Hot Rods How about some love for the T-Bucket?

@Snicklefritz65 , this is perfect. Thanks for the pics and information!

 

glad you found it helpful. it was bugging me because i knew the car but couldn't place it at first. hope to see what you end up doing.

 

I do like this version of Norm's car. This is right before it became a circus wagon, no fault of Norm's. A lot of clones of it when it was blue, and of when it was black have been done, but I don't know of one being done like this.

 

Loving this one. Appears to be a modern but trad build. I'm considering a cowl design like this and the Lucky's Speed shop style (Sketch-T, Funky T). Or flames, I'm still not sure, but want to try to stay within the time period and not look too modern. I don't see this in the old pics, so I'm still not decided.

 

Do I detect an Edsel grille? Might make an interesting theme for a custom Model A since it was Edsel who spearheaded the replacement of the T.

 

@29Sleeper That one was built by @Nads.
There should be a thread on it.

 

His build.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/my-t-bucket-build-using-a-daimler-hemi-v8.1175641/

The one he also had (has?)
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...an-of-british-built-t-bucket-shotgun.1244179/

 

This is turning into a dangerous amount of TMI.
How about an AlaKart-ish nose with horizontal headlights using the Edsel parts. Yep I'm no artist......
Edsel did have his own customized Model A - https://www.hemmings.com/stories/edsel-fords-model-a-dual-cowl-phaeton-heads-to-auction/

 

Interesting, but to me the original radiator is an iconic part of the original, carried over to the very heavily modified typical T-Bucket. That feature is just like the size and shape of the body; lose that and you are no longer a T, it could be a Bantam, Digger, Anglia, Fiat or completely custom.
That difference in shape between the T radiator shell and the cowl is one of the kind of jarring or abrupt changes that start to tell you this isn't a smooth flowing creation, it's bits that aren't perfectly matching.
I'll repost one from up this page that has been shown a number of times. The color and angle of view really shows that these parts aren't the same shape. I wouldn't change the top of the rad to have a smoother radius, and I wouldn't change the cowl to have more of a point toward the center.

It's very much still recognizable as Model T, but NOT. Just like a werewolf is recognizable as what was once a human, it's NOT now. But it's not a wolf either.
I'll mention that that original radiator is hard pressed to cool the typical big engine stuffed in a T. Lots of time and effort is put into keeping that shape and size intact. Yes, it's a phone call or keyboard click away now, but that really 'sells' the look.
If these guys hung one out there, I guess it made an impression on me that's hard to shake.


Even a track nose with or without a hood is starting to blur the lines, even if nothing else has been changed. It is more a track T, not what I'd consider the cl***ic T-Bucket. Maybe this line is a bit different for others. Just like some music or styling choices blur or ignore the old cl***ifications, this is personal.

I'm not against going crazy, I love Roth's stuff. If that's where you want to go, more power to you.

 

This guy doesn’t quite grasp the concept of big n little tires. Short n fat in back tall n skinny in front?

 

Considering the fenders, I'm thinking it might be a road regulation thing.

 

Maybe, if they were all the same. Just weird looking….
BTW, I’m with you on the T grille shell thoughts. Chrome or painted, the T shell is an important feature of a T bucket. Some have made a chopped ‘32 or even a chopped ‘29 work but it’s rare. And it doesn’t work well to make them deeper for a fatter radiator either.

 

I really dig this car.

 

I do like the original br*** radiators - but they are a little pricey - about $1,700 for a pressure one that will work with a V8. Our T has a shortened 32 grille that was a popular swap in the 50/60s - it's also fitting since it has a 32 Model B engine w/Riley 4 port head.

 

@29Sleeper , no disrespect, Both of those are historic and there have been many built that way.
The br*** stuff is pretty much after the HAMB cutoff in my memory. They were hanging cowl lamps, tail lights and the radiators alongwith bulb horns and other bits. Considering most 'gl*** bodies were more mid 20s than mid to late teens style, it was a style and I get it but it seemed to be hanging stuff on top of the basic template that Ivo and Norm came up with. If it's only the br*** radiator, it's funny to my eye.
The '32 has been hung on darn near everything, with good reason. It's an iconic shape. I will say that when cut down to fit the T height, it kind of loses the proportions.
Steel Rebel's (RIP) one was even shorter! It worked and I don't begrudge his choice. Just not where I'd go. I'm not trying to set rules here, just how I like 'em!

 

As a teen in the 1950s,I had got the idea in my young head,that the main thing about a ture hotrod*,was big *** v8 that was also a bit shiny*< That shows the most,when you look at the hotrod !! That's how the best rods,looked to me.!
Most had no hood=too show off monster V8,vs piss ant 4cly. A few used the top only of a hood,so big V8 still showed from the side!!< I didn't like that as well,but still cool.