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

The best of which is the FE!

 

I'm not a huge fan of cowl lights myself, but on this car they look fine. Because the bric-a-brac on the car is held to a minimum, unlike the brass radiator, brass headlight, bulb horn, over-stuffed interior incarnations of the Fad T era. Cowl lights were an integral part of Model T's. Here's a pic of the '26 TT that my great uncle bought new:



IMHO, the gaudiness of the typical FAD T is due to the builders hanging every Model T accessory they could find on a tiny car. It overwhelms the car instead of accenting it like the above one that Steel Rebel posted. Or the Thompson t-bucket.

 

^^^ Nice TT, hope you have rims and tires for it. Bob

 

I only hope the TT Ford is parked safely away in a garage / workshop to be restored. I personally don't mind the side lamps if they work and as in that other photo Gary posted, matches the tail light lamp. I do need to remove my falsesy as I have later model Model A tail lights on the rear and for the simple reason that they don't do anything. The other thing I noticed is the right amount of chrome on the T.

 

The TT got sold about 8 years ago to a friend of mine. I could have gotten it, but I had no room for it as I had just brought home my grandpa's 46 Ford cabover. Plus, there was no emotional bond with the TT. I had never seen or heard of it until the late 80s, whereas I grew up riding in my COE with my dad or grandpa.

 

Yeah, I like the Wendell Holl `Thunder T` as well, but I`m with you on the cowl lamps,Missy`s Dad. Don`t care for those teeny fenders either, but that was probably a legal nod. I don`t know about bobbed cars with gas tanks only, either. I like a pickup bed, and even a Turtledeck on these cars. Something about the balance with the wheelbase and engine bulk. I think you need some `back` on the car. Gary must be rubbing off on me. I`m getting more picky as I get into this build. Lost out on a rearend as well. Have my feelers out for another one, though. We`ll see....

 

My first bucket had a turtledeck. This time around, the plan is to strip the t-bucket to its bare essentials. Bobtailed with a Model T oval gas tank, single Model A taillight, simple transverse suspension front and rear. Only what's needed to run and drive, and nothing else.

 

If nothing else comes from this thread maybe some followers will get the hint and not put stupid shit on their buckets. Not saying what I call stupid shit. And I have to fight with myself all the time to keep from doing it. I just got some kool old Bonneville decals and stickers from a friend and am fighting myself to keep from plastering them all over my roadster. Just kidding but maybe one or two of them.

 

"Less is more."

How many times have I heard that truism...and how many times have I struggled to keep it in focus when building my cars. But, as SR points out, it's even more difficult after I've had a car for a few years and am looking for some way to keep it fresh.

But I've learned that adding stuff - especially baubles or trinkets - is NOT the way to go. All that does is make the original clean design look junky. And junky is not better, it's just junky.

 

KISS keep it simple stupid.
works well for this idea

 

Gary...Maybe just One on there...

Nobux...I`d like to see you post some Rebuild pics on here. Sounds like a neat approach...

 

At my last job, we used to laugh at some of the over accessorized lifted 4x4 trucks that came into the shop. The saying was "That truck looks like the owner shook a Luverne catalog over the truck and bolted on everything that fell out.".

Ever see a beautiful '32 Ford in a magazine with EVERY period correct ultra rare speed part? Kinmonts, SCOTT blown Ardun flathead, QC axle, Halibrand magnesium wheels, etc.... One or two, even three would be awesome. But ALL of them together overwhelms the car and takes away from the classic lines of a '32.

 

Yeah mine is pretty well maxed out. The dash is overdone but interesting. Anything more and were bordering on "FAD T"

 

Here's mine

 

Now there's a nice little simple bucket.

 

Yes, you took the words outa my mouth Gary apart from the non Chevy engine, it is a little beaut. Now what was those funny engines with a dissy at the wrong end ???. No seriously, it looks darn fine to me and an excellent example of the KISS theory.
In the photo of the guy signing your dash, and no, I don't know who he is, is your seat base up on an angle or is that normal ?

 

Yeah whip that's Blackie. America's Most beautiful roadster winner in the mid '50s. And yes I had lifted the seat to get a paint pencil out for him to sign the dash.

 

Whip, I can sign your dash...im not famous for anything but it would be a talking point JW

 

I agree. I love the color!

 

I recconized Blackie. One of the greats.

 

Butch....Nice Job. I`d be saving for a Chrome or Stainless Firewall, and a Plated windshield frame, but you are driving yours and mine is a bunch of parts...

Mark...Blackie is a living Legend in the California Car Culture...I`ve been called `Hoss`by him--can`t ask for more than that. (Cause he can`t remember anyone`s name...)All those guys from Fresno dominated the AMBR in the Fifties........I still reckon study of the Hot Rod History is a great way to figure out how to go forward..... It was the thing for Franco, and he really ran with it...

 

If anybody has a picture of Blackie's roadster please post. I don't think I have one and not sure if it's been posted on this thread.

Yeah Paul Butches T is a little plain. I just took it that it wasn't finished. Nothing that a little chrome here and there and maybe some pin striping won't fix.

 

Well that looks pretty familiar Blue.

 

Now that's cool!! JW

 

Well heck JW., what a darn fine offer to sign my dash. You are world famous in Carterton and anyway, we just could start a whole new " Must Have " for ones Rod. Actually my dash is plain at the moment so some pinstripes or such may help it.

 

That's damn funny and Gary, see what you've started . Plenty of room on both of our dash's JW

 

Whenever I see Blackie's "T", I think of the old picture of it posed on its side; to show off all the chrome underneath.Love that car!

 

Wow guys I love the dashes of both of your rods. Don't change a thing. Okay whip I could do without the white steering wheel. Sorry I can't help myself.

 

I always wondered how he did that without all the fluids dribbling out...