Projects Want to do a T Bucket do I go Steel or Glass

Really looking to do one this year can't seem to find sheet metal that I can afford or want to buy was thinking of ordering a glass body. I want to do something along the lines of Norm Grabowski's T and just wanted opinions on Glass or steel. Thanks

 

A T-bucket is one of the only fiberglass reproductions of a Ford car that I don't mind, since they were being made already in the late 50's I believe, but steel is always the preference. They're worth more when they're done in steel, and can be easier to title if you start with a whole T car.

There was a very decent T touring for sale near me, very complete and a good body for $1800 that would have been a perfect starting point, save what you can use and part the rest out. I'd look for something like that.

Or, start building your frame and see what comes along. The dimensions of the frame won't change steel vs fiberglass.

 

Steel

 

I'm building a glass T. It's really some of the most fun I've had. I would suggest looking at Bear's parts on the auction site. He lists under BarryD I think. I have one of his bodies and it is top notch and very affordable.


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Glass is arse, steel is real Or that was what they used to say when i was a kid. I've had 2 glass bodys, and while there was nothing really wrong with em, i prefer steel. That way the 'know it alls' of our hobby cant call it a kit car, or rag on your ride. My 2 cents worth

 

I'm in the middle of a (very slow) T tub build. I bought what I think is a dimensionally close fiberglass body. Later on, when the build is done, I'll start looking for a correct original body. I'm sure that it can't be that far off. We'll see.

 

Steel always has more resale, but glass sometimes is more do-able and almost traditional...fiberglass bodies I think were coming on the scene at the end of what we consider 'traditional rods'...

Honestly, it all comes down to money and what you have available to you.

 

IMO, caring what others think is for the hipsters, whether the car is glass or tin. Do what's available, affordable and in your skill level.

IMO, if a person is into this crap for resale, he's in it for the wrong reason. Build what's available, affordable and in your skill level.

 

Agree.

Depends on what you want to do...a good number of the T's that started the 'bucket craze' were actually the front half of touring cars. Nobody (to my knowledge) makes a touring car half in 'glass. I know a lot of people think glass is the cheaper route, but I picked up my '27 roadster body for less than $1k (and it's the nicest body I've seen in years). '17-25 bodies typically sell for less. OTOH, the '25 and lower cars used wood framing extensively, so if you go steel; be prepared for a little carpentry.

 

Lots of steel out there still with the earlier stuff, it just doesn't sometimes look like much when you find it. These cars were built in panels and nailed over wood structures, so 9 out 10 time when you find them these days they are "pelts", and take a bit of imagination to figure out. If you truly want to go to a fifties type car, this is in my humble opinion a must.

How ever, jump on my thread "The Bucket of Ugly...A de-uglifying thread" and do some reading and see how much fun a simple, early sixties traditional T-Bucket can be! I have been sporting a perma-grin since mid October when mine was pressed into daily service. See, by late '59 several companies were making 'glass '23 bodies, and these things were insanely popular in the early sixties. It's a completely different batch of styling cues than a fifties 'bucket, but we cover that in the thread. In my opinion, when talking cars of this era, fiberglass is by far THE traditional means of getting one on the road.

I'm having as much fun with my traditional 'glass car as I have had with any of my steel cars in years past - ya just gotta build it in the proper time frame for the magic to happen...

 

Im not one for caring what anyone thinks of my rides, but i've seen people put glass cars down many times, even here. I think its a relevant point for a newcomber to a glass car. Maybe the Op has thick skin, maybe not, but the fact remains, that some will say things that may make you feel bad.

 

do what you can afford! i have a glass 34 3 window. read my thread, there are many good reasons to use fiberglass.. there is nothing better than a steel car, but fiberglass has many good qualities that make me like it in someways better than steel.. mainly the price! especially when you throw in 32,33, or a 34 ford...

 

patience is a vertue, guess if your trying to do it this year, then take the easy way. i've been collecting parts for a T for at least a year and a half. i was patient ant found a steel tub in decent shape for $600. it's worth the wait.

 

There's nothing wrong with fiberglass. You can build a very nice car while keeping an eye out for a steel body. I mean even if you find one well after you finish a fiberglass rod are you just gonna say " no thank you"? The thing with steel is you have to weld & it takes alittle bit to piece something back together right. A glass body is usually more complete & its more about woodin' it, sand, & paint.

 

I personally don't care if a car is steel , glass , whatever, anymore than I care if a muscle car is #'s matching , or a restoration has the right number of rivets , blah , blah , blah , I care how well it is put together , runs , & looks , that's it ! Build what you want !!!
dave

 

Do what you want. I guess depending on where you live. Steel ones can still be found for pretty cheap. I picked one up this past year for nothing. The old lady just wanted it out of the yard.

 

Granted its not much to look at. But I got it titled as a 24. With the motor that's on that frame.

 

We have guy here that hits every cruise nite and local show in a glass T. It's a simple car with a dead stock sbf and c4. Its still in the gel coat, nothing fancy wheels bla bla....he seems to have more fun than anybody else, he shows up even in bad weather. Says its a blast to drive, thats kinda what its all about, right.

 

I would do glass if that's what you can find...

 

This picture is exactly what I was talking about! Seldom any more are these early "T" bodies found in one piece. Learning what fits what isn't a very daunting task with a bit of research, so you can grab what you can and fill in the blanks later down the line. Hell, companies like Howell's out of Texas all but stamp complete early bodies, too. In the last three or four years I have plucked two complete '23-'25 touring bodies and one '23-'25 roadster body out of landfills, old small town dumps, and friends yards for far less than 500.00. One of the tourings will become a full fendered car at some point, my roadster body will soon have a rolling chassis with Ford 2300 in it and full fenders, and the front of the other touring will eventually be a fifties style T-Bucket.

All that said, for a first time effort, if that is indeed the case, check out the bodies recommended above from Bears on the auction sight. 'Glass is simply NOT a detraction on a bucket, and as I said before, equally as traditional with this type of car. Build something quick, have fun with it, (and you will!!!) and get out there and enjoy. Whether it's "cool" or not isn't determined by the material the body is made of, it's determined by the stance and overall detailing of the car!

 

The '15 to mid'22 T bodies use a lower and narrower cowl/firewall combo than the mid'22 to '25 bodies. The smaller cowl/firewall tends to exaggerate visually the size of the engine. (see avatar: mine is a '16, front half of touring) The Grabowski (and Ivo's) T was the early i/2 touring type. The squared-off back, not the rounded "bun panel" look. Mine has no wood framing - all was replaced with carefully contoured 3/4" square tubing along with some round, a lot of work to get what I wanted!
Can't remember the company from the '70s that sold a somewhat nicely distorted '15 fiberglass body (sectioned with a high seat back).
Here's something I'll never get to do: use two inverted '48 to '54 Chev pick-up rear fenders as a body shell for an open wheel roadster! Good luck getting it titled.

 

I'll jump in here real quick before this turns into a shit storm and gets closed. I have saved/built two steel T's (26 touring and a 26/27 modified) and I have owned two glass 32 roadsters. I agree with those who suggest you build depending upon your skill level. Here's a thought that I am pondering as I am considering another T build. I think the titling and registration will be easier with a glass body if you keep all of your receipts for body and major components. No buying a title, no stamping numbers, just straight forward. From threads on the HAMB, registration is getting more difficult in just about every state. Good luck with your choice. Glass or steel is always a hot topic of discussion. Sam

 

My '26 was "the real deal", good ole Henry steel! Alway's the better way to go... Imo

 

Steel is real but plastic is fantastic.

 

Glass is fine if you are going to use it, wear it out and build another one. I don't see any problem here. Remember if it had of came out of the other mold it could have been a septic tank.

 

Why would you build a car if you weren't going to use it ????
dave

 

I was talking about an adult. Maybe a kid on Facebook would feel bullied, but I doubt a grown man would really give a hoot about people who don't walk in his shoes or pay his bills.

I've been to shows and had people tell about glass cars this and glass cars that. But when I ask them to step up with a steel body, do the body work on it and paint it, they suddenly seem to walk away.

I had a chance to get a steel body, but the seller was proud of the high price and I have zero metal working skills. That's my come back to the "they're still out there" crowd. It's true, they are still out there, but will a novice have the skills and money to get it right? I'd rather have glass and not ruin a steel car.

That's why I said, "Do what's available, affordable and in your skill level."

 

a wise man once said, "i'd rather bleed than itch". or was it plowboy who said that?

 

Glass T buckets are 50s traditional as are the steel ones 60s traditional. Pick which one is available in your area, affordable (including repair and restoration), and get on with your build.
Best thing about them is you don't have to buy a whole heck of a lot of old parts which need everything done to them to be useable. Enjoy.

 

Are you sure that wasn't "I'd rather drive than bitch"? LoL