Pick of the Day: 1951 Ford Victoria hardtop with flathead-V8 power

In the early 1950s came a particular style of hardtop design favored by US automakers, a rounded roofline that flowed into the C-pillars in a graceful curve.  This is the roofline seen on the Pick of the Day, a 1951 Ford Victoria 2-door hardtop that appears to have been restored to original. 

In an appealing shade of pale green with an ivory top, the Ford packs a classic flathead V8 that makes 100 horsepower and is shifted by a 3-on-the-tree manual transmission.

“This ‘51 2-door Victoria is a real time machine for those who remember these years fondly,” says the Orlando, Florida, dealer advertising the Ford on ClassicCars.com. “The swooping body lines combined with whitewall tires and polished hub caps really give the car an eye-catching stance.

“The interior is finished in a dark and light green combo, and the dash and panels will make it feel like a different time. With the bench seat, there is plenty of room for cuddling at the drive-in.”

Still looking great after an apparently older restoration, the Ford has an award-winning claim to fame, the dealer says.

“As shown on the bumper plaque, this vehicle was the 2003 national first-prize winner of the Antique Automobile Club of America!” the ad notes, although it in unclear how or where the AACA senior award was won.

The period options on this Ford include an AM radio, whitewall tires, what look like the correct full hubcaps, fender skirts and lots of chrome details.

Model year 1951 was the third and final go round for the so-called “shoebox Fords,” which launched in 1949 as the first of the industry’s true post-war passenger car design.  These remain highly regarded among collectors and customizers, who have created an endless array of hot rod themes based on the handsome body shape.

The flathead V8 also was an enduring subject for performance tuners, its underlying sturdiness allowing bolt-on horsepower boosts via custom carburation and intake, aftermarket heads and free-flowing exhaust systems.  This V8 appears to be in factory stock condition, as does the rest of the car. 

The flathead V8, by the way, powered Ford cars from 1934 through 1953, when they were phased out in favor of more-efficient OHV engines.

This good-looking Ford hardtop seems to be value priced at $26,000.

 To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.