Vehicle Description
The 50s was a great time to be a car buyer, arguably the best
all-time in the US. The post-war boom had led to new ways to
individualize your car, and the big manufactures were in a
veritable style-arms race throughout the decade. No longer just
content to have the latest family coupe, Ford offered more trim and
design touches to fit any budgets, and none came swankier from
Dearborn than the beautiful, top-of-the-line 1953 Ford Crestline
Victoria.
What makes this so special? Just look at the shine. The revised
grille was so wide that it reached around the corners just like the
bright bumper below it. The side trim is complete on everything
from the line that runs along the fender and door, to the crest at
the base of the black hardtop roof - remember only the Crestline
Victorias are pillarless hardtops. It all ends in a chrome rear
light surrounds that hints at the tailfin era that was just around
the corner (especially the Thunderbird that was only a couple years
away.) The S-L code on this car's trim tag tells us the exterior
colors of Flamingo Red (S) and Sungate Ivory (L) were original,
although the roof was smartly changed to Raven Black during the
restoration to provide a bit more contrast. All of this presents
quite well because it's a newer paintjob that takes advantage of
the more modern practices, although a profession cut-and-buff would
really kick it up a notch. The final touch of shine comes from the
elegant wire-wheels with center spinners, wrapped in beautiful
whitewall tires for a truly period look.
Inside the two-tone black and coral seats are quite comfortable
thanks to plenty of soft, supple vinyl upholstery. This design has
that great '50s look, and the way the side panels, dash, and plush
black carpets coordinate with the seats will draw plenty of people
in to take a closer look. And more of this period-correct premium
feeling comes when you slip behind the factory wheel with Ford
family crest on the center horn. This classically thin wheel gives
you a commanding view of the slick black dash, so you can clearly
see everything from the factory speedometer to the original AM
radio. And because this vintage Ford is meant to still be good for
cruising today, you also get all the right auxiliary gauges to
always keep you informed about what's going on in the engine bay.
Out back the trunk is neatly finished with a black carpeted, and
this spacious cargo area carries a full-size bias-ply tire with
jack set.
Ford's Flathead V8 is a legend all on its own for the power it
provides, and the 239 cubic-inch displacement would be the largest
installed in the Ford cars. It presents very nicely in the engine
bay with the tall oil bath air cleaner and the bold blue valve
covers and engine block. You'll love looking at all the
original-style components, and then when you fire it up, you'll
remember why it was a darling of the hot rod era. There is a little
extra bark from this V8 thanks to a custom dual exhaust replete
with newer chambered mufflers. It's not too boisterous, but just
enough to make you fall in love with the Flathead all over again.
And the control you get from the column-shifted three-speed manual
transmission keeps all the power firmly in your hands.
You'll love the driving experience of this premium Crestline
Victoria, and its solid feeling on the road really lets you know it
has received all the right care over the years. So, you're looking
at one of the most distinctive and best presented classics for the
money. Don't let it slip away, call today!
