A multitude of award-winning vehicles will be on display during the inaugural Summit Racing Equipment Atlanta Motorama presented by Classic Collectors Insurance & zMAX on April 26-27. One that is sure to grab the crowd’s attention is a rare 1932 Ford “Vicky”, owned by David Walsh of Macon, Ga.
In the midst of the Great Depression in 1932, 8,580 Victoria sedans were produced by Ford out of the 322,962 passenger cars that rolled off their assembly line that year.
A vehicle as rare as Walsh’s 1932 Victoria only makes an appearance at two or three events a year. Patrons attending Motorama will see a vehicle rarely viewed by the general public.
“I’ve had street rods for 30 years and I knew that the ’32 Vicky is a rare car, not many of them are around,” Walsh said.
But Walsh’s vehicle is more than a rare, aged automobile. It has been impressively modified during a span of two years. Improvements include the addition of a 502ci Chevy block engine. The process of the work began with Walsh owning a bone-stock version of a 1932 Ford Victoria with a four-cylinder engine that had never been modified.
Walsh utilized Bobby Alloway of Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop in Louisville, Tenn., to complete many customized elements of the vehicle. Modifications included stretching the wheel-base by three inches to allow for the larger engine and the fabrication of the custom running boards.
The car’s all-leather interior has also been customized to reflect the vehicle’s historic significance. It includes a gauge cluster from a 1949 Pontiac, classic instrument gauges, a reproduced 1940 Ford wheel, saddle leather work and seats in addition to custom wood graining.
Walsh’s hard work restoring and modifying the 1932 Ford Victoria paid off two years ago as it earned the Goodguys 2012 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year title.
“I have always liked 32’s. They are kind of the icon of the hot rod world, it was the first one to come out with a V8 engine,” Walsh said. “It was attractive to hot rod builders back in the day.”
Walsh’s 1932 Ford Victoria is one of many rare and custom vehicles on display at Motorama April 26-27 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
The entry fee is $50 per vehicle for car enthusiasts to enter the car show portion of the event. Adult general admission to Motorama is $12 per day. Kids ages 6 through 11 will be admitted for $5, with kids 5 and under being admitted free.
For Summit Racing Equipment Atlanta Motorama presented by Classic Collectors Insurance & zMAX event information, visit www.atlantamotorama.com or contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (770) 946-4211, (877) 9-AMS-TIX or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.