Hot Rods “The Golden Nugget” Build thread

Been a while since I’ve posted and I’ve got a couple other unfinished build threads on here proving that I’m not getting shit done around here but , I scored this NOS 60’s BIRD T bucket body last fall and decided this winter is a good time to build it . It’ll be a low and shiny show style bucket that I’ll be selling when it’s done . here’s a few pics showing the direction I’ll be going with it and I’ll post updates here as I go . Looking to run a 39 trans behind this 265” SBC so I’ll be in the market for 168 tooth flywheel , 3 bolt starter , I believe I’ll need Merc. Clutch and pressure plate ?? Already have a couple SBC to early ford adapters . Anyhoo , here’s a few pics of my bubble gum and zip tie mock up to kick off the thread
Here how I found it sitting in original buyers basement for over 50 years

 

Looks like it will be a super cool project! Look forward to seeing it progress. And the Bubble top?

 

Bubble top is going to take way more funding and time so it keeps getting bumped back on my to do list !

 

Holy shit, Batman! That´s freakin´awesome!I´ll just be watching and not comment on procastinating as I don´t get my projects done either...

 

View attachment 5913810 This is a Bird body with their seat insert. Red metalflake under the red paint and had the mold line down the middle of the firewall that I covered with polished aluminum. View attachment 5913810

 

I love it! Every single thing looks like it belongs, except the Superbell tube axle. Could you source a chrome dropped I beam?

 

Very Cool find - better gold nugget find than those strip mining gold hunters on TV

 

Fantastic find! Looks like you'll be doing someone's never finished dream justice with your build components!

 

This should be good…real good!

 

I like the "Bird" on the radiator shell, that really dates the car to an earlier era.

 

This is gonna be killer

 

I remember the Bird ads in Hot Rod magazine. I didn't yet have a driver's license, but with my lawn mowing money, a Bird T bucket seemed almost achievable.

 

I could , and might ‘cause this is a NOS superbell axle that my buddy had for 30 plus years(I’m told ) when I got it from him 10 years ago and I’d rather use it with the early modified and chromed wishbones I got from Dave “littleman” Lohr on my T coupe drag car .

 

Your devil riding the wheel looks like hands up, mouth open should be blowing a horn. Something else to figure out

 

Was this ever a finished car? No frame?

 

I like it, seems like the perfect combination of pieces to put it together with, too. There's a lot of fiberglass bodies I don't care for, but not this one, this one has real history and is fully worth the effort.

 

YEAH! LOOKS COOL SITTING NEXT TO THE BUBBLE TOP

 

I bought a bunch of these and none of them have horns but it would be pretty cool to make a mini brass horn for it

 

Someday I’ll actually build that bubble top . This is the model I’m replicating

 

I hope I do it justice and come up with a tastefully tacky ( if that’s a thing ) version of a T bucket

 

No it was never built and I only got the body, fenders, and interior . They sold the kit in various levels of complete from full rolling car to as minimal as just the body and interior

 

Sonny DePalma!

 

Yessir he was a great and very talented man

 

@Moriarity can probably blow you a bubble. Or at least explain to you how.

 

I’ve got bubbles

 

love that car . Fortunately , the car I’m recreating has a round bubble so I was able to source it out . Someday i might take on the task of designing a bubble car from scratch and I’ll get to frustrate myself with the whole bubble blowing process

 

Not to butt in, but where can I buy a round bubble?

 

maybe these guys? Found by searching for " acrylic dome "
https://www.cleardome.com/domes.htm

EXAMPLE:
48"dia. x up to 24" high
plus 1/4" up to 1" wide flange
Email us for a complete quote with S&H ******
3/16" thick
Clear $495.95 ea.
White $524.95 ea.
Bronze $539.95 ea.


1/4" thick
Clear $537.95 ea.
White $567.95 ea.
Bronze $585.95 ea.

 

https://www.eztopsworldwide.com/