Vehicle Description
1953 Ford Victoria Hardtop
The Crestline was introduced as the top trim level of the 1952 Ford
range, above the intermediate-level Customline and base level
Mainline. It was offered in Victoria, Sunliner and Country Squire
versions with 2-door hardtop, 2-door convertible and 4-door station
wagon body styles respectively. Crestlines were offered only with a
239ci "flathead" V8 engine.
For consignment a Ford Crestline Victoria 50th Anniversary Edition.
This Arizona car was the beneficiary of a full exterior/ interior
restoration, and a rebuilt engine in the early 1990's. Recently it
has a few upgrades and replacements, and is in tip top shape, ready
to go and show.
Exterior
During the exterior restoration a right front quarter needed
replacement due to this car having some damage at that point. Any
additional exterior parts were all NOS parts. Now we are treated to
straight steel panels, well minded gaps, and wonderful 2 tone
Seafoam Green with Timberline Green top. Breaking up and
highlighting the panels are shiny and mirror-like nuggets of chrome
trimmings and big multi-level bumpers on front and back. Atop the
hood is a jet ornament, which was definitely the theme of times to
come. Just below is a perfect cloisonne Ford shield badge. On the
fender bump out on the rear quarter a large chrome trim spear with
a vertical T molding accentuates the bumpouts of the quarter. On
the front quarter are the beginnings of this trim spear which
starts just below the headlights and runs towards the end of the
door. Large chrome surrounds for the tinted windows and on the rear
B pillar a wide wrap around trim, emulating the curve of the
factory tinted window. On back 2 simple round taillights are atop
rounded upper quarters and these look down on to a long continental
rear bumper complete with a chrome rimmed metal body matching in
the Seafoam Green spare tire cover. This menagerie literally adds
another 14 inches to the back of this car...talk about excess! A
shout out to all 4 corners with their smooth chromed trim pointed
star hubs over a chromed waffle fronted dog dish style wheel all
wrapped in thin whites...now that's early 50's...man!
Interior
More excess in the form of attention to detail and use of multi
colors from the same color way on the door panels. We see an
amalgamation of 5 different shades of green and 1 panel accent of
cream. All these curve and form areas for the door handle, door
pull and window crank to shine, and they do very nicely. Slipping
our eyes inside, we see front and rear benches stretching from door
to door and covered in light green broadcloth with dark green
square pattern, and upper dark green vinyl faux leather texture
bolsters. Fronting these luscious seats which were recovered to
match the original interior of the day the car was born, is a metal
dash, in full restored style. Medium metallic green makes up the
background for a horseshoe magnet shaped instrument cluster, and
lots of tall oval button and knob bezels all grouped within reach
of the driver. An original radio is in the center, with the
obligatory ashtray below, and a large glovebox in front of the
passenger. Just above the radio on the dash top is an inset round
clock right in the center of it all. Green carpet in perfect
condition covers the floors, and up above is a tight dark green
fabric headliner. Neato!
Drivetrain
Under that big hood, is a 239ci Flathead V8 engine original to this
car. This was also restored and rebuilt and shows in a red block
with red cylinder heads. It is topped by a 2-barrel carburetor, and
on back is a 3-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission pushing power
rearward to a 3.90 rear axle. The engine bay is fairly clean, has
some surface rust but is mostly very nicely presenting.
Undercarriage
Underneath we note a little surface rust, but mostly clean and nice
black steel structure all solid. Floor pans and rockers are nicely
coated in rustproofing, and dual exhaust has been put on doubling
the original so there could be dual pipes sticking out the rear of
the continental bumper. Independent coil springs for the front
suspension and leaf springs are on the back. Drum brakes are all
around.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and just a neat car to drive. It is all working,
and idles like a dream, and it's a good dream. She accelerates
smoothly going through the gears and up to a smooth cruising speed.
The ride is excellent. Cornering is good for 1953 and stopping is
very quick based on drum brakes. No runs drips or errors on this
test drive. Motion the car hop over, I need a malt!
Wonderfully restored in the early 90's where it underwent a full
body redux, interior recover much like the original, and a full
engine rebuild. Since then, a new fuel pump, rebuilt carburetor,
aluminum radiator, and a transmission overhaul, and she is just
fine. Drives like a dream, and a real head turning cruiser,
bestowing our hallowed halls here at Classic Auto Mall, and ready
for the turnkey taking.
VIN DECODE
B3NV109036
B-239ci V8
3-1956
N-Norfolk, VA Assy Plant
V-Turdor Victoria
109036-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 60B-Tudor Victoria
COLOR GE-Seafoam Green & Timberline Green
TRIM K-Green
PRODUCTION CODE 19ACE158B-January 19th Build Date
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.