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

That's one .

 

Thanks bchctybob! I stumbled across that first one, I wasn't actively searching. I took a quick look at your suggestions and will go back and study them. The 8500 one looks nice, but oh man 12 hour drive one way, with a trailer add at least another couple hours (55 MPH in CA). Much better than the midwest or east coast in winter, though!

 

You’re welcome, I hope you find what you’re looking for. (and without added drama) If I didn’t already have way too many projects I’d be going to look at them myself. I’ve been perusing the classifieds trying to help a buddy find a drag race-able hot rod.

 

As a youngster, I spent hours playing in my grandfather's salvage yard. Always had a fascination for cars and built many model cars. In late 1962, I traded for a Monogram "Big T" kit. That got me hooked on hot rods. In 1964, I used that "Big T" as a guide to build my first hot rod. I did not have the $$$ nor the skill to duplicate it but it did have the 4-link that the kit (modeled from Starbird's full-size version) had.
www.motortrend.com/features/0406rc-1932-ford-coupe-and-big-t/

That makes 3.

 

Re the 4 bar, I suggest going back to pages 15 and 16 where this was talked about with Chip.

EDIT, the Fremont one is sold .

 

When I was building my first rod ,started in the mid 1950s,got running in 1959. I had split bones front { using a 48 Ford front axle set up ,spring ahead.} and truck arm style set up on rear=the rear didn't work all that well with short truck-arms, so by late 60,I went to 4bar rear set up. Much better ride.
Just some 2 cents input n timing,for any that may need that.

 

Good to see this thread hasn't died

 

You are entitled to your opinion, but we were just pointing out that a specific style and technology wasn't as exclusive to the '80s as you claimed it to be. A statement of fact, not opinion. And no one is disputing your statement that the majority of cars in the '60s used split 'bones. Just because most of the crowd followed the crowd it doesn't mean that you get to disregard the unconventional and those with far-seeing methods.

And what's your point in making this statement? Do you feel better? How many examples do you need to acknowledge that 4-bars date to the '50s? Two? Three? Forty-two? Give it a rest. 4-bars have been around longer than you think, and just because you associate them with a certain era, that doesn't make it true.

Sigh.

Since Chip isn't on the HAMB anymore, and is covering the renovation of the Bucket of Ugly elsewhere, I really wish this thread would get closed or ignored. There was a lot of good here, but the good is on other threads now.

 

sorry nitro, but here it goes again...

Well, found another one that hits a majority of my personal likes
Lots of decent chrome
Paint I can easily live with
wheels I could live with but not what I'd buy (get to make changes)
quality engineering and drive train, but would backdate the engine (get to make changes)
Appears to be a Specialty Cars kit, which I like best
Close enough it would be a turn and burn to get, not having to spend the night sleeping with one eye open with it on an open trailer
aside from the tall seat and a few engine accessories, I would be very happy with it
Sigh, lotto ticket today...

 

As far as change, only the rear wheels, & the engine to something interesting... .
*Maybe* shorten the front a few inches.
What tall seat??? That thing looks like a great fun-runner...
Marcus...

 

While I'd love to "Be Different" on the engine, a 350 is the standard and plenty for the weight and looks.
I'd strip it down, give it a nice Orange coat, swap out the valve covers and air cleaner and do the early black cap, black wires and route them under.
Tall seat is not obvious in that shot, but I'd need the base dropped so I wasn't sticking out. I'd hope the upholstery wouldn't need work, it looks like it would be okay. I have a feeling there are a bunch of electrical and some switches under there..


The front is pretty tight as-is.
It's not short like Tim's
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-belly-button-bucket-build-thread.1000590/
It would require shortening the frame in front of the radiator, while still clearing the tie rod. Maybe 2-3 inches without redoing everything. I would be quite happy with it now.


Tim's for comparision.

Oh and one of Chip's from page 36. He's the one who started this and I was paying attention.

 

RSR;
It's not bad at all, see what you mean about the cushion, I agree. I'm just not a sbc chev fan(anymore), they're ok, but since I have a couple of extra Stude mills, n such, that'd be my choice. Not about hp, Racer-x ruined that for me... , so it's more about quick-scootin', profiling, & mostly about having fun. & if the whah-fos can be confused for free, why not - . If you would get 2-3" back n the front end, that'd just be gravy. If you aren't *real careful*, you'll have a keeper easy-like that'll create a permanent grin on your face an undertaker couldn't get off.
Marcus...

 

I've got a few Mopars tucked away, but swapping in a BB and 727 would be a bunch of work with little gain. Heavier, harder to cool, and still spin the tires at will.
Cutting and shortening the 4 link, drag link, and frame (or just the spring perch) for 2 inches is the same. Yes, it would tighten it up a bit, but at a bit of a loss of the T dragster look VS the T altered or roadster look with a shorter WB. That's why I went back and grabbed a shot of Chip's car. Note the wheel to radiator spacing, it's almost the same. A longer WB is a bit more comfortable too, although we are talking a solid axle bucket and 2 inches!
The biggie is as always funds. It's priced very reasonably, the cost of a new deluxe CCR kit with all the chrome would add up to it and this is complete and finished. It would be a definite keeper, I've got stuff in the back yard from 15 years ago. I can buy well, just can't sell. The funds would get my poor old 1940 on the road, and that would be a more 'real' car but not as flashy and fun.
I've got 15X10 slot mags in the garage, would need just a pair of pie crusts, the engine stuff mentioned, lower the cushion, and change the shifter. Dye the carpet to hide the fading, a month of polishing and I would be a very happy camper.
A pilot's helmet and goggles to keep the hair back and yes, all you would see is the grin!

 

A little wind in your hair is part of the joy of running a roadster down the road!

 

Wind is fun for abit, but eventually gets tiring. At least for me. Any hiway use, & I put in earplugs right-quick-like, as the wind-"roar" is actually somewhat painful. Friends' Tbucket at mixed speeds is quite fun, no earplugs, even for hr+ rides. He'll go for 6-8hr+ non-stop.

RSR; Any links to the helmet/goggles? WW2 era? Goggles look almost WW1, but expert, I'm not. I would like to eventually acquire a set of these(or 2), to compliment an upcoming project(or 3). Maybe it'll help motivation. WOuld hope they're not stupid $$$...

Will you be able to acquire the T? I hope you can. Would you mind pm-ing me the ~cost, just for comparisons, since I can't go there in real life right now? Around here, sadly, that wouldn't be practical, but a top would help, at least for 6-8months/yr. Somewhere I've seen a Tbucket on a frozen snow-covered (old horse) track, having stupid amounts of fun, but that also sadly wouldn't translate into the real-world-here. For a whole lot of reasons. Yes, I'm thinking in terms of daily-drivers, so it's quite clear I'm more than just a few-bubbles-off-kilter. ;( ;( .

& I can relate to the part about getting the project(s) - well maybe not buying *well*, but at least about not being able to sell, esp near that mythical-*well*-part. ;( ;( .

Marcus...

 

Yeah, back-dating that wouldn't take too much and I hope you can get it. Orange would be awesome (brown sucks like a Hoover, man), wheels (maybe some REAL ten-spokes or skinny American's like Chip's), stuff like that. I'd recommend some 8.5" five-spokes on cheater slicks for the back. But the interior would be the biggest challenge: That seat bottom has to go low, the back cushion can be cut way back, the shifter would...well, you know. Nice that it has a Corvair box and all the things that Specialty built in to it. The belly-button is...well, a belly-button. Can't argue with the "reliable and parts availability" view, but dang, something different is more better (IMHO). At least get a 4x2 setup and rock that ('cause 4x2 is greater than 1x4 or 3x2's...).

Not saying to copy Chip, because there's a bunch of stuff on his that bug me, but there's a lot that's right and this world allows you to do you despite all the grief you get when people think you did it "wrong" but it's "right" for you. Within reason...

 

Thanks for not slapping again, Nitro.
I agree with just about everything you said. The stuff I'd do up I've covered most of, I have already priced out pie crust tires at 370 each!!!
As far as the color, well I'd go with Chrome Yellow, Hugger Orange, B5 Blue, Purple, Candy Apple Red (not straight red, done too much), Candy Green, various Metalflakes, Root Beer Brown, Black with flames, then the others. Not White (apologies to T Fred) or Silver/Gold/Bronze, nothing muted.
EDIT: here is the paint in the sun.


This one would be much happier with a Chevy orange engine. Here's Chip's with the primer in better shape and the orange peeking through. I think it would elevate the Brown although I agree that it's more muted than top choices.

 

With some as-cast 5 spokes and some pie crust cheater slicks, some finned valve covers, a scoop of some sort, thin out the seat back, drop the seat bottom, collect some gauges... that T would look pretty sweet. I think the brown looks pretty good, and I love the upholstery. It looks to me like shortening it up would be somewhat involved, and take away from being a Specialty build, so maybe leave that alone and just do bolt-ons for now?

Edit: even just some Moon discs over the wires would look pretty cool and keep the cost down.

 

Thanks, Tim. Yeah, the shortening would not happen. I dig yours, but this one is fine.
The gauges aren't period vintage, but I can live with 'em. I can't handle some, but these would be fine.
Just need to convince myself that this is worth the change in finances.

 

Don't forget about losing those T head lights and putting on some real hot rod lights on a pair of Offie stands.

 

Well, I've slept on it, pondered the route, and while I could get the money together, it would hurt and all for what would be a toy. The kid still wants it, but the adult says No.
So if any of you guys want a heck of a T, here you go.
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/d/bonsall-1923-ford-bucket-hot-rod/7702047003.html

 

You’re going to kick yourself harder for not buying it, than you will for buying it. Just sayin’….

 

Backside already has a lifetime of heel marks, but thanks.

 

Its easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.....just saying. JW

 

There comes a time & point in life where it's better to have even a small amount of finances, than to spend to the point there aren't any reserves. Esp when there isn't any - or enough - fun tickets coming in to cover bills/responsibilities + some(lots?, any?) left over for fun. Don't know RSR's situation, but I won't roll the dice like that. Lifetime choice. Why? Who knows, maybe past-life experiences, idk... So doodling, paper-building, learning, very-slow parts/project(s) acquisition ensues. So you make choices based on the best information/skills/funds you have at the time & live w/it. & trying real hard to be happy w/what I do have(which due to costs & availability was never the 1st choice) will have to suffice. Self-deflation of ego or wants vs needs is hard enough. Ruminating sucks...
Marcus...

 

^X2. Many times I’ve had to scale back my dreams and re-evaluate priorities. My personal thoughts are, if you want one bad enough, sell some things off, clear some space, take some of the financial burden and stress away. I think about this all the time- I don’t plan on selling my bucket, but I’ve pretty much eliminated all future projects aside from the 32, which in all honesty I’m torn on keeping/selling. I know I could not afford to build another one at today’s prices, and time for building is a huge factor for me as well. I know if we all had our way, we’d be 30 cars deep in full fab shops and beautiful women bringing out refreshments, but that’s not reality lol. We gotta make it as fun as possible and be willing to compromise here and there. If it doesn’t feel right to buy the car, then it’s not the right time- doesn’t mean it won’t work out later. Keep your head up and mind open!

 

Chip Quinn…YouTube video:

 

Called Chip this morning and talked to him for a short bit about a T.
Also mentioned that I wondered about his Plymouth frame problem mentioned in this 3 year old video. He informed me that it has been resolved, and the car is in recovery, but still needs a few weeks of concentrated effort to get back on the road.