I'm 18 and really want to take on a project over the next few years. My skills are lacking but I am eager to learn and know some people that would be willing to help. My question is a fibergl*** t-bucket a good first project? It seems pretty basic and like it would be a really good learning experience. Also, it looks like it is more affordable than other potential projects. I really like the 1960's style t-buckets with white interiors.Am I on the right track here? Guidance?
Ya they are cool.. But... Being your age and looking for guidance here.. Check elsewhere too... Too many back yard mechanics here.. Dave
That would be a good beginner project, and should be able to sell for reasonable cash down the road and help finance something you really want. I'd say go for it.
You are going to get a ****load of stupid answers on this, but my opinion is go for it. A T build is rather basic and the learning experience is invaluable. You can barter and trade for parts and services, and if you screw up, which you will, no big deal. You're not messing with a high dollar build. Good luck, and most of all have fun. Learn all you can, from everyone. Even the ***hole know it alls can teach you what not to do!-MIKE
haha def!! do for it man, im 17 almost 18 and starting into this stuff too, so i kno how you feel man! just wish i had my own ride to work on instead of the pops, but its somethin go for it dude, have fun
Check out the last few issues of Street Rodder... Candy Rizzo is building a "King T" kit in them, and she says she's planning to do as much of the work on it herself. Looks like a nice and straightforward process and kit, and seems to go together relatively reasonably. Don't know what your finances are, or what the actual kit will cost in the end, but might be a great resource for what you are looking to do.
I built my first car at about your age and it was a T-bucket. That was 1980! You can tell from the wheels what year it was built..hehe.(YUK) I did learn a great deal from the build and made many mistakes along the way. With a very limited budget and no one in my family to help (no tools either!) I started hanging around the hot rodders here in town. (Having friends in this hobby is invaluable) Also starting out with a full shop of tools is a major head start! I began with a T body that was a basket case and I picked it up rather cheaply. And with the help of those old hot rod guys, built darn near every piece on the car. I unfortunately learned a boat load about fibergl***. (get it...boat load) The parts that weren't built were donated from my new friends or purchased at swap meets. After the build we drove the piss out of it and of course had a ball ....even got hit buy a drunk driver doing 65 mph in 1991!!! Thank god for them big *** tires! Then one day I said to my self "I really do not like fibergl***." The car has no history. Working on other peoples vintage steel cars was a real turning point for me. I will never own another fibergl*** car. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate fibergl*** cars, but I know the folks who own fibergl*** truly wish they had a steel car. Build it, have fun, learn, but don't sink too much money into it. Remember the photo below is from about 1984 ....so cut me some slack!
Hang iin ther ChevyGuy. If you're like my 18 year old, he's just hangin around waitin for me to kick the bucket so he gets it anyway.
I've built a **** load of cars over the past half century but nothing is as much fun as a serious T bucket. Just about anything will make something this light scream. My current roadster is nothing but a heavy T bucket, (whacked 38 Ply. roadster pickup, see Aces and Eights club site, easy to link through Magnetos site, Larry roadster). This thing is remnants of a steel coupe body too far gone to save but it was free! Also good metal practice. I'm keeping it for life, so don't worry about resale value, build it for yourself and eventually it will be finished enough to dazzle the big bucks guys.
Got for it man. Those T bucket kits can be had for short ends. What do you think you'd use for a motor? I've been toying with the idea of a chevy iron duke or a for 2. or 2.5 banger. I've long since overdosed on the 350/350 blah blah ****ing blah. Maybe a 283 with a saginaw 3 speed or a powerglide. You can pick that **** up for short ends. Have fun with the build. Also, check fleabay you can sometimes find aborted t bucket projects. Chris
For a motor I would love to have a flathead, but I have never had one or worked on one before. If I can't find one I could always go sbc, but it would be something more interesting than a 350, like a 283 or 327. I'm tired of 350's already and I am only 18.
I really like the T's. I prefer either a 26 or 27 body because they both have roomier cowls and (usually) at least one door, plus more "leg room". They're relatively cheap, easy to build, and the sky's the limit regarding what you can do with them in terms of design. Go for it! Good Luck!
Go for it. The biggest mistake people make is biting off more than they can chew, and then getting discouraged. I've seen it a thousand times. You will have a good chance of getting a T bucket all the way through to completion. I know people on here say "go with steel" and run down gl*** cars, but the fact is you have to start with something you can realistically finish. I'd start with a basic kit all from one company so everything fits. Check out Speedway Motors, MAS, Spirit, Total Performance, and California Custom Roadsters. Good luck, we've got to get this torch p***ed to a new generation.
<<<<< My T isn't a T bucket, but it is a fibergl*** body. If you are much over 6 feet tall, a regular 23 type isn't the best way to go. There are strecthed ones available. Or the 26-27 is roomier. Nothing wrong with fibergl***, it saves you from fixing rust, which can be very discouroging. Mine is a 1970 Medford from CA, so it has a little history. Try to stay away from the cartoon look if you are thinging about driving a lot of miles. Mine is a basic car, has no frills, just goes down the road. Drives well handles well rides well. Goes steers stops. Most Sunday drives are around 200 miles. I don't think a modern style T bucket would be comfortable for those distances. Whatever you do, do it to please you. And stick with it till the end, so you can enjoy the result of the job. Frank Oh, and Total Performance is an Alliance Vendor now, another reason to check them out.
Here's a pic of mine. It's been on the road for almost 2 months and I'm having a blast. Yea, someday I'll build something else, but this was a start and turned out very well. Plus, I always wanted one. The engine is a stock 305 SBC and it scoots. Took me a year and a half to get to this point (a few changes have been made since this pic). For a starter, they can't be beat. I built mine a piece at a time and learned a ton from my mistakes and just asking questions. Check out my signature for my build journal.
The Jalopy Journal
