It’s a judgment call to refer to this Ford Model A as a car as opposed to a “pile-o-parts”. It’s mostly bolted together but there’s a bunch of stuff missing and the listing is competing for a new level of minimalist description. Nevertheless, being the one year only “Victoria” version of the Model A, it still warrants a closer look. This 1931 version of Ford’s very popular Model A is located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $4,000. There is a “make an offer” option too.
According to Matt Litwin from Hemmings Motor News, the Victoria was, ” Introduced in November 1930, the Victoria was offered both in fabric- and steel-top guises, the former bodied by Briggs, the latter by Murray. Both coachbuilders employed the same overall design, chiefly a lower roofline and a subtle-yet-attractive bustle back rear that increased storage behind the rear seat. To increase rear headroom, the back section of the floor was lowered slightly”. Another attribute of the Victoria is the slant A-pillar, prominently recognizable on this Model A example. Litwin adds that 40,212 Victorias were built through 1931.
Our subject car is rough. Besides the obvious missing front fenders, headlights and both bumpers, this A, according to the seller, has ” Typical rust in a few places”. I’m not certain what typical rust is but this Ford definitely has surface rust in pretty much everyplace. The body and frame are listed as being good and solid though. Unfortunately, this Ford has been reduced to just a shell of its former self.
The 201 CI, in-line, four-cylinder, 40 HP engine and accompanying three-speed manual transmission are still in place but it seems doubtful that the engine has turned a revolution in many moons. There is no reference to it in the listing so the assumption is that the motor may or may not be salvageable.
As for the interior, it is mostly the exterior as it looks as if most of the floor has fallen out and the rest of it is in a state of confusion. Potentially, the seat frames may be reusable but that’s about it. The door panels are gone and much of the wood trim and structure is deteriorated beyond use. Wood can always be recut from new stock but it’s a lot of work and made more challenging by pieces that are completely missing.
There isn’t much here to work with whether restoration, hot-rodding for resto-modding is one’s goal. This is one of those types of cars best not parked out front on trash pick-up day. And considering the price, Victoria model or not, it seems finding a better example would make more sense don’t you think?
Well, you can get one in running daily driver condition for about thirty grand, so no. On the other hand, there’s a guy on YouTube restoring one that was in similarly terrible shape that was nothing but a body torn off of its chassis and left in a mine, so it is restorable. I think he got it for free though.
A lot of people use cars like this for “Yard-Art.” Thus one is a “Prime” candidate. As my buddy always said: “Rust Never Sleeps!” A lot of dough to put something like this in the front yard. Add in the cost of going to get it, and your pockets will be poor. There is one positive. It has a Phlathead motor.
I’d say that that was a 500 quid car, at most. Cheap enough that an optimist can get hold of it! It’s such a shed that it doesn’t really matter what you do with it.
parts car or difficult restoration only for someone with Victoria expertise.
either way worth about half the asking.
Parts only.
Would be interested in seeing what would come out of a dip strip tank. Don’t see damage but do see lots of rust. This is $1K worth of parts or start of a long rebuild. I had a guy give me a ’57 Porsche Speedster with this kind of rust on it so putting too much money up for the A isn’t too smart.
Def a project for people with metal skills and time- as hobby/practice, a good start!
I did not know that Ford produced the Victoria for one year only, so thanks for that information. As far as this pile of parts goes, I bet you could find one in better shape without breaking the bank.
Mark, the phrasing might have been confusing. Ford did make Victorias for more than 1 year. 1931-34 in the first go around, then later came the Crown Vics.
Right you are! 1931 was the only year for the Victoria name adorning a Model A (1928-1931).
JO
Junk
Great start for someone. If I were doing
it, I’d take it in a different direction. For
power, I might use a 140 cube Pinto 4
banger mated to a C-4 gearbox, or convert the car to an EV. As AMCFAN
said earlier today, EV technology is
advancing by leaps and bounds. And if
done right, it could turn out to be a hybrid. It’s all about saving the car from
the crusher or letting it rust to pieces.
Whichever way it goes, I hope this car gets saved to drive again.
I bought this ’31 Victoria at a barn sale last spring. Very bare shell, but no rust through, still has original paint. Not enough to restore, Victorias have too many specific parts, window garnish mouldings, interior appointments, doors, etc. Thoughts are to make a California Jalopy Association replica (check YouTube or Thomas Luce’s great book ” Memories of the California Jalopy Association”) without cutting up the body.
The Victoria in this listing is in the same boat. Body looks rough and too many specific parts missing. Value may be in the rest of the Model A parts. Too much money for what’s there.
Having owned and worked on many ‘A” engines, I would bet this one could be up and running in short order, absent it having been run without oil. They are simple engines with easy-to-work-on ignition systems and loose tolerances elsewhere. Clean the carb and enjoy the sound of that ‘A’. The rest of the car I’ll leave to those who do, and like to do, body work.
looks very restorable to me- Victoria’s do have some specific parts, but are rare and look fantastic when done. I’ve done many many A’s and this is very doable- having said that, I’d like to see the price down around $2500 or so. A fun challenge
I totally agree w/ Kenn…….focus on getting that great four banger up & running. Love the simplicity of the vintage motors!