1963 Vauxhall Cresta

Vauxhall Velox/Cresta PB (Saloon), 1962-1965

The Vauxhall Velox/Cresta PB was in production from 1962 until 1965. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon range seating five adults.

Following in the footsteps of the previous PA ranges, the Velox and Cresta were well established parts of British motoring life. Targeted squarely at buyers of the Ford Zephyr Six and Zodiac MKIII ranges, Vauxhall made use of the smaller FB Victor's doors in the design of the new car ensuring a distinct family Vauxhall link between the three ranges aimed at the Z cars. This also ensured a reduction in development costs which was welcome in a changing market.

There are, broadly, two series of PB. The first series spans 1962-1964, and carried over the 2.6 litre engine from the PA which came before. The later cars used a 3.3-litre engine which would continue to be used in the PC range. At the time of the change a new full width chrome grille was fitted to both Velox and Cresta models, with minor trim changes and a change of automatic transmission from three speed Hydramatic to two speed Powerglide. The manual transmission, typically three-speed column shift with overdrive, was expanded to include the option of a four speed floor mounted transmission. An estate was available, converted by Martin Walter and using the rear doors of the factory Victor FB estate. The PB was the last Velox; the base model becoming the Cresta for the replacement PC range with a new range topping Viscount offered.

In some respects a PB is much like its predecessor to drive - the same good suspension and excellent column shift remain, though the wooliness of the steering is much reduced and the sensation of a narrow track is lessened. Contemporary road testers found the handling sure footed in inclement weather - no doubt a result of a wide car with a long wheelbase offering heightened levels of stability. Inside a PB Cresta or Velox there's plenty of room for six, though the optional floor mounted gear lever can be more intrusive than the column mounted three speed. The 3.3 engine can make the PB something of a Q-car, with acceleration vastly in excess of what you might expect.

Rot will be your biggest enemy with a PB Vauxhall - there's a lot of metal and it all likes to corrode. Check everything structural from the sills to the bulkhead, as the PB is a monocoque any weakness can affect the safety of the car. Debris can gather in the wheel arches, at the ends of the sills, and under the valances - so check these areas thoroughly. Door and wing bottoms can also trap moisture and rot out from the inside. Mechanically, there's little to worry about with these big Vauxhall sixes, but it's important to note that as with the PA an antifreeze concentration of at least 50% is necessary to prevent the block from cracking between the core plugs. Trim will be hard to find in good order so make sure any car you look at is complete.

Most desirable PB is certainly a facelifted, 3.3-litre estate conversion. Crestas can command a price premium over the equivalent Velox, up to but not including concours examples were values tend to even out once more. The early 2.6 litre Velox might interest marque historians, but typically the smaller engine and reduced specification will make it less popular. Saloons aren't undesirable but they're relatively common; the estate can command a premium of around 30%. Automatics and manuals are worth similar money, though a good manual will always be a more desirable prospect than an automatic.

The obvious rivals for the PB Velox and Cresta are Ford's Zephyr and Zodiac Mk3 ranges, which offer similar American influence and were the PB's direct rivals new. Alternatives might also include the PC model Vauxhalls, or more European-styled alternatives such as the Rover P6 or Triumph 2000. Perhaps the BMC Landcrab could offer additional space in high tech surroundings, if you wanted to sacrifice the style. Or if your garage is too small, try an FB Victor for size.