all regulars at the shows. Beautiful car and great video, Steph. Many thanks for your time and effort.
Hello Steph, Thank you in particular for this review, I have a 1962 Cresta in Venetian red / Polar white with 13,000 miles on the clock, also the folder you showed with the colours and trim for that year.
My cousin was a Vauxhall, Pontiac/Oldsmobile dealer in Chehalis/Centralia Washington USA. I visited the dealership when the Vauxhalls were there. I have a VAUXHALL merchandising/promo Pencil. Excellent video. Impressive car.
I had a 1960 and latter a 1962 just like this one with the 2.6 engine 3 speed with overdrive loved it if only Vauxhall could have solved the rust problem my car was only 4 years old when I got it but it had rust holes in it already.
WOW Steph, what a beauty. The car is lovely too :-) A rare car these days. My Dad was a Big Ford man - all the Zodiacs. He had a Vauxhall Victor 101 'Powerglide' but went back to his big Fords again. what a joy to watch your videos - thank you so much for them - a real treat :-)
My father was a big Ford man too. He changed his cars quite often, he only would buy BMC or Ford's normally, but I remember on one occasion in 1960 he swapped a lovely Rover 90 he had bought new for a Vauxhall Cresta E series, he hated it! The reason for this was because we were moving home and there wasn't a garage at the new house, he always looked after his cars and didn't want to leave the Rover outside on the road. The Ford's I remember were a 50's Prefect, a 50's Anglia, a 60's Zephyr 6 JJC 448, a later Zephyr 4, a Lotus Cortina Mk ll, but the car l think he loved most of all and kept many years was a 1965 Zodiac automatic BUN 808 C, he loved that car, l liked it too, and borrowed it on many occasions. It was funny after buying all those Ford's and BMC'S, he owned a Mazda Montrose when he died in 1990.
Cresta is one of my favourite classic cars, love em! Days when cars were really cars. Simple, without any of the unwanted/unneeded money msking computerized gadgets of today. Comforatable seats in those days also..👍
Those exterior door handles are so cool. As are the wraparound front and rear windshields. To American eyes it looks like I should know this car because it seems so familiar. Another great video Steph!
I owned a 1962 one of these PABX Crestas for three years. It was in two tone blue. In my opinion the best colour. Bought S/H in 1968 I kept it for three years. I loved driving it. The only downside about it was I would regularly bash my knee getting in and out of the drivers seat on the pointed part of the windscreen's body trim. The only other thing I disliked about it was the fuel consumption. The way I drove it would return around 17 mpg. Wish I still had it a dream to drive.
A lovely car and a real credit to the owner. I used to have a 1960 Velox which had the wrap around rear screen and larger radiator grille from the 61/62 model but the round dials, oval rear lights and indicators in the fins from the 57-59 model. A very stylish car but I just couldn't keep up with the ever present rust and bought a Mk3 Cortina 2000GT to replace it. Strangely enough though, as much as I find it a stylish car my preference was and still is for its competitor, the Zephyr and Zodiac. Nevertheless, I'm glad I've owned a Velox but (and perhaps this is heresy!) with hindsight I actually preferred my two Maxis to the Velox and would love to have a Maxi again at some stage. On another note (and I know it's been said before) I love your clothes and style. And you can't beat tassel loafers. I have a black pair and a black and white pair which go well with all my different outfits.
Good review. Great car and a super trim book as well. My 1955 Sunbeam 90 has a clock in the same position and can be seen easily from the front and back seats.
What a stunning car. We are so lucky to see this vehicle as condensation from the driver’s breath could rot through Vauxhalls of this era just during a 100 mile journey. OK I exaggerate, but not by much.
I wondered about the seatbelts. My 1961 Humber Hawk Series II didn't have them when my father bought it when new. But he fitted two point belts in the front. There are no mounting points at the bottom of pillars. Only at the top and at the centre tunnel. It wouldn't be legal to fit them today under NZ regulations but because they were put in when near new and with the car being over 40 years old I think I would be allowed to keep them. The original straps were frayed so I replaced the straps but kept the original hardware. It isn't obvious that the straps have been replaced and I hope it won't be a problem when the car gets inspected for its first warrant of fitness since 1990. If I upgrade to modern belts and mountings then they would have to be done by a certified specialist and that will be expensive.
@@idriveaclassic you can here too. But the rules change when it comes to fitting mounting plates and drilling holes in structural areas. But I have considered just fitting some and seeing if I can get away with it.
I owned an early PA in '71..it had the 3 piece rear window and the Engine was a 2.2 Six. the Front Wings began to separate beneath the chrome trim which ran down the top seam. it had 121 K miles when I bought it. it was a smooth and comfortable Car but was Rusting rapidly. the Estate version is still a very good looking Car.
The first car I ever drove after passing my test in 1968 in an 1150cc HB Viva was my dad's 1960 PA Cresta which seemed huge & had so much more 'grunt'. The strange thing is that it was the intermediate face-lift model which had the full 1 piece rear window instead of the 3pc in the 1957-1959 models , & the updated larger grill as on the test car, but still retained the original round 'rocket ship' instruments, instead of the long oblong one on the test car, & also had the original 57-61much larger rear light lenses, & the flashers fitted in the rear of the fins, unlike the test car. The mystery is that this intermediate 1960 model should have been fitted with the earlier 2262cc engine, but dad's had the 2651cc which did not officially appear until the 2nd face-lift model as tested. This was the original engine as stated in the original unaltered 1960 log book & reciept (when it cost £1048!). I actually prefer this 'purer' intermediate model with its later 1pc rear window & larger grill, to both the more basic 1957 original, & the final 1961 face-lift, the 1959- 60 model to my eyes, having classier monotone leather upholstery, & without the stylistically diluting 'faux wood' interior trim & revised rear lights & flasher positioning. Maybe some PA expert has the answer to my query over the engine which according to my research should not have been fitted in a pre 1961 model ? I can confirm that they would just about do 100mph (if you were brave enough!), as would my own later far less glamorous PB 2.6, & I had a later 3.3 PB up to in excess of 110 (on the speedo!!) once!
Absolutely right. Vauxhall was very popular in New Zealand, until G.M started to price them out of the market in the late 60s. I still believe that the P.c. Cresta was superior to both the Holden and Ford offers from Australia at the time. Though I do love Chryslers Valiant.
Yes I am a Kiwi, my first car was a dark green 1960 Vauxhall Velox PAY my second A bermuda blue 1962 Velox PAX. The Velox models were assembled here the PA Crestas were imported, fully assembled from the UK and relatively rare. There were a couple of PAX Cresta Friary wagons in the Wellington area. I still have a sales brochure for the 1961 Velox and Cresta models that I picked up at a car show when I was a boy.
Hi Steph the reason for the 2 position switch on Vauxhall's at that time was for you took it car to garage for servicing you could lock the glove box and any thing of value in boot turn key to 1st position them withdraw keys and take them with you garage could still start car and move it about if need be
Holy moly! What a car. I really can't remember the last time I saw a PA. They rotted soooo quickly in the day. Full marks to Steve for looking after that one so nicely. Beautiful job.
Yes he’s done an incredible job
Ma had to repaint her 58 Velox in 60 after extensive welding. By 66, the car was structurally beyond repair.
One of the early 'PA' models (with the three-piece rear window and those 'rocket ship' giant tail-lights) drove (chugged) past me last year: the bodywork had that 'more-filler-than-metal' look but what can anyone expect of a 60+ year-old 'thin-metal car'.
Steel strikes at the time meant Vauxhalls were made from naff Eastern Bloc steel. By the early '70s, there was a big push to shake off the rust-bucket image.
Stunning, one of Vauxhall's best. Has to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
Agree 👏👏👏
I’ve heard this car described as “Luton’s finest hour”. Lovely to see this Steph. Great video again! In fact, I know you said it could be one of the favourite cars featured in 2021, I’m almost beginning to think that it is one of my favourite cars ever featured on your channel. This could be Steph’s finest hour!
Aww Anthony. Your comment made my heart smile x
These I remember in the U.S. They were sold through Pontiac dealers here, which makes sense, as the interior/ exterior color schemes are very Pontiac of that era (mid 1950s to early 1960s). From the "knee-knocker" ingress/ egress of the front doors created by the wrap around windshield, to the reverse C pillar. and the multi-color leather seat covers (Pontiac used three color vinyl, no leather available, and called it Morrokide). Unusual touches like blacked out textured metal surrounds on controls, the full sweep speedometer and so many other things. The designers of the time added ornamentation to everything from the door lock buttons to the window regulator handles. The cars of this era always remind me of an older home, where not a surface is without an accent of some sort. By the time I started driving and working on vehicles fifty years ago, most of these were in the junkyards, but for me, the junkyards were like visiting a toy store. Great car. Great review. Be well.
I wish I could go back in time I really do
Probably a silly question but Were they left hand drive in the USA? Imagine finding a rust free example there!, And I cant believe they came with a set of funbags!
Great post, had no idea these were ever sold in the states.
@@chunxxxxter I would expect them to have been LHD if sold by Pontiac. Ford sold LHD mark 1 and 2 Cortinas in the US.
@@chunxxxxter They were left hand drive. I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area as a kid, and most vehicles were fairly rust free (though not like desert vehicles). We really disliked vehicle from the East Coast. Most had "road cancer" and were a pain to work on.
Loved that paint and trim brochure. What a lovely thing to keep with the car.
I know! I was spoilt x
Shows you how times have changed, cars now are an appliance rather than luxury. New car sales are so much less personal and its almost expected/implied that you've already been on line and chose your desired spec and just want a test drive in a similar spec one before you sign up for your finance/pcp/lease. Back when I was a kid I remember my mum and dad being in the dealership for ages going over things with the dealer and then coming home with loads of brochures that were richly made, none of that now, a lost age.
@@bunter6 Yep, same experience. Now the most important thing is how big the screen on the dash is and if it is Apple car play and Android compatible. Upholstery colours are charcoal or charcoal....sounds like T model Ford selections.
@@idriveaclassic That clock can be fixed, there are people who specialise in that. So many classic cars have that problem, even the ones that are really well restored and I always think it looks like the job has not been finished. Clocks in old cars can be fitted with quartz movements these days too.
@@peterriggall8409 and yet even the Model T had color in 1908-1913 to 1925-27. 1914-1924 was all black. And as for the Model A, I believe there was 28 different color combinations.
I am from Bluff in New Zealand and way back in 1983 out the back of one of the local garages there was a1962 Pax Vauxhall Velox, just sitting there and no one took much notice of it. It was dark blue with a thin white stipe at the top of the doors back to the end of the fins. It was complete just had no back wheels on it, so it was just sitting on the ground in long the grass the keys were even in it but no battery. Then it was 21 years old not much rust that I could see, it just looked original with faded paint. I was 15 yrs old back then, it just sat there for nearly 3 years and then one day it was gone. All I can say is I really wish some how I could have got it. They are such cool cars and I have always loved them.
Oh what a shame it never made it 😭
Imported from Bosnian 😂
I grew up in the days when these were viewed as old bangers. I especially remember a maroon grey with its front wing and lower front panel rotted out on the street we played in the early 70s. Yet even then, it was a special car to me, it was different, it was like the cars we saw on the many American shows and films that were on TV in those days.
My affection for these cars was heightened after leaving a showing of American Graffiti in around 1977, walking out of the cinema to be greeted with a Cresta gleaming in all its glory.
For me, you can keep your Ferrari, Lambourn, Aston etc. The pseudo American cars of the 50s early 60s are what I really love. Thanks Steph for featuring the PA.
God I haven’t seen American graffiti in years
If you look hard at the bottom left hand corner of the screen during Del Shannon's 'Runaway' you'll see a Morris Minor.
The bar display speedo and dimmer knob for dash lights..pure class
My favourite Vauxhall of all time , this PA DX Cresta the last of the line before becoming much more restrained .My best mate's dad had a ' 58 PA Cresta ( 2.2 litre , 3-piece rear window , oval rear lamps and flat fronted bonnet with a round lens mascot ! ).It was duo-grey with red/black leather interior , reg.no VJJ 118 , always loved going out in it !.Steve is a lucky man to have kept this beautiful example - glittering unashamedly - can tell you loved it Steph !.
Oval lights, and indicators in the fins?
@@thomascarroll9556 Yes indeed Thomas.I can still see his dad replacing a bulb in the nearside rear indicator fin and unable to refit the screw holding the chrome reverse angle finisher trim .It ended up having a wood screw fitted but it seemed to work !.
@@Roger.Coleman1949 when I was a child in short pants I used to pass two of these parked behind each other, with the two types of light clusters, on my way home from school, liked the one withe the indicators in the fin better. At the time my dad had the older (55?) Wyvern and Velox, the wyvern had friction windows!
A friend of mine had a PA Cresta, which I got to drive a few times. It was beautiful to drive, so smooth and quiet, thanks to the flexibility of that engine. You could literally drive it in top gear all the time as long as you were doing over 20 mph. I had a Mk. 2 Zephyr, a lovely car but no match for the Cresta. A little known point is that this model Cresta handled as well as a Jaguar at speed. Ideal as a bank robber's getaway car, and more chance of getting away because the cops were looking for Jaguars.
Haha yes. A robber with style.
Oh, what a lovely video to brighten up a lockdown Sunday. I'm really pleased that you included the image of the Queen in her Friary estate - I believe that at the time, the snotty brigade pooh-poohed the car until Her Majesty (the ultimate royal petrolhead) started hurtling around in one. Steph, thank you again for another brilliant video.
I love QEII - she’s such a woman ❤️
What an iconic bit of 50's/60's motoring! I remember someone in the village where I grew up having a Cresta in the early '60's. I thought it was a fantastic shape then and it still looks great. Well done for getting one on your channel.
Thanks Ian. It wasn’t my easiest find, had a hand in sourcing from Kev who appears in many of my videos!
That brochure was incredible. Even in the late 80s though the Next Directory had fabric swatches for suits.
What an amazing book Stephie. The idea was so advanced that i never imagined people in the 50s could come up with this idea. The car is so beautiful too. Thanks for your comprehensive research and the generosity of the owner to share the car with us. I am most grateful
Honestly it’s my pleasure it really is. Best day out in ages.
I wish i can come with you! The shape of the front and rear windscreens are so unique. I only saw the car in B&W in films....i wish i got one.
Great video. I bought a 1960 PA Cresta with my Father in the late 80's and have regretted selling it ever since.
I think it had only covered 28,000 miles. It also hand a very rare 45 record player slung under the passenger side dash.Brilliant.
Did it skip? I’ve always wondered about those.
Very rarely, the only time was if we drove over a pot hole. The the turntable part was sprung to avoid skipping. If memory serves it was a Philips unit.
There's one for sale on eBay at the moment.........£800!!!!!!!!!
That has to be the most American/Brit looking car of that era. The GM styling influence is so overwhelming I'm sure many unfamiliar with it upon first sight might say it's obviously an American car. Thanks for the great scenic drive. Another amazing 'I Drive A Classic'!
Thank you so much!!! X
My Uncle had velux and I have the last picture of Gran sitting in the back. It brings back happy memory of Gran seeing this video.
This is A Proper Motor Car! Same age as me, and in a much better condition! All credit to the owner. Why can't we make cars like this now? A lovely 6 cylinder engine, rear wheel drive and a superb interior. Thanks for another superb video!
Car is nearly twice my age and looks better than me too 😂😂😂😂😂
@@idriveaclassic Now, then, Lass. Less of that. Thee's stunning in your own right.
Stunning car,absolutely immaculate,a credit to the owner. I look forward to your reviews on a Sunday morning as never know what you will review next, fantastic variety on your channel. Already looking forward to next week. By the way you r outfit coordinates beautifully with the car.
Thanks so much andrew!
Thank you. This has been in my top 5 classic cars for more years than I care to remember.
Excellent review of a car that is obviously cherished by the owner...great engine note 👍
Thanks so much ❤️❤️
Interesting about the disc brakes option, in the states during that era on almost all domestic makes it wasn’t even offered. It wasn’t until 1962 that Ford made front discs standard equipment on the Lincoln. Very remarkable example of an English classic there, thanks for sharing
Ahh really?!
@@idriveaclassic uhm no, disk brakes were first offered on General motor sedans in 1926 to improve the Taxi culture in the cities from having to brake fast.
Excellent description of the Vauxhall PA Cresta, Steph.
I loved the extra detail in this particular review and the dealer trim/paint trim combo book.
Keep up the fantastic work.
Always interesting.
I love how your clothing matches the car. In fact I think overall this is one of the best video you've produced so far. Have enjoyed it very much.
Thank you! I made the dress myself especially.
@@idriveaclassic Well done Steph! And it really shows your enthusiasm for this car.
@@volvo480 Wow, top marks Steph. If you make a dress for every road test you are going to be a busy girl. :-)
Steph, it was the Plymouth Fury video where I first discovered you, and how lovely and wonderful you are.
This Vauxhall is a wonderful example. The Colors and Upholstery book was brilliant! I love the way they did the exterior rear door handles. Thanks again Steph for a fun and interesting video.
Ahh really! I loved doing that video x
I'm drooling. This is a classic British car.
Also it brings back memories of my childhood when the PA and Velox were everywhere.
I wish they were more commonplace.
@@idriveaclassic they would be had they not started rotting after the first year on the road! They were even worse than Peugeot for rust, which is really saying something.
Superb test, how lucky you were to get behind the wheel of this beautiful and rare car. Seeing that really interesting colour and trim book was quite the treat too. Thanks to owner Steve, what a lucky man owning a real piece of British motoring history. Thanks for another terrific review.
I was *the* luckiest.
What a beautiful car! And especially in those colours.
The video takes me back to my childhood when there were lots of these on the roads. I also remember the rear window stickers or little red triangle rear bumper badges proclaiming "Warning Disc Brakes"!
My father had FA and FB Victor's and so the umbrella handle hand brake and ignition key slot with the twisting collar around the outside were very familiar as well.
Thank you 🙂😎
Another great video Steph and so much nostalgia for me as I remember these as a kid and they were stunning against the opposition when new and still carry their looks well today. So lovely to see one in such a good condition, I think Ive only ever seen one in such condition 🙂🙂🙂
Thanks Leslie. I was rather spoilt!
Always loved the PA Cresta. It somehow has a bit of American glamour about it, like a small 57 Chevy 😉
Very nice 🙂 I like the American influences that I can see in the Vauxhalls, Ford Zephyr / Zodiacs and big Humbers.
Me too! X
Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town 😉. Cresta famously stared in The Specials video for ghost town.
It did indeed!
@@idriveaclassic But Steph that was so before your time….kudos for knowing of that cool song and video!
I've seen a couple at car shows here in Australia. They do look better in the flesh. I love how your clothes match the interior.
Your videos are always required viewing. Fascinating information about the car. Love the dealer's colour and trim book.
Ahh thank you ❤️❤️❤️
Excellent style combination. Beautiful scenery beautiful car. Too many so called experts have knocked the PA Cresta for its American Styling. I have always believed that it was the most glamorous of all the 1960s big saloons. They have good strong engines, nice gearchange, beautiful interior, smooth body, they drive well and easily equal to big Westminsters, Zodiacs and Super Snipes. Well spoken Steph driving should always be an occasion not a means of A to B travel.
These weren't really big but the PBs and PCs were massive.
I think it’s interesting to look at it as a real daring leap forward.
What a beautiful car! So American in styling but I love American classics so it’s definitely a beauty in my eyes. Some lovely engineering in it too with the screens, the choke and those beautiful rear door handles! Great review Steph
She was gorgeous x
love how you complemented the car with ur outfit steph!
Thanks michael it’s a home made number
I remember as a 19yr old going to Measham Car sales with my father to buy a car. I indicated an identical car to that shown and he gave me one of his looks. We finished up with a low line Ford Consul still a nice motor.
Really enjoyed watching you take the old Cresta for a drive... Love your outfit, its so in keeping ..
Thank you! I made the dress specially for the video. I found the crimplene in the cupboard a week before and thought it would be perfect 😂
In the early 70's, a near neighbour of mine had a yellow 2 tone one of these (fugly colour) but I thought it was the best thing I had ever seen. He had it waxoiled and it was in pristine condition. I begged him regularly to sell it to me to no avail. He said there was no money could buy his baby. Sadly he moved in the late 70's so what happened to it I have no idea. I did eventually get a Ford Zodiac MkII with column change.
Another great video. Love the colour coordination with you and the car. Magnificent the scenery, reminds me of driving around the Cork/Kerry mountains in the South West of Ireland.
Ahh that’s on my list xx
I remember seeing Vauxhalls of this shape in the late 1960's, then they got replaced with a 'boxy' version. Ford went down the 'Americana' path with the Classic, Cortina/Consul and Anglia, Zodiac/Zephyr wing-thing throughout that era. The Rootes group had their American influenced 'Audax' shape Hillman Minxes et al. Even my Dad's Austin 1800 mark 2 from 1971 had distinctive front wings and tail fins to accommodate the rear light clusters. All of those cars had one thing that modern cars do not. Style.
I enjoyed watching this well-informed review of a great classic car, thank you! Love and peace.
Hats off to the restorer/s of this car. The bodywork looks fabulous!
Great cars when new.Our next door neighbour had a new Vauxhall Velox as a company car every year,so as a kid I was familiar travelling in ,when invited,and viewing these cars every day.Even the earlier cars had a crackly exhaust note and later on in my mechanical career,I found out that GM -UK were not frightened to install , as standard ,a quite progressive camshaft.These Vauxhalls were immensely popular in my country NZ and were driven by many a taxi driver.The later FD Victor that received the 3.3 l. 6 cylinder engine were raced here.The 3.3 engine was an obvious development of the 2.6 lump featured in this PA interview. My Vauxhall in those times ?A tidy 1971 Victor 3.3 bought for $3100 NZ secondhand in1972.
Absolutely delicious upload... Your back on track with another magnificent car .
Thank you!!!
This may be the only way that many of us can see a rare car like this. Thanks for showing it.
As a young boy in the 1960s I remember a gentlemen who lived in the same street had one of these a real head turner. We had a Vauxhall Cresta from 1950s styling though that car suffered from rust.
This brought back memories ... my dad had one of these which was 2 tone blue. In 1966 he had a Viscount which was another level .... even had electric windows !!!!! Luxury .... hahaha. Thanks for the memories Steph .... try and get a Viscount.
Gosh leccy windows!
Love the way you co-ordinate your outfits and even makeup to match the colour and era of the car Steph, adds great attention to detail to a thorough test drive and review :) ........
Thanks Adam! It’s deliberate and I make all my own clothes. It’s always important to get it right I think x
@@idriveaclassic sure is. And it works beautifully ,
One of my older friends told me a story about how her and her girlfriends used to go down to Yarmouth in a Cresta, drawing alongside her boyfriend's car filled with his mates and pass drinks and cigarettes to each other from car to car along the Acle Straight at speed.... I told her what happened in 1964 should stay in 1964! Great video!
PB was immensely popular in New Zealand, saw heaps of them as a kid. Was my parents wedding car 👍.
I had a 1960 Cresta PA, maroon and silver grey, long tail lights not like this later version. I believe that it cost just over £1000 when it was new, mine was two years old. I learned to drive on this car and loved it. No overdrive just the three speed box. I fitted reverse lights, side repeater lights, electric washers and twin aerials just behind the rear window by the rear fins. Rust was the main problem in those days with most cars and this one was no exception, I remember fitting new sills to both sides under the doors and rust could creep in along the top of the fins. It only took about an hour to change the clutch plate, the gear box was quite light in weight compared to the Zephyrs and Zodiacs which had four speed boxes. I remember that it took me almost as long to clean all of the chrome as it did the paintwork. After the PA I went on to own a white Velox and a maroon Cresta deluxe PC a 3 litre automatic which I remember having a massive boot. In their day they were a big car but when I see one now I think that they look smaller than I remember them.
A beautiful car. My Dad had a Cresta in the late 60s, It was white over nipple pink. I used to feel like an American when Dad was driving around. Good video Steph. it brought back some great memories. Thank you very much. :-))
I always liked these cars and when I was a kid I used to dream of owning one in the 1960's, that is last century by the way 😂
😂😂😂
Stunning car. Many many years ago I saw a very nice hotrod customization of one of these. I was always reminded of these when I saw my next door neighbour's Ford Consul.
My uncle had one of these Crestas when I was a child and he used to take us to Wales occasionally to see our relatives,what a thrill it was to travel in this super car we felt like Royalty,he had the previous model too but that was nowhere near as good as this model, happy days and memories.
Love the P.A. Loved 'em from the age of 5 when I first asked me dad what that car was what 'uncle Jim' had arrived in. Maroon and grey ,it was , like most I saw back in the day . Like a 1960's Durex packet !. Pestered Dad to get one, but 'too expensive' was the response - they were new at the time . Finally got me one in early '83, painted it pink , and in '87 put a small-block Chevy in it. Sold it in '90, along with my '63 P.B. , and imported a '57 Ford Fairlane. The yank addiction was started by that P.A. , and has led to a selection of Corvettes , which persists to this day.
I just love these. I believe the Cresta had an option of a Venetian Blind for the rear screen.
In my mind, the BEST! British Classic! ..... Took my test (and passed) in my first one with a cracked Bell-Housing that made pulling away and hill-start a bit hit-and-miss :-) ......... Had several through the 70's and Loved every one of them, I have a picture of one infront of my computer hoping one day 'The Law Of Attraction' will put one in my way one day ...... Though they ARE extremely expensive these days, so will need to win the lotto first !! ........... Great StuFF!! :-)
My dad had one of these, grey over maroon. We used to drive from Scotland to the West Country on holiday. I remember it fondly. My dad was a Vauxhall man until he graduated to Wolseleys.
I remember driving one in the 1960s. Very smooth ride and smooth six cylinder engine. A very well liked car at that time
I really enjoyed this one, Steph - such a lovely car. There were still quite a few of these about in South Africa when I was primary school age and fascinated by just about every vehicle that crossed my path. Interesting regional difference - in South Africa we referred to the cheaper PA as the Vee-lox but it seems in the UK it was the Vel-ox.
Ah, you forgot to give us a close-up of the Corgi model car on the back seat. And I think that was the high beam/low beam switch to the left of the clutch. I had a 1961 Borgward Isabella in the late 80s so I got to know the "quirks and features" of cars of this era (and the Isabella is a great driver's car, would love to see one again if you are ever able to get hold of one!)
Thanks for watching andrew
I like what,you say. I was also a kid in the 70s. In New Zealand. We had a 1954 Velox. I adored the PA Velox . I had a 'dinky Toy ' one. It was a 58 with the three piece back window. I have never,owed a P.A. but I did own a P.B.
I ALSO owned a Borgward Isabella. It was a 59. Loved that car. Should not have sold it .kiwis sat Vee-lox as well. We also say Vaux-hall. In reality it should be pronounced Falks-Hall. Because that it where the town got its name from. The family were the Falks and they owned a large hall. ( house)
We, in Dunedin NZ, always seemed to call them "Vee lox" and the make was "Vorx'all"....same as the suburb across the harbour.
Stunning car with the rare matching dress option. The rear door handle incorporated into the leading edge of the tail fin blew me away. I bet Ed over at Twin Cam is just itching to get his hands on that amazing brochure. Great video!
It’s such a rare dealership special. I was scared to use it!
Rumours were that they were left outside unprotected,sometimes
before painting. If true it's no wonder they had rust issues!
This one is top notch and a credit to the owner, it's too good really, I'd be scared to use it.
When we were looking for our classic we narrowed it down to a PA, MK2 Jag, or MK2 Zephyr or Zodiac. It had to be in good condition but not a trolley dolly as we wanted to use it for more than showing, and automatic as the wife is disabled. To cut a long story short, we ended up with a Zephyr as we couldn't find a PA, the jag's were stupid money and we weren't too keen on the aluminium rear on the zodiac. That was in 2004 and it's still with us, still making us smile and still dragging us into chats with some lovely like-minded people. They certainly change your lives that's for sure!🤓
Is that true?! That’s mental.
My dad had one in solid Black. Very happy memories, sliding along the front bench as the car turned corners.
Absolutely beautiful car! It would fit right in here in the US!
That trim booklet is the sort of thing you do on line these days when you can change colours etc on a manufacturers website - the person who came up with that concept for Vauxhall was a true visionary
It’s such an expensive thing to produce. Incredible reallt.
@@idriveaclassic That was the internet in 1960. They just didn't know it. Bet if looked on the back it would have gad "visit Vauxhall UK at www.vauxhallcars.com". Nobody at the printers knew what it was they were printing ha ha ha ha
Another sweet treat. A Vauxhall Cresta. My favorite Vauxhall is the Viva. ❤️😀
What a fantastic video Steph, a lovely piece of history which summarised the era.
Thank you Stu!
i must say its brilliant to see how you dress up for the cars, This time the effect was outstanding ! And the way your hair worked with the notwood.....Just brilliant ! well I really enjoyed the pretty car too..
Keep it up Steph !
Beautiful car.kudos to the owner.Even the model before this stood out with its outlandish colour combinations compared to other cars of the time.
Honestly Steve was a cracking bloke.
That car looks great on you Steph 🤩👍
Thank you Carl x
My grandad had one, this brought back memories of a happy childhood
Ahh lovely x
The standard 3 speed was an absolute pleasure to use in this and on later iterations . Great stuff Steph .
It’s an easy one. Some column change set ups are just a pig to drive.
It was easy until it froze in cold weather. Ma had to back into the garage and park in first. One of her parents came out to the garage every morning in winter to close the garage doors or Ma would have to shut off the engine to get out and do it. If she was lucky, she was able to get into 3rd by the time she got to the highway to drive to work.
Great review and great comments from Steph - she handled that column change like a pro! This was from an age when Vauxhalls WERE Vauxhalls - top quality and innovation in spades. Now what are we left with? PSA!!! ARGHHHHHHHHH! Still, at least you won't be hanging on to one for long.
I used to dream of owning a PA Cresta, one of the best designs in the 50s and 60s. I tried to buy one in 76 but it was too corroded, I ended up with an immaculate 1967 PC Cresta 3.3 ltr with a 4 speed floor change. Vauxhalls had the best designs and great mechanics and were only let down by the dreaded rust bug. Thanks for showing this beauty its in amazing condition.
It makes me sad Vauxhall are now quite safe in their designs.
I am so enjoying your car videos over here in the States. Your Vauxhall video so reminds me of riding with my cousin in her 1962 Rambler classic. The 2 cars are so similar. The styling on the outside reminds me of the late 50's Nash Ramblers and also the Ford Anglia in another of your videos. You are very beautiful lady who is very knowledgeable about your cars. Even though it is not a classic yet, I would really love to see you drive a Smart Fortwo and give your opinions on it. I drive one here in the US and it is the tiniest thing on the road.
One of the vehicles that I look for when I go to the classic car shows, that one. Yes, they used to rot, but the ones that are left still give you a wonderful take on what they were like, as I don't think I have seen a shabby one in over 20 years! There's one that colour over here (New Zealand) but with the vinyl/cloth seats, along with a pink-over-salmon one with a similar colour interior and a cream over lemon with a green interior.....and they are all regulars at the shows. Beautiful car and great video, Steph. Many thanks for your time and effort.
Thanks so much for watching Lance!
Hello Steph,
Thank you in particular for this review, I have a 1962 Cresta in Venetian red / Polar white with 13,000 miles on the clock, also the folder you showed with the colours and trim for that year.
My cousin was a Vauxhall, Pontiac/Oldsmobile dealer in Chehalis/Centralia Washington USA. I visited the dealership when the Vauxhalls were there. I have a VAUXHALL merchandising/promo Pencil. Excellent video. Impressive car.
Thanks for watching Jeff!
I had a 1960 and latter a 1962 just like this one with the 2.6 engine 3 speed with overdrive loved it if only Vauxhall could have solved the rust problem my car was only 4 years old when I got it but it had rust holes in it already.
That’s shocking.
I am in Canada, I bought a Victor, then the Cresta.. I absolutely loved it, thought it was one of the most beautiful I had ever seen.
It's one of my favourites too! Glad to hear it actually lives up to its looks. It's cars like this that keep me buying those lottery tickets!
Honestly it’s worth the hype
@@idriveaclassic Just my kind of car, 2 big settees inside and pulled along by a lazy burbly old skool 6! Best of all it looks like a U.S. import!
WOW Steph, what a beauty. The car is lovely too :-) A rare car these days. My Dad was a Big Ford man - all the Zodiacs. He had a Vauxhall Victor 101 'Powerglide' but went back to his big Fords again. what a joy to watch your videos - thank you so much for them - a real treat :-)
Thanks for watching Michael
My father was a big Ford man too. He changed his cars quite often, he only would buy BMC or Ford's normally, but I remember on one occasion in 1960 he swapped a lovely Rover 90 he had bought new for a Vauxhall Cresta E series, he hated it! The reason for this was because we were moving home and there wasn't a garage at the new house, he always looked after his cars and didn't want to leave the Rover outside on the road. The Ford's I remember were a 50's Prefect, a 50's Anglia, a 60's Zephyr 6 JJC 448, a later Zephyr 4, a Lotus Cortina Mk ll, but the car l think he loved most of all and kept many years was a 1965 Zodiac automatic BUN 808 C, he loved that car, l liked it too, and borrowed it on many occasions. It was funny after buying all those Ford's and BMC'S, he owned a Mazda Montrose when he died in 1990.
Lovely car, always wondered what the car was in the specials video, thought it was a humber! Thanks for a great video. Cheers.
Cresta is one of my favourite classic cars, love em!
Days when cars were really cars. Simple, without any of the unwanted/unneeded money msking computerized gadgets of today. Comforatable seats in those days also..👍
Those exterior door handles are so cool. As are the wraparound front and rear windshields. To American eyes it looks like I should know this car because it seems so familiar.
Another great video Steph!
The door handles were a carry over from the the previous E.I.P
Thank you so much xx
I owned a 1962 one of these PABX Crestas for three years. It was in two tone blue. In my opinion the best colour. Bought S/H in 1968 I kept it for three years. I loved driving it. The only downside about it was I would regularly bash my knee getting in and out of the drivers seat on the pointed part of the windscreen's body trim. The only other thing I disliked about it was the fuel consumption. The way I drove it would return around 17 mpg. Wish I still had it a dream to drive.
A lovely car and a real credit to the owner. I used to have a 1960 Velox which had the wrap around rear screen and larger radiator grille from the 61/62 model but the round dials, oval rear lights and indicators in the fins from the 57-59 model. A very stylish car but I just couldn't keep up with the ever present rust and bought a Mk3 Cortina 2000GT to replace it. Strangely enough though, as much as I find it a stylish car my preference was and still is for its competitor, the Zephyr and Zodiac. Nevertheless, I'm glad I've owned a Velox but (and perhaps this is heresy!) with hindsight I actually preferred my two Maxis to the Velox and would love to have a Maxi again at some stage. On another note (and I know it's been said before) I love your clothes and style. And you can't beat tassel loafers. I have a black pair and a black and white pair which go well with all my different outfits.
Lovely lovely car, Vauxhalls were on fire in the style stakes back in the day.
They really were!
Good review. Great car and a super trim book as well. My 1955 Sunbeam 90 has a clock in the same position and can be seen easily from the front and back seats.
How lovely! I’d love to take a sunbeam out
The roof line and rear window is art
What a stunning car. We are so lucky to see this vehicle as condensation from the driver’s breath could rot through Vauxhalls of this era just during a 100 mile journey. OK I exaggerate, but not by much.
I wondered about the seatbelts. My 1961 Humber Hawk Series II didn't have them when my father bought it when new. But he fitted two point belts in the front. There are no mounting points at the bottom of pillars. Only at the top and at the centre tunnel. It wouldn't be legal to fit them today under NZ regulations but because they were put in when near new and with the car being over 40 years old I think I would be allowed to keep them. The original straps were frayed so I replaced the straps but kept the original hardware. It isn't obvious that the straps have been replaced and I hope it won't be a problem when the car gets inspected for its first warrant of fitness since 1990. If I upgrade to modern belts and mountings then they would have to be done by a certified specialist and that will be expensive.
Oh really? You can fit belts at home here
@@idriveaclassic you can here too. But the rules change when it comes to fitting mounting plates and drilling holes in structural areas. But I have considered just fitting some and seeing if I can get away with it.
I owned an early PA in '71..it had the 3 piece rear window and the Engine was a 2.2 Six.
the Front Wings began to separate beneath the chrome trim which ran down the top seam.
it had 121 K miles when I bought it.
it was a smooth and comfortable Car but was Rusting rapidly.
the Estate version is still a very good looking Car.
The first car I ever drove after passing my test in 1968 in an 1150cc HB Viva was my dad's 1960 PA Cresta which seemed huge & had so much more 'grunt'. The strange thing is that it was the intermediate face-lift model which had the full 1 piece rear window instead of the 3pc in the 1957-1959 models , & the updated larger grill as on the test car, but still retained the original round 'rocket ship' instruments, instead of the long oblong one on the test car, & also had the original 57-61much larger rear light lenses, & the flashers fitted in the rear of the fins, unlike the test car. The mystery is that this intermediate 1960 model should have been fitted with the earlier 2262cc engine, but dad's had the 2651cc which did not officially appear until the 2nd face-lift model as tested. This was the original engine as stated in the original unaltered 1960 log book & reciept (when it cost £1048!). I actually prefer this 'purer' intermediate model with its later 1pc rear window & larger grill, to both the more basic 1957 original, & the final 1961 face-lift, the 1959- 60 model to my eyes, having classier monotone leather upholstery, & without the stylistically diluting 'faux wood' interior trim & revised rear lights & flasher positioning. Maybe some PA expert has the answer to my query over the engine which according to my research should not have been fitted in a pre 1961 model ? I can confirm that they would just about do 100mph (if you were brave enough!), as would my own later far less glamorous PB 2.6, & I had a later 3.3 PB up to in excess of 110 (on the speedo!!) once!
There were lots of these sold in New Zealand by GM dealers who also sold Holden's as well the PA was a great car
Ah lovely
Absolutely right. Vauxhall was very popular in New Zealand, until G.M started to price them out of the market in the late 60s. I still believe that the P.c. Cresta was superior to both the Holden and Ford offers from Australia at the time. Though I do love Chryslers Valiant.
Yes I am a Kiwi, my first car was a dark green 1960 Vauxhall Velox PAY my second A bermuda blue 1962 Velox PAX. The Velox models were assembled here the PA Crestas were imported, fully assembled from the UK and relatively rare. There were a couple of PAX Cresta Friary wagons in the Wellington area.
I still have a sales brochure for the 1961 Velox and Cresta models that I picked up at a car show when I was a boy.
What a Sunday treat Steph. Fantastic review. Notice how easy it is to read the speedometer etc .Pity they don't make beauties t like this any more
It’s easy all round xx
Style and class those days had them Ford zodiac PA velox loved them gears on the tree 🏴👍🏻🗳
Hi Steph the reason for the 2 position switch on Vauxhall's at that time was for you took it car to garage for servicing you could lock the glove box and any thing of value in boot turn key to 1st position them withdraw keys and take them with you garage could still start car and move it about if need be