Ford Victoria variations

[NOBLNG]

Did the early Victorias come with either a trunk or a rear door? Or is this strictly a custom job? I suspect the first pic is, but would like to verify it. Second pic is a later (34?) model.

Edited June 28, 2021 by NOBLNG

[RSchnell]

Ford never produced a Victoria with a rear door like that, only Sedan Deliveries and Panel Deliveries got the rear door.

Here is a factory body drawing showing the 1933 & 34 Ford Victoria body.

[espo]

The little I know about the '32 Victoria and maybe the following year models as well, was that they didn't have a trunk. Trunks were not all that common in the early years and often there was little more than a rack on the rear of the body that would sometimes fold down to provide an area to tie down luggage or objects one would want to carry. The higher end cars were more likely to have an enclosed trunk as we think of it today. In the later models in the thirties from Ford and I'm sure other as well, started offering body styles that included an enclosed trunk.  

[Rodent]

10 minutes ago, espo said:

Trunks were not all that common in the early years and often there was little more than a rack on the rear of the body

Yes, that is where you attached an actual "trunk" like the one your ancestors used when they came across whichever pond they crossed in whichever direction they migrated.

[espo]

2 minutes ago, Rodent said:

Yes, that is where you attached an actual "trunk" like the one your ancestors used when they came across whichever pond they crossed in whichever direction they migrated.

Very good point, and where the name of that part of an auto body came from. Case in point. Most of my family on both sides arrived in America in the late 1700's and early 1800's. My mother was born in China. My grandfather was working for Shell Oil and was stationed at one of their refineries as an engineer. He met the daughter of some Irish Missionaries and they married. Both my mother and her older brother were born there before they returned to the United States. The reason for mentioning all the family history is that I have two of the trunks that they used to ship their belongings home in. One is a very ornate hand carved trunk with nothing but tong and grove joints. The other is a normal large sized plane wooden affair and you can still make out the writing on the top and sides. The writing is almost like you were addressing an envelope to mail a letter. This was the type of trunk many used at that time and being called trunks and then put on the back of a car sort of explains how that part of the body became known as a trunk. Now what's the thing about a boot ?  

[NOBLNG]

1 hour ago, espo said:

Now what's the thing about a boot ?  

It’s on the opposite end from the Bonnet?

Thanks for the info on the Victoria Guys! I figured that hatch was custom. That must be an early (‘32?) one since it doesn’t have the suicide doors. The second pic is a ‘34 I believe and it has the suicide doors and a small trunk.

Edited June 29, 2021 by NOBLNG

[RSchnell]

5 hours ago, espo said:

The little I know about the '32 Victoria and maybe the following year models as well, was that they didn't have a trunk. Trunks were not all that common in the early years and often there was little more than a rack on the rear of the body that would sometimes fold down to provide an area to tie down luggage or objects one would want to carry. The higher end cars were more likely to have an enclosed trunk as we think of it today. In the later models in the thirties from Ford and I'm sure other as well, started offering body styles that included an enclosed trunk.  

I've never worked on a '32 Vicky, but the Model A Victoria, the rear seat back is hinged at the bottom. It doesn't open wide maybe a foot, but you can put small stuff there, however it's pretty impractical!

[RSchnell]

4 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

It’s on the opposite end from the Bonnet?

Thanks for the info on the Victoria Guys! I figured that hatch was custom. That must be an early (‘32?) one since it doesn’t have the suicide doors. The second pic is a ‘34 I believe and it has the suicide doors and a small trunk.

Not all '32s had suicide doors. The Cabriolet, Sport Coupe, Victoria, Convertible Sedan And Tudor Sedan doors opened from the rear. 

[Claude Thibodeau]

8 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

It’s on the opposite end from the Bonnet?

Thanks for the info on the Victoria Guys! I figured that hatch was custom. That must be an early (‘32?) one since it doesn’t have the suicide doors. The second pic is a ‘34 I believe and it has the suicide doors and a small trunk.

Hi Greg!

I believe only the 3W body style had suicide doors in 32. The other models had standard doors. 

CT

[espo]

8 hours ago, RSchnell said:

I've never worked on a '32 Vicky, but the Model A Victoria, the rear seat back is hinged at the bottom. It doesn't open wide maybe a foot, but you can put small stuff there, however it's pretty impractical!

That feature may account for the design of the rear portion of the body. Most of Ford's sedan bodies design at the time was very flat and even tucked under somewhat. The most notable difference with the Victoria body was the way the lower portion below the rear window seemed to flow toward the rear of the body. While it was a style element, making that space into storage space on the interior would be a good idea. 

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi!

The 32 Vick also had a roof that was a smidge lower than the sedan. Already chopped, so to speak...

CT

[Tom Geiger]

A Vicky with a trunk!  It does naturally flow.  Too bad Ford didn’t think of it.

[NOBLNG]

8 hours ago, Claude Thibodeau said:

Hi Greg!

I believe only the 3W body style had suicide doors in 32. The other models had standard doors. 

CT

Were there any 3 window Vickys made? Forgive my ignorance, I’ve only begun to delve into them.

Edit: I think I misunderstood you. Only 3W coupes had suicide doors in ‘32…but suicide doors were made available on the Vicky and other models in later years…right?

 

Edited June 29, 2021 by NOBLNG

[Vietnam Vet67]

1932 Ford Victoria rear

1934 Ford Victoria

Edited June 29, 2021 by Vietnam Vet67
addition of info.

[Claude Thibodeau]

6 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Were there any 3 window Vickys made? Forgive my ignorance, I’ve only begun to delve into them.

Edit: I think I misunderstood you. Only 3W coupes had suicide doors in ‘32…but suicide doors were made available on the Vicky and other models in later years…right?

 

Hi!

Actually, the whole line-up of 33 and 34 Fords cars (excluding the light trucks) had suicide doors, Vicky included. They reverted to "regular" doors in 35. 

As to your question about any "3W Vicky"... Ford did not offer that, but some imaginative rodders came up with what they called a "town coupe", which was a cross between a 5W and a Vicky "semi-bustle" back. I know famed modelist Jack Davis reproduced at least one about 25 years ago, and it was widely seen in model mags, presented as part of his collection of "Phantom" rods. You might be able to Google it and find some pics...

CT