BILLET-T
- Thread starter AZCOWBO
- Start date
fordsbyjay
Active Member
Bling bling. How is the ride with those torsion bars?
AZCOWBO
Member
Thanks. Quite a story behind it.
THE SANTOS/BUTERRA COMBO "BILLET-T" IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD.
IN 1987, A WEALTHY CALIFORNIA GENTLEMAN SET OUT TO BUILD THE ULTIMATE FORD "T-BUCKET" SHOW CAR, WHICH RESULTED IN THIS ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL "WORK OF ART".
TO BEGIN THE PROJECT, HE CONTACTED 5-TIMES WORLD CHAMPION DRAG RACE DRIVER, RICK SANTOS, TO RADICALLY MODIFY A 1964 327cui CORVETTE MOTOR TOPPED WITH A POLISHED BILLET DUAL-QUAD WIEAND RAM INTAKE AND SCOOP (Rick's father, during the 60's-70's era, built high-performance SBC dragster motors, much to major race sponsor MOPAR's chagrin, that consistently defeated MOPAR'S BB Hemis.)
TO COMPLETE THE MOTOR, THE BLOCK AND HEADS WERE SMOOTHED, POLISHED BILLET AND CHROMED PARTS, ACCESSORIES, AND BRAIDED SS LINES WERE ADDED. FOR COOLING THIS POWERFUL MOTOR (500+hp) A CUSTOM OVERSIZED POLISHED ALUMINUM RADIATOR WITH BILLET RADIATOR/HEADLIGHT MOUNTS WERE FABRICATED.
THE T-350 BILLET TRANSMISSION CASE AND SEPARATE TRANSMISSION COOLER WERE POLISHED AND CHROMED "GENIE" SHIFTER AND BRAIDED SS VACUMN LINES INSTALLED.
THE GENTLEMAN THEN WENT TO JOHN BUTERRA,"THE BILLET KING",TO DESIGN THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A HAND-FABRICATED ONE-OF-A-KIND POLISHED AND BALL-MILLED BILLET FRONT TORSION-BAR SUSPENSION WITH LATE 40's FORD SPINDLES, POLISHED VW HUBS AND DISC BRAKES, CUSTOM BILLET COMBINATION FENDER AND BRAKE MOUNTS TO ACCEPT 4 -1200cc HONDA MOTORCYCLE BRAKE CALIPERS. THE REAR IRS UTILIZES A1986 JAGUAR DIFFERENTIAL, HUBS, AND INBOARD DISC BRAKES, WITH CUSTOM BILLET BALL-MILLED SWING ARMS, DRIVE AXLES, AND HAIRPINS WITH FOUR ADJUSTABLE CHROMED COILOVER SHOCKS.
AN ENGLISH WHEEL ARTIST-FABRICATOR (UNKOWN) WAS EMPLOYED TO DESIGN A SET OF FENDERS TO BE HAND-FORMED FROM POLISHED BILLET.
A CHROMED STEERING BOX TOPPED WITH AN ASTON-MARTIN GRIFFI STEERING WHEEL, CUSTOM OAK-FRAMED DASH WITH SOLID BRASS BACKPANEL, S&W GAUGES, POLISHED BILLET FUEL TANK, BATTERY MOUNT, CENTERLINE WHEELS, CHROMED STEEL BED TRIM AND CHROMED AND SOLID BRASS LUGGAGE STRAP HOLDERS, BRASS AND CHROME VINTAGE LIGHTS WERE ADDED TO THE LIST.
THE REST OF THE STORY
THE OWNER LOST INTEREST, PUT ALL THE COMPONENTS INTO STORAGE, WHERE IT REMAINED UNASSEMBLED FOR 22YRS, UNTIL ANONYMOUSLY DONATING ITTO A CALIFORNIA HIWAY PATROL CHARITY, IN 2008. I ACQUIRED THE "PILE OF PARTS" AT AUCTION IN PALM SPRINGS, IN FEBRUARY, 2008 AND SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS IN DETERMINING HOW ALL THE PARTS WERE TO BE ASSEMBLED. THE MOTOR FIRED UP THE FIRST TIME I HIT THE STARTER SWITCH, AFTER SITTING FOR ALL THAT TIME.
VIDEOS OF THE AWAKENING OF THE MONSTER CAN BE SEEN ON YOUTUBE, SEARCH WORD: AZCOWBO.
THE SANTOS/BUTERRA COMBO "BILLET-T" IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD.
IN 1987, A WEALTHY CALIFORNIA GENTLEMAN SET OUT TO BUILD THE ULTIMATE FORD "T-BUCKET" SHOW CAR, WHICH RESULTED IN THIS ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL "WORK OF ART".
TO BEGIN THE PROJECT, HE CONTACTED 5-TIMES WORLD CHAMPION DRAG RACE DRIVER, RICK SANTOS, TO RADICALLY MODIFY A 1964 327cui CORVETTE MOTOR TOPPED WITH A POLISHED BILLET DUAL-QUAD WIEAND RAM INTAKE AND SCOOP (Rick's father, during the 60's-70's era, built high-performance SBC dragster motors, much to major race sponsor MOPAR's chagrin, that consistently defeated MOPAR'S BB Hemis.)
TO COMPLETE THE MOTOR, THE BLOCK AND HEADS WERE SMOOTHED, POLISHED BILLET AND CHROMED PARTS, ACCESSORIES, AND BRAIDED SS LINES WERE ADDED. FOR COOLING THIS POWERFUL MOTOR (500+hp) A CUSTOM OVERSIZED POLISHED ALUMINUM RADIATOR WITH BILLET RADIATOR/HEADLIGHT MOUNTS WERE FABRICATED.
THE T-350 BILLET TRANSMISSION CASE AND SEPARATE TRANSMISSION COOLER WERE POLISHED AND CHROMED "GENIE" SHIFTER AND BRAIDED SS VACUMN LINES INSTALLED.
THE GENTLEMAN THEN WENT TO JOHN BUTERRA,"THE BILLET KING",TO DESIGN THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A HAND-FABRICATED ONE-OF-A-KIND POLISHED AND BALL-MILLED BILLET FRONT TORSION-BAR SUSPENSION WITH LATE 40's FORD SPINDLES, POLISHED VW HUBS AND DISC BRAKES, CUSTOM BILLET COMBINATION FENDER AND BRAKE MOUNTS TO ACCEPT 4 -1200cc HONDA MOTORCYCLE BRAKE CALIPERS. THE REAR IRS UTILIZES A1986 JAGUAR DIFFERENTIAL, HUBS, AND INBOARD DISC BRAKES, WITH CUSTOM BILLET BALL-MILLED SWING ARMS, DRIVE AXLES, AND HAIRPINS WITH FOUR ADJUSTABLE CHROMED COILOVER SHOCKS.
AN ENGLISH WHEEL ARTIST-FABRICATOR (UNKOWN) WAS EMPLOYED TO DESIGN A SET OF FENDERS TO BE HAND-FORMED FROM POLISHED BILLET.
A CHROMED STEERING BOX TOPPED WITH AN ASTON-MARTIN GRIFFI STEERING WHEEL, CUSTOM OAK-FRAMED DASH WITH SOLID BRASS BACKPANEL, S&W GAUGES, POLISHED BILLET FUEL TANK, BATTERY MOUNT, CENTERLINE WHEELS, CHROMED STEEL BED TRIM AND CHROMED AND SOLID BRASS LUGGAGE STRAP HOLDERS, BRASS AND CHROME VINTAGE LIGHTS WERE ADDED TO THE LIST.
THE REST OF THE STORY
THE OWNER LOST INTEREST, PUT ALL THE COMPONENTS INTO STORAGE, WHERE IT REMAINED UNASSEMBLED FOR 22YRS, UNTIL ANONYMOUSLY DONATING ITTO A CALIFORNIA HIWAY PATROL CHARITY, IN 2008. I ACQUIRED THE "PILE OF PARTS" AT AUCTION IN PALM SPRINGS, IN FEBRUARY, 2008 AND SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS IN DETERMINING HOW ALL THE PARTS WERE TO BE ASSEMBLED. THE MOTOR FIRED UP THE FIRST TIME I HIT THE STARTER SWITCH, AFTER SITTING FOR ALL THAT TIME.
VIDEOS OF THE AWAKENING OF THE MONSTER CAN BE SEEN ON YOUTUBE, SEARCH WORD: AZCOWBO.
AZCOWBO
Member
Ride's like a dream with the torsion bar and IRS. I've owned 6 buckets by far the best ride. I run 24# in the front and 12# in the rear tires, as well.
THE SANTOS/BUTERRA COMBO "BILLET-T" IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD.
IN 1987, A WEALTHY CALIFORNIA GENTLEMAN SET OUT TO BUILD THE ULTIMATE FORD "T-BUCKET" SHOW CAR, WHICH RESULTED IN THIS ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL "WORK OF ART".
TO BEGIN THE PROJECT, HE CONTACTED 5-TIMES WORLD CHAMPION DRAG RACE DRIVER, RICK SANTOS, TO RADICALLY MODIFY A 1964 327cui CORVETTE MOTOR TOPPED WITH A POLISHED BILLET DUAL-QUAD WIEAND RAM INTAKE AND SCOOP (Rick's father, during the 60's-70's era, built high-performance SBC dragster motors, much to major race sponsor MOPAR's chagrin, that consistently defeated MOPAR'S BB Hemis.)
TO COMPLETE THE MOTOR, THE BLOCK AND HEADS WERE SMOOTHED, POLISHED BILLET AND CHROMED PARTS, ACCESSORIES, AND BRAIDED SS LINES WERE ADDED. FOR COOLING THIS POWERFUL MOTOR (500+hp) A CUSTOM OVERSIZED POLISHED ALUMINUM RADIATOR WITH BILLET RADIATOR/HEADLIGHT MOUNTS WERE FABRICATED.
THE T-350 BILLET TRANSMISSION CASE AND SEPARATE TRANSMISSION COOLER WERE POLISHED AND CHROMED "GENIE" SHIFTER AND BRAIDED SS VACUMN LINES INSTALLED.
THE GENTLEMAN THEN WENT TO JOHN BUTERRA,"THE BILLET KING",TO DESIGN THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A HAND-FABRICATED ONE-OF-A-KIND POLISHED AND BALL-MILLED BILLET FRONT TORSION-BAR SUSPENSION WITH LATE 40's FORD SPINDLES, POLISHED VW HUBS AND DISC BRAKES, CUSTOM BILLET COMBINATION FENDER AND BRAKE MOUNTS TO ACCEPT 4 -1200cc HONDA MOTORCYCLE BRAKE CALIPERS. THE REAR IRS UTILIZES A1986 JAGUAR DIFFERENTIAL, HUBS, AND INBOARD DISC BRAKES, WITH CUSTOM BILLET BALL-MILLED SWING ARMS, DRIVE AXLES, AND HAIRPINS WITH FOUR ADJUSTABLE CHROMED COILOVER SHOCKS.
AN ENGLISH WHEEL ARTIST-FABRICATOR (UNKOWN) WAS EMPLOYED TO DESIGN A SET OF FENDERS TO BE HAND-FORMED FROM POLISHED BILLET.
A CHROMED STEERING BOX TOPPED WITH AN ASTON-MARTIN GRIFFI STEERING WHEEL, CUSTOM OAK-FRAMED DASH WITH SOLID BRASS BACKPANEL, S&W GAUGES, POLISHED BILLET FUEL TANK, BATTERY MOUNT, CENTERLINE WHEELS, CHROMED STEEL BED TRIM AND CHROMED AND SOLID BRASS LUGGAGE STRAP HOLDERS, BRASS AND CHROME VINTAGE LIGHTS WERE ADDED TO THE LIST.
THE REST OF THE STORY
THE OWNER LOST INTEREST, PUT ALL THE COMPONENTS INTO STORAGE, WHERE IT REMAINED UNASSEMBLED FOR 22YRS, UNTIL ANONYMOUSLY DONATING ITTO A CALIFORNIA HIWAY PATROL CHARITY, IN 2008. I ACQUIRED THE "PILE OF PARTS" AT AUCTION IN PALM SPRINGS, IN FEBRUARY, 2008 AND SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS IN DETERMINING HOW ALL THE PARTS WERE TO BE ASSEMBLED. THE MOTOR FIRED UP THE FIRST TIME I HIT THE STARTER SWITCH, AFTER SITTING FOR ALL THAT TIME.
VIDEOS OF THE AWAKENING OF THE MONSTER CAN BE SEEN ON YOUTUBE, SEARCH WORD: AZCOWBO.
THE SANTOS/BUTERRA COMBO "BILLET-T" IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD.
IN 1987, A WEALTHY CALIFORNIA GENTLEMAN SET OUT TO BUILD THE ULTIMATE FORD "T-BUCKET" SHOW CAR, WHICH RESULTED IN THIS ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL "WORK OF ART".
TO BEGIN THE PROJECT, HE CONTACTED 5-TIMES WORLD CHAMPION DRAG RACE DRIVER, RICK SANTOS, TO RADICALLY MODIFY A 1964 327cui CORVETTE MOTOR TOPPED WITH A POLISHED BILLET DUAL-QUAD WIEAND RAM INTAKE AND SCOOP (Rick's father, during the 60's-70's era, built high-performance SBC dragster motors, much to major race sponsor MOPAR's chagrin, that consistently defeated MOPAR'S BB Hemis.)
TO COMPLETE THE MOTOR, THE BLOCK AND HEADS WERE SMOOTHED, POLISHED BILLET AND CHROMED PARTS, ACCESSORIES, AND BRAIDED SS LINES WERE ADDED. FOR COOLING THIS POWERFUL MOTOR (500+hp) A CUSTOM OVERSIZED POLISHED ALUMINUM RADIATOR WITH BILLET RADIATOR/HEADLIGHT MOUNTS WERE FABRICATED.
THE T-350 BILLET TRANSMISSION CASE AND SEPARATE TRANSMISSION COOLER WERE POLISHED AND CHROMED "GENIE" SHIFTER AND BRAIDED SS VACUMN LINES INSTALLED.
THE GENTLEMAN THEN WENT TO JOHN BUTERRA,"THE BILLET KING",TO DESIGN THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A HAND-FABRICATED ONE-OF-A-KIND POLISHED AND BALL-MILLED BILLET FRONT TORSION-BAR SUSPENSION WITH LATE 40's FORD SPINDLES, POLISHED VW HUBS AND DISC BRAKES, CUSTOM BILLET COMBINATION FENDER AND BRAKE MOUNTS TO ACCEPT 4 -1200cc HONDA MOTORCYCLE BRAKE CALIPERS. THE REAR IRS UTILIZES A1986 JAGUAR DIFFERENTIAL, HUBS, AND INBOARD DISC BRAKES, WITH CUSTOM BILLET BALL-MILLED SWING ARMS, DRIVE AXLES, AND HAIRPINS WITH FOUR ADJUSTABLE CHROMED COILOVER SHOCKS.
AN ENGLISH WHEEL ARTIST-FABRICATOR (UNKOWN) WAS EMPLOYED TO DESIGN A SET OF FENDERS TO BE HAND-FORMED FROM POLISHED BILLET.
A CHROMED STEERING BOX TOPPED WITH AN ASTON-MARTIN GRIFFI STEERING WHEEL, CUSTOM OAK-FRAMED DASH WITH SOLID BRASS BACKPANEL, S&W GAUGES, POLISHED BILLET FUEL TANK, BATTERY MOUNT, CENTERLINE WHEELS, CHROMED STEEL BED TRIM AND CHROMED AND SOLID BRASS LUGGAGE STRAP HOLDERS, BRASS AND CHROME VINTAGE LIGHTS WERE ADDED TO THE LIST.
THE REST OF THE STORY
THE OWNER LOST INTEREST, PUT ALL THE COMPONENTS INTO STORAGE, WHERE IT REMAINED UNASSEMBLED FOR 22YRS, UNTIL ANONYMOUSLY DONATING ITTO A CALIFORNIA HIWAY PATROL CHARITY, IN 2008. I ACQUIRED THE "PILE OF PARTS" AT AUCTION IN PALM SPRINGS, IN FEBRUARY, 2008 AND SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS IN DETERMINING HOW ALL THE PARTS WERE TO BE ASSEMBLED. THE MOTOR FIRED UP THE FIRST TIME I HIT THE STARTER SWITCH, AFTER SITTING FOR ALL THAT TIME.
VIDEOS OF THE AWAKENING OF THE MONSTER CAN BE SEEN ON YOUTUBE, SEARCH WORD: AZCOWBO.
vand
Banned
Beautiful and unique ride. I don't wish to detract from this posting BUT. I become quite irritated with the improper and overuse of the term BILLET. A billet is nothing more than a solid piece of whatever material you are working with, usually aluminum or steel. There is no magic to a billet anything, it is simply made from a solid piece of material as opposed to cast or forged or assembled from fabricated welded components. I really don't see how a gas tank could be made from a solid chunk of aluminum.
Again I don't wish to detract from the quality or uniqueness of this beautiful bucket. My only issue is with the terminology.
Again I don't wish to detract from the quality or uniqueness of this beautiful bucket. My only issue is with the terminology.
Similar threads
