New Bucket in Las Vegas

[BilWilVegas]

Hello all,

My name is Bill Wilson and I just bought my first T-bucket. I am not new to assembled cars as I have a Factory 5 Cobra replica. Always wanted a T-bucket and realized the years are slipping away so I better get one. I have always been a fan of very simple buckets . . . big tires in the back, small up front and keep things simple. I found one on Bring A Trailer and won the auction. The car just arrived yesterday and I am having a lot of fun already.

I was going to post a few pics but for some reason the system blocks me from adding pics until I have 10 posts.

The engine is a really mild 302 with cast iron heads. I am looking to swap that out with a 351W and a 6-71 blower. I always liked the look of a bucket with a roots style blower.

The first step is to try and figure out what I actually have. Is there any tell tale signs to differentiate between the different manufacturers chassis and bodies?

I am looking forward to gaining knowledge from everyone here as I start to shape this T Bucket into the vision I have always had. It is going to be a lot of fun!

Bill

 

[Island Girl]

Welcome aboard from the sunny warm Caribbean, mon . . . .

These guys are awesome at identifying stuff, take a few posts to describe your new T, a couple bits at a time, and what you'd like it to ultimately look like to get your post count up to where you can post some pics


Things like when it was made / how old it is, size of the frame tubing and stuff.

Different manufacturers were around at different times and while most used 2" X 3" frame rails, Total Performance typically used 1.5 X 3. Sometimes a little detail can be a valuable clue as to heritage.

 

[Spanky]

Welcome, Bill. You're discovering what a blast it is to drive these little cars. As to ID'ing your car, we'll need more info to help, and Darlene is right - sometimes little subtle things can provide answers. Again, Welcome!

PS: Here's a pic of my brother's bucket with a blown 351 . . .

 

[choppedtop]

Welcome from Oklahoma.

 

[lincolnuT]

Welcome from New Mexico with cruising weather like Las Vegas.........I have a brother lives in Vegas so I might get a chance to visit someday......Glad you won that car on Bring a Trailer I looked at that a time or two but I already have too many projects, make it yours and we will try to help.......This is my latest " C"edan.....

 

[EWTALLEY]

Welcome from Ocala, Florida

 

[BilWilVegas]

Welcome aboard from the sunny warm Caribbean, mon . . . .

These guys are awesome at identifying stuff, take a few posts to describe your new T, a couple bits at a time, and what you'd like it to ultimately look like to get your post count up to where you can post some pics


Things like when it was made / how old it is, size of the frame tubing and stuff.

Different manufacturers were around at different times and while most used 2" X 3" frame rails, Total Performance typically used 1.5 X 3. Sometimes a little detail can be a valuable clue as to heritage.

Thank you island girl! Where are you in the caribbean? We spend a lot of our time in Belize . .. at least we did before travel was so tricky! Looking forward to travel being open again soon!

 

[BilWilVegas]

Welcome, Bill. You're discovering what a blast it is to drive these little cars. As to ID'ing your car, we'll need more info to help, and Darlene is right - sometimes little subtle things can provide answers. Again, Welcome!

PS: Here's a pic of my brother's bucket with a blown 351 . . .

View attachment 20400

Thank you for the warm welcome! I am definitely having fun driving it already. Your Brother has a beautiful car! Love the paint too!!

Thanks!

Bill

 

[BilWilVegas]

Welcome from Oklahoma.

Thank you sir! My car came from your neck of the woods (close anyway) it was just outside of Omaha.

 

[BilWilVegas]

Welcome from New Mexico with cruising weather like Las Vegas.........I have a brother lives in Vegas so I might get a chance to visit someday......Glad you won that car on Bring a Trailer I looked at that a time or two but I already have too many projects, make it yours and we will try to help.......This is my latest "View attachment 20402 C"edan.....

Thank you sir! Where are you in New Mexico? I had a place in Taos for years . . . Best food anywhere in the world is in New Mexico!! If you come visit your brother, let me know and we can get together. Always great to meet other car guys!

I really could not pass this one up on BAT . . . the price was great and this car was so close to the look I envision for my Bucket!

 

[BilWilVegas]

Welcome from Ocala, Florida

Thank you sir! Nice to meet you and nice to be here!

 

[BilWilVegas]

Well after some individual thank you responses I am now allowed to post pics

What can I take close up pics of, check, or measure to help figure out who made the kit originally?

 

[BilWilVegas]

I do have another home built car . . . not sure why a guy needs 2 cars without a roof . . . but this is about wants not needs LOL

If you are a fan of Wayne Carini on Chasing Classic Cars you may have seen my Cobra. (Sorry for the blurry shot, it was the first time we saw the commercial on the TV and I grabbed a quick shot with my phone)

`

My Car's other claim to fame was racing Farm Truck on Street Outlaws . . . yes he kicked my butt LOL That truck is absolutely insane.

Now the goal is to get the T-bucket into some shoots once I get it all dialed in

 

[choppedtop]

Good looking bucket. Is that you, the happy new owner? Nice Snake also. To me, that is the right paint for a Cobra.

 

[BilWilVegas]

Good looking bucket. Is that you, the happy new owner?

Yes sir! The transporter had literally just unloaded it a few minutes prior to that pic. I had not even driven it yet! I am like a kid on Christmas whenever I get a new car. I have always wanted a T-Bucket and I plan to have a lot of fun with this one!

I agree on the color. When we built it I knew it had to be blue for me!

 

[Island Girl]

Thank you island girl! Where are you in the caribbean? We spend a lot of our time in Belize . .. at least we did before travel was so tricky! Looking forward to travel being open again soon!

St. Croix, USVI

 

[BilWilVegas]

St. Croix, USVI

What a beautiful island!

 

[T-Test]

TP is the only one that I know of that used the floor mount steering coluom. Look for something under the dash-sticker or tag with vin#. Could be just a copy by the builder.

 

[Gerry]

Never seen square section R Rods before.....

 

[lincolnuT]

I live in Southern NM and have been here for 36 years..........Was a salesman for an asphalt company for about 40 years. Worked on many roads in and around Taos.......Artesia NM is where my house lives and I am there if I am not somewhere else, with this damn Covid thing I have been here more than I would like........Nice cars you have there..........