It was a Sly 1933 Ford Vicky Sedan that was featured in the Ridler Award competition at the Detroit Autorama in 2010. The custom fabricated hot rod was considered such a high quality build that it was picked as one of the Great 8 winners that year. Years later, it still looks amazing. The elegant Ford has retained all of its show quality custom features. It remains an historic piece of the story of the American custom automobile.
This week, MS Classic Cars in Seekonk, Massachusetts is advertising the Sly 1933 Ford Vicky Sedan in the Cars-On-Line Street Rods Section for sale. This is a rare opportunity to own a Great 8 award winner that is still in its prime. MS Classic Cars has listed this stellar custom fabricated Ford to promote it for an upcoming auction sale. (Click here to review over 100 photos of the Great 8 winner.) The interest in this Great 8 winner should inspire car show followers all around the world.
It is mind boggling to realize how much time and money you would have to invest to compete in the coveted Ridler Award competition held each year at the Detroit Autorama. Bob and Jean Walrich of South Lyon, Michigan had a vision to build one of the finest 33 Ford’s in the world and compete for the prestigious Ridler Award. They teamed up with an old friend Terry Wayne, also of Lyons, who has experience with the competition in Detroit. He was asked to be the lead contractor on the project. He was virtually given an open checkbook to build the best ’33 Vicky in the country. The build took over six years to complete. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were invested to create this one-of-a-kind custom hot rod which they nicknamed “Sly.”
Here is a detailed video with Marc Schiliro of MS Classic Cars telling us all about this elegant custom rod. Click the video window to view:
According to MS Classic Cars, the build started in 2004 with a Downs body. The base car was a Downs ’33 Ford Laid Back Victoria chopped 3″ with suicide doors. A Downs chassis and some other items were ordered with the body. Once everything arrived it was sent to Reds Frame Shop in Howell, Michigan for body and frame work. From there it was sent to Automotive Metal Shop in Kimball, Michigan for fabrication and metal work. From there it was sent to R. Creations in Howell, Michigan for body prep, paint and final assembly. A total of $118,131 was invested in just getting the frame, body, paint and some trim completed to that point. Well over an additional $100,000.00 was invested in completing the vehicle. This was truly a quarter of a million dollar project when it was all said and done in 2010. Some of the receipts and cost sheets are included with the sale. Today, this build would cost an estimated $300,000.
MS Classic Cars tells us that the exterior of this hot rod is like a rolling piece of art work with its gorgeous body lines and unique look and stance. During the build process, a metal hood and metal engine side covers were fabricated to fit perfectly with the chrome front grille. The body, hood, engine side covers, front fenders, doors, running boards and rear fenders are laser straight. The entire body was painted in a deep black finish that is truly remarkable. The paint was recently detailed to a high show quality shine. The hood sports a custom hood scoop with chrome mesh grille matches the front grille. The hood pivots on custom hinges and opens smoothly. The engine side covers have four chrome vents with chrome mesh inserts and a chrome strip that also match the front grille. The side exhaust chrome tips with chrome mesh inserts were integrated through the running boards. Some other exterior custom features include all new tinted glass, retro dual mirrors, Harley Davidson headlights, fuel filler, LED tail lights and an electronic vanishing license plate. The Vicky sit’s on Billet Specialties SLG polished staggered wheels. The wheels are wrapped with Toyo Proxes T1-S tires that are 225-45-17 on the front and 255-45-18 on the rear.
The interior on the Sly 1933 Ford Vicky is absolutely stunning with it’s a one-of-a-kind design. It is surprisingly spacious and comfortable. The matching two front and two rear bucket seats make it very unique. Countless hours were spent hand making the dash. The entire cabin was upholstered with soft tan leather and suede. The center of the suede headliner was raised from front to back with the power door locks switches in the front. The doors are opened with door knobs or with door poppers that are controlled with a remote. The top and bottom of the dash was wrapped with leather. The dash fascia was wrapped with suede. The dash is home to the Classic Instruments gauge cluster and custom vents. The headliner and doors match the full length waterfall center console that was wrapped with leather. The console is home to the Eclipse AVN5435 head unit, Vintage Air Conditioning controls, shift indicator, Lokar shifter, power window switches, rear license plate switch and four courtesy lights. The Eclipse AVN5435 head unit is a CD/DVD receiver with 6.5” screen and built in navigation. It’s also equipped with a chrome Ididit steering column, Billet Specialties steering wheel and custom pedals. The plush carpet is covered with custom made matching floor mats. The fuse panel, MSD electronic ignition box and Optima Red Top battery is accessed behind the back of the two bucket seats which are easily removable. This interior is truly breathtaking.
The engine compartment might be the most breathtaking custom element on the whole car. Those carbon fiber valve covers really set it off. A fuel injected GM Performance 572 ci V8 crate engine rated at 620 horsepower powers the lightweight hot rod. This engine was dyno tested by Wheel to Wheel Powertrain in Madison Heights, Michigan. It made 621HP with 649 ft.lb of torque as advertised and the dyno sheet included. The engine was dressed with a March Performance Futura billet aluminum air cleaner, carbon fiber valve covers with 572 emblems, billet wire separators and a March Performance Ultra Drive pulley system. From the research gathered this engine, fuel injection system, air cleaner, valve covers and pulley system would be roughly $30,000.00. The engine is cooled by a custom polished aluminum radiator with large electric fan and aluminum overfill canister. The engine breathes through Hedman Performance ceramic headers and a fully custom 3” ceramic coated side exhaust system with Magnaflow mufflers. The whole engine compartment is highly detailed throughout with many custom parts. The backside of the hood was smoothed and painted. The firewall is also smoothed and painted. The braided hoses for the air conditioning were neatly plumbed into the firewall.
From the research gathered this entire exhaust system would be roughly $5,000.00. The engine is coupled to a new 700R4 automatic transmission with overdrive. The transmission has an aluminum pan and transmission cooler for high temperature control. The power is transferred to the pavement through the aluminum driveshaft and Ford 9” POSI rear end. This Hot Rod weighs less than 3000 pounds and with this drive train it’s extremely fast!
MS Classic Cars says this Sly 1933 Ford Vicky has “one of the most detailed undercarriages” they have ever seen. The bottom side of the body was smoothed and painted. It’s literally as nice as the top side. The body sits on a Downs chassis which was also painted black. It has an IFS cross member. The custom fuel tank was also painted black. Most of the parts used are polished or powder coated throughout. Equipped with rack and pinion steering, the independent front suspension system has adjustable tubular upper and lower control arms. The Heidts Super Ride rear suspension system has four springs with Alden shocks. Stopping power comes from a Wilwood master cylinder, CPP proportioning valve, polished booster, and four wheel disc brakes including 13” disc brakes with 6-piston calipers. You have to look at the photos of the undercarriage in the ad. You can get lost in how beautifully detailed it is.
For some collectors, there will never be a chance to own a true top level national show car. Here is yours.
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