1952 Ford Victoria for sale in Escondido, California

$29,900

Rare and only one of one prototype 'CurveMaster' built by Aurther Vogel, orig documentaion,photos and history included with the car, read the entire listing to see the unique story behind this one of a kind automobile!Ford cars for 1952 were almost completely new. Bodies were fresh and modern, and a new chassis had greater strength and rigidity. The self-shifting Ford-O-Matic transmission, in its second year, was becoming very popular, and a new overhead valve six developed more power than its smaller predecessor. Even the engine had more power courtesy of higher compression.This particular Ford came from the factory as a twin to an identically prepared car. This is where the story of this Ford's life takes a radical change of direction. On April 14, 1952, Arthur Vogel took delivery of the twin Fords. This Ford was selected to be modified and the other was to be untouched and used as the test subject in a series of experiments that would change automobile transportation and safety as we know it.Vogel had invented an anti-roll technology he called the CurveMaster. While today that might sound like a weight loss exercise machine, rollovers were one of the leading causes of automobile deaths in 1952 and all of the manufacturers faced a serious problem with the need to improve safety. Vogel had designed a system and needed to test it in a controlled environment. This car was chosen as the test car and the safety equipment was installed.Over the coming months, a series of tests would take place (all documented) pitting this car against non-curvemaster equipped cars and the results were astonishing. In exact situations, the test car would roll while cornering and this car never once did. Great attention was paid to this test series and the results were well documented. Life Magazine (along with several other major publications) ran a detailed article and photo essay about the success of these tests and the photo showing this exact car besting a similar car without the equipment. All of this documentation is included in the sale. The photo is the property of Time/Life Incorporated and to this day cannot be duplicated or reproduced without permission. Included with the car are virtual volumes of documentation and news stories from the period. The car is still equipped with much of the on board safety equipment but due to patent issues, the Curvemaster equipment has been removed.This car is an entirely original '52 Ford Crestline Victoria and is presented as original with several modifications. The black and white paint and exterior are original save for one repaint that happened soon after the car was purchased new. The chrome and trim are also original. The car came equipped from the factory with a continental kit. It also has Lancer hubcaps and fender skirts also from new. The exterior has the patina of a car that was used thoroughly but clearly well maintained mechanically and many changes were made to the car including installation of air-conditioning and power windows. 401 Buick nailhead V8, Dynaflow transmission, buick large drum brakes. Most of these additional enhancements were done in the early 1960 to the best of the vendor's knowledge. Virtually every change was done to a standard not heard of outside the factory for the time. The interior is also entirely original with the exception of some modifications mentioned later. The seats and doors are original as are the carpets and many of the original factory controls.The car would remain in the Vogel family until 2003. Included with the car is the following documentation: a three page report on the car itself, a report on Art Vogel, a detailed report on the Curvemaster safety device, photos of the car including the famed NY Auto Show photo, and the photo showing this car and a similar car...the similar car in a full roll. The car also has a full set of safety gauges that show virtually every function of the car as well as the conditions outside the car.When you drive your late model car down the road today in relative comfort and ease, it is because of this car that many of the rollover concerns by the automakers were resolved. Many of the safety features in your daily driver today pertaining to rollover protection were likely derived from this car. Indeed, this car is a true trailblazer in automotive safety and possibly one of the most important mule cars to ever be offered to the public. Here is your chance to legitimately and without hyperbole, own a piece of automobile development history.

Year:  1980 or older
Miles:  55 000 - 59 999

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