Part:7
Description
There are plenty of exotic and wild-looking rods out there, many of which are designed as static art rather than as cars. But what about the guy who actually wants to use his rod as a car? After all, isn’t the fun of having something with a thumping V8 engine and vintage good looks the ability to put it on the road and make a few people smile? Apparently, that’s exactly what the guys at Street Beast were thinking when they designed this ’33 Ford Victoria. The builder obviously realized that a slick 2-door sedan with classic proportions would be as attention-getting as a topless roadster, but with a lot more comfort and practicality. And to top it all off, you can take three of your best buddies with you and still have plenty of room for your stuff, thanks to the cool matching trailer that comes with the car.
The victoria body style (nicknamed the “Vicky” for obvious reason) isn’t quite a coupe, but it isn’t a 2-door sedan, either. With a shortened cab and abbreviated rear quarter windows, it’s a slicker, more sporty version of the venerable tudor, and a natural for body manufacturers to copy. With a f ull-sized back seat and classic proportions, it’s easy to create a great-looking rod that is as practical as your daily driver. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it, too?
The body on this Vicky is by Street Beast, and it has been beautifully finished in two-tone silver and red. Since they were working from scratch with a fiberglass body, they also took the time to give the top a little chop, and raked the A-pillars back a bit in the best hot rodding tradition. Panel gaps were finished to a very high standard, and everything lines up very well, because hot rodders are known for their attention to detail. Out back, the builders added a built-in trunk access lid, something that Henry never offered but probably should have. The paint is two-stage urethane, which has been rubbed and buffed to a high shine that looks great on the show field or hammering down the highway. And there’s no denying that the ’33 Ford is one of the best shapes to come out of the turbulent 1930s.
There’s not a lot of chrome on this rod, but it is nicely detailed. The suicide doors feature hidden hinges for a clean look, along with slick door handles that are a cool update on the originals. Front and rear bumpers not only protect the fiberglass, but look authentic, with the traditional Ford “dip” up front ahead of the grille. Speaking of grilles, the ’33 Ford grille is one of the most popular and recognizable in the entire automotive world, and on this car, it has been filled with a stainless insert for a clean, updated look. Chrome King Bee headlights are traditional hot rod equipment, and out back, 1939 Ford taillights have been fitted. Tinted glass is used all around, both for looks and for comfort while cruising, because it helps the A/C keep the interior cool.
Under the hood, you’re in for a surprise—an actual Ford engine in a Ford! Unlike so many rods being built today, this one doesn’t feature a small block Chevy, but a Ford 302, which is perfectly appropriate given this car’s traditional look. Freshly rebuilt, it’s powerful and reliable, featuring a ton of performance parts that are made for the highway. From the 600 CFM Holley sitting on top of a chrome Edelbrock intake, to the mild Comp Cams 268 camshaft, it was clearly built to drive. There’s a ton of eye candy here, too, including a chrome air cleaner, master cylinder and booster, and polished Cool-Flex hoses. Up front, a massive custom-built radiator keeps it cool, ably assisted by a 17-inch electric fan, and the entire package will happily idle in 100-degree heat with the A/C cranking and never break a sweat. Try that with your vintage 1933 flathead!
Underneath, there’s a fully boxed Street Beast frame that creates an incredibly rigid platform for the rest of the hardware. A Ford AOD 4-speed automatic transmission lives behind the engine, providing easy cruising and a fuel-efficient overdrive that you’ll appreciate on your next cross-country trip. The front suspension is a Mustang II setup that features power rack-and-pinion steering, while out back a durable 8.8-inch rear axle stuffed with 3.27 gears makes highway cruising effortless. Hotchkiss upper and lower control arms keep the differential aligned properly, and it has been recently rebuilt with new bearings and seals, along with fresh Superior axles. Power disc brakes live up front for confident stopping power. A custom-made dual exhaust system features a pair of throaty mufflers that exhale under the running boards just ahead of the rear wheels. Polished 15-inch Rocket Fuel wheels wearing 205/60/15 front and 245/60/15 rear Cooper Cobra radials complement the traditional look.
The interior features a set of comfortable two-tone leather bucket seats that are clearly OEM, and as a result they’re comfortable and easy to adjust. Custom door panels were stitched up to match, while the entire dashboard was bathed in more of that fire-engine red paint from the exterior. Dolphin gauges keep an eye on the engine’s vitals, clustered in a billet panel that takes the place of the original piece ahead of the steering wheel. The steering column is a tilt unit topped by a Grant GT wheel wrapped in more matching leather. Lokar supplied the shifter and emergency brake, and all the door levers and knobs are matching billet pieces. For long-haul entertainment, a Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo system has been installed and sounds great, thanks to the extensive sound deadening materials that were installed throughout the interior.
For additional storage, this Vicky also includes a matching 2010 Champion travel trailer that has been painted to match the car. Look a little closer, and you’ll also see that it wears a matching set of 15×6 Rocket Fuel wheels and ’39 Ford taillights, just like the car itself.
With rods, we know that the parts that went into the build are of paramount importance to new buyers. As a result, this car comes with a thick binder full of build receipts and manuals, so you can have the confidence of knowing exactly what pieces went into the construction of this beautiful hot rod. As you can see, no corners were cut during the build. The car is also titled as a 1933 Ford, which should make licensing in all 50 states easy.
If you’ve been looking for a finished rod, one that can carry your family and friends across the country in comfort, and has a ton of trick features, well, your prayers have just been answered. As with almost anything auto-related, it’s always smarter to buy someone else’s finished car than to do it yourself—not only do you have the car immediately, but it’s typically much less expensive, too. This ’33 Ford is extremely well built, and it’s obvious that the builder fully intended for this car to hit the road and be long-distance capable. What that means is that you’re getting a beautifully executed rod that has been fully sorted, tested, and engineered to be as comfortable and reliable as your daily driver. The fact that it is wrapped up in that gorgeous Victoria body style is a bonus. If all that appeals to you.
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