Projects The bucket of ugly! A de-uglifying thread...

I'm getting serious! I'm gonna have to drop by Hot Rod Central next week to plot and plan.

 

I have a******in' way in my head to set up a nice, low, traditional rear suspension and keep rear seat room.

 

Richie Willett built this one about 20 years ago here on the East Coast. I think the Petersen owns it now. Bob

 

Looks like a LARS sticker on the headlight. Bob

 

I just got back from the Portland Roadster Show, and I thought I would share a few pics:

 

One of the only buckets. Had some ugly, but not terrible.



Mr Model T:



Cherry Bomb:





This little guy:







The Mint T:



And what ended up being my favorite, this*****ernut yellow A RPU:
Lots of neat details, but some****** only took one photo...

 

I have to say, I like Cherry Bomb, a whole lot! That A RPU is pretty nice as well.

 

I wish I hadn't seen this now I'm gonna have to build one for my grandson

 

In a previous life I owned a fiberglass and top coat repair business in Hawaii redoing sport fishing boats in dry dock. (Before I got into FJ40 restos, hence the name...) so I was thinking I could stretch one myself for a while. How he stretched really leaves a lot to be desired but turned out okay. And the green inland emperors is it! No touring is better!

Pros to doing it this way, save on shipping (Alaska, remember), and I can stretch a t to fit me (would want the bulkhead) and it not be that far off.....

Cons.... The itch... And no beach to clean off at in the way home... And I'm guessing it would add 4 weeks to the build...

Hmmmm. Would a t touring built in the inland emperor style fit in over here?

 

Has anybody bought a battery lately. They have doubled in price in the last few years. I only have room for a small Honda battery but it doesn't make any difference still more than $100. Okay******in over. For now anyway.

 

Chip:
I really like some of the stuff you post on FB!
And that comes from a guy that ain't a fan of FB, but I check it out more then I used to, just because I want to see what you post!!!

 

Wow, I thought this was Facebook!

 

I'm a partsguy at a dealership, so yeah, I've sure noticed how much theyve gone up. Typical late model stuff is approaching $200

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

I'm going to buy a battery within the next week or so. I want one of the compact AGM batteries, I have very few choices on where to mount it but I have a plan
I'm going to buy a Deka battery, a small unit that should do the trick.
The price for me here in Canada $165.

 

Try buying 6 volt deep cycle, Golf Cart, for the Motor Home.

 

I've been told by a reliable source(that's works for walmart)that they have a 60% mark up on there batteries. Just sayin

 

AC Delco 78PG for Chev SBC's is $133+ on FleaBay.

 

I bought an Odyssey PC680 for my T, which was going to be awesome since it's about the size of two MSD boxes. When we did the engine break in on my ghetto stand, it became immediately obvious that the little battery just isn't going to cut it. I went into the local parts store and ended up spending just shy of $200 for a side post terminal Exide AGM. I'm really hoping I can fit it under the passenger's seat (hence the side terminals). We'll see soon enough!

 

Chip, do you have any pictures of the frame and suspension on Roys' "Tub of Ugly"? Trying to wrap my head around the trunk holder and suspension in the rear.

 

All those fancy small sized batteries are neat and space saving; but may be tough to find in East Podunk when they take a*****; where as you can find a regular old group 24 about everywhere.
Then too, a friend bought a compact XS agm battery to save some room, unfortunately by the time he finished the car, after some delays, it was toast and out of warranty.

 

Well I'm not proud and definitely not bragging but my little Honda battery came from Walmart just for the reason above. When it takes a dump another one will be close. I haven't checked but that little battery probably has more cranking amps as the best battery you could buy in the '50s and '60s.
Gary

 

And as all you guys know, it is the length of the leads from the battery to the starter that can either help or hinder a good amount of voltage where it is needed. I have a small battery down under the drivers side seat with reasonably short leads to the starter so I haven't had battery starter issues with my car.

 

Harley Sportster battery is nice, and it's small, and will always be available.

 

Thank you sir! I do have fun over there, too! I have been working on some stuff this week that has been mechanical, and the owner has requested that I not post his car while it's here. wait till you see this thing though.... It's far nicer than what I normally work on!

The trunk holder is a source of tension with Roy and I right now. I built the whole thing with room to drop an 8"X30" spun tank in the back of the rear seat well, and still have reasonable room for seating. He believes that he will have willing people to ride back there that need that extra 8" behind their****es.... Hence, he has decided to build a shelf to hang an ugly****ed trunk off the back, then intends to cover it up like a BBQ grill.... You can't win them all.

The rear frame is kicked in the traditional manner, but a bit higher, and carries a Jag rear end. the shelf is attached to the floor up in side the body. I do have some pictures around here, I'll dig them up for you.

 

Chip
Does anyone still make the Fiberglass T bodies that are six or eight longer than original. Yes some of us can see the difference in a flash but it wouldn't jump out at you like a tub would and still let some of the big and tall guys enjoy T buckets. I really think if someone used good judgement and built a bucket with one of those he could come out with something nice and few would notice.
I put the top back on mine a few months ago and am having trouble getting in and out of it. I just might just take it off and store it in the rafters again.
Gary

 

Seems it would not be too hard to make 1/2 of top,{like Targa top] panel=would take a bit of small tube framing and not really too open all the way to center/but just enough to be out of way for the way ya get in. I could think more about it an make a drawing if ya needed it as ideas.

PS;if any one finds a y-block 292 or 312 that there replacing with a SBF orSBC,I need old "Y" near or in south Florida

 

Thanks Dana but don't go to the trouble. I really liked it without the top anyway.

 

I know Spirit Industries has a 5" extended body and I thought Speedway had one, but I can't find it listed on their site...maybe they dropped it.

 

I'm looking for one too!.....It wouldn't hurt if it was 2 or 3 inches taller too.....to help with the proportions some, and give a little more room.

 

I haven't heard anything from Poliform for a few years but they had a touring car and the Tubster,