The various PA Models

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The Models

There are 2 Models of the PA-Series cars, the Cresta and Velox, with 3 different production series, the PAS/PAD, PASY/PADY and PASX/PADX.

Before we start, a quick VIN/Chassis Number Clarification which a nice gentleman in Finland brought to my attention.

58-59:
P=Big Vauxhall
A=Series (I.E. the PAs)
D=Deluxe (Cresta) S=Standard (Velox)
The 1960 Models had a "Y" Indicating a body styling change
The 1961-1962 Models had the "X" Denoting the further body style updates and the 2.6L engine.

First we'll look at the basic Models, the Cresta and Velox:

Basically, the cars are identical mechanically. The Cresta is simply a fancier version of the Velox. The Cresta came equipped with a Heater, Windshield Washer, Clock, Radio, and had the option of leather and 2-tone paint. Also, the Cresta has chrome around the side windows, Full carpeting, interior light switches on the rear doors, Whitewall tires, chromed horn ring on steering wheel, full-wheel chrome hubcaps, and, on later cars, Chrome side trim and Gold-Plated "Cresta" badges. See? 30 years ahead of Lexus! :) Also, on the later 2.6L cars the Cresta could be specified with a GM-Hydramatic automatic transmission.

For a simple example, here's a 1958 Velox:

And here's a 1958 Cresta:

Notice that the Cresta simply looks fancier? Well, that's because the Cresta is a fancy Velox. When they were new the Cresta was priced just higher than the Velox, about 10% or so, depending on the market. You'll notice the 2-tone paint, full hubcaps, extra chrome and whitewall tires on this car.

Now, both of the above cars are the "Original" PAs. Or, a "PA" PA-Series Vauxhall. They were made in 1958 and 1959 and have a 3-piece rear window. In 1960 an Interim model was made. It retained the 2262cc drivetrain of the first series cars but underwent a minor facelift. The hood and decklid were changed, the rear window became a single-piece and there were other minor touches. Here's a rear view of an early PA to show the 3-piece rear window.

These are considered by many to be the most desirable. Practical Classics Magazine's (An Excellent UK Magazine) lists the "3-window" cars as having a slightly higher value.

Here's a view of the rear of a 1960 Model Velox showing the revised, single-piece rear window. Also, notice that the wheels on this car match the body color. From what I know of Candaian-Market cars, all wheels were painted Regency Cream.

And here's a shot of the front of a 1960 Velox : (Oddly, I found this pic on the 'net.. But its of my car!)

You'll notice the restyled hood and grille, and notice how the "V A U X H A L L" chrome letters were changed out for a round badge with a plastic insert.

These models lasted for a year until 1961 when the car underwent further cosmetic design modifications. However, the big news for 1961 was the increase in engine displacement from 2262cc to a 2.6L engine. Also, the Cresta was available with the option of a Hydramatic transmission. The most noticeable changes were in the rear. The great big oval taillights in chrome finishers were gone, replaced by more generic units on body-colored bases which now integrated the turn signals, the tailfin-mounted turn signals were gone, but the edges of the tailfins now had chrome "V"s on them. In the front, the turn signal and parking lights were no longer separate and round, but were now integrated into a single unit. Also, Crestas now had "woodgrained" interior trim (Likened to brown paint with speckles).

Here's a nice shot from original sales literature showing the front and the rear of the 1961-62s. The car at the top is a Velox, and the car on the bottom is a Cresta.:

These cars remained in production until 1962 when the far more conservatively styled PB Cresta replaced them.

An interesting footnote is the Friary Station Wagon or "Estate Car" which was built by Friary coachbuilders for Vauxhall. These were made in very limited numbers and are quite collectible today. The only surviving ones that I know of are in the UK. I do not believe that they were exported. Here's shots of a '58-59, '60 and '61-'62 in that Order: