Pat and Norma Reibenspies have owned this 1954 Ford Victoria hardtop virtually since it was new, having bought it as a demonstrator from Pat's brother at Price Auto Service when the '55 Fords came out. The car, with just under 114,000 miles on it, is in remarkable, unrestored condition.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Pat Reibenspies is one happy man when he's behind the wheel of his '54 Ford Victoria hardtop with all the windows down, even in December.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Only the chrome valve covers, the polished brass radiator tank and the speed equipment stickers on the firewall betray the otherwise strictly stock appearance of the venerable 239 cubic inch Y-block V-8 under the hood of the old Ford.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The original steering wheel and 2-speed Fordomatic shifter provide the basic driver controls; a custom dimmer switch pedal spices things up a bit.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
It is hard to believe, but the body of the car still wears its original Sanstone White paint and factory chrome trim. The round tail lights, which Ford debuted in 1952, would continue as a trademark of the company until 1958 and then return in 1959.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The amazing preservation of the car is due in no small part to Pat Reibenspies' immaculate care over its life. The Ford has been garaged since day one at the house where the owner, now 83, grew up.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The Victoria was the top end model Ford available in 1954, with stainless steel rear roof pillar trim hinting at the coming of the Crown Victoria the following year.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Reibenspies says he added custom air conditioning controls, "A/C" and "Max A/C" fans, for especially warm days. The front seat, not surprisingly, is in need of fresh upholstery.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The instrument panel inset is finished in eye-catching enging-turned metal, while the half-arc speedometer rises out of the top of the dash, with turn signal indicators flanking it.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The interior was finished in a tri-tone theme, with dark green, white and turquoise upholstery complementing one another.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
An often overlooked feature of the '54 Ford was the 'skylight' in the top of the speedometer, a window which provided enhanced daytime illumination.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
No, that's not a Mercedes Benz speaker grille sneaked into the Ford's package tray -- it's the original factory installed rear speaker, and it still works.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The V-8 badge on the fender is nearly factory fresh, complete with detail paint. Considering the unrestored condition of the car, all of the bright trim remains in amazing shape.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Pat Reibenspies is quick to point out his '54 Ford is no show car, as the trunk reveals. He still enjoys getting the car out on nice days and is a regular at the Friday night cruise-ins at Central and West streets.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The factory-covered rear seat remains in excellent condition, having survived the antics of four children over the years.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
One of the few non-stock pieces on the '54 Victoria are the full wheel covers, borrowed from a 1956 Ford. The tires are thin-line Cooper whitewalls, sized 215/75R/15.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Using photos supplied by other family members, the Reibenspies' daughter, Rhonda Schock, produced a commemorative book about her parents' 58-year-old Ford.
Link to image
| Buy this photo
Rhonda Schock / The Wichita Eagle
Manage Delivery
