Sunliner/Victoria

[Richard in Florida]

Can a '53 Sunliner body be mounted to a '53 Victoria frame and running gear?

[51 MERC-CT]

The Sunliner frame is much stronger than other models but you could do it if you don't mind that flexible feeling.

[rotorwrench]

They certainly beefed them up well. They didn't want the doors coming open when you hit a big bump or cornered too fast on rough roads. The quarters on the convertible cars need all the structural support they can get since they had no top structure to support them.

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

The Sunliner frame is much stronger than other models but you could do it if you don't mind that flexible feeling.

The Victoria frame has long thick reinforcing strips welded to the bottoms of the rails. I guess it's because there's no B pillar. That's what made me think the convertible body would work.

I REALLY want a convertible!

[Ol' Ron]

I think you have the most beautiful shoe Box Ford ever made. Besides, you'd probably have the top up most of the time and your too old for girls.

[Richard in Florida]

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Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

I think you have the most beautiful shoe box Ford ever made. Besides, you'd probably have the top up most of the time and your too old for girls.

Maybe the thing to do is make the steel top removable! That shouldn't take more than a weekend. And thank goodness it never rains here in Florida.

[Vic Piano]

Richard, I've never had a '53 Victoria so I'm not familiar with the frame, but I do have a '53 Sunliner. I always thought that the Victoria and Sunliner used the same frame with the added structural supports. I know that the quarter panels are the same as are a lot of the trim peaces on the interior and, as you said, the lack of a full "B" pillar (I would think) would require the extra supports on the Victoria as well.

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

I always thought that the Victoria and Sunliner used the same frame with the added structural supports.

Actually, no. The two frames are quite different, which is what prompted my original question. Looks like the only real problem area would be the rear transmission (T5) mount.

[rotorwrench]

A guy might be able to get the K-frame type frame reinforced as good as an X-frame using some channels welded behind the K cross member. That might make a trans modification easier too. in doing away with that big X right in the middle. It looks like all the body supports are the same. Some of the earlier models had several more body mounts but those two look similar in that respect.

[51 MERC-CT]

Don't know if it would be the same but I recall looking at a '59 Convert. frame in the process of being repainted and that 'X' member was in the form of an 'I' beam with the top and bottom being 5/16" thick.

[Vic Piano]

Originally Posted by Richard in Florida

Actually, no. The two frames are quite different, which is what prompted my original question. Looks like the only real problem area would be the rear transmission (T5) mount.

I assumed the Victoria also had the X member...

[Richard in Florida]

All of this is good input and I thank you guys. Right now, the convertible body on a Victoria frame is just clouds in my coffee (with thanks to Joni Mitchell).

[MuskegonFlatheadFan]

actually it was Carly Simon that was clouding your coffee

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by MuskegonFlatheadFan

actually it was Carly Simon that was clouding your coffee

My god! You're absolutely right! And one of her best, tailored as a hit.

[41LjH]

Food for thought...
I have a 41 pickup with the "X" frame. Pete and Jake among others make a kit to spread the X for a T5 installation. That being said it seems to me fabricating a X brace while designing it to accept a T5 would solve both of your problems.The X brace on a convertible makes sense but many have said it is overkill on the old trucks and cars. As a teenage a bunch of us pulled a Olds powered 46 sedan out of a field and put a convertible body on it with great results, so I'm pretty sure it will work...

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by 41LjH

As a teenager a bunch of us pulled a Olds powered 46 sedan out of a field and put a convertible body on it with great results, so I'm pretty sure it will work...

Hmm... very interesting. Thanks for that.