I think car builders look at it differently than the general public.........they see the beauty in the building and morphing from the catapillar to the butterfly as well as all the thought and effort the transformation takes. Keep on Truckin!
Well, it's 42 degrees, so it's time to go to the car wash and gas station. Wanted to get it out in the light and see how the new part looks. Remember, much taller tires are on the list. I like the angle, so I'll probably cut the springs to keep that when the tires lift the rear. one more
A friend had a T with sprint car type pipes that were sagging, too. He started the engine and let it get good and hot, then jacked the rear of the pipes up to level with the ground, and they stayed there when they cooled!
Appreciate your response, thanks buddy. I am just in the looking stage right now. My drag coupe takes up a lot of my time especially now getting ready for the 2025 season. I am entertaining the thought of a T Bucket retirement project, when I retire.
They are actually level (with the engine). Look at those last 2 pictures. Imaginary line thru the ports and the pipes will be very close to parallel. The frame is tilted the same as the body, UP in back. Floor to frame is even. The engine/trans is tilted DOWN in back. There is a 5-10 degree difference. This is most noticeable at the back of the engine and cowl. Once I get taller rears (currently 25.5, the Cragars that got reposted were 28, want 30 tall), I will probably have to shorten the rear springs a bit and might even shim the trans up a bit. This will bring the angles closer, but I want to keep the difference. Some say it looks broken like this and like everything even. This is how Speedway kits are set up. Axles even with bottom of body, engine level with frame, only rubber rake. It is smoother, but I like the jaunty angles.Note the pipes here also are very close to parallel.
EDIT: went looking for more to post and found these. After posting, I noticed all have that angle between the drive train and body/frame. I just seem to spot them without even catching it. The Blue one is almost level, but still has it.
On a custom, you want your eye to just glide over the body. On a T, you want it to be a bit 'where do I look', because it's so minimal. Everything is out there. There have been many 'straight' beautiful Ts, don't get me wrong. But I like 'em more like these. The Purple one has the radiator at the engine angle. I looks a bit funny. I split the difference. It's between perpendicular to the frame and even with the fan. It's just a washer stuck in for now, but will get an angled shim.
I like the blue except it would look better with the rear elevated a bit and a PU box added to it, and the yellow one looks pretty good to me and would look better if the body ran even with the frame instead of running up hill in the back & the purple one looks bad to me with the different angles of the body angled up in the back, then the engine and exhaust angled down in the back and the grill shell vertical with the ground!
Yep, there is a little to critique on almost every one of them. And what works from a 3/4 rear view may look off from side profile. It's a balancing act, and you can't please everyone. Royal Shifter's T is almost universally acclaimed. I agree, BUT the top while in beautiful proportion, is too short for me to fit.
There is a T bucket competing for this years 75th GNRS. As posted in the GNRS thread, by @Stu (THANKS!)
Looking around, found this one. Firmly in the post 65, and may not have details that everyone likes, but is a magazine cover car from way back. https://www.ebay.com/itm/167276436546
Don't think it sees much wet pavement. But yes, it would funnel water into the center, making hydroplaning much more likely.
@Sky Six those must be a handfull! They are both very nice, but it's why I'm not doing Red. It's too common for my weirdness. I saw a new Vette the other day that has a beautiful shade. This is an example, it's even more vivid in person.
Depending how a T is built, it can either be a handful or fairly mild mannered. My blown T was a handful if you acted stupid or it could be a nice cruiser. As far as red, there are an ungodly number of reds available. Ferrari has Rosso Corsa (traditional) and eight others. Stan Betz mixed a color for me and called it "arrest me red". Each manufacturer has many colors available. The rule for picking a paint color is actually pretty simple...Whatever floats your boat.
Agreed, but I don't see or expect progressive linkage, and I'll bet the throttle isn't long travel with that legroom! Just like airplanes, it's almost always pilot error! I've got a shade already stored in my favorites. It will be a while before I have to pull the trigger. This has the added limitation of the DIY (no candy or metallic) and limited facilities (dusty, unpowered shop, small compressor and long hose). I'll get there!
By the way, the red huge block without the cover is driven by an 83-year-old and the Marine in the covered car, also a big block, is a youthful 79-year-old.
Bravo to both of them! Glad to see them showing it can be done no matter your age. Just wish there were more young people into Ts. I get it, for the same money you can go with a vintage Miata (how's that for a rude awakening?) with more amenities and handling. Oh, and a V8, too if you want. https://www.v8miata.net/cars-sale-4/ Not nearly the STYLE, though.
Here's my photos of the T bucket that was a contender for the AMBR trophy at the Grand National Roadster Show last weekend. I guess they are a good fit for this thread.
Corvair powered, built around 1973 by Don Kendal in Chicago Il (RIP). Don was on the HAMB for several years, but had to go build other stuff.
The Jalopy Journal
