1969 Vauxhall Cresta

Vauxhall Cresta PC (Saloon), 1965-1972

The Vauxhall Cresta PC was in production from 1965 until 1972. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon range seating five adults.

As with the previous PA and PB models, the Cresta was clearly targeted at buyers of Ford's Zephyr and Zodiac. However, for the PC Vauxhall followed Ford's lead; where it had abandoned the Consul name in favour of the Zephyr 4, Vauxhall pensioned off the Velox in favour of a base model Cresta, a Cresta DeLuxe, and a new range topping Viscount which we shall cover elsewhere. Styled to resemble contemporary Chevrolets, the PC was the last of the Cresta line.

Some 44% stiffer than the outgoing PB and featuring curved side glass, there are broadly two models of Cresta denoted by the factory as PCS and PCD. The Cresta name had greater cachet than Velox, so at the eleventh hour the basic model became the Cresta, in house name PCS. This had single headlamps, a bench seat, vinyl trim, and served as a six cylinder rival to the Ford Zephyr 6. Few were built, most preferring to pay the extra for a Deluxe. Above this where the Cresta would usually sit was the Cresta Deluxe - twin headlamps, a standard heater, reversing lights, and other toys. Above that was Vauxhall's most prestigious model ever, the PCE. We shall cover this model, the Viscount, separately. Both could be had with a three speed column shift, four speed floor shift or two speed Powerglide auto. As before, a Martin Walter converted estate was made available. Later, the Powerglide was replaced by the three speed GM Strasbourg auto.

The Cresta PC is like a giant marshmallow from behind the wheel - very softly sprung, it clearly takes its inspiration from Detroit in terms of the driving experience. The steering is light too, and the same great column shift from previous Crestas remains. As a driving experience it beats the MK4 Zodiac, because it feels more capable in the corners than the Ford despite its overtones of scaled down Pontiac. The engine is beautifully refined, with a sense of urgency which belies its on-paper acceleration.

Rust is a known issue - and the sills, door skins and floors should all be checked thoroughly. Replacement panels can be hard to source, and it can often be better to walk away from a rotten example than to attempt restoration. Noisy tappets may need resetting, but beware this job as Vauxhall insisted it be carried out with the engine running. Oil can go everywhere as a result. You'll struggle finding detail trim items, so make sure any Cresta you view is complete - especially the Standard model, of which fewer were sold.

Leave the Cresta Standard to collectors; the extra toys and ease of finding a Deluxe make this the car we're going to focus on. The most desirable cars have four speed manual gearboxes, and the later the better in terms of standard equipment. Avoid the Powerglide transmission as surges in fluid under hard cornering could lead to a loss of drive even when new, and the fuel consumption is drastically worsened. Cars so fitted can be worth up to 15% less than a four speed equivalent. Estates can attract a premium if in good condition, but don't discount the saloon.

The obvious rivals for the Cresta PC are Ford's Zephyr Six and Zodiac ranges, which share a Transatlantic look and are real six seater cars. The Rover and Triumph 2000 families are smaller but more upmarket, while a Jaguar MK X would accommodate at a far higher cost. The only other alternative would be a genuine American classic - something like a Valiant, which was briefly offered in the UK. A Canadian Pontiac Parisienne might have been a possible option, or the unusual Austin Three Litre.