My VERY lo-buck T Bucket interior

Ok, there is an old saying, "Poverty is the mother of invention." If it's not a saying, it is now. I don't have a lot of money to put into my T Bucket and I never did from the get go. I did, however, know what I wanted it to be when it was finished. I wanted a basic, no frills hot rod, that would be safe, run good and make me smile. So far, it has done all those things and more.

My original plan, even though I almost changed it, was to have a black exierior and a red & black interior. Now, I know what would look GREAT. A nice, plush red vinyl seat and door panels and a black carpet. The problem is, I can't afford that right now. I also want a Dodge color called "black pearl" on the exterior. I can't afford that either. I do, however, want to drive my T Bucket and have it look presentable. A lot of advice was given about going without paint or an interior till it can be done. Well, that is what I am going to do for now. The white gelcoat on the body is in fairly good shape. It is also strong enough that wooding isn't needed. Only a few s****es, but I just couldn't see myself rolling with no interior. It's just not me. So, this weekend, I got the same vinyl I had found at WalMart for my seat and used it for my side panels. I was going to make a thin foam backing so it would be nice and smooth and have a little plushness to it. Then, I thought, why not just apply the vinyl to the panel directly? I really wasn't going to gain anything as far as plushness with a 1/4" piece of foam anyway. So, that's what I did. I used upholstery spray adhesive and applyed as per the instructions. I think it looks great. It has a nice texture due to the semi-smoothness of the fibergl***. The faux grain in the vinyl helps the look quite a bit. What I'm REALLY proud of is the shifter boot I sewed last night. *pats self on back* It really looks good next to the black carpet. The chrome frame piece is from a shifter boot ***embly that I found at AutoZone.







The black carpet was a universal type I found at O' Reilly auto parts. I had to glue it to the trans hump, but the driver and p***enger sides are held in place with velcro. I still need my steering column and emergency brake handle to be installed and the ability to remove the carpet for them will be needed. Plus, if I decide to keep it, and I probably will, they will be easy to remove and clean.

All said, it's about as 'low buck" as you can get, but it looks better than nothing at all. I'm happy with it and in the end, that's whats really important. Down the road, I'll have the bucks for a REAL interior and I may get one done .... or not. I kinda like the way this works. If something really yucky gets spilled on it, it's a snap to replace. So, the utility and practicality work out great. I'm building a driver and that's what she'll always be. I want to be able to have fun and not sweat ruining anything that will cost a lot to replace.

 

the car looks *****in ..

 

That looks great,and it's all you need.

 

I offer a quote from my grandfather after trading in a Continental for an ******......."The less frills you have, the less **** to break!"

 

Well done.

 

looks great! what more do you really need?

 

Looks Great
My first T had Towels stapled in
It Worked
Ray

 

simple is cool too...i like it...rooster

 

I own a restaurant, and when I put in new booths, I stripped the vynal off a booth for the seat in my A, and cut a floor mat from my linen company for carpet. You can't hurt that stuff!!!

 

Love it, Fred. Your hard work, ingenuity and skill at getting the most bang for the buck is really inspirational.

 

Thanks for all the kind words. Your opinions and support mean a lot to me.

 

Fred: You're killing me. Slow down and let me and Thomas catch up.LOL

 

Man, he's got the weather to contend with. If it wasn't for the nice conditions here, I'd probably be planning instead of doing. He'll be fine. He's on his first build like me and is just as motivated.

 

Good work, Fred.

 

looks good. mine is on the cheap as well.

 

I got bored and changed the color this past weekend. Cost me $75 and a couple hours time.

 

Hey TFF, you know I love your bucket and everything about it.... but this doesn't look right?

 

What doesn't? The Watts linkage, springs or the inertia dampner on the rearend?

 

Nice!

 

Low buck sometimes yields the cleanest look. Very sharp.

-Lee
Atomic Radio
www.atomicpinup.com

 

looks great fred..

 

EXCELLENT!!! Fred, I gotta tell you, I spotted this thread on the HAMB this morning and ended up following your link to the T-bucket forum... I read ALL 46 pages of your build while there. I've been a member of the HAMB for awhile now and I've seen MANY builds here, but none has ever stirred the emotion and inspiration you did with your build.

Some builds are the next fad or what's currently popular. Some builds are chock full of mega dollar parts and new brookville bodies. Some have rare engines and speed parts. Your build has none of that. Your build was simple and mostly done with readily available parts.

The insights, philosophy, palpable enthusiasm and humor you shared throughout the pages of your build were like being ****er punched with the TRUE essence of hot rodding. You've captured what I believe should be the CORE of this hobby. Your T-bucket is AWESOME and obviously fun. I loved how every step led to an excuse to go for another ride. I have to admit, the picture dedicated to your Dad, the sharing with your brother and your long awaited cruise on Westheimer Rd. LITERALLY brought tears to my eyes. I was touched and searched for more of your threads on this forum since I'm not a member of the other forum...and found out about your efforts with the VA hospital. I'm a Gulf War Vet and I help out whenever and wherever I can. My hat is off to you, sir. You are a fine human being and it's too bad there aren't more people like you in the world.

Too many times on the HAMB, I've seen beginners get grilled while asking for an opinion or for voicing what they think is fun because it doesn't meet the requirements for what is currently deemed "cool" by "traditional" standards.

THANK YOU for sharing and proving there are still REAL hot rodders out there. I'm occ***ionally in the Houston area on business and would love to meet you and Miss Behavin' in person and shake your hand some time. Thanks again and enjoy the ride!!!

 

Skunk Works you had it the nail squarely on the head and Fred right on man...you are having fun and not bankrupting the household in the process...

coming soon: rodtees.com

 

Here's mine $30 blankee and $25 duffle bag.

 

Thanks for the kind words, Skunk Works. Next time you're in Houston, send me a PM and I'll get you my number. I've always got time for good people.

 

Today, after my car had been in the sun for a while, I sat my *** on that hot vinyl! I may be getting a blankee myself! That duffle bag is a cool idea!

 

nice work Fred looks great the hole car looks great.

 

The interior looks great...I was wondering if you had any shots of how you covered the inside of the bucket. And also how you handled the seat base. I am a great mechanic but I am completely out of my element when it comes to anything fabric related. And like you, I am under the gun with the money issue, and I also want to drive it in MY near future.

Thanks
Gary

 

My wife made this REDNECK special upholstery for me from Blue Denim. I think I'll keep her.
Your T bucket looks wonderful. I dont know if you could improve on what you have. It looks great to me.
Don

 

The only thing I'd have to change is the angle on the seat back. But if your under the age of 40 that should'nt bother you. Sit up straight kid. lol