Correct Chris; Here is a photo showing how the I-Beam style X is joined to the inside of the Vicky style frame. The large hole was put there by a P.O. for dual exhaust. The Wizzard
Crazy, No, the height of ambition and optimism, Yes, if you have the time and some skills and a few $$$,you will end up w/ a very cool ride and can say " Yes, I built it " I always admire big projects and the men that accomplish them. Good Luck !
Fresh off the assembly line...... Very cool and worth the money IMO. Seen cars start with less. I'd say as long as originality is not a concern, use the Vicky frame and make your own X frame.
Crazy? Not in my world, course I have no idea what color the sky is. Good luck if you go forward with it.
Crazy? Not hardly. Especially since you have a Vicky parts donor. You've done some amazing rides on here. This is just another opportunity!
Seems like a prime candidate to make a cool traditional custom convertible shoebox. Who wouldn't like that???
You need the X-frame from a convertible or a Victoria. The standard ladder frame isn't stiff enough for this car.
It's all about timing. 50 years ago: "you're off your nut!" Today: "Cool find!" 20 years from now: "Look at the treasure I found for only 20 grand!"
Picked up the 1200.00 donor car. It's actually a pretty nice Vicky...but a convertible will be way better it's complete except engine/tranny and bumpers
With that great parts car and the fact that a 51 shoe box is a beautiful car I'd go back near original in looks but maybe modernize the drive train (resto rod). The near zero rust floor pan will offset the time spent chasing down missing parts.
Great start to a project. Though that Vicky looks pretty good. Think I´d have a hard time using it as a donor. So, does the Vicky frame have the extra X member?
I would have done it too, the shell looks really solid. Even as a sunny day driver "California convertible" it will be a lot of fun. Looking forward to seeing the vicky parts car and following the build.
I'd be looking long and Hard at changing the Vicky into the Vert. I can tell you that the Vicky back window body flange is the same as the Vert flange the Top Tack strip U channel is welded to. I bet you can figure out how to mount the 3 Header bow pins to the Vicky Windshield top. The Wizzard
I see convertible frames on Craigslist often. One in Wichita KS right now. Convertible parts are specific between years 49 50 and 51 also. Learned the hard way on some parts. Very nice body to start with!! Here's ours. Have a bit of a build thread on here somewhere.
Once you get the Vicky all stripped to just a hull of a body, put it in a field just as the vert was and wait for someone else who is crazy to come along...
So got the car home and unloaded. I bought it sight unseen off of a craigslist ad for 1200.00. What I could see was decent and the owner just wanted it gone. It had sat in that garage since the 80's. The owner described it as "rusty". Once home I was amazed at how nice it is. Typical quarter rust but not too bad, little in the rockers but again typical. Floor is very nice. They stripped the paint off about 30 years ago. So I think now the plan is to convert the vicky to a convertible, and the actual convertible has quite a few key pieces to do it. Should be pretty strait forward. For now, it awaits it's turn in the barn
Hell yeah might as well do em both. You are still young enough. I started on this crappy 34 roadster of mine when I was 80+ not crazy just plain nuts I say. Go for it you some good stuff to start with.
I've seen worse. This is an Ozzie car and a HAMBER. That scoop and wheels aren't mine. Side window is from a sedan