oldtymehiboy
New Member
Hello One and All, I just found Your site today and just joined. I'm in my 70's now. Hopefully this won't be too long of an introduction. Been a Hot Rodder since I was 15 yrs old. Had several 32 Fords and 55 Chevy's over the years. Presently I have two early Fords. A 32 -5 Window Coupe and a Real 33 Roadster Pickup. Both Henry Cars. The 5 Window I have been thinking about selling and my Son wants the 33 Pickup. When I was a teenager I started building a Cal Automotive Glass T- Bucket with a L79 427 Chevy Engine. I did not complete that build. I sold it at the 1st Street Rod Nationals in Peoria. It's probably a good thing it was never finished. I may not be here if it would have been completed. So here is what has happened. My Wife passed away in August. My Brother Paul seen how difficult it was for me to handle my Wife's passing and he suggest we build a new car together. I said what do You have in mind. He said how about a T- Bucket. We already have a lot of parts we could use. I agreed. So that is the plan. We have been collecting parts for about 2 months. I think we have probably about 90% of everything we'll need. I am going to pick up the Body in about 2 weeks. It is a Metal 1919 -1922 Model T Front Half of a Touring Body. We have an Essex Frame that I bought in Sierra Vista in the 70's when I live in Phoenix. We have a complete 401 Buick Engine & Trans. Early Ford Open Drive Rear End. Halibrand Wheels. And a 37 Tube Front Axle. I bought a Hilborn Fuel Injection Unit and my Brother bought a Weiand 6x2 drag Star Intake for the Buick. For some of You older and knowledgeable Hot Rodders You may see what we are planning. We want to duplicate TV Tommy Ivo's T- Bucket, but with a few subtle changes. Were going to use an automatic Trans instead of a 37 LaSalle box. Probably going to change the steering arm on the Drivers Side Spindle. I personnel like the the Car when Bill Roland had it. That is version were going to shoot for. So now I would like to ask some of You aknowledgeable builders a couple questions. What is the very best Steering Box to use today ? To the best of my knowledge Ivo used a 41 Ford Box. I think there might be something better out there today. Correct ? Now, I am not interested in a Cross Steering what so ever. The Drag Link has to come thru the Lower Cowl on Drivers Side of course. 2nd Question. I stated we have an Essex Frame. It's probably a 1928 - 30 Frame. It is in excellent condition. What I like about it. It has tapered frame rails in the Front like a Model A Frame. So my 2nd Question is - does someone make a Brand New Frame like a Model A with Tapered Frame Rails that would be a suitable start for the T- Bucket. Obviously a new frame with new metal would be a better option than the Essex. ( Maybe ). However the new Frame must have tapered frame rails like the Model A. Well - I hope my introduction wasn't too long and boring. I will try and not be a pain in the rear end to all of You. And lastly, I Sincerely want to Thank You for taking Your time and reading this. Any Advice or Help will be very much appreciated. Thank You - All. Sincerely, Bernie
