Projects The bucket of ugly! A de-uglifying thread...

Totally agree, cars that followed that branch of the family tree were being built concurrent with Grabowski and Ivo, but are on a separate evolutionary path.

 

Wow!! there is just no end to the KILLER stuff you have/had.

Its funny, the later revisions of the Kookie car never has really pushed my buttons, its just too gaudy and over the top for me ( but I definately respect its place in the history) But I sure find myself gazing longingly at photos of the Lightnin' Bug version. Man, that thing looked right!!

 

Ok, my computer is beside my bookshelf, I have been sitting here alternating between reading/typing posts, and flipping through late forties era photos and magazines, I may possibly have just found one of the Lightnin' Bugs spiritual grandpappys! I'll post the photo tomorrow. Its old enough that it pre-dates the time when Grabowski started construction, and its a pretty safe bet he would have run across this photo.

 

Now we're going. Sorry Chip if we're diverting to older stuff. I'm sure we'll get back to your vintage soon. The early '60s was when buckets really took off. When good fiberglass bodies were easy to get.

Not too long ago I saw a photo of Norms T that actually started out when he bought as a model A right after he had replaced the A body with the T body. It had a dropped I beam axle and I think with the A- X member. If anyone knows the photo I'm talking about go ahead and post it. I have read that the suicide 4 bar front suspension he went to after that was another track T thing that was used on a lot of race cars. Maybe Marty can give us some insight into that too.
You know I have never measured the bed on my roadster it was already tacked in a few spots to the body by the guy I bought it from and I saw no reason to change it so I just finished welding/brazing it and started molding it in. Yes Bondo. Actually Bondo over braze. I didn't know any better and it's only lasted thirty years. I expect it to all fall out any day now. Just went out and measured it. It's about fifteen inches from the back of the body to the tailgate.

 

Is that measurement along the top of the bed Gary or bottom ? I must go measure mine too as I prefer the slightly longer look of the bed.

 

Marty--Do you have any pictures of the Grant Pendergraft Kookie T clone I built when I worked for Donn? I`d like to post some, but don`t know how. My pic of Ed Byrnes sitting in the car at the Portland Roadster Show amid Gary Crisp`s awesome fullsized Model Car Display is still one of my favourites........Good to see you on this thread....

 

That is a top measurement and not very accurate.

 

Paul, I don't have any pics of Grant's car. Remember I built the stainless gas tank for it ? See you soon !!!

 

I talked to Grant at LARS Fathersday. I've got the mag. with the feature of his car someplace. I'll find it and post some pictures.

 

I know I might get some flack for this, but before i joined HAMB, I thought a T bucket was any car with an T era body, with no doors. Tubberware as well as steel and stock Henry bodys.

How wrong could I be! But in the words of Hank William; I saw the light!

Just for the fun of it, I Googled T bucket, this is what "normal" people thinks a traditional T bucket looks like:

So please dont be abusive, but please point out what is traditional and what is traditional T bucket.

I know I like steelies, but is this some you greybeards would have done?
I know discs isen't traditional, but for a car not posted on the HAMB as Truly perfect traditional, I dont mind/dont care. I'm talking about the general feel/look of the car.

Call it the worlds first HAMB vs wikipedia, on right and wrong

Please dont go evil on the builder or me, just stick to facts.

And by the way, Thanks to chip for these great leassons in right and wrong! I'm very greatfull!
This can also be seen as a test of what we learned from the great Master so far.
Except that he does great work and look like a guy named Conan LOL

 

I'm surprised this one hasn't shown up here with probably everyone building at least 1 version in 1/8th. scale.

 

Another great roof design on Mark Skippers' car using a 31 roadster framing as a start.

 

Volvo

I'll try to answer your question and if anyone has more insight chime in.

T bucket is a very generic term. Meaning it covers a lot of Model T hot rods. My interpretation is any 25 and earlier Model T hot rod roadster. The body rounded in back looks like a bucket. Really most of us old guys don't like it and think it refers to the Fiberglass "kit cars" of the middle to late '60s and after. And yes the picture you posted could be described as a "T bucket". And the red roadster that Jalopy45 just posted is a perfect example.

Gary

 

Just a quick word of thanks to those who posted about the need for an electronic ignition to be accompanied by a CORRECTLY MATCHING coil. After taking a second look at the fried Pertronix module and the old coil (I had to dig through the bushes behind the shop to find where I'd thrown them both!) I find that there's every likelihood that they are a mismatch perpetrated by the former owner.

I've since replaced them with a GM HEI, but a looming upgrade to 3x2's has made a small body distributor a necessity again so I look at this issue with renewed interest. But first, says I, let's look at the coupester, which was also ignitionated by a previous owner. Sure enough, it's got a Mallory E-Spark conversion...and a brand X coil. Runs good...but so did my Buick before it quit in the left lane in the middle of Friday night traffic!

So, I'm about 50 bucks lighter, but the coupester will soon have the correct Mallory-recommended coil...and I will have forstalled a repeat of the humbling experience of getting a VERY HEAVY dead Buick out of VERY IMPATIENT Friday night commuter traffic. (The only upside to that experience was learning a few new words...and I thought I knew 'em all! Wrong again!)

 

This is Fred's car, isn't it? He seems pretty normal to me.

 

Make sure you use the ballast resistor., the main cause of module failure.
http://prestoliteperformance.com/me..._e-spark_module_wiring_diagram_6100M_0004.pdf

 

Are you claiming this is Tfeverfred car? That is used on a text ook example too other people?

And by normal people I mean the ones who drives PT cruiser sand thinks it's a modern hot rod, them who drives mini vans and Dream about hot rods and and talk about us being wrong.
Mayby I schould have called the weird.

Please post Tfeverfred if this is infact your car!!

 

Not sure but here's Freds build thread from 6+ years ago.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/my-t-bucket.240337/

 

I know what you meant by "normal people". Most of them call my 26 a t bucket. If they seem interested enough, I'll explain the difference but usually I'll just nod my head in agreement.

 

Well, Volvobrynk,

That's not a bad looking car, but it's not really traditional either. The car sits a little high in the rear, and that throws a couple of things off. The cowl and radiator are at different angles, but I think the radiator would look a little funny. (I hate this damn Kindle, I can't see the picture and post at the same time!) Nothing wrong with the Steelers, but 50's cars would have most likely had full hub caps, by the mid 60's (possibly even 62-63, most everyone was running mags), Most cars back then (at least, the ones we see in magazines) had finished interiors, not just an upholstered seat in a bare glass bucket. The HEI monstrosity with the red cap has GOT to go! I also think the cars a little devoid of chrome to be traditional (my guess is it was kind of a budget build (and there's nothing wrong with that), but looking at it doesn't make me think it's 1964 again either. Well, it's time to watch the California Hot Rod Reunion live on BangShift.com!
Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

I suppose that when I get my RPU finished I will have to tolerate the usual rat rod, T bucket, and dune buggy comments from all the great uneducated general public.
Just being able to fire it up and drive it will make it all worthwhile.

 

I've been watching tfeverfred build and rebuild his car for years on a couple different boards. He has never claimed his to be a textbook example of traditional. However, his passion, enthusiasm, and love for these little cars makes me feel that he can call it whatever he wants. He'll probably say "fun".

Ha! I just googled t-bucket. Fred, you know you're doing something right when your car is the lead photo for wikipedia's definition of a t-bucket.

 

A few days ago, I got a phone call from a guy who wanted to buy a car I will be selling. The guy runs a shop, builds nice stuff. We got to talking, and it mentioned I was going to be building a late fifties style '39 ford convert with an olds rocket. His response was "so your building a gasser? " WTF??!!

 

I totaly agree with you, I like the car, and I would drive it 7days a week to work.
But I often see cars where I get confused, is this really the right way,
is this how it was done back in the day. Especialy after joining this threat.
There is something that makes this look like a car that is "all go, no show". The kind of car you park behind a gas station when going for cigaretts, just because you dont want to hear one more guy go; why did'nt you do....?
And then go drive the wheels of it. And love it every Mile.

But that dosen't say anything about how spot on it it is timewise. And what era it is.
I like the steelies, and the tire size, but the rake is too much rake for me, but thats fix able.

 

Agree, WTF. Other people are weird. But other car guys should know better!

 

For those who have never ridden in an early "T" with a V/8, this video will give you the sensation. It's too long, but the first 3 minutes will give you a taste. And volvobrink, I drive a minivan !!!!

 

Wow. I just got home, after driving around and deciding NOT to attend "Burnout" Houston. I click in here and my car is posted. Hilarious! Yep, it's mine and it is NO where close to traditional. As stated, I have never claimed it was. It's just my version of a clean, bare bones Hotrod/T Bucket.

That's also an old photo. The red dizzy cap got chucked about 2 years and one engine ago. In fact, I think in that Wiki article, it states my car is, "Traditionally inspired or themed". I should go look and see. Is it? Well, kinda yea, maybe, maybe not.

Lack of money can sometimes steer a car in a good direction purely by chance or fate. The things I have done to my car are just things I like. Such as the scoop, Lake style headers and wheels& tires. The scoop, took a lot of looking around before I found one that I REALLY wanted. Up until that scoop was found, I have amassed quite a scoop collection.

The Lake style headers are on my car because I like them and I went through 3 sets of chromed "classic" style headers. At $700 per set, when the last set cracked at the flange, I said NEVER again and called "Gear Drive". See what I mean by chance and fate?

When I first planned out my Bucket, I knew the two things it would NEVER have were lanterns and fat assed rear tires. NEVER! But what I REALLY wanted (and still do) are a set of chromed reverse wheels and caps. Lack of money steered me to plain black steelies, baby moons and beauty rings. Fate.

So, is it traditional or trying to be? Hell NO! It's just a plain, no time period, budget, faster than shit, T Bucket/Hotrod. I'm on the HAMB because I LOVE traditional Hotrods and a few Customs. BUT and this is a BIG butt, they, in my opinion, have to be 100% in both looks, performance and parts. So, the guys using air bags, alternators, radials, disc brakes, A/C and all that other stuff, and STILL trying to claim "Traditional", are lying to themselves and the people they say that too. Again, MY OPINION on that topic. It's CLOSED.

Since my taste and experience seem to come into question every now and then, a lot of HAMBers think this T Bucket is my first rodeo, it's NOT. I was into muscle cars before I got off my ass and decided I could put together/build a car all by myself. It was actually a dare from my brother that started my T Bucket, but that's a story for another time. Before the T Bucket, I worked on my Camaros and Mustangs (all first generation) and helped friends who either had the same style cars or Model A's and a couple 55's tossed in. This was WAAAAY before the HAMB. But my taste has NEVER changed, I still love a well done car. Traditional, non-traditional or muscle car. I just LOVE 'em.

So, my car Traditional or posing? Neither. It's just a gawd damn hotrod. Call it whatever makes you happy. Because I sure am and I'm too busy having fun to care.

My version or idea of "normal" people/car guys? They're the ones that think a PT Cruiser is a factory Hotrod and have called my T Bucket a dune buggy.

I'm actually surprised and flattered that pic is still on Wiki.

 

HEY! I remember that! It's not a build thread, it's just my explanation of what the hell I was trying to do. Look at that mass of mixed up, trendy crap. THAT'S what happens, when you lose direction during your build. Look at those pics, cringe and say to yourself......... "Stay on track. Stay on track. Stay on the gawd damn TRACK!!!!!

 

Oh Volvo

You said Traditional T bucket.

Arguably I would put that between 1955 and 1965. Using parts that could be had in that ten year span. I know disk brakes and alternators were available then but almost nobody used them. Steel wheels (some chrome) and baby moon/baldy hubcaps were the norm. In the '60s some allow wheels were used if you could afford them. The tires changed through those years from Wide White Wall bias to belted black wall bias ply. All had American V8 engines. Most over head valve. Almost all had buggy spring suspension front and back and "suicide" front mounts. Stance varied from vary high in back to flat or almost flat. The T windshield varied from stock height to maybe half of that. Some actually just used the bottom half of the two piece T windshield. Traditional bodies were usually T roadster or front of touring car or could be other make roadster bodies. Yes a Dodge body could be a T Bucket. Then original size fiberglass bodies. I think after they started making the fiberglass bodies longer you can strike them from traditional. But then that's up to interpretation too.

Well that's It for me.
Chip lets hear from you If you haven't been swept away by the floods or died of heat stroke in the screwy weather in your area.

Gary

 

On a side note, I was just out lying on the floor under the RPU and pondering the exhaust system.
I realized that I will probably have to end up changing my rear suspension from my planned coil overs to a transverse rear spring. I know, back in the traditional direction.
I discovered a conflict in travel distance of the upper control arms I have installed that will interfere with the proper working of the suspension.
With that said, Can any of you guys recommend a proper rear spring ( number of leaves) and crossmember along with mounts and all that to replace my coil over setup that I have mocked up ?
Preferably something I can get here locally (we have a So-Cal shop nearby) or somewhere else to order from ?
Larry