Cresta, an update.

[puddlethumper]

Is there anyone in the Kettering area that could have a look at a Cresta van in Irthlington.

It's on the bay as a project and an Autoshite report would be rewarded with some Queens tokens to exchange for beerage.

 

 

It's this one - https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/vauxhall-cresta-project-/312069541582?nav=SEARCH

[eddyramrod]

If it's the one that keeps appearing in the ebay thread, it's a sad waste of a Cresta.  This is the one where "Do Not Restore" absolutely doesn't apply!

[mercrocker]

Has somebody really done that to a Friary?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I thought it looked pretty sweet!!!

[eddyramrod]

Has somebody really done that to a Friary?

I suspect so.  it's definitely the one I was thinking of.  I know all about "my car, my rules" etc but really.... whoever did that...

Words fail me, and I'm supposed to be a writer!

[The Moog]

Has somebody really done that to a Friary?

What's a friary? Aside from where chips come from

[eddyramrod]

"Friary" was the model name given to Vauxhall Cresta estates coachbuilt by Abbott's of Farnham, since Vauxhall didn't see fit to make one themselves.

[mercrocker]

Almost, Eddy!   Friary Motors were in Basingstoke - just down the road a bit from Abbott who did the Fords.... 

 

 

Edit - I was wrong, too!   the PCs were actually Martin Walter, I believe!

[Felly Magic]

This was probably done when Crestas were worth about 24p sadly

[The Moog]

Cheers chaps. Everyday is a school day

[JeeExEll]

That Cresta van has potential.

Ok, maybe (?) it would have been better left as an estate but it's already been converted now and it's still around, - it could make a really neat 60s-period "standard spec" van.

 

Maybe badged as a "Bedford" Cresta?

 

 

[chaseracer]

Friary converted the Cresta PA (I think...) - the one with the fins and the 'kneecapper' windscreen.

[MorrisItalSLX]

I thought it looked pretty sweet!!!

 

Same here, it looks quite well done (to my untrained eye)

[artdjones]

If the conversion was done without 10kg of filler on each side it might be ok.

[Junkman]

I can see from here that it's fucked.

 

So GIB, ffs.

[The Moog]

Definite do not paint car 

[lesapandre]

Convert it back? Make a 'Royal' replica - is the original still in Royal hands - I think they keep a lot of their old motors. Of course if its the 'Royal' car its worth squillions. You have to wear a headscarf to drive one of course (men) and own Corgis to got in the back.

[Arfur Foxache]

Sellers feedback is non too rosy. Always the case when he has 'the only one' of what you want. 

[mercrocker]

Friary converted the Cresta PA (I think...) - the one with the fins and the 'kneecapper' windscreen.

 

Yep, having checked my collection of Vauxhall cuttings and brochures it appears Friary did the PA as well as one of two conversions available on the E Series (pre-PA).   The other E Series conversion was offered by Martin Walter who did the subsequent PB/PC conversions.   I have also seen a woodie E Series but that seems to have been a one-off (by McLaughlin if my shaky memory is at all to be relied upon).

 

Not questioning the quality or otherwise of the van conversion but just the reasoning.   I suppose it could look OK in a kind of Opel Rekord /  Holden panel / Chevy sedan delivery kind of way but these estates were never common things.   Maybe they broke some glass in the past and couldn't replace it.......

[flat4alfa]

There is a photo of the Cresta Van from the 1980s when it looked ropey even then

 

Looked for it all over, inc rods'n'sods but looks like a victim of the stupid Photobucket cull

[JeeExEll]

Holden Premier HR from 1966 & 67 (only).

 

[JeeExEll]

Look . . . . someone else has had a similar idea.

 

[JeeExEll]

Shite estate contender, Holden Premier HR wagon.

 

Split tailgate too.

 

[puddlethumper]

Thanks for all the, erm, input.

Looks like I'll have to take time off work to have a look. Difficult at the moment.

 

Although it was an estate, and a shame it isn't still, whats done is done and I think if its been converted 

reasonably well I would love to have something like that, being a bit of a van licker.

I think it would be well cool. A bit of a waft van with the 3.3. innit, innit.

[Datsuncog]

Listing now shown as ended... and wasn't someone on here planning to take a look at over the weekend?

 

Are the two events linked?

 

[The Moog]

I think it ran out of time on the auction . Mr Thumper posted up details about in in 24 news thread. 

[Datsuncog]

^^^ Aha - thanks for that, now found and readed.

 

Auspices seem fairly good, then... I'm a sucker for random large Vauxhalls, and would love to see someone on here take it on. No rot makes it very unusual for a PC Cresta, let alone the van conversion.

 

Waiting for any further updates with baited breath...

[Asimo]

After seeing at the pics on the news thread I'd go for it. Much less to worry about, buying a half stripped car, so much can be hidden by paint. Doesn't look like a homemade body at all.

 

The ultimate car-derived van!

[puddlethumper]

^^ That's what it looks like and I love a car derived van.

The guy who showed me it said he'd do a vid of it running, today, but hasn't.

Going to give him a ring tomorrow. I don't want to seem too keen, but I don't want to lose it either.

I think its furkin wonderful even though the purists will think its been ruined.

[Squire_Dawson]

I would go up and get it running yourself (can only be simple) and then drive it around the yard for a while, get it warmed up and see how it is. Then, if it runs to your satisfaction, make your offer. Blue smoke means a worn engine and an expensive oil habit.