FrankenVicky

L

Lefty W.

Member
Hello, all -

An absolute newbie here. Last weekend I took delivery of my father's Victoria. It was worked on a bit back in the 1970s when the car was forty years old. Well, another 40 years later, she could stand a complete re-restoration.

5636959544_167823188c.jpg


Allegedly a 1931 model.

But, the engine is a bit earlier:

5696707357_f254db96a9.jpg


June, 1929 perhaps?

I'm sure I'll be asking questions here soon enough. For now, I'm just happy to get my feet wet.
 
Last edited:
Looks very nice to me. Take your time to learn about her before you dissamble. Get some driving time with her. She will tell you if she needs work.
clem
 
If my cars looked that good I sure wouldn't want to take them apart to restore them over again. I'd just lube every moving part and make sure the brakes and mechanicals are good.
 
Trick photography. Up close, you can see the paint peeling and rust showing thru the unprimered body. I'd say she's about a 40-footer.

She does need some mechanical and electrical work. Ammeter doesn't budge, no horn, headlights or taillight, speedo stuck at zero, exhaust manifold is holey, intake manifold holding on by a thread, but hey, at least the dome light works.

I think I'll put her up on jacks and have a look at her brakes. They seem to hold o.k.
 
Join the Victoria Club and get all their reference material. Is it a flat firewall or indented? Does it still have the Victoria ID plate on it in the engine comaprtment?
 
there are lots of cars that first timers took apart ( it's very easy) and never put back together because life gets in the way unless you are totally committed to the restoration. Restoration is a big job and requires dedication and perseverance. Most disassembled cars end up sold as basket cases, often to rodders. I would get it running and enjoy it long enough to create a bond with the car. That bond will give you the commitment and impetus to complete a restoration should you begin one later on.
 
Brian SATX said:
Is it a flat firewall or indented? Does it still have the Victoria ID plate on it in the engine comaprtment?
Click to expand...

Flat firewall:

5698128966_952b7dc640.jpg


Appears to be a reproduction body number plate. There's no 190A -xxxx on the plate. The patent plate is original.

pat in Santa Cruz said:
there are lots of cars that first timers took apart ( it's very easy) and never put back together because life gets in the way unless you are totally committed to the restoration. Restoration is a big job and requires dedication and perseverance. Most disassembled cars end up sold as basket cases, often to rodders. I would get it running and enjoy it long enough to create a bond with the car. That bond will give you the commitment and impetus to complete a restoration should you begin one later on.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I'm certainly going to get her drivable and play with her a bit before I consider tearing her apart.

I believe I DO need to do something about that exhaust manifold, however...

5697553327_a3aa81ffb4.jpg
 
I wouldn't worry about those 2 bolts. The more common manifold problem is a sagging rear port, but if you have the reinforced 31 manifold, thats less common.
 
pat in Santa Cruz said:
I wouldn't worry about those 2 bolts. The more common manifold problem is a sagging rear port, but if you have the reinforced 31 manifold, thats less common.
Click to expand...

Sorry, the photo isn't very clear. I wasn't too worried about the missing bolts that hold the intake manifold to the exhaust manifold. Rather, my concern is the gaping hole in the exhaust manifold. You can sorta see it there to the right of that stud/nut on the left.
 
Here's possibly a bit more clear photo of my holey exhaust manifold.

5698455596_0de47cb1f9.jpg


See that carbon from the hole just above the stud/nut on the left?

So, does anybody have any recommendations as to a replacement?
 
snyders repro manifold is a good one. If you're a stickler for originality, the 31's had a reinforcement that made the rear of the manifold stronger. The appearance is that the curved lower edge is more squared off. If you want this feature, you'll have to find a good original. Once you get your replacement, the intake manifold must be assembled to it and no doubt you will have to have the manifold surfaced to bring the sealing faces into the same plane. Installing them with a difference of more than a few thousandths can crack the manifold, or at best result in a bad seal.
 
Start spraying the liquid wrench now. You will be removing the exhaust manifold so the four studs and the tail pipe clamp will be coming off. The good news is, that takes care of the two bolts that are twisted off in the manifold. Nice looking car and it should be a real treat to drive. Looking forward to future discussions.
 
The body tag in one of the photos indicates the body was built by Briggs. The Victoria Association would be very interested in learning more about this car. To date there has never been a Victoria discovered that was built by Briggs. All Victoria's identified so far have been built by Murray. If the tag on your car is original and authentic, you truely have a rare car.

Tom Endy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top