Vehicle Description
While many T-buckets are cartoonish, this '24 gets it right and
pares it down to mostly the bare minimums aesthetically, giving it
a hardcore performance look that was surely the intent. Based
around a custom frame and powered by a muscle-bound Chevy small
block, this is the T-bucket that you buy to drive, not merely to
show.
There's no doubt about what this is, but the somewhat low-key and
expertly applied black paint (although admittedly, the painted-on
pinstripes do add some flash) gives it a serious demeanor. It's a
fiberglass body like most T-buckets, but they nailed the look with
doors that are merely hints of the originals, a stubby little trunk
that used to be a pickup bed in the original T (topped with a
super-cool grille), and precious little else. Fit and finish are
quite good, and thanks to the solid fiberglass, it was easy to get
a brilliant final shine. You'll note that it still sports the
perfectly vertical windshield that's a big part of the T-bucket
look, and the smoked glass adds a touch mystique to the look. The
custom chassis makes for some dynamic changes in the look, and with
the engine set way back in the chassis and adorned with chrome and
brightwork, it looks fabulous. There's a good bit of chrome too,
just enough to tie it to the past, with a shiny gold radiator shell
that's pure Model T and it's flanked by a pair of King Bee style
headlights on slender little stalks. The rear deck is topped with a
cool custom grille and houses the fuel cell and battery inside, and
little round taillights encircled by a chrome "bumper" are yet
another nod to the past.
Minimalist is how we'd describe the interior, but that shouldn't be
a surprise to you because that's why you're looking at a T-bucket.
However, there's a very high level of finish here that's somewhat
unexpected in the bare-bones T, starting with hand-painted mural on
the dash. The upholstery matches the bodywork quite well, adding a
monochromatic look that's fairly modern. Pleated vinyl on the seat
and smooth side panels wrap around you in a way that only a car
without doors can, and while the chrome steering column is fairly
upright, it's actually quite comfortable on the road, especially
with the modern Grant GT steering wheel that rests up top. Modern
gauges from TPI Tech offer a pretty comprehensive view of what's
going on up front, but with a T-bucket, you can actually just look
at the engine there doing its thing. No radio, no heater, and only
the barest of basics other than the B&M shifter, but that's
pretty much the point, isn't it?
No worries in the performance department, however, thanks to a
strong running 400 cubic inch Chevy V8 motor. Since it's an
integral part of the look, it's beautifully finished with lots of
chromed and polished components. There's a set of finned valve
covers and dual chrome air cleaners up top, and the polished
components work well with the shiny headers and side pipes. A
high-rise aluminum Weiand unit handles the intake duties with dual
Edelbrock 600 CFM carburetor feeding the block, and an MSD coil and
Mallory distributor ensure that the engine fires to life on
immediate command. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission feeds a
Winters quick-change rear end that can easily handle the power, and
4-wheel electric power assist brakes are welcomed option on this
very light T-bucket. A polished tubular front axle on a transverse
leaf spring keeps the T-bucket look and feel, with the rear end
suspended on coil-overs. Flashy Centerline wheels look right on the
slick T and wear 135R15 front and 375/60/15 rear performance
radials for that classic skinny-and-fat look.
T-buckets are about a recipe, but sometimes a few different
ingredients give you a slightly different result like this. Call
today!