I'm in the beginning stages of building a modified, as in collecting parts, but I have keep having a nightmare. I keep having this dream that my modified will resemble a T-bucket. These two styles of cars are so similar, but yet completely diferent. What are some major styling factors that can keep my modified from looking like a bucket? I'm thinking winshield, and paint and finishing touches will obviously chage the look, but modifieds seem to sit lower on their chassis'. Is that because mod's are channeled and buckets aren't? All info is appreciated. Thanks. H
Most t-buckets run a short chrome /brass T radiator, run something taller like an A or sectioned later model. (or something original like a tractor or homeade grill shell.) Also stay away from overly exaggerated bigs-n-littles. Stay away from flake paint and big tuck and roll jobs too. Most buckets have dainty chrome hairpins too, go with split bones or some sort of meatier radius rods. Sorry if I'm rambling, just got back from the Rev. show and am feeling pretty good...
Funny...inadvertently, this same sorta discussion just came up on the Art Show thread. Seems like maybe the water is a little cloudy on the distinction between the two. Everyone calls my '27 a modified, but I think of it as a bucket...maybe because it's more a bucket of scraps than an actual car.
Both are generally channeled a bit. T-Bucket; shortened bed or turtle deck no hood exaggerated stance, wheels (offset), tires goofy vertical steering mucho chrome not so subtle paint Modified; rear frame and suspension hanging out generally has a hood (velocity stacks and exhaust cutouts) tall, skinny rubber, 40's vintage similar era wheels sprint car steering (usually) more conservative use of chrome subtle single colors work best but matching old race car layouts works as well
T-bucket: Modified: I thought it was pretty obvious, but I guess it's one of those "either you know or you don't" things. Maybe this helps?
modifieds were a competition designation, in my mind I see them roaring across a dry lake in a cloud of dust T bucket is a street rod term and were more likely seen at the local drive in or on a drag strip. I know, no hard mechanical desciption just a couple visual images.. Paul
Modifieds have an earier "flavor" than T-buckets. Even if one uses late styling ques, the difference can easily be seen. The mod will look like an updated early style. The driver tends to be lower in the car, not the body lower on the frame. In fact, my mod sits on a perimiter frame with 5 inches of section width under the body and a full belly pan as the floor, allowing me to sit with the side of the body at my shoulders. Most mods, incuding mine, should be designated some othr way because a modified is an old style race car and they are not T-buckets. A pure mod would not have enough room to be comfy for any amount of time, have no late model parts and be a general pain for most folks to use on the street. Early style buckets cloud the line even more by showing their evelutionary roots from mods. The cartoon wheel combos and flamboyent proportions aren't there. The driver tends to be in a "normal "T" seating position, though. The rake is a bit more radical, also. When you look at every aspect of them, the differences are obvious, but to put them to words requires asking why. Really, it's a matter of execution, not nessecarily parts.
If I may chime in, I've always hated the term T-Bucket. Roadster sounds better. My T is a refugee from the 60's and has all the "T-Bucket" goodies. It is going to be redone in an earlier style, wires, skinnys,lowered lights,etc. MIKE
Look at www.danielstrohl.com/modified.html For me a Modified is a "bear bones"car.Nothing on it that is'ent needed.Nothing behind the body but a gas tank and rear end. The car sets low and so does the driver.A race car for the street. Inpractical,yes but I hope a lot of fun. Fred [image]http://[/image]
I think of a T-bucket as a 1915 to 1923 T with a shortened pickup bed. I think of the same car with a turtle deck as a roadster. I don't call later T's... buckets. I'll call them what they are, either roadsters or roadster pickups. I think of most modifieds as not having any body after the seat(s). And the front sheetmetal ( hood, grille, nose ) doesn't matter. Ford, Dodge, whatever. I think modifieds are like hotrodded speedsters. But that's just my take. Dan
[ QUOTE ] I keep having this dream that my modified will resemble a T-bucket. These two styles of cars are so similar, but yet completely diferent. [/ QUOTE ] Please don't take offence at this, but if you don't know the differences between the two, how can you be so sure you are actually building a modified? Or is it that you have an image in your head, but aren't sure quite how how it'll work in real life? I built a modified/T when I lived in the PI, but I kept changing my mind during the build, and ended up with basically neither, or both:
[ QUOTE ] how can you be so sure you are actually building a modified? [/ QUOTE ] Morrisman, no offence but that looks more like a sand rail then a modified I know I'm building a T Bucket or Bucket T or an RPU but I' m in denial, I want to think of my little car as a Modified cause it sounds cooler. Paul
For my head, you're calling apples oranges. I think you should be asking the difference between a Model T "Modified" (there are Model A modifieds too, ya know?) and a "Fad-T". I've always thought the term "T Bucket" just defined a Model T two passenger roadster body style, as opposed to a touring/phaeton being a "T Tub" or "Phonebooth T" being a T coupe. A T Sedan is just called " T sedan" or "parts car"..... All them T's that resemble the Kookie T or Ivo's T, and the ones on drastic rakes with all the brass head and tail lights mixed up with chrome Jag rear ends, are "Fad T"s, because everyone EXPECTED them to be just a passing fad (NOT)! They resemble the attitude, (or altitude?) of an Altered class drag car rather than a roundy-round dirt track car. That's the difference. A "Modified" has suspension set up with roll center and C/G set up for handling turns, and something resembling dirt track wheels and tires. "Fad-T"s have a setup resembling a drag car, lightweight front wheels and suspension because that's all that's necessary to go in a straight line fast and big enough rear wheels and slicks (or some tires with the visual bulk of slicks) to handle all the power of the "dragster" engine.
[ QUOTE ] Looks like you dont know the differance either.....hahahahahahaa [/ QUOTE ] The real embarrassing thing is I knew it wasn't anywhere like I wanted it, but I was too obstinate/dumb to stop and say: hey, whatthefuckyabuildingboy" Only took, like, five weeks to get to drivable, then a month more to get paint on then I sold it. Shoulda kept the motor, tranny, nine inch and wheels, and binned the rest
Lost Angel... I think your T rocks. All it needs is some 12 spokes up front, paint and a lot of chrome. Let me know if you want to sell the rear rims... they look magnesium. Sam.
Hey Sam, they are real old time no-window Halibrands! But a buddy of mine has already claimed them. They are 5-on-5.5 bolt pattern too.(1941 Ford banjo rear!) -MIKE
[ QUOTE ] I know I'm building a T Bucket or Bucket T or an RPU but I' m in denial, I want to think of my little car as a Modified cause it sounds cooler. Paul [/ QUOTE ] Hey Paul, Call it what you want, I'll just call it bad-ass that is one cool ride!
T buckets have huge rear tires honda 90 motorcycle tires on front steering that goes straight down and modifieds are cool !!!
This modified is great looking. Anyone got a pict of it in the rear? Im curious about the suspension on it. Just pandering to the idea.
A modified will always have a narowed body, in my opinion. I whipped one up using a cowl and doors from a 31 chevy pickup...I narrowed it 6", welded the doors in place and built a body-back section from pieces of a 40 chevy hood for the corners and a 50 chevy door skin to span the distance between the corners... I suppose you COULD get 2 guys in it but ya better be real good friends. I used a 230 chevy 6 in mine. Another requesite is a narrowed radiator and shell. An early inline or flathead v/8 is almost mandatory. Forget disc brakes on a modified too....drums only unless you happen onto a pair of Kinmonts.
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