Anyone have exp. with T buckets?

[HardDrive]

Living in a city where it rains 10 months out of the year, it only makes sense that I should want an old T bucket hot rod......

Anyone have any experience with these? The basic 'kit' cars seem to run in the 10-14k range, with the customs..well, the skys the limit. I've been looking at extended wheelbase cars with a 'turtle' back (as opposed to the square back seen on many of the kits).

Any thoughts? (Other than "What the F are you thinking?")

[Dixie]

Con:

• They handle like a ox cart with 400 lbs hanging off the front.
• They offer zero safety features.
• You sit more on it, than in it.
• Cold in the winter.
• Hot in the summer.
• They're bigger than you think.
• The top is useless. It will blow off at speed.
• The windscreen will collapse at speed.
• It will scare your passengers.

Pro:

• It will draw a crowd. Always.
• It will put a smile on your face.
• It will scare your passengers.
• It's a simple, or as complex, as you want it to be.
• A 'T' with a four will haul azz.
• A 'T' with a 350 V8 will hit warp drive in about 5 seconds
• A 'T' with a blown big-block will make you wet yourself.
• IT'S FREAKIN' FUN!

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

pro

you can paint it primer black and it will still kick ass

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Street Rods are cool. I'm always going to the local shows and friday night meets. There's alway something going on here in SoCal.
Buckets are Cool and there are some great kits out there. I say get one.

I've noticed a lot of young people going old school. Primered cars with all the old style stuff on them, way cool IMO.

This was shot Labor Day weekend. Edit: Example of Old School Rod

[Dixie]

Nice rod. I do believe that’s a Model-A coupe, '32 grill, early Hemi…

A Bucket is not as luxurious.

[TerryBPP]

Not to get to off topic but I helped my old boss build a 32' Ford convertible from the ground up. He purschased the rollling frame and the fiberglass body. I posted pics around here somewhere.

We put in a Ford 306 alluminum roller motor (300 + hp). With a leaf spring front and rear suspension it would run a low 11 in the quater. Scariest car I ever drove. Must have weighed 1800 lbs and shook like a bastard at 60 mph and up.

Very easy to put together. Like Legos. They make every part in the world. Very little fabbing needed. All in all I think he spent about $25,000 on it.

[VINMAN]

Originally posted by Jared Fenton
pro

you can paint it primer black and it will still kick ass

Oh yeah! I love those old school rods!

[David McLaughlin]

The company I looked at (some years ago) was... "Total T" or "Totally T" I think. Their kits were supposed to be the best build and easiest to assemble. I spoke with their rep at a local show where two girls (women?) put the T together in a weekend.

My take is that they're fun for awhile but after the assemble and a few runs down Main Street they loose their attraction. Then it become a static model that you can't display on your mantle.

[austin552]

Saw one coming home about a month ago. The bucket part was upside down on a guard rail. Don't believe there were any survivors.

[pwd72s]

My experience is limited to being a "77 Sunset Strip" fan, always watched hoping to get a glimpse of "Kookie" and his ride... Well, not completely, but I'd say Capt. Carrera covered it well. In street rods, I favor a chopped deuce, flattie powered, bolt on the old timey edelbrock accessories. The early hemi powered ride above looks "way cool" too...only I'd lose the 70's era stripe paint.

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Here you go, Paul.
Notice my 911 in the background


I'll see if I have any bucket pic's ?