LS-Powered: Custom 1934 Ford Victoria
The beauty of the custom scene is that it allows owners to let their imagination off the leash. The result can be some wild creations, although cars like this 1934 Ford Victoria owe much to subtlety. This classic hides its light under a bushel because beneath its restrained exterior is a drivetrain configuration promising exceptional performance and handling. It is a turnkey proposition that needs noting and is ideal for someone who is unable to tackle a project build. The seller has listed the “Vicky” here on eBay in Doylestown, Ohio. They set their auction to open at $40,000, but there are no bids at the time of writing.
Externally, there is little to indicate that this Victoria is anything unusual. Its arrow-straight panels wear Bolivian Gray paint, which was a Lincoln shade from that model year. The running boards are original, with the fenders finished in traditional Black. The seller confirms the exterior was meticulously blocked back, repainted, and was recently color-sanded and treated to a professional ceramic coat to ensure a long-lasting shine. There is no evidence of rust issues, and they have done their best to ensure this won’t be a future problem. The Ford features new floor sections and a custom firewall, and the underside surfaces are coated in epoxy primer and truck bedliner for longevity and easy cleaning. The chrome is in as-new condition, and the glass is crystal clear. This Victoria rolls on 15″ steel wheels with V8 hubcaps, providing the first clue that there might be more to this classic than first meets the eye.
The 1934 Ford Victoria rolled off the line with the legendary 221ci flathead V8 in its engine bay. It produced a respectable 85hp and 150 ft/lbs of torque, which fed to the back wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. Performance was considered class-leading, but this classic offers a driving experience that would have set heads spinning in Ford’s engineering and design departments in 1934. The seller started their build with a new chassis sourced from Heidts Automotive in Lake Zurich, Illinois. They bolted a Mustang II front end into this, featuring rack-and-pinion steering and front disc brakes. The rear features a four-link coil-over setup and drum brakes. However, those components are the entree, meaning it’s time to move on to the main course. The original flathead is a distant memory, with power now delivered by a 5.3-liter LS V8. Backing this are a four-speed 4L60E automatic transmission and a Ford 8″ rear end. It is unclear how much power the new motor produces, but it is a sure bet that this Victoria goes, stops, and handles far better than the day it rolled off the line. The engine features a range of custom touches that give it a clean and crisp look, with new wiring, a custom intake, and coils hidden below custom-made covers. The listing suggests the engine specifications aren’t radical, with the seller aiming to produce a civilized vehicle that is easy to live with. They state that it runs and drives perfectly; potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition.
This Ford’s “wow” factor continues when we turn our attention to its interior. The original seats feature mohair covers, with the remaining upholstered surfaces trimmed in similar material. Fresh paint covers the steel, and the dash houses a set of new Classic Instruments 1934 Ford gauges. Contrasting Dark Brown wool carpet rounds out the interior that benefits from hidden electrical components, including a new American Wiring harness. Finding anything to criticize is impossible, with no wear or other issues. This interior shares one crucial characteristic with the rest of the car: It is guaranteed to receive admiring glances and positive comments wherever it goes.
Although I typically favor original classics, I always admire well-executed custom builds. That term perfectly encapsulates this 1934 Ford Victoria because it is a subtle vehicle whose creator has focused on the finer details to maximize its practicality. I see no reason why it couldn’t function as a daily driver, although I would save this beauty for special occasions and weekend outings. It hasn’t received any bids, but I believe that situation will change. Are you tempted to start the ball rolling? I wish you luck if you do.
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Comments
That is one fine car. I always appreciate good workmanship and this one has it oozing out all over. Nice!
This is not a “custom”. What we have here is a rather subdued but tastefully done street rod. I’d try to treat the look of the engine a little differently but other than that I really like this.
Love the car but an LS? Really? High dollar car but low dollar components. No wonder there are no bids.
This just oozes the WOW factor. Very tastefully done. I like how they kept the interior stock including the stock steering wheel. I know that the LS is a good motor. Lot of them, and its the wave of the future. But it may have been nice to see a 5.0 or 4.6 V8 from a Ford. (Im known to have C.D.O…. Its like O.C.D. except the letters are in order…. As they SHOULD BE!!!). Anyways , I like to see Ford powertrains in Fords, Chevys in Chevys etc. Etc. But back to this car, this is one of the nicest customs, hot rods, or whatever you want to classify this as, car I think Ive ever seen. And the quality of the workmanship looks like its second to none. Someone, somewhere is going to a grin on their face from ear to ear when they drive this.
2xWOW
I’m coming to understand that transmissions now are automatics as opposed real gearboxes, but why still install a fake floor shifter?
Beautiful vehicle. Envious. (Found a reason to fault the vehicle)
If they did the same thing I did with my ’53 Olds powered, 4 speed hydromatic Studebaker coupe they used a floor shift lever to select the gears.
The shifter isn’t fake, you gotta put it in gear somehow lol. I have the same shifter in my 50.
It’s nice you have an agreement to share the mechanism but it must be a pain to take it in and out.
I do have sufficient mechanical skills to realize you need a selector but a column shifter or push button unit or whatever instead of a “wannabe” floor stick.
(at 78 I have sufficient mechanical skills to build in a clutch system and dexterity to shift while driving)
Different strokes for different folks
Not sure what you mean about taking it in and out. Are you talking about putting it in gear? If so you push the button on top and pull it into drive like any other console shift. If you want a column shift you’ll have to change the column to one that has it then try to figure out how to make linkage work. The shifter in it right now bolts directly to the trans. As for a push button system you totally lost me.
Automatic floor shifters been around a minute
Lots of automatic transmissions have floor shifters. Doesn’t mean they are fake 4-speeds. You need to go to more carshows
So. It sounds like any Chevrolet pickup or SUV; and it drives like any modern car…put in D and go, no focus required, no connection with the mechanical operation….? Why BOTHER? Get a modern GM car with a V8, and just drive it.
I guess this works, for someone with money who wants attention and has no sense of the history of cars of the past, and who doesn’t know how to work a gearbox and clutch.
Goodness gracious, Always someone that just can’t appreciate something for what it is.
I agree with him, the 4L60E is a HUGE bummer.
Your comment is the exact opposite of why guys like me buy cars like this. I’ve driven lots of stockers and honestly trying to daily a flatty with a 3 on the tree in traffic becomes a chore and takes the fun out of it. When I put the big block Chev and automatic in my car it became really fun to drive again. I let my wife and friends drive it because it’s so easy and gets thumbs up wherever we go.
If You buy you don’t build and you rate the value of a car by the attention you get then a cars authenticity doesn’t mean anything to you. I spend years studying the cars I restore and I appreciate the genius of design of the era and the importance of respecting and preserving it.
Steve good for you but wow did you waste your time. First vehicle I BUILT was when I was 17 and I’ll be 50 in a few weeks. I’ve built AND bought a lot of cars and had a blast doing it. I’m the guy cruising down the road with the big smile on his face.
Kudos.Steve. Such a shame that the genius of early V8s still goes unappreciated Now lets find a conplete donor with a trashed body and set about restoring this car’s heritage..
Bravo Passin!
I agree this is a nice car, however I would like to see it in person. There are a few issues: Why is a 40 K starting bid and the reserve is higher than that? The ad does not say anything about any fiberglass components, also doesn’t say it’s all steel, which usually means it isn’t. The windshield appears to be glued in, which is usually a dead give away of a re-pro body. Not a great photo, but there is no header garnish molding over the windshield. You can see the side of the windshield and there is rubber stuffed in there for some reason. This is not what an original 34 would have. As far as faulting something the spare tire looks like an over sized donut on the back. It is a nice build ,but it is not as perfect as many of you think.
Joe haska
The E Bay ad does indeed say “ALL STEEL” 34. And as far as other comments about cutting up a perfect original it says all floor panels replaced so it was most likely a rescued rust bucket
I love it but the opening bid is beyond my hobby car budget
The seller has a 100% satisfaction rating
Disgusting. Takes a special kind of hubris to cut up a Vicky. That’s what these guys are all about. They like to find the nicest original and rare cars then cut them up to feed their ego. I wonder why there’s NO bids. Shameful and Disgusting. Take your LS and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.
Tell us where the car is cut up. It’s not chopped, channelled or sectioned in any way. The M2 front end is a weld in kit and makes it safer to drive. If the car was absolutely stock it would be good for driving in parades and that’s about it.
start with the firewall
Steven okay they put a trans hump in it. What else ya got?
Take a chill pill, Steve. It’s a free country when it comes to cars.
Steve! Be nice. Do you want to get flagged for such a harsh comment?
Either you like it or don’t. Be more constructive your criticisms.
Kudos.Steve. Such a shame that the genius of early V8s still goes unappreciated Now lets find a conplete donor with a trashed body and set about restoring this car’s heritage..
Early V8s were underpowered and not very reliable. That’s why they’ve been improved.
At least it is being driven and enjoyed and not sitting leaking oil all over the garage floor.
It can leak oil all over my living room carpet. this work of ealy genius has earned the right.
I am not a fan of Chevy Ford hybrids, but that is unseen unless the hood is open. Things I would change are easy. Ford went to the trouble of painting the fenders body color in 1934 for the first time. I think this would look less antique. The Victoria was only a deluxe model, so put some cowl lights on it. Replace the 33 dash with a correct 1934 issue. I agree there is something wonky withe the header panel above the windshield. CNit picky details. Just my 2cents worth.
Nice banter. I get so much from the comments.
I’m puzzled by this creation. I’m still trying to think of something to put the WRX wagon drivetrain into.
A few years ago I saw this in VW squareback. This transplant looked like it belonged there.
Lancia Appia sedan is my choice for that.
Maybe a Vega, Pinto, Yugo, Amphicar, Renault Le Car (to my knowledge nobody has featured here) Subaru 360, Pontiac Aztec or Tempest, Corvair, Datsun 510 or B210, Opal GT or Geo Metro.
Doesn’t matter what you put it inyo people are gonna whine about it!!
Dynamitte that LS engine and put a Coyote Ford engine in there. Done.
God Bless America
You guys are funny.
Using dynamite would be the easy way to put a coyote engine in. Not easy engines to swap. My thoughts are if the builder wanted to do it this way, good for him. If you don’t like it, build one the way you want and then just don’t listen to those who make fun of you.
Early V8s were underpowered and not very reliable. Coyote engines are much too wide. You’d never get it to fit
I don’t see what’s so heretical about putting an available engine into a car with a suitably-sized gap. I’m about to do something similar.
Whatcha building? If you can engineer something and make it work safely I say giver. Some people want to scorch the earth if you deviate from something they believe even though they don’t know how to build.
R1100 oilhead BMW into a 2CV road car – with a Dyane racer to follow.
Beautiful car. Just the way it is. Ironic that it is yet another one that leads to pointless debates instead of just appreciation.
Good God y’all sound like a bunch of Karens
LOL you’re right. But I’ll tell you I actually know a Karen that runs a Chevy in her Ford lol I gotta show her this haha.
Have you ever seen a Ford motor in a Chevy? Surely someone has swam upstream.
Love the Karen reference- perfect well done
What a beautiful Vicky. I’m sure someone will ante up what the seller is asking. That someone isn’t me, that’s for sure. Putting the wrong engine in the car, shows that the builder cheaped out on the powertrain.I wonder what else they cut costs on?
This is a very nice build with lots of money spent. If you knew what you were talking about a very casual glance would tell you they didn’t cut any corners on this car.
Putting a Chevy into an old Ford is the cheap and easy way to get “modern” V-8 performance. If you knew what you were talking about, you’d know this.
For all the other things done Chop the roof 3 inches and go cruising
GUYS! How long do you want to argue about Chevy’s in Fords. Pick your battles, no one can win this one. There is no winning side. Don’t argue about religion or politics! No right or wrong answer “Get over it” and form a cult for everyone who agrees with you.
But if everyone agreed that would be boring lol
One word: STUNNING
How come the Fomoco whiners aren’t complaining about the Heidts frame?
Ol’ Henry didn’t design it like that!
O.K., here’s my two cents. I love that this car has the sleeper look. That engine, for me, puts it over the top. Reliability, drivability. I have a 1937 Packard that was a six cylinder from the factory. I kept it stock for the first 24 years that I owned it. I would take a ride, and after shifting my brains out and muscling that stagecoach size steering wheel, I would have to come home and take a nap. And I was in my twenties. The first year Bendix juice brakes worked great. I decided to yank the “tooth” and install a 1972 Chevy 350 V8 and turbo 350 automatic. It’s now 30 years later. I’m still driving it with that same combo. I’m 77 now. Here’s what I feel about engine changes. I like keeping the car basically stock. Any and all safety upgrades are a good thing. Ponder this for a moment. If your spouse needed a heart transplant, would that change how you feel about her/him? Is she/he now a different person? I don’t think so. I really don’t care what’s beating under the hood. I don’t like attending car shows and seeing all the hoods up in the air. I tend to walk past them. But that’s me. Okay, let’s hear the rebuttals.
You hit the nail on the head sir. I put my hood up at shows though because I built a lot of parts in there with my own two hands. All the aluminum parts I made I also polished so my detailed engine bay looks great in the sun. Not to mention I’m running a 409 (in a ford) and it’s not a common engine so it kinda surprises people.
I love the looks of this car. I think back to the times of Elliot Ness, Pretty Boy Floyd, Dillenger, and the newly formed FBI. The bad guys all wanted those Ford V8’s. This car would be great in any bootlegger movie. I love the sleeper look. You guys can argue about old versus restomod. They did this right for drivability, but, wow it looks great. IMHO.
The minimum bid price is reasonable considering all the work that went into the build that you don’t see like new frame and suspension. Wouldn’t be surprised if the cost of the total renovation approached 6 figures.
I see it like this. Chevrolet never made any nice looking cars before 1950 so almost all old chevys have been scrapped long ago. Since the 1950’s chevy guys have been desecrating Fords to a point where even rare “time capsules” and destroying “history” mean nothing. Now that the supply of old Fords has ran almost out, they’ve set their sights on Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler’s of that period to desecrate. I’d tell you what I think of them but I’d probably get kicked off.