Vehicle Description
1951 Ford Custom Victoria
The 1951 Ford Custom Victoria was Ford's first hardtop, offered
only in V-8 guise. It appeared in the last year of the 1949 styling
generation - and a bit late at that. Still, the Custom Victoria
proved immensely popular, outselling Chevrolet's Bel Air by about
7,000 units that year. The pillarless superstructure was styled by
Gordon M. Buehrig, of Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg fame, who had come to
Dearborn after leaving the Loewy team at Studebaker. Despite
exceptionally clean lines, a relatively posh interior, and good
performance from the reliable flathead V8, the first Victoria used
to be somewhat overlooked by collectors, but in the last decade has
become more desired.
This beautifully restored example of the height of Ford design in
1951 shows very well. Consistent gaps, and full redux, including
the trunk, engine bay, engine, and undercarriage, you are buying a
well restored car with a classic line that was meant to be driven
and enjoyed. Spare parts, including a car cover and lowering plates
are included along with a folder of past owner history and some
receipts.
Exterior
Dipped in Glenmist Green with a complementing Raven Black roof,
this paint job is a driver quality application with a few
scratches, some evidence of prior body work and heavy cracking of
the finish on the upper rear quarter panels and trunk. If you are
into chrome and brite work spears aplenty, this car has it in
tasteful doses with a 360-degree belt line trim, rear quarter
spears that surround the taillights eventually, and lots of bumper,
window surround and grille work to boot, all of which is in very
good condition. This writer loves the design of the rear of the
roof which melts downward to a point on either side along with the
tri-pane rear glass, a style that will be duplicated by other
manufacturers over a decade later. Throw in some medium white wall
tires and we are ready to go to the local drive-in movie and vie
for some backseat action.
Interior
Marbled flagstone gray vinyl on the benches highlight the seat
centers and are flanked top and bottom with smooth green vinyl,
which are front split, and rear bench. This flagstone gray shows up
on the door panels as well and has a seat matching smooth green
vinyl panel above and black stitched vinyl below. Dark green
carpeting is on the floors and is as heavily soiled in the driver's
front position. In front is the original dash with light gray
sprayed metal top and an interesting mesh chrome front board with
all the standard insert knobs, plus the speedometer with a bonus of
the original radio mounted in the dash as well as the factory
clock. A restored Ford bakelite black steering wheel in chevron
styling fronts the dash. The headliner in antique white is showing
some minor stains and soiling.
Drivetrain
The early 1950s Fords have the neatest engine bays with a gleaming
copper colored block, heads, and intake then topped by a copper
painted oil bath air filter. This239ci V8 is no exception, as it
sits proudly in the engine bay in its copper glory. The oil bath
covers a single 2-barrel carburetor, and the obligatory 3-speed
manual transmission is backing up the recently tuned up V8.
Meanwhile a 3.73 geared rear axle finishes off the drivetrain. All
hoses and other add-ons are in excellent condition and we note the
addition of a new radiator.
Undercarriage
A patinaed and black painted frame and suspension components
provide the backbone for this classic ride. Only tiny amounts of
surface rust is evident and the correct plates on the frame are
present as only being installed on Victoria's and convertibles. A
dual exhaust system with Hollywood Deep-Tone mufflers has been
installed. New drum brakes are all around and work in conjunction
with independent coil sprung front suspension and leaf springs in
the rear. The floors are the highlight, being finished in a mix of
black paint and the factory undercoating and showing no rust as are
the body hangers and rockers.
Drive-Ability
Not only does it look great, but it also drives great. It fired
right up and has a low roar at idle which could indicate a
precursor of what is to come when I get goosey with my boot.
Limitless acceleration, smooth cruising, nice smooth shifting, bias
free braking and all functions working to perfection save for the
temperature gauge notreading. We are ready to go to a show and
collect the prizes, or just drive down main street and draw a
crowd. And did we get the looks on this test drive.
For a while these cars were largely ignored in the collector
market. Now they have become significant as the last of their era.
They are not making any more of them, and examples are
deteriorating by the day, so this one can be had and
enjoyedimmediately.
B1CH187284
B-239ci V8
1-1951
CH-Chicago, IL Assy Plant
187284-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 60-Custom 8 Series Victoria Tudor
COLOR GA-Glenmist Green, Raven Black
TRIM AA-Unknown
PRODUCTION CODE 15H26C-August 15th
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.
