Viscount

Tough, reliable, comfortable and surprisingly enjoyable to drive.

The PC Cresta is absolutely the product of the thrusting modern 60’s, a world of brutalist modern architecture and motorway service areas. The Viscount was Vauxhalls attempt to break into the Upmarket class with full leather trim and electric windows on all for doors. I love the great slabs of walnut and coronet emblems everywhere. Its charming in a kitsch sort of way. Under the
rather handsome Americanized body are thoroughly conventional mechanicals which have been developed to give surprisingly
agreeable results. Few people realize how many improvements went into the Viscount including a lot of extra soundproofing, double skinned exhausts, wider wheels and an anti lock valve on the rear brakes to improve its driving manners. And they work.
With a smooth, lusty and quiet engine it easily keeps pace with modern traffic cruising easily at 70 plus despite the two speed powerglide automatic gear which is maligned by many but is in reality goes at least as well as other large engined automatics of its time as well as offering exemplary smoothness and reliabilty. While the ride and handling are hardly in the class of a contemporary Rover P6 for example they are nevertheless very acceptable for such a large conventional car. A well damped,
soft ride is combined with surprisingly crisp, grippy cornering and accurate steering with excellent weighting. In short it is enjoyable and remarkably competent to drive compared to most contemporaries.
Inside it is roomy and comfortable with a simply huge boot. Heating and ventilation are efficient and I have no qualms about using the Viscount for longer journeys even in poor weather. In summary, I bought the Viscount as a vehicle that speaks very strongly of its era. I had not expected to find a vehicle that was so well developed, capable, and frankly charming to drive and own.

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