Are the Vicky’s more comfortable?

[Curly]

I enjoy reading and talking about the various models of the new ford. The Victorian Coupe has had my interest lately. Slanted windshield without exterior sun visor, storage area behind folding rear seat, steel roof, lower steering column. Looking at the specs is the floor lower than the typical A’s? Is this why the steering column is lower?

[BNCHIEF]

I do not know but Art E is restoring one and yes they are a neat car.

[2manycars]

I find that they are difficult to get in and out of. I think a fordor is more comfortable than most.

[BNCHIEF]

I would agree Bill roadsters are too .

[Sunnybrook Farm]

From what I remember from my uncles Victoria 40 years ago, the rear floor was a pan which was several inches lower than if it had been wood. The whole back seat seemed cramped as compared to a tudor. I don't remember much difference when sitting in the front. It was an elegant looking car, his had the light colored cloth top and there was one near us that was a metal back.

[Mike Morton]

I had a Victoria,the floor is 2" lower to give it a lower look,longer doors for easy access,nice car for touring.Here's a picture of mine.

[tbirdtbird]

the Vicky and the Deluxe Touring had the lowered floor pan.
The Vickies are real nice cars

[Art Ebeling]

I do not know but Art E is restoring one and yes they are a neat car.

I wish I new how comfortable they are. I am not to that point yet, my floor pan is leaning against the garage wall. However, as Mike said, the doors are longer and the floor pan is lower.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I wish I new how comfortable they are. I am not to that point yet, my floor pan is leaning against the garage wall. However, as Mike said, the doors are longer and the floor pan is lower.

The front seats should be fine, but I rode in the back seat one day, and it's tight, so for rear seat comfort you'd be better off with a Tudor or Fordor, or if you like open cars, a Phaeton

[Curly]

Is the front seat lower than the standard Model A’s or is only the rear seat lower?

[tbirdtbird]

only the rear seat

you can see the drop in the first pic below, about 4 inches

[Art Ebeling]

These are pictures I kept from an Ebay listing. The rear seat looks pretty comfy and notice the drop in the floorpan.

[Curly]

Great pictures. I’ve heard it said that the Vickie’s were a test run for some of the design cues that were to come. It’s an interesting progression of the line.

[Mike V. Florida]

Steel Roof?

[Curly]

Steel Roof?

I believe yes.

[Art Ebeling]

Mike, Do you mean steelback? The roof is the same chicken wire, padding and vinyl matrial.

[Mike V. Florida]

Curly stated in his original post, "...storage area behind folding rear seat, steel roof, lower steering column." So I asked about the "steel roof" because as you know they don't have one and thought he may have misspoken and meant steel back. Also, try to easily get to the "storage".

[Curly]

I thought I’d read that the 1931 Victoria’s we’re steel roofed. Indented firewalls and steel roofed. I may very well be wrong.

[CarlG]

Curly, it’s the late ‘31 pickup that has those attributes, including the steel top.

[Kevin in NJ]

There are some cross section drawing of he different A bodies showing the seat placement. The slants all were set up for a bit more passenger 'room'. That is they moved the seats down some for head room and steering column up. Not much, but maybe enough that people with size issues might want to try out a slant body for over all ability to driven and get in and out.

[tbirdtbird]

they were slowly making the transition to 1932

[CM2]

More like the sales were waning by then and they were scrambling to freshen it up till they got the V8 figured out..it took them months to get the engine casting mold right.

[Art Ebeling]

I am not sure what you guys mean by raising the steering column.The Victoria steering column is lowered , not raised. Is it different in other slant windshield A’s?

[Kevin in NJ]

Kevin, you need to clarify this a bit. Not ALL slant-windshield cars had the late steering column brace, and therefore not all columns were raised. FWIW, I am thinking it only raises the steering wheel 1/4 of an inch, so it is negligible at best.

Seat mounting was also changed for the slants where the seats are a bit lower to the sills. I believe that is for all slants at some point, but honestly I could be mistaken. I recall there were the side view drawings showing interior space and the slants had the extra room. That is why I look to them as a car that is better for me.

I am not saying it was a huge difference, but there is a difference.

[Art Ebeling]

I found this in my Victoria file.

[Mitch]

This is in our chassis tech forum /// scroll down

https://www.vintagefordforum.com/forum/model-a/technical-reference-chassis/30498-body-block-mounting-body-dimensions-body-weights

[Art Ebeling]

When comparing those dimensions I think the Victoria's extra couple of inches difference between the top of the seat and the bottom of the steering wheel would mean a lot.

[JDupuis]

The front seats are two different sizes, one wider than the other. Jeff

[plyfor]

Interesting but subjective question. Having owned most A models, except the Victoria and deluxe phaeton, we found the slant window town sedans to be "probably" the most comfortable riding due to the minimal wood structure, heavier body and straight back bench seats. A little tight though, even to enter with the front seat pushed back --- and which appears to be 1/4 the way in the rear compartment. The models with 2 less doors can have less rattle issues, and (some) doors with less wood structures (and no glass) evidently only required 2 vs. 3 door hinges on some models ?? Just another owner's perspective.

[Curly]

The models with 2 less doors can have less rattle issues, and (some) doors with less wood structures (and no glass) evidently only required 2 vs. 3 door hinges.

very good point. For this reason I prefer 2 doors over 4.

[CarlG]

Is that why your pickup only has 2 doors?