Restored original Crestline Victoria Hardtop

The 50s was a great time to be a car buyer, arguably the best all-time in the US. The post-war boom had led to new ways to individualize your car, and the big manufactures were in a veritable style-arms race throughout the decade. No longer just content to have the latest family coupe, Ford offered more trim and design touches to fit any budgets, and none came swankier from Dearborn than the beautiful, top-of-the-line 1953 Ford Crestline Victoria. ... What makes this so special? Just look at the shine. The revised grille was so wide that it reached around the corners just like the bright bumper below it. The side trim is complete on everything from the line that runs along the fender and door, to the crest at the base of the black hardtop roof â€" remember only the Crestline Victorias are pillarless hardtops. It all ends in a chrome rear light surrounds that hints at the tailfin era that was just around the corner (especially the Thunderbird that was only a couple years away.) The S-L code on this car's trim tag tells us the exterior colors of Flamingo Red (S) and Sungate Ivory (L) were original, although the roof was smartly changed to Raven Black during the restoration to provide a bit more contrast. All of this presents quite well because it's a newer paintjob that takes advantage of the more modern practices, although a profession cut-and-buff would really kick it up a notch. The final touch of shine comes from the elegant wire-wheels with center spinners, wrapped in beautiful whitewall tires for a truly period look. Inside the two-tone black and coral seats are quite comfortable thanks to plenty of soft, supple vinyl upholstery. This design has that great '50s look, and the way the side panels, dash, and plush black carpets coordinate with the seats will draw plenty of people in to take a closer look. And more of this period-correct premium feeling comes when you slip behind the factory wheel with Ford family crest on the center horn. This classically thin wheel gives you a commanding view of the slick black dash, so you can clearly see everything from the factory speedometer to the original AM radio. And because this vintage Ford is meant to still be good for cruising today, you also get all the right auxiliary gauges to always keep you informed about what's going on in the engine bay. Out back the trunk is neatly finished with a black carpeted, and this spacious cargo area carries a full-size bias-ply tire with jack set. Ford's Flathead V8 is a legend all on its own for the power it provides, and the 239 cubic-inch displacement would be the largest installed in the Ford cars. It presents very nicely in the engine bay with the tall oil bath air cleaner and the bold blue valve covers and engine block. You'll love looking at all the original-style components, and then when you fire it up, you'll remember why it was a darling of the hot rod era. There is a little extra bark from this V8 thanks to a custom dual exhaust replete with newer chambered mufflers. It's not too boisterous, but just enough to make you fall in love with the Flathead all over again. And the control you get from the column-shifted three-speed manual transmission keeps all the power firmly in your hands. You'll love the driving experience of this premium Crestline Victoria, and its solid feeling on the road really lets you know it has received all the right care over the years. So, you're looking at one of the most distinctive and best presented classics for the money. Don't let it slip away, call today!