1919 Chevy Bucket

[ChopperDave]

This idea of building a "T" Bucket came from experiencing this car firsthand in about 1980

Even though I have built a bunch of Repop Duece Roadsters over the years the desire for a bucket has never diminished.
In November of 09 I upgraded the engine in my dually to a Vortec 7.4 and have a good 454 sitting on my stand.
So I decided to build a car around that Big Block Chevy... In my searching for a stretched body that I could actually fit in I came across Hermans Fast Glass.

Eureka! Is it just me or does that cowl look almost Chevrolet?

1919 Chevrolet Series 490 Touring.

A plan was hatching: Build it as a Chevy rather than a Ford. Something a little different...

Then I found a 1919 Radiator Surround out in Iowa:

Bought one of SoCal's new Forged Drop Axles:

Fabricated some Tapered Rails:

And laid it out on the shop floor:

 

[Youngster]

Won't be long now, huh??

Ron

 

[ChopperDave]

Won't be long now, huh??

Ron

Shootin for Hot August Nights 2010...

Going to pick up the rear axle today.

 

[akitagandy]

I really like that radiator shell, If anyone runs across one let me know, I am going to register mine as a Chevy its all Chevy ,

 

[VegasBruce]

Sweet :rofl:

 

[Telman2]

That's going to be a sweet ride, keep the pictures coming.

 

[fordsbyjay]

This idea of building a "T" Bucket came from experiencing this car firsthand in about 1980

Man that car is just sick. I have been trying to figure out how a guy could build a car like that but with a c-cab truck body and that picture puts things in perspective. Good luck with the build.

 

[gotmark73]

Thank you for the updated pics. I love that body. I am not a chevy guy but I dig the idea of something different. In one pic it looks like the body has "humps" to clear the rear kickup, is that the case?

 

[VegasBruce]

Dave, thats starting out as a nice ride. I love the Chevy grill. :rofl:



However, you got a couple of pics of the Streetglide, that has my attention? :spank:

 

[ChopperDave]

Dave, thats starting out as a nice ride. I love the Chevy grill.

However, you got a couple of pics of the Streetglide, that has my attention?

Here ya go Bruce

 

[VegasBruce]

Sweet FLHX, I bought a Standard in '05, and the Streetglide came out in '06.

OK sorry Hijack over. :wow:

 

[ChopperDave]

Nice one Bruce. Yeah this was my first "New" Harley probably my last too. When I saw the issue of Hot Bike introducing the StreetGlide thought to myself well they finally built one that doesn't need changing. Bought the second one in the Valley (first black one) in 05. It was cool at first now seems like they are everywhere... had to customize it just so I can find the damn thing in the parking lot. LOL

OK back to the project... Bought some cheepo wheels off craigslist for mockup and while at my neighborhood Commercial Tire to pick up some mag lugs I found these slicks for free

 

[ChopperDave]

Some pics of pinching the frame rails:

grinding and some fishplates next

 

[ChopperDave]

Ground the welds today, started with big bertha then final sculpting with a little flapper. I will just use filler for the coupe of low spots.

Then set the body to check crossmember measurements

 

[one finger john]

Dave, could the same effect been had by having the rails hydro formed (is that the proper term?) ?

John

 

[VegasBruce]

The rails look great Dave :thumb: nice work. I don't know about you but I hate grinding, even though sometimes its necessary.



Oh, and cool slicks too. :bubble:

 

[Youngster]

Grinding is no more than sculpting sorta like polishing.

Ron

 

[VegasBruce]

Grinding is no more than sculpting sorta like polishing.

Ron

I relate it to whittling, the part is in the metal you just gotta get it out.

 

[Keeper]

Looking great, thanks for the update.

 

[ChopperDave]

Dave, could the same effect been had by having the rails hydro formed (is that the proper term?) ?

John

I looked all over the local area for someone with capability to bend 2x3 .188 tubing, the closest was Portland and the they said the were not sure if they could do the bends as close together as I needed. So I just went back to what I knew I could do myself, basically the same as pinching boxed Duece rails to match a Model A cowl. By tacking the rails to each other they come out identical.