This 1932 Ford Deluxe Victoria is a stunning classic that was stored in a warehouse for eight years. The seller acknowledges their collection is too big and has made the difficult decision that the Ford needs a new home. It features some excellent custom touches and is guaranteed to turn heads at a show or a Cars & Coffee. It is listed here on eBay in Lake Elsinore, California. Interest has been high on this beauty, pushing the price to $50,100. However, that figure remains short of the reserve.
I’ve been debating whether to class this Ford as a street rod or a cool custom. This indecision is due to the car retaining 100% of its original steel but featuring mechanical upgrades that would provide significant performance gains. Regardless of which school you subscribe to on the subject, it is hard to be critical of its presentation or condition. The shine on the forty-year-old Black paint looks deep enough to sink into, with no evidence of deterioration or other problems. The panels are laser straight, and the sparkling chrome trim helps prevent the vehicle from looking somber. The warehouse must have offered ideal storage conditions because there isn’t even a hint of surface corrosion. The underside is as spotless as the rest of the car and helps confirm it is 100% rust-free. Its cause is aided by the fact it has spent its life in the drier climes of California. The existing wire wheels add to the classy presentation, although the seller has a set of original Kelsey Hayes wheels and Firestone tires that they are willing to swap if the buyer prefers. It will depend on whether or not that person seeks a more “factory” appearance. The buyer needs to make that choice, which will come down to personal preference.
This Ford isn’t numbers-matching, but its mechanical configuration promises an entertaining driving experience. The flathead V8 under the hood is of 1935 or 1936 vintage, making it a 221ci unit. It probably would have produced around 85hp when it rolled out of the factory, but it’s a safe bet that figure will now be considerably higher. The seller added Eddie Meyer cylinder heads and a matching intake with dual 97 carburetors. Headers and a dual exhaust allow the spent gases to flow freely, and a Mallory ignition ignites the mixture. The power feeds to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission, while 1940 hydraulic brakes, a dropped front axle, and lowered rear springs should improve safety and handling. The seller doesn’t indicate whether this classic runs and drives after eight years in storage, but if the motor turns freely, it might cough into life with little effort. Once again, with a storage environment that appears close to ideal, it might not take a lot of time and money to ensure it is mechanically roadworthy.
The supplied interior shots don’t provide a complete overview but paint a positive picture. It is a LeBaron Bonney replacement that someone installed many years ago. It shows no evidence of wear or stains, and the interior appears to need nothing beyond basic cleaning and detailing. The woodgrain dash is flawless, the gauges have clear lenses and crisp markings, and the machine-turned gauge fascia is perfect. If this Ford’s exterior could turn heads, its interior should receive nothing but positive comments.
Custom builds, and traditional hot rods appeal to a specific section of the classic community, with those individuals some of the most passionate you will find. Many have looked at this 1932 Ford Deluxe Victoria and have decided they want it as part of their life. That helps explain the sixty bids submitted so far, and there’s plenty of time left for that total to grow far higher. Placing a value on a vehicle of this type is challenging because the rulebook governing traditional classics can be torn up and thrown out the window. The reality is that this Ford is worth what someone is willing to pay, and the indications are that there are plenty willing to pay a premium. I am unsure where the bidding will go before the hammer falls, but it will be interesting to gauge your feedback. So, it’s over to you.
Well, there’s few things that will get my blood pumping more than a Deuce Roadster or especially a Deuce Vicky. They are without a doubt my favorites in the vintage car world. Well, you could show up with a ’69 Chevelle 300 2-door coupe and I might eat those words or try to bring the whole shooting match home with me. If I was going to modify one of these, this is the way I’d do it. Just a hint and then get out there and DRIVE it. Keep everything it’s got including the heads and the pair of ’97s. Of course there’s always that part of me that might be tempted to put it back the way Henry built it. But I’d have a lot of fun with it this way first…
Sure with you on this one. Did the same to my ’32 5 window and had a blast with it. Beautiful car, great build.
Really you would have put those wheels? Much more options out there.
I probably wouldn’t have used those exact same wheels; I’ve seen some other choices from places like Wheel Vintiques which offer something more in the vintage character of the car. The ones on it aren’t bad; I’ve seen a lot worse…
I like these wheels but did have ’49 Merc hub caps along with the ’48 Merc flathead and it’s twin Stromberg 97s.
Rw, imo those wheels are kind of fitting for the car. I would go with solid black or red if it were mine, but my pockets are not that deep lol.
Very nice build, the panels look amazing, there is nothing not to like. Put it back, please the mechanical brakes, high ride height, crappy handling, why? This has plenty of Mr Ford’s parts. Just some of the best of. Should be driven and enjoyed! That’s some car and it solidifies just what American hot rodding is and was!
It would be interesting to have some history on this car. This is the kind of build that could have been done in the 1940s or ’50s, when Vickies were a little more common and hot rods weren’t.
While not a fan of “restomods” in general, this is roughly what I would have done back then, if I had the money and skills to do it right. There doesn’t appear to be anything that didn’t come from Old Henry’s factories, which is a pleasant change from the innumerable SBCs that filled so many early Ford engine bays later.
It’s classy. Would love to have — and drive — it!
This car is far from being a custom and it is not a restomod. It’s a street rod and I hope it finds its way back on the road it’s a great looking car.
Nice car, what is that thing that looks like a hand grenade right behind the radiator hose on the passenger side of the engine ?
Hood latch.
Love it!!!
Period ignition coil.
If you were to write a biography for 32 Fords, this car would have an entire chapter. It is built to a configuration that cements the idea that the 32 Ford is the quintessential car ,that all Hot Rods aspire to be. It is hard to pin point the exact date ,this movement took place. It started in about the 1970s when the NSRA was formed and they decided, Hot Rods was not a good image and they were to be called Street Rods. The idea was to have the most correct original car you could find. The rarest of the rare ,all steel, as many original accessories as you could find, such as headlights, cowl lights, horns ,luggage racks ,spare tire mounts, radios, bumpers you name it. If it was taken off in the 40’s and 50’s, you put it back on in the 70’s and 80’s.
This trend did not sit well, with many of the die hard restorers. These builders were getting all the original rare stuff, but mechanically ,the cars had V-8’s, Automatic Transmissions, Independent front and rear end Suspensions, A/C, Stereos and the ever popular CB Radio. This trend is on going today, but somewhat modified as time changes. At the peak of its popularity ,these builds could command a selling price of six digits and the first one could be 2 or close to it. This particular Vicky could have easily had a much higher ask 30 plus years ago.
I am not surprised it is in a collection. It was a high dollar build then and it is still a valuable car today. The same old story things change and supply and demand sets the selling price. Liked seeing this car, as we all talk about what happened to those builds. One answer is always “They are in private collections.” Followed by some day they will be for sale or at Auction. Seems that might be true.
Beautiful Car. but way above what I could afford. Fun to window shop any way.
What a GREAT car!!! Well done!!!
My favorite car in 1932, but just a dream with no money, medical bill’s and daughter’s college bill’s coming due again soon. — Whoever gets it please enjoy it for me as well !!