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

Watts link on top of rear says Total performance - or someone just copied

 

Yeah you're not the first person to point that out. I need to get the car on tires and check the stance but at the very least I'm going to reinforce it. It is a pretty thick piece of plate and it doesn't appear to bend while I'm jumping up and down on it, which I'm aware is not a great way to determine its strength.

 

I had remembered seeing them before, but had a time finding them.
https://tbucketeer.com/threads/friction-shocks.5501/
has a (partially blocked PB) pic of one.
This thread has links to many other threads discussing them and pics.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/lever-shocks.1046152/
You will note some very nice ones made by Chip, the Original Poster (OP) of this thread.

BTW, in the search, I came across Mr. Roadster, which is now a part of Speedway. I believe they also were a separate Co. making bucket kits back in the 70s and 80s.

This mentions Allied
https://www.tbucketplans.com/product/1960s-t-bucket-plans/

and yet another HAMB thread on bodies from 14 years ago
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/best-t-bucket-kit-body.83883/
MAS and showcars both had and have poor reputations.

More info for gonzo and others
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/The_FREE_T_Bucket_plans

and another single bolt shock, maybe

 

...and another for sale under the typical kit price.
Paint, upholstery and chrome are shot. It needs a complete freshening, but you were going to do that anyway. No title is a worry.

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/splendora-23-bucket-fiber/7012972309.html

23 T Bucket old school built, 1966 / 67 Ford 289ci - Auto Trans
Project Classic needs work been seating for some time.
Needs complete restoration easy project for the beginner.
No Title, Bill of sale only.

$7500.00 cash, possible / trade /open to offers.

 

Visited a t bucket buddy of mine today and snapped a couple picture of his car. Also got hooked up with a windshield frame and stancions.

 

Quick link to some Chip built. If I recall correctly, his dad was a T Bucket manufacturer, and he still builds a few for people. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2067528370208589&id=1418187681809331

Sent from my SM-G955F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I wish that was in say, Leduc. I'd be on my way.

Sent from my SM-G960W using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Yeah, I'm diggin' the 4 link front and maybe rear (kind of goofy back there), although I wonder about the frame brackets. I have not seen that before that I can recall.
The forward tie rod is typical TP/Speedway, but the (almost) vertical steering box with the upward linkage is not.
There is a lot of good stuff there, but it's all weathered/rusty/beat. The dual quad (Carter) SBF is interesting, and I wonder if those front brakes inside the MC tires are Airheart?
http://www.airheart-brakes.com/150x.html
That's a 70s Pinto/Mustang shifter, so it was probably built after that, judging from this and other components (Vega tail lights, radio in an overhead console, Appliance rear wires, the big/wide rears and the motorcycle fronts, padded top with pattern sewn in). If the chrome wasn't so heavily pitted (past the point of sand and paint), I'd be dreaming too!
I bet if Chip would see this he would be able to point out more stuff and probably determine possible builder/time frame.
Gotta get rid of that rear pan! Looks like a full diaper!

 

Got the steering and the stock 54 Chevy drum brakes figured out tonight, it was a little too easy in fact.

 

So I picked up a few old mags the friends of the local library were selling off.
Rod Action Dec 1975
Page 9 bottom corner California Custom Roadsters selling Chassis, plan sets and parts
Page 77 top corner Mr. Roadster selling roadster headers
Page 77 bottom corner Total Performance selling a t bucket finished and parts
Page 79 top corner Dan Woods selling chassis and plans
Page 79 middle side Hamilton Automotive Industries text says 32 roadster body, pic is of a running t bucket chassis
Page 79 bottom corner Anderson Industries selling fiberglass bodies
Page 82 Top corner Florida Rod Shop selling bodies, chassis and parts
Page 82 bottom corner Cal Automotive selling bodies, chassis and parts

 

Rod Action June 1981
Page 7 full page of Total Performance (selling 32 stuff)
Page 11 top corner Bird Automotive selling kit to fully assembled
Page 14-15 MAS selling bodies, frames and parts
Page 21 half page Speedway Motors selling bodies, frames and parts
Page 25 full page of Florida Rod Shop selling kits and parts
Page 38 Part 1 of a series building a Total Performance kit (it has coil spring cups very similar to gonzo's frame, and the panhard bar also)
Page 48 article about front brakes using Specialty Cars kit

 

You probably have already figured this out; but from the big drop of the transmission mount, the location of the spring cups, and the size of the coil springs in the crate; Looks like the rear would be very high with the engine mounted at a odd angle in relationship to the frame and body.

 

That tranny mount and the two pieces of plate that are hanging down beside it are probably going to get cut out. I already cut out the coil over pockets on the frame and bought spring over axle mounts to use the T spring I have. Basically all that stuff will need to get re-engineered because I want the motor as tight against the front grill shell and the body as tight against the motor as possible. I don't want any big cavernous gaps between the two. Whatever cutting, welding and grinding are necessary to accomplish that will be done.

 

Good, gaps are a make or break deal on these cars! Make sure you can remove the fan and bolts without pulling the radiator, though. Too tight can be a mess too. Servicing should be a consideration for the build. I've seen a few cars where it was not, and they were a mess.

 

This is a pencil drawing done by my buddy Louwtjie.
https://www.facebook.com/wykedgraphics

 

Yet another one for sale. This one is different, but cheap.
Some ugly (low bed, fenders, molded windshield uprights) but very basic.
It also has the basic front leaf spring mount and low hairpin mounts. Also has a drop center dash. Maybe a Bird kit??? Not the engine I'd run, but a 4 cylinder/stick could be fun!

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/d/tujunga-bucket/7028460932.html
T bucket - $3500 (Tujunga)
T bucket fiberglass body Datsun motor 4 speed transmission been sitting 10 years California registration and titled

 

I don't know if you can call this abortion a bucket of ugly. it's a bucket of something anyway.


https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/hot-rod-1928-ford-pick-up/1476062388

 

OMG, it's even got saddle bags on it!!!

 

Good eye I hadn’t really looked at it long enough to notice that
When you see shit like that you really have to wonder what the hell was he thinking

 

I figure the bags are to hide the transition from body to bed. Notice they are backwards too?
I'd push that one into the modified Jeep camp rather than call it a T.
The cowl, the drop down sides and steering damper all are not right.
Just needs the windshield to fold down...

 

He’s trying to sell it as a 28 Ford pickup

 

A Rose (or something else that smells) By Any Other Name...
Yeah, I don't think so

 

George Barris maybe.....the later years?

 

I am mostly of the 'if you don't have anything nice to say, blah blah'. I have a '28 rpu project that apart from moving it twice, and gathering pieces, has spent 10 years accomplishing nothing. It's at least a '28 Ford. I don't see anything in the pic above that is.

 

So what’s up guys are we going to let this thread die or does it have some life left ?

Wondering how @tfeverfred is doing these days too.

 

I hope it doesn't die, but I don't have anything to add and I have enjoyed following it over the years. I hope that Fred is doing well and would sure like to see him post some progress reports on here!

 

I've tried to keep it alive with various posts,
Maybe this will spark something...
http://tenwheel.com/view/24346-dan_woods_built_1915_t_bucket_hot_rod_built_in_the_1960s_1970s.html

 

I always check in but nothing much doing over here, will try harder. JW

 

Went to the Pittsburgh World of Wheels on Friday. Normally not a great place to see well done traditional hot rods but a few manage to sneak in every year. This pair of T buckets was not half bad. I'm sure that there are some bits to complain about but they were better than the usual fare.