Love T-buckets

[Spanky]

One of our members has suggested that we might start a thread where we simply express our love for these little cars through articles, pictures or just personal testimony. I don't know if web mistress would agree, but it might be a new forum topic by itself.

I'll start off with a link to an article by Eric Geisert, formerly of Street Rodder Magazine, who describes the evolution of the T-bucket as we know it.

How the Model T Became the T-Bucket, and Its Critical Role in Early Hot Rodding

A history of the T-bucket: The cheapest, simplest, most free and visually exciting conveyance still open to the hot rodder.

www.hotrod.com

 

[guilld]

I watched 77 sunset strip with my parents hoping to just get glimpse of Kookie and his car. I think around 1960-61 my Dad who loved anything mechanical agreed to take me to a car show in Nashville Tn at the fair grounds coliseum. I saw my first hot rods up close including a T bucket and a Triumph 650. Both were black with matching flames. Pic of a favorite. Ron's stretched body.

 

[Spanky]

Where was that picture taken? Looks like an NTBA event . . .

 

[WebMistress]

One of our members has suggested that we might start a thread where we simply express our love for these little cars through articles, pictures or just personal testimony. I don't know if web mistress would agree, but it might be a new forum topic by itself.

I do agree, this does warrant a new forum topic.
Now, to remember how the programming goes to create one (haven't done that in quite a while). lol

 

[Spanky]

I have noticed that each decade seems to spawn a style of t-bucket that is unique. Here's what I mean . . .

 

[RodStRace]

I would argue that the 60's example is a much more modern interpretation of an early style. The 80's example is a real 60's build, and the 90's one could be late 70's to current. The big 'tell' is the wheels and the blower.
Readily available parts is a big factor. Engine, wheels, tires and headers being the obvious ones to 'date' a build. Accessories will also go in and out of popularity. Brass components, paint schemes, interior layout, and one-off components are good examples.
Don't forget that while many are built to the current trend, a lot have also been finished the way the owner wanted one from a previous time, so they may exhibit older fashionable choices. I'd also mention that finances dictate a lot of choices, where the 'Latest, Greatest' may not be selected.

Here's one I almost bought. I think it's obvious it's not 1960's or 2000's. Slot mags 14s in front, wide 15s in the rear. Standard SBC roadster headers and collectors. Velvet interior with panels matching the paint. That paint, well it was in fashion for a few years. The only brass is the radiator.

 

[RodStRace]

Here is another I was interested in. Specialty Cars build, so that alone fixes a certain year range. Add in the finishes and component choices, and you can narrow down the build time.

 

[RodStRace]

One more.
Aside from the wheels and air cleaner, it sure doesn't appear to be an 80's build.
That's another thing. An older T is often 'updated' with more modern bits.

 

[RodStRace]

Chip Quinn is heavy into the history of all rods, but especially T-Buckets. He started a post many years ago and included a bunch of history and opinions on T-Buckets. He hasn't been posting for years now, but the thread is still able to be read. He prefers the early 1960's style, and has strong opinions, so just a warning, you may not agree. It's also over 300 pages, so get comfortable and buckle in. It does wander, so the first 50 pages or so should cover the main points. It also shows that a new build can look vintage if that's what you prefer.

Projects - The bucket of ugly! A de-uglifying thread...

Hey gang, As lots of you know, I post over here a lot. I like to answer technical and historical stuff, and at least 50% of the time, I'm kinda...

www.jalopyjournal.com

Sorry if this is veering off of the original idea of this post. But it's all Spanky's fault when he started in on the era post!

 

[Spanky]

I consider my own bucket to have a '60's vibe. Whaddaya think?

 

[RodStRace]

Spanky, I hesitate to critique other people's passions. I was taught the old adage, If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything.
I imagine that all of us with cars in shows from big national meets to the local parking lot have had THAT person come up and give their opinion.
I don't want to be THAT person. Also, a big part of T-Buckets is that they offer a wider range of tastes and styles compared to something like a 1955 Chevy. While I have a firm list of Do's and Don't's for my own ride, I try not to be a gatekeeper for what other people prefer.
EDIT: I do like your T. It has a good look.

That said, yours has a few items that were not available in the 1960s. It's funny, many are the same as the parts on mine, which is also trying to resemble that era.
Since I am tossing stones at my own glass house, I'll mention the wide lower profile radial tires on modern curved spoke AR wheels, center bolt SBC valve covers and production roadster headers. Back then, it was bias ply tires in 78 series (or racing rubber), straight spokes, and almost all handmade headers with larger radius bends.
On mine, the tunnel ram was an early 70s starting point. I'm working on that, but the replacement intake and carb are not 60's either.
I've also got disc brakes that are from a later model, ignition that isn't 60s, and I am not going to track down period specific gauges.

I am willing to make an effort to get closer to the period when it was first built, but this will not be a perfect period correct revival.
The time and money to do that would not increase the enjoyment.
For the cost of tracking down an early 60's 327 and all the parts, it could be painted.
A set of Halibrands and era correct bias ply tires would pay for a LOT of chrome.

Technical - Torque Thrust D vs Original

Does anyone know the difference between the current TT D and the Original? Original as in current model, not original as in magnesium made in 1956....

www.jalopyjournal.com

 

[guilld]

Where was that picture taken? Looks like an NTBA event . . .

Yes it was at the Bowling Green event a few years ago.

 

[guilld]

I like this bucket looks fast sitting still. I know the stance is off but I still like it .

 

[RodStRace]

Yep, that's the thing. It has a couple elements and choices I would not use, but it's not mine.
It's cool and I'd be happy to chat with the owner and glad to see it up close.
We don't all have to follow the same design and style, if we did it would get boring pretty quick.

 

[RodStRace]

Here's another I was interested in. A TON of old chrome, lots of interesting parts, and had some history.
It needed work to get running and a lot of cleanup, and was a bit out of my reach on cost.

 

[RodStRace]

If you like them low, Big Joe Art has built this one. He drives the heck out of it.