Simon Cars - Vauxhall Cresta PA

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Designer: David Jones

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Vauxhall PA Cresta and Velox

Replacing the E-series in 1956, Vauxhall's new P-series car was designed under David Jones as just one of a couple of prototypes, but its American styling was unanimously approved and passed for production in October 1955. Always attributed to David Jones, the uncanny similarity to the 1954 Motorama Concept Car 'Pontiac Strato Streak' cannot be pure coincidence; even the 3-piece rear window is the same. The PA was launched in both Velox and Cresta ranges at Earls Court in 1957, and was given an uprated version of the E-series 2262cc 6-cylinder engine. A 3-speed column change gearbox was fitted and bench seats. Cresta cars were usually given leather seats, but both Velox and Cresta were quite well equipped. In October 1959 the body was revised with a one-piece rear screen replacing the 3-piece. A year later the rear lamps were simplified and the engine enlarged to 2651cc, and for 1962 there were some mechanical changes. After 173,000 were sold, the PA series was replaced by the Vauxhall PB series.

Vauxhall PA Cresta 1959 - badge on front wing	Vauxhall PA Cresta 1958 - bonnet ornament	Vauxhall Cresta PA 1961 ornament	Vauxhall PA Cresta 1959. The original David Jonesdesign for the PA cresta had this simple 'mouth organ' grille until the 1959 restyle.	Vauxhall PA Cresta 1959. A new stylish body by David Jones was thought to be too American at the time, but was an instant favourite with GM bosses at Detroit who saw the scale model.
Vauxhall PA Cresta 1959. A new stylish body by David Jones had a 3-piece rear windscreen similar to the Buick Special 1957 The original 3-piece rear window first appeared on the 1954 Motorama concept car 'Pontiac Strato Streak' designed by Art Ross under Paul Gillan and Homer LaGassey	Vauxhall Cresta 1962. For the final year of the PA Cresta the engine was enlarged to 2651cc (PADX) and there were other mechanical changes.	Vauxhall Cresta 1962. For the final year of the PA Cresta the rear lights were changed to 2-piece lamps from the larger ovals, and a new simpler bumper was given. David Jones had created a scale model of a revised Cresta with a taller squarer cabin, wingless boot, but the same front and this was rejected.	Vauxhall PADX Cresta 1962 - rear lamps. For the final year the Cresta was given new combination lamp units and the rear bumper no longer had to dip beneath the oval lamp. The contemporary Velox did not get such lamps.	Vauxhall PADX Cresta - lamps. The Velox was given the same grille as the Cresta in the 1959 revision, but did not get the long side lamp unit and had to use an orange and a clear lamp instead.
Vauxhall PA Cresta 1959. The PA Cresta was launched in 1957 with this 3-piece rear windscreen, and prominent rear wings, and I was supplied in a series of bright colours, often in duotones. Designer David Jones presented the design to Detroit and it was instantly accepted. He also did a much squarer and less transatlantic design for comparison but this was not favoured.	Vauxhall PADX Cresta. From 1960 to 1962 the PA Cresta was revised, with one piece rear window and the rear fins were 'tamed' (but not on the PASX Velox). David Jones had tried to get approval for replacing the superstructure with a taller and squarer design and a tail without wings, but this was not approved.	Vauxhall Cresta 1959. The PA Cresta was launched in 1957 with this 3-piece rear windscreen, very alike the Buick Special 1957. The original 3-piece rear window first appeared on the 1954 Motorama concept car 'Pontiac Strato Streak' designed by Art Ross under Paul Gillan and Homer LaGassey	Vauxhall Cresta PA 1962. A new straight across bumper was given to the PA Cresta (but not the PA Velox) for the 1962 season and new smaller double element lamp units were given.	Cresta Models
Vauxhall Velox PA	Vauxhall Victor FA	Designer: David Jones	zodiac
Humber Super Snipe Series I to VI, Humber Imperial	Standard Vanguard Phase III, Vignale and Six	Austin A90, A95, A105 Westminster	Austin A110 and Wolseley 6/110	Buick Special 1957

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