23 Bucket to Phaeton / Touring T-Bucket

[Barret Roosa]

So, This is what I bought:

 

[Barret Roosa]

Then I took everything apart and did this:

 

[Barret Roosa]

Then I made my first ever fiberglass panel:

 

[Barret Roosa]

Here's the frame with a 23 inch insert. Major internal reinforcement. It's probably stiffer now than before:

 

[Barret Roosa]

Lonely motor. Don't fret you got some attention shortly after:

 

[Barret Roosa]

Body cribbing. I don't know how to weld at all, but I do know wood. So, I used that to stiffen the body:

 

[Barret Roosa]

I got a little out of order here, but here's the body after a lot of Bondo and a few coats of high build primer:

 

[Barret Roosa]

After a number of mock ups:

 

[Barret Roosa]

And another:

 

[Barret Roosa]

And another, she started to look like a car again:

 

[Barret Roosa]

Things slowed down from there since we moved from Charlotte to Tampa. I've had some time to work on her since the move, so here she is a couple of days ago:

 

[Indycars]

Nice work, keep it up!

Glad to see you figured out that posting photo thing!

 

[Barret Roosa]

The body was extended 30 inches and the frame 23. I made up some room in the front by moving the radiator forward and eliminating the mechanical fan and replacing it with an electric. I was able to shave off a few inches in the back by getting rid of the transverse spring cradle and mounting it directly under the rear cross bar.

Lots of follies along the way. If you notice in the engine pic, 2 of the plugs are broken. Well, do yourself a favor and whenever removing or replacing the motor, rent a hoist. I tried to lift it from the bottom and build cribbing underneath so I could roll the frame out from under. Well that actually worked until I was trying to lower it back down onto the dollies. Something got uneven and the motor came crashing down. Not a good day!

I look forward to questions and suggestions, because as we all know these things are never completely done......

Barret

 

[Barret Roosa]

Nice work, keep it up!

Glad to see you figured out that posting photo thing!

Thanks!

 

[rbsWELDER]

Very Nice!!!

 

[iajjpop]

Looking Good .....

 

[tfeverfred]

Very nice work. I'm really impressed with your interior wooding.

 

[butch27]

Look great--lots of room now.

 

[Gerry]

Just wondering if anyone can use the back seat?

 

[Barret Roosa]

Just wondering if anyone can use the back seat?

Yup. The front seat is adjustable. With it full back like in the pic I am very comfortable, 6'2" and 250. When I have company, I can slide it forward enough to allow a size 11 shoe/foot to wedge under the front seat. Not a perfect arrangement, but I really didn't want to go any longer. The turn radius is already about 200 feet......