Started on a new build today. It's a Victory six body on a model a chassis. Plans are a late fifties early sixties drag car. Just sitting on the frame. Gonna start bracing it up where I want it to sit and for chopping. Planning a 4 inch chop.
Nice pictures...something about a 'new' start on an old car like that is kind of fun...I can't explain it to my wife, and she is always wondering 'what else' I'm doing out in the garage....she doesn't get the car thing!!! Really nice project you have there. I'm curious about what engine you are going to use for an early drag car with that body style????...I like the idea big-time
Rainman1959 I'm thinking about using 1955 Pontiac 287. It has a hydramatic attached to it right now but might switch depending on money.
BE aware there two different Victory bodies. One has a long cowl the other a shorter cowl, making the hoods different. When Mac the Yankee chimes in on this maybe he will explain. HE has a complete car like this.
Sorry for coming late to the party! Doug (noboD) is correct- the '28 Victory Six had a major body change mid-year, from long hood/short cowl to short hood/long cowl... no idea why, because the long hood is a MUCH nicer design. Then they changed the body AGAIN in '29 only to scrap the project a few months later. Yours has the short cowl, so it is an early '28. Parts aren't easy tom come by, but you have the most important ones (doors)! I sold most of my extra parts to a friend of Doug's- if you need a radiator shell, etc, his buddy may still have one. The Victory series of cars have really beautiful lines (except for the placement of the headlamps) and lots of neat details- it's a shame that Dodge pulled the plug so quickly. Unfortunately, they used a lighter gauge metal for the frame to compensate for the heavier all-steel body and simple accidents would total a car. Plus, trying to introduce a new line at the same time as the stock market crash/Depression didn't help...
Took a better look at your body- not surprised to see the rot at the bottom of your panels! The body slips down over the frame and has major drainage issues
287ci Pontiac ??? ... back in 2010, you stated: I may be a bit biased, but IMHO an injected Dodge "Red Ram" or DeSoto "Fire Dome" (i.e., a baby HEMI) would be a perfect fit for your late '50s - early '60 drag car "theme": The injected DeSoto HEMI in the Thrifty Auto Supply dragster (circa 1958)
Yeah mac the Yankee , it's pretty bad on the bottom. And someone torched the body down the drivers side. I have all parts to do this except for rearend, wheels and steering column. Using what I have around the shop and still trying to stay correct.