Lot Ended
Description
In single family ownership for 60 years (father and
daughter); wonderfully original with a full and fascinating
history from new; a proper time warp!
With the
introduction of the 'PA' series Cresta and Velox in October 1957, Vauxhall
embraced American styling with even greater gusto than before. Tail fins,
wraparound windscreens, bright colour schemes and lashings of chrome were all
featured on these top-of-the-range sixes, which bore a more-than-passing
resemblance to the contemporary Buick Special from the parent branch of General
Motors.
Originally powered by an 82bhp
2.25-litre straight-six, the overhead-valve engine was enlarged to 2.6-litres in
1960, now with 95bhp and increased diameter wheels to allow for larger drum
brakes. Allied to 3-speed column-change manual transmission, it gave the Cresta
a top speed of 95mph. Just over 81,800 were sold before the PA was replaced by
the much more conservative PB in 1962.
As the
original Vauxhall Retail Order confirms, this Cresta PA was delivered new to
Delves Motors Ltd of Norwich in December 1960. Finished in Forge Blue with
two-tone Steel Blue/Royal Blue leather trim, it had optional front centre arm
rest and twin wing mirrors. It had been ordered by a local gent, Mr WA Roope,
who took delivery in March 1961, the original purchase invoice showing that it
cost £1,044 including taxes although he was allowed £425 in part-ex for his 1956
Vauxhall Wyvern.
The car was to remain in the
family for the next 60 years, ownership transferring to Mr Roope’s daughter in
1977. Clearly a cherished machine, RCL 100 comes with a wonderful history file
which shows that it has been meticulously maintained throughout its life.
The original service book has 19 stamps up to
35,932 miles in April 1973 when the book runs out of pages, all the servicing
being carried out by Delves Motors and being detailed in many accompanying
invoices. Dozens of other invoices attest to regular servicing and upkeep over
the following 40+ years, mainly by Trimoco of Norwich and from 2000 onwards by
Pottergate Motors.
The last service invoice is
dated October 2019 when new front suspension springs and shock absorbers were
also fitted, the odometer showing 67,198 miles at that date (the rear springs
had been renewed a few years earlier). No fewer than 37 old MOTs confirm that
the current indicated mileage of 67,216 is correct.
In October 2009 the lower half of the car was tidied up and
repainted by Thorpe Body Repairs of Norwich while correspondence shows that it
had previously had a new boot lid and rear bumper following a minor prang in
1982. Other than that, it appears to be amazingly original and pretty much as it
left the factory.
Our vendor (who is the third
owner) acquired RCL 100 in 2021 but his busy calendar on the drag racing circuit
means that he has barely had time to drive it, hence its appearance in this
sale. As you can see in the photos, it is a proper time capsule and comes with
lots of fascinating paperwork from new, including old driving licences, AA
membership cards, correspondence, period photos, original handbooks etc.
Starting promptly and running sweetly as we
have moved it around on site, the icing on the cake is the original
Norwich-issue number plate which is transferable and doubtless has a value of
its own.
Given that only around 50 Cresta PAs
are still registered in the UK (according to ‘how many left’), this must be one
of the most original examples surviving, if not the most original. We
are told that it has never been seen on the show circuit but if the new owner
does choose to show it off, it will no doubt cause quite a stir. What a
cracker!
For more information contact James
on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT