1953 Victress S1A Roadster

1953 Victress S1A Roadster

American Born; European Styling

The Victress S1A debuted in 1952. Like all Victress S1A roadsters, his car is highly collectible and would make a great vintage rally car, uperb vintage race car, unique classic or a terrific driver. Cars of this type are now welcomed at the most prestigious car shows. Approximately 100 bodies were produced with far fewer survivors remaining.

Performance and Popularity:

At Bonneville during the 1953 Nationals, he "Guy Mabee Special" - a Victress bodied roadster - was piloted to a record speed of 203.105 mph making it "America's Fastest Sports Car." The sports car movie "Johnny Dark" starring Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie was released the next year (1954) with a Victress sports car wheeled by Indianapolis 500 veteran Don Freeland (stunt driver). Both events combined to catapult "Victress Manufacturing" to fame in the automotive industry.

For Auction Today:

This Victress S1A roadster was discovered in the southeast approximately 20 years ago in unrestored condition. Although the original buyer/builder remains unknown, ll evidence indicates it was competently built by a talented individual during the mid to late 1950s.

Condition:The Hard Work Is Done

Built on a Henry J chassis with independent front suspension and sporting new Halibrand-style aluminum wheels, he handling of this "Special" is better than most from this era.The Pontiac 326 V8 engine sounds great and appears road-ready. The automatic transmission makes this Victress easy to drive. The brakes are new and the car runs, rives, nd stops but we recommend further sorting as restoration is continued by the new owner. The chassis and suspension have been restored and painted.

An interior cockpit has been fabricated to match cars of this period including an appropriate Stewart-Warner Hollywood gauge panel. Victress Manufacturing was a professional shop that created fiberglass bodies of high quality and great strength. This car's bodywork has recently been completed and a protective primer/sealer has been applied. This car is titled in Florida as a 1953 Victress convertible. The car is being sold "as-is" so that the new owner can finish it to their liking.

Why Victress? Why Now?

American Sport Specials are coming into their own. More and more they are seen at vintage races, allys, ours and on the fields of the finest concours in the world. Most recently a class of these sports cars appeared at the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. This may be your chance to own something quite rare - an American Special -- with all the flair of European design, but with American power and at a reasonable cost.

This car's American drivetrain offers great performance in this light-weight vehicle. Parts are readily available at low prices everywhere, nd maintenance issues are easy to address. The story of the Victress S1A has it all – design heritage, ace history, nd legendary speed. It might just be the right car for you. Click on the links below for additional information.

Please Note:

Transportation costs and arrangements from origination (Tampa, Florida) to buyer's location are the responsibility of the buyer. This car is being advertised locally and we reserve the right to end the auction at any time.

Links of Interest:

The History of the Victress Sports Car Marque

The Design Heritage of the Victress S1A Roadster

Auction Results: 1953 Victress S1A Roadster Bid to $150,000 at Mecum, hicago, ctober, 015

Article: American Postwar Specials/Sports Cars - Published in the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Progam

Articles: Modern Victress Sports Cars

Articles: Vintage Victress Sports Cars

Vintage: Victress Brochures and Ads

Restored: Victress S1A Sports Cars

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Shown Below Is A Vintage Photo of the "Guy Mabee Special" (now since restored) and a Vintage Poster From The Movie "Johnny Dark"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Photos Below Are For the Victress S1A Roadster In This Auction

----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------