Vauxhall Cresta E-Type

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The post-war E-Type Vauxhall cars owed much in terms of styling to their American GM cousins, featuring Chevrolet-inspired looks with sweeping wings, semi-enclosed rear wheels and a significant amount of chrome on the bodywork.

Vauxhall’s first truly first upmarket car of the post-war era, the E-Type was offered in two versions, the Velox of 1951 and the more luxurious Cresta which made its debut in 1954. Essentially six-cylinder versions of the contemporary Wyvern E, the Velox initially had a 2,275cc engine but this was replaced in 1952 with an even smoother and more powerful 2,262cc version with 58bhp in the Velox and 69bhp in the Cresta.

From the outside the Cresta was readily distinguished as the more upmarket model thanks to its two-tone paint, while inside it had luxuries such as a heater, electric clock, cigar lighter, passenger vanity mirror and an illuminated boot. More technically advanced than many of their UK rivals, the E-Types featured monocoque-construction and smooth straight-sixes, although their three-speed gearboxes were already becoming passe.

When tested by The Motor in 1956, the Cresta had a top speed of 83mph, could get to 60mph in 20 seconds with 24mpg economy and cost £931 including taxes. Around 166,500 Crestas were sold before it was replaced by the larger and equally glamorous Cresta PA in 1957 although, astonishingly, just five examples are still UK registered today according to DVLA figures, making this an exceedingly rare and exciting find.

As the original buff log book confirms, this Cresta was bought new by Charles New of Evesham in March 1956. He was to keep it until his death in 1967 at which point it was parked up in one of the barns belonging to the family business, CH New & Son of Badsey, where it has remained to this day. The car has only covered 41,700 miles to date and comes with a Mobil Oil Record Book showing that it was serviced seven times up to 10,954 miles in 1958.

Although the two-tone Black and Blue Haze paintwork is now long past its best, as is the external brightwork, the car remains in basically sound condition following its 48-year slumber and when you open the boot (sadly dented at some point) it looks as clean and fresh inside as it must have done when Harold Macmillan was still Prime Minister.

The doors still open and shut beautifully to reveal an interior that also looks remarkably well-preserved, this being one of the most important factors to consider with any old car as so much precious character is lost if a retrim is required. Supplied with an old style V5 in addition to the buff log book, it is still on its original raised-letter aluminium number plates with a most appealing Worcestershire number, RAB 534.

This wonderful barn find is a proper Fifties time capsule and deserves the most sensitive restoration to preserve as much originality as possible. It would make a great pair with the other Vauxhall Victor barn find elsewhere in this catalogue. The fact that it is one of only five still registered makes it all the more exciting. We love it!