Hot Rods What makes a t roadster a t bucket

I’ve always thought a bucket was basically a body,,,,with nothing back after except a fuel tank or something .
The body kind of looks like a bath tub,,,or bucket ?
We used to use the old galvanized wash tubs to bath in when I was a kid,,,,,so tub or bucket,,,,,,makes sense to me .
I think Dana has it,,,,,,I think a bobtail was kind of a roadster that was bobbed ,,,,,either because of damage or something,,,,,,but after they are bobbed,,,,,they become a bucket .
Just my interpretation,,,,,,I don’t really think the wheelbase has anything to do with being a bucket .
It’s all about the final body shape in my interpretation .

I’ve said it before,,,,,,,,anyone that has driven the same hot rod since 1959 like Dana has,,,,,deserves the title of Hot Rodder,,,,,,I’m just saying !

Tommy

 

While Kookie and Ivo style T buckets are neat; most modernistical T buckets have ruined the idea and a leave a bad taste in my eyes.

 

I doubt you next T will be a bucket. You always do something to your cars so that they do not fit in the usual blueprint for any specific build!

 

Thank you. I take that as a compliment.

 

So , what does your tongue see ?

 

Is modernistical even a word ?

 

Tub generally refers to the longer " 4-door" T body , A bucket is generally the smaller "2-door " bucket !

 

You may be correct, but I think his reference makes sense. Just my opinion which doesn’t make a difference, if there is a deck on the back it’s not a bucket. If it’s a shortened/ modified bed/box it falls into the RPU for me. Open with a tank in my weak eyes says it’s a bucket.

 

I'd have to say that if it has a Turtle deck it is a roadster and not a Bucket. If it has a shortened pickup box or an exposed gas tank or nothing back there it is a T bucket.

Then you get into the T modifieds that usually are 26/27 bodies with the wheels out a ways in front of the radiator and at most an exposed gas tank that is not a beer keg or spun aluminum on the back.
other than that it is a

 

After a couple of beers and reading this, my memory, which will play tricks on me, tells me that I saw a Ford model T drawing with a reference to the scale of the drawing being " + or - 1" ". After trying to get both quarter panels on a '27 turtle deck square, I tend to believe it. Just trying to help with your decision making.

 

So basically, what you're saying is that your eyeteeth got hung up on a bad modernistical T bucket? Hate it when that happens.

 

I found out the hard way a few years ago that you don't even think about telling the guy who owns this car that it is not a 23 T bucket.

 

The next question, when did they become known as T Buckets?

On the October 1955 cover of Hot Rod, they are called Tailgate Torpedoes.

 

To me the Bottom 3 are modified, as once you put a full hood (or even partial hood) on you loose the ‘bucket’ effect/appearance.
The top one almost fits into the modified category due to sitting too low. - with T Buckets you tend to sit on them and look over the windscreen.

…….maybe in different countries/locations the term bucket is viewed differently…….

 

That green one belonged to LOST ANGEL here, it was a local car built in the early 60's

 

One of my fav.'s is "I know it,when I see it!!!"

 

A writers invention ^^^^^^

 

Here’s an example of the mid-sixties stuff I love. Big and little tires. V8 engine with multiple carburetion and side pipes. Tall windshield and Top. This formula led to the Fad-T, but this one is still unique, using a non-Ford body, maybe a Dodge.

 

I might ditch the top and cut down the shield, but I say this is still HAMB friendly. There’s maybe a 64 Chevy in the picture, and the guys are wearing button down shirts, hair not very long. I say 1965.

 

I always thought it was a Modified!

 

They look like Modified's to me.

 

I always called my '23 a T-Bucket. Even the license plate agrees with me.

 

There are exceptions to every rule..... but, T-buckets usually have tallish windshields, and T roadsters, track T roadsters, and T-modifieds usually have chopped down windshields.

 

One of them has the word "bucket" after it.

The other doesn't.

Good thing I showed up.

 

There's rules in hotrodding ? I thought you made it up as you went ?

 

Yep, it's a Dodge! Built by San Diego Prowlers member Joe Pirronello in the late 1950's, featured in the January 1964 Car Craft spread "Maltese Crossbreed". You may have seen it in the 1964 movie "The Lively Set". It currently displays a slightly earlier iteration and is housed at the Museum of American Speed in Lincoln Neb.
And yes, they call it a "bucket"!

 

All my cars are basically just buckets of bolts.

 

Oh no, there re definitely rules. Break out of the rules and you'll find out, trust me...