I was searching for some info on 265 powered T's and I came across this gem. The caption below the photo read, "Bud Shannon's '23 Ford T with a '55 Chevy 265 bored to 283, 1964" I'd love to know more about Bud Shannon and his 23 T. Anyone know anything? The photo seems to be from a magazine. The Flikr page I got this photo from had all sorts of scans (some very recognizable) from early rod and custom mags.
Sweet car! It *almost* looks like it could have been the prototype for the old "Big T" and "Little T" scale model kits from the same era! Mart3406 ==============================
I'd usually agree but I think they look cool and add to the uniqueness of this car. I wish I could find more about it. I'd love to build a semi-clone of this car... with front brakes.
Since I originally scanned it I went back and looked at the Text. There's nothing good going on in the HAMB lately so I typed it all out. Volkswagon direct acting shocks control front end with dropped '32 axle. No front brakes are used on ultra light streetster. All photos were shot by Bud who is also a photographer who got his roadster to sit for "the Birdie" Easy Conversion of '55 Chevy V8 turned a 265 into a 283 with a 1/8" overbore and 11 to 1 Fuel Injection pistons. Duntov cam and lifters are employed and heads are ported to a large dimension, polished, Man-A-Fre manifold is a Four Two type, staggering carbs directly over ports. Stacks help velocity, needed with large Venturi area. 18" pickup bed built from scratch was fitted to restored body and "T" frame by Haller Top & Body Shop. Headers are 90º bends of conduit, welded and hand filed for invisible seams. Austin-Healey driveshaft turns Ford rear end. '23 Wheel on top of Crosley steering. Drilled shift handle activates a '29 or '49 ( couldn't read) Packard gearbox. Gauges are set into stock "T" dash.
I guess since the HAMB is dead lately that should be a good sign to get our ***es off the computer and build some Hot Rods....which you are doing I see so good on you! As far as this "T" goes, I have been missing my roadster lately and looking at this one is just even more gut wrenching for me. This thing is awesome and it's short little wheel base makes it a winner right off the bat for me. The fact that it's powered by a motor that is pretty similar to the one I am building one tips the scale for me. '56 265 (.125 over) final ci is 283....check! Weiand 4x2 Intake with Holly 94's on top.....check!!! Duntov 097 Cam....Check! Port & polished heads....check! I wish I would have got a set of Fuel Injection pistons hahah!!!
I wish I would have seen this thread earlier, I have that issue around here. One thing to note on this car that was pretty common on "T" buckets back then - It's not a roadster body. It's the front half of a '23 - '25 touring. Same with Ivo's car, and Grabowski's. I've always kinda wondered why, with the pattern for these cars being Grabowski's and Ivo's cars, did the first manufacturers of gl*** bodies choose to do roadster bodies? Always struck me as a little weird. This one is one of the better proportioned of the batch from that early sixties era though.
I take notes from the best.....hint hint. I did hear that about the touring bodies. Never really inspected to see the difference in the two. But if Grawbowski and Ivo did it enough said. That's how it should be done!
Take a look at the two lower pictures in the feature, they tell the story. In the one on the left, look at the way the belt line bead splits from the seat back and continues straight back to the bed, and goes straight down from there. That's the front of the rear door jamb. In the picture on the right from the rear three quarters, it's even more pronounced. You can see the square edge running downward. Pull a couple of photos of both Grabowski's and Ivo's and you'll see the same.
Your little roadster was damn-near perfect! I remember seeing it at the Round Up in '09 and you were talking about selling. Man, if I had the money it would be sitting in my driveway right now!
Sorry for reviving an old thread, but anyone who hasn't seen this thread previously, just has to see the pics of this car. It is absolute shear perfection and looks so, so, "just right!"!!! Mart3406 ===========================================
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