1951 Ford Victoria hardtop

For my Video; youtu.be/QZPuns8fjaI?si=J3ArSX-TWG99P6xy

 

Port Moody Legion Branch 119,

11th Annual Show 'n Shine,

 

Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada

 

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 this 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 V-8, the first Victoria used to be somewhat overlooked by collectors, but in the last decade has become more desired.

 

A plus for this top-line model was the debut of Ford's optional self-shift Ford-O-Matic this year, giving it an advantage over Chevy's two-speed Powerglide. Enthusiasts will probably prefer the overdrive gearbox.

 

Pluses of the 1951 Ford Custom Victoria:

 

* Decent performance from the sturdy V-8 engine

* Historical significance

* One of the best-looking 1949-1951 Fords

* Reasonable parts supplies

* Decent performance from the sturdy V-8 engine

 

Minuses of the 1951 Ford Custom Victoria:

 

* Individual trim pieces hard to find

* Not a true hardtop

* Still no automatic

 

Production of the 1951 Ford Custom Victoria:

110,286

 

Specifications of the 1951 Ford Custom Victoria:

Wheelbase, inches: 114.0

Length, inches: 197.3

Weight, pounds: 3,188

Price, new: $1,925 (U.S.)

 

Engines for the 1951 Ford Custom Victoria:

TypeSize

Horsepower

Years

sv V-8

239.4 cid

100

1951

Done