The PB models, the Cresta and Velox continued the run of success that Vauxhall had enjoyed from the mid-Fifties running into the early Sixties.

Once again, the tried and tested policy of offering a lot of car with above average performance paid dividends.

The design and development team at Vauxhall of the time could be accused take the “ safe approach,” presenting cars that were practical but lacking in flair.

When the time came to phase out the PB series, the styling team at Vauxhall were handed a brief to produce a more innovative and imposing design for the top Vauxhall range of the Sixties.

Design work for the PC series got underway in the spring of 1964 and was the first major project to be handled at Vauxhall's new state of the art Engineering & Styling Centre in Luton.

The fruit of the design team's imagination, the Cresta PC was much lagerr, rounder and more imposing than anything that Vauxhall had produced before, with a strong North American influence.

The Vauxhall Cresta PC was launched at the October 1965 London Motor Show at Earls Court where it was one of the star attractions - well received by the public and motoring press alike.

TheCresta and its super Deluxe version the Viscount were powered by a 3294cc (201 cu in) straight-six engine matched to a 3-speed manual gearbox as standard, although with a choice of either four speed manual or two or three speed automatic.

Offering considerable technical advances, style, power and comfort at a very competitive price, the Vauxhall Cresta PC was a revelation in the upmarket saloon sector, especially when compared to the drab offerings from BMC and Ford meaning that initially, sales were brisk in the UK.

Despite its promising start, the Cresta and Viscount failed to maintain its impetus. Not helped by the fact that there was very little significant development undertaken on the PC Series during its production run, as it was reportedly due to be replaced by a PD model that never transpired.

Although it was supremely comfortable, sales of the Viscount PC soon began to taper off as owners began to realise that comfort came at a price with running costs very hich due to the PC's increased weights.

In any event, Vauxhall kept the Cresta and Viscount PC going for years, having decided that when it would be phased out, it would never be replaced.

Like its predecessors, the Cresta PC was big, comfortable, and represented good value for money.

While the PC was not particularly fast or sporting, its large engine did provide the pleasingly effortless brand of performance.

All the novelty was inside the cabin, where there was a distinctive wood-veneer instrument panel which was matched by wood tappings on the doors and drop-down picnic tables in the rear compartment.

The Viscount's two individual front seats were upholstered in genuine hide, while the model also came with such refinements as a vinyl roof, die-cast front grille and exclusive wheel trims.

While the Viscount was available only as a saloon, there was an estate car version available for the Cresta, providing, even more, storage space without detracting from passenger comfort.

Bythe time production ended in 1972 demand for the Cresta and Viscount had dribbled down to a mere trickle.

Few have been preserved or restored.