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

I think Dana's got the inside track here. When I was growing up it didn't matter what your car was, if it was modified for speed or appearance we were instantly pals. I kinda still hang onto that idea.

 

I have noticed that I prefer referring to mine now as a T Roadster now since joining the family here over the Bucket discription. Have too agree that the '26 / 27 T's should be referred as Roadsters, RPU or Coupe' and the Bucket from pre '25.

 

Taking a late lunch. Was a bit alarmed to see the older Gentleman in the scruffy plaid shirt posing beside Gary`s T. I looked hard, but he must have put his `Will Work for Food ` sign down out of the shot.....

 

Yeah Dana yours is the bitchin A bucket I was talking about. Your right daddieo we don't need no freakin badges.

Okay one more shot of my roadster. Probably the favorite one that I ever took. Somewhere in the farm/ranch country behind Porterville Ca. on the Trent Sherrell photo shoot for the Rod & Kulture Magazine spread.

 

You know Paul I just got my drivers license renewed and they put that same old scruffy dudes picture on it. Your right I would fit right in on a corner with a "will work for food" sign.

 

That is a fantastic shot Gary. I assume that must be framed on a wall in your house somewhere. It sure would be if that was my car. And I'm seconding Larry's "where's Fred?" I think the thread that Chip started to try to find out got closed.

 

Fred must be still around his profile page says "seen yesterday at 10.45"

 

If Fred is still checking in, I wish he would break his code of silence and chime in here

 

x2 on that. JW

 

A mate started building this in 1981 from the project T plans, I had a little to do with it along the way. That motor stayed for a couple years until I built a twin four 354 Hemi for it. The ugly horn fell off shortly after this pic was taken and went under the back tire. Its still the best handling car I have ever driven and would reach 150 mph with ease. Was sold around 87 and parted out. JW

 

JW..I don`t remember this one either. I see the Willys behind it. Where was the pic taken?
Gary.....I get yelled at all the time for being a scruffy, grimy Hot Rodder.....That is just part of the deal, I think. Out to the Shop to finish some stuff.....

 

Please dont leave your mesuering system.
Thats what set you aparts from the rest of the world.
Its with this system all the great cars were built that we love.
And i would never consider anything other and a V8 car for
dayly driver if the gasprice is'nt were around 6-8$/gallon here.
After all there was a reason why your ancestors leave europe.
Here in sweden 2x3 (50x75mm)is not allowed with a V8 engine so we have
to go with 2x4 (50x100mm) to pass the inspection.
The engine is a 55 Dodge and the transmission is a 3spd man from a Mustang 66.
The rearaxle is a Mopar 8 1/4 from a Aspen 77 with a suregrip.
Model-A frontaxle dropped 4 inch hanging with hairpins.
Buick 45fins in front and 77 Dodge rear to stop the car.
The gauges will be old Stewart Warner with a stock Dodge 53 speedo.
It will have dual carb on top of the engine.
The frame is build in a model-A style with a step both front and rear.
I know this is not the proper way but i hope to gain the look of a 6-8 inch
channeled car without a deep channeling and hide the frame with a lakepipe.
The rear will have a stock model-A rearspring suspension.
8.20-15 bias ply rear and 7.10-15 front with wheelcovers.
For the moment i am dead set to use cyklestyle fenders all around.
The grill shell will be a 32.
There are still some lose ends but the mainplan is set so now i just have to build it.
And here is the car thats are my maininspiration.

 

Anders, that is wonderful inspiration. Love the full wheel covers, George would approve. Also note the tires sizes front to rear aren't wildly different from one another.

 

Paul, it was taken next to the BP gas station in Paramata, the Willys had a drive shaft boot issue. Im still trying to find a pic of it with the Hemi. JW

 

Back to the ugly bucket for a moment....is it orange?....it's a good time of the year on the "surface of the sun" to do a paint job.

Ok, back to regular programming.

 

Heck Mr A Boner, I believe we are waiting for photo's of the upholstery job. That is unless I went to sleep and have missed it and we are now onto the paint.
JW that T looks good and I especially liked the different type of stake bed on it. What sort of engine was it running in it there and gearbox or slush box ?

 

I thought I saw something about Chip getting his Plymouth roadworthy. If this is the case, maybe it is "Orange", and in final assembly.
The bucket is his D/D, he would need something to drive while prepping the bucket for paint.
This is like waiting for Christmas, the suspense is killing me.

 

Steel Rebel asked for pictures and updates, so while we're waiting for Chip, I'll show you I was able to raise the steering column nearly an inch before clearance became a concern. My left foot is very happy!

EDIT Here's the pic.

 

Amazing what an inch will do.

 

Whip, the motor was (we think) a Dodge 313 or 318 and the box was a VG Valiant 3 speed and 8'' rear. Being an 80s build i still like the look of it today. I wish he would build another. JW

 

The style of this Bucket is very common in NZ. Check out the front end, I dig the camber/KPI and scrub point relationship. JW

 

I'm not familiar with that T., where is it from and what sort of steering box or R&P does it have, do you know ? What I do know is Gary will tell us that the grille / radiator is far to high which I will agree on this one.

 

If it's not too low it's too high. Something to think about.

 

Whip, im not sure on most of that, it was at a Wellington Swap Meet last year and all I can say is it has cross steer. JW

 

Well, Chip's T is not orange but he DOES have the seat bottom done. He stopped by last Tuesday to help me get the brakes on my A back to happy-land. I had him park it IN MY GARAGE (I think he got a picture of the momentous occasion) while he did his magic. Gotta get him to de-ferric-oxide-ise the thing though...

 

Spent some time today and chopped my windshield posts for the 4" chopped Mr. Roadster windshield frame.
Larry

 

Did Chip disappear now too?, he must be on a secret assignment with T Fever Fred and Falcon George

 

I hope all 3 of them show up sooner rather than later. They are all missed.

 

Another T bucket from the Dec. '64 Hot Rod. A lot to like about it.

 

If I was to own a T-bucket, this would be it. The only change I might make would be to attempt a lower seating position than was popular back then. I don't see an ugly angle on this car or an undesirable feature...other than perhaps the side lamps. Mustang Poppy Red has always been one of my favorite colors, too. Bet this sucker is hell on rear tires though...