Mattel’s version of the Classic ’32 Ford Vicky was based on the 1932 Ford Victoria Model B. The 1932 Ford Coupe is the holy grail of hot rods. Better known as "the Deuce," it's the car every hot-rodder wants. Roadsters and coupes are especially prized, but any Deuce will do.
The 1932 Ford changed the automobile industry forever. It combined the
simplicity for which Henry Ford's creations had become famous with a lean,
handsome body that reflected the taste of Edsel
Ford, Henry's eldest son. Most important, the '32 Ford introduced one of
Henry Ford's most innovative efforts, an affordable V8 engine, which
everyone called "the flathead," because it featured a side-valve cylinder
head. The '32 Ford was the perfect car for a nation in love with
speed. It had a sturdy ladder frame with a stout, K-shape cross member, and
the lightweight body could be easily lightened further by stripping away the
fenders. And the Deuce's V8 engine was easy to modify to make more power.
Mattel's Vicky even duplicated the Victoria's Front Open Shock Suspension.
Although the car did become
famous long before Mattel introduced it into their second year lineup in
1969. Bank Robbers such as Bonnie and Clyde used a 1932 Deuce Coupe.
While the 1932 Ford Victoria V-8 was a particular favorite of John Dillinger, who was completely enamored by its top speed of
81 mph. His personal car was a 1933 Ford Essex and he also upgraded
his Victoria to the 1933 Ford Deluxe,
pictured below, all of which were variations on the '32.
All Redline Era Hot Wheels Classic '32 Ford Vickys were produced at Mattel's US plant. They were in the lineup from 1969 through 1971. They feature clear windows, an exposed metal engine and a flat black-painted front radiator. Standard US bearing wheels are medium in front and large in the rear. Of special interest to collectors are the very early run Open Suspension Vickys and the late run Krinkle Textured Roof versions.
There are quite a few casting differences and variations
on the Classic '32 Ford Vicky. The reader is referred to
HWRedlines.com - Classic '32 Ford Vicky for extensive details and photos
of the many variations.
The very first Vicky released, A Blue showing the
Open Shock Suspension.
These shocks had a problem of breaking off and the tooling was quickly changed
to make them solid.
The '32 Vicky is easy to find in common colors like
Aqua, Blue and Green, but can be very hard to find in the more elusive
colors like Hot Pink, the Red & Yellow Krinkle Roof cars and many of the Open
Shock Suspension cars. As with many of the other spectraflame cars, the '32
Vicky
was produced in many different shades of Spectraflame colors. The Vicky is
often difficult to find in truly mint condition, as they many times have wear on the front wheel wells, broken shocks or some missing
black paint on the front radiator.
A red '32 Vicky with Krinkle Textured
Roof.
Color chart - Open Shock Suspension Cars
OS US COLORS: |
COMMENTS: |
aqua | hard to find |
blue |
hard to find |
green | very hard to find |
lime | rare |
antifreeze | rare |
olive |
very rare |
orange | very rare |
brown/copper |
very rare |
Color chart - Standard Cars
US COLORS: |
COMMENTS: |
aqua | common |
blue |
common |
green | common |
lime | common |
antifreeze |
common |
gold | common |
orange | common |
red | common |
olive |
uncommon |
purple |
uncommon |
brown/copper |
uncommon |
rose |
uncommon |
light blue |
hard to find |
magenta |
hard to find |
yellow |
rare |
light green (Apple) |
rare |
hot pink |
rare |
red - textured roof |
rare |
lime - textured roof |
very rare |
Photo
& info credits: Mike Otte
Additional photographs: Bruce Pascal, Chuck Gaughan. Mike Hughbank
Jerry Schmitt, David Craven & Ken McLaren