Coming to terms with t-buckets

like many of you guys i've been at this my whole life. i've really never known anything else. I've had a few cars and i've enjoyed all of them. i've never been particularly hung up on any one thing in particular, i just kinda get into what ever i'm working on at the time. The last 6 or 7 years though, i keep finding myself in the same place time after time after time.

i've had a number of projects over the years, but for some reason i just never seem to get excited enough to dive in and get working. they usually get sold and i wind up right back where i started. the T-Bucket.

i had this moment the other day where i realized that i just like T-Buckets. well, model T roadsters in general, but in particular the t-bucket. i don't say this with any measure of shame, in fact, i'm rather relieved that i have some clarity and focus. don't get me wrong, i still have a wish list but it includes things that are financially out of reach right now. for now, the t-bucket is in my opinion the best dollar to fun ratio in hot rodding. i've tried other things, but at the end of the day, i just dig them little t-buckets.

I've always been fascinated by T-buckets, but it was R.F.'s "budget Bucket" street rodder article that really started my obsession. ever since then i cant get these things out of my head. i literally lay in bed at night thinking about them.

grabowski's lightning bug
ivo's
fred steele's album car
tom booth's torsion t
burny's old modified
royal shifter's beauty
roth's tweedy pie and outlaw
the trojan
bludice's
steel rebel's
rudy heredia's '16
the list goes on and on

i just like them. i've got at least 10 cars in my head waiting to be built. guess i'll start with the one i've got now and check it off the list when its done.

 

Good for you!! Keep us posted with progress pictures! A col car is a cool car - period! Go for it!

 

As I hate the search feature here and am to lazy to see if you have posted pictures of the T somewhere else, how about a picture here.

 

it's funny i just texted a buddy that it's time for me to start collecting parts. t's done right can be super cool.

 

Yeah, I do love them in a certain style, like the ones you mentioned. There are plenty of examples of how not to do them. I've got plans, too. This is a rough photochop/actual mockup. I have to fab the turtle deck:

 

What a shock....a guy with a handle like "alteredpilot" digs buckets

go for it! and make sure it has wayyyy too much motor

 

I'm thinking that I have seen at least a couple inhaling a pretty good dose of pop in my lifetime.

Of course it could have been halucinations, because I have been known to breath in the fumes myself.

 

Ya know, when I joined the HAMB a couple of years ago, I was stalled. Not really building anything and certainly not looking to buy any project.

I always thought that a T done in the modified style was great but never got anywhere. Had some mechanicals stored away just in case, but no real plan.

Then Burny's T popped up for sale and it called my name and I thought that if I was gonna build one, that's just how I would do it. No flash, just practical and simple. My son convinced me that I would never get around to building one so I'd better just buy that car, change it a little, and enjoy it. He was right, how'd I get such a smart kid?

Having a go-cart with headlights is something that's not for everyone, I guess. But it's a fun way to travel for me. Having just the bare necessities for motoring feels illegal. that makes it even better.

Don't procrastinate. just get something done and enjoy it. You will not be sorry.

 

What's to be ashamed of? I've had a lot of cars and none has been more fun than the old T-bucket.

 

I dig 'em too, but only as tasteful, minimalist hot rods. Wouldn't even want a bed on mine, just a tub and a motor on some simple frame rails, buggy spring on the back. I think a stripped down T is the epitome of grassroots hot rodding, whether it's powered by a banger, a flatty, or a SBC.

Don't care for the eventual 'Fad T's' with brass lanterns, steamroller tires and cartoon characters airbrushed on them. Unfortunately that's the image the words T Bucket conjures up all too often.

As 'fancy' as I'd get would be Norm's Kookie car, but how could anyone not dig that?

 

Whatever you do,,don't get counciling.
Your difficult journey has ended,,,find peace in knowing who you are, and that most Humans don't make it this far.

 

Owning a T roadster (or bucket) is like owning an orphan ...
r

 

Now that you have made the decision that you like them start studding the pictures of the ones that you do like so you don't build one that you don't like. So many people just get a bunch of the right parts, put them together and come out with something well ugly. Thanks for mentioning mine as one you like, we all like to hear that. If you need help or advice just let me know.
Gary

 

right now its just a pile of parts.
23 bucket, so-cal front axle with split 40 bones, 8" rear, sbc, th350, 32 shell, chrome 5 spokes with big n little WWW, corvair steering, getting ready to start on a model a style frame like the one under rudy heredia's car. i'll start a build thread in the new year.

still deciding on wether to spend the cash in the hot rod fund on a henrob torch or on front brakes....

 

I think hot rods should have 3 pedals. I do. It's traditional.

 

I fell in love with this one from here on the Hamb. It was at the Louisville Nats and was gorgeous. I don't know if I would fit, but I would be willing to diet.

 

I love them even with the majority coming up short. The ones that are done well like Royal Shifter's are enough to make up for all the bad ones. When I see a properly done T I am at a loss for words. Definitely cool if you stick to the basic rules.

 

Yep, that's how mine started, just a pile of parts. (still is in a way) I ended up buying a glass body, but am hoping to find a steel one someday.

You arn't actually thinking of not running front brakes are you? Even a light car needs brakes on all four wheels. Find a way to get the henrob, but put front brakes on it. My front brakes were free. '56 ford hubs, backing plates, etc. With the bearing kit from speedway they fit early spindles. I had to make my own kit as they weren't commercially made when I did mine. I didn't go with discs as they are more expensive and don't look right on a T IMHO.

I will be subscribing to this thread so make sure you post a link to your build thread here when you start it, as I would like to follow it.

 

i'm definitely running front brakes, its just a matter of "right now" fund allocation.

front brakes will put the car on the ground, a henrob will go alot further with making things i need for the car....

of course i can always hit up my friends to help with a plasma or what not, but i just don't like to ask for favors if i don't have to. its much more convenient when you have your own tools.

 

I don't know how people who don't like T's can look at a photo of Norm's T, or Royal Shifter's T and NOT become an instant convert.

I too love T's, but I'm 6'4" so I need about 10 minutes and a shoe-horn to get into one.

 

Welcome to the club!

Turkeyjerk's T, about to be blown apart for paint, chrome, interior, etc...

 

I always thought Ivo's car was right on but I think because of the nailhead, which was the same as the one in my older brothers 66 G.S..
I never had any intention or dreams of building my little bucket, it just happened, something about looking at that old grill shell hanging on the wall and it needing a car to go with it. I will say it's a blast to drive with the power to weight ratio and a challenge building from scratch without any of those plans.
I enjoy it and so does anyone else that gets behind the wheel.

 

I am in the process, here is my thread http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=392717

 

Here's a little inspiration....

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272376

 

nothing at all wrong with a t my next car i do for myself will be one.

 

I never thought of owning one until i came across this,... now it's almost an obsession to go out and drive it (not easy here !!) it's impratical and awkward, a bit small, noisy and usually cold......... I LOVE em !!

Good luck with your build keep us posted








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they're ok..

 

I built one and sold it back in the late 90's and I had more fun with that car. Now I have the hankering for another one. They are like a motorcycle for the balance challenged.....

 

I have thought of building one myself.............good luck with your venture..