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Original Or Restored? 1931 Ford Victoria Coupe

I love Ford’s Model A and am ever so pleased to see that Jeff Bennett also likes them in his recent write-up here on Barn Finds. They are inexpensive to purchase, cheap, easy to work on and fun to drive. The museum’s Model A, where I volunteer at, gets lots of attention wherever it goes. This Model A is listed on craigslist in Olympia, Washington for $12,000. It is said to be original, but it’s most likely an older restoration. It might look really nice with a little cosmetic attention though and should prove to be a fun car to own. 

It looks nice inside from what we are shown. The floor looks like an interesting piece of scrap from a home improvement project, but they get the job done.

This old Ford might be a great old driver just as it is. Someone has even added modern tail lights to make it legal. It won’t be as much fun as a roadster, of course, but it will be more practical if you’d like a roof and a back seat. Most will find this Model A a little pricey, but that’s the difference between what people are willing to pay and what it’s actually worth. For many folks, (perhaps most folks), who have no interest in a Model A, any price is too high. It’s been listed for a couple of months now, so either this Model A has real issues or no one is willing to pay the price. Hopefully, the owner will come down to a price someone is willing to pay and the new owner enjoys this Model A as it is.

Comments

  1. Avatar Jeff Bennett Staff

    For a Victoria, as long as there are no major problems, that is not a bad price. The plywood may be new, but correct. Ford used plywood for some floor pieces for a long time (my 1935 has plywood front floor boards). If I remember correctly, Victoria’s also had sunken floors in the rear. They were the only Model As that had them.

    Thanks for reading my work. Cool car. Nice write up!

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    • Avatar Roger

      Back in the Model T days Henry had the planetary transmissions shipped in specially made wooden crates,story had it that the lids from those were used as floorboards in the T’s or so I understood.

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    • Avatar Loco Mikado

      Ford also had a lot of the shipping crates of parts from suppliers drilled with holes in precise patterns so he could used them as floorboards and other wooden parts of his cars. He used every possible means to cut costs which unlike today was passed on to the buyers as lower prices for his cars.

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  2. Avatar Joe Haska

    I agree with you it is not a bad price for a Vicky, much more desirable than a sedan or std. coupe. The floors of all early Fords had woo insets just like your 35. I also think it probably was a sort of restoration at some point. A Victoria is usually considered a sedan not a coupe, or just Victoria or Vicky.
    Here’s the part where everyone will get upset, I would turn it into a very nice Hot Rod. black, full fendered , super low stance, maybe polished salt flats, trick chassis, but traditional under-pinings, small block, AOD, 9 inch and distressed brown leather interior with A/C. It would be a beautiful ride for the 50K, I would need to add to a 12K investment. Of course I could easily sell it for 30 to 35 K anytime, but a fun way to loose money

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    • Avatar William Gutierrez

      No one should turn a Victoria into a Hot Rod ; excuse me but this action would be a sacralidge.
      There are not that many Victoria’s left in the world.

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  3. Avatar geomechs Member

    The Victoria is my favorite Ford, from ’31 to ’34, a Vicky has that special appeal. Yes, a roadster would be nice but roadsters are a little too beyond my budget. I’ll take the Vicky….

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  4. Avatar Alan Stroh

    Vicky’s are fairly rare. The bustle back makes it extremely desirable. If I had room, I’d go 12k without an issue.

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    • Avatar William Gutierrez

      Alan, go for it and keep us posted on the restoration it will be a winner at vintage Car shows

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  5. Avatar newfieldscarnut

    Behind the Barn Find . My ’31 Vicky makes a great piece of yard art complete with It’s production plate . Waiting to be adopted …

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  6. Avatar Matt Jadud

    Nice Vicky,
    I agree with Roger,
    My Dad was a machinist at National Tool in Cleveland when he got back from his army tour, and he told me when I was a boy about the equipment they rebuilt for Ford after the Livonia fire. I remember him telling me that Ford had suppliers ship parts in crates that had specific dimensions and lumber call outs so they could use the crating for the wooden parts in the cars. Henry was smart and cheap at the same time I suppose.
    Matt Jadud

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  7. Avatar geezerglide85

    Let me guess newfieldscarnut 100% original, ran when parked. Sorry just had to say it. But looking at your Vic body and the one for sale $12000 seems like a bargain

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  8. Avatar juan

    Less than 7% fo the total production of As were Victorias, does the World need another Victoria Hot Rod? How often you find an A in such good honest orignal shape? The man who does that should be excomulgated from the Antique Car Community.

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  9. Avatar David Frank Member

    It’s really great reading your comments and seeing your affection for this old Vicky. Thanks!

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  10. Avatar Graywolf

    My Dad bought a 1931 Ford “Vicky” back in 1963 when I was just sixteen. In order to buy it he had to get another buyer, his friend, to purchase the A400 body that was part of the bundle. I got the honor of driving it home! It was totally original except it had a repaint to black. We were the third owner with very low miles. The reason we knew it was low miles, it had a lub sticker in an enclosed holder under the hood. It had the miles and date service was done, plus the owners name was the same as ours!! Finally came to the realization that I needed to sell my collection and buy one that was mostly done, too old to do any large jobs. Sold it awhile back for $8,500, my phone rang of the hook! I guess it was too cheap!

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