Vehicle Description
1923 Ford Model T T Bucket
"In 1959, the most popular detective show on television in the
world featured a fast talking parking lot attendant who made up his
own vocabulary and drove a flamed Model T hot rod. Gerald Lloyd
"Kookie" Kookson III, (played by actor Edd Byrnes), was more
popular than the two "big name" stars of 77 Sunset Strip,
particularly with young people. A character this eccentric had to
have appropriate wheels, and Warner Bros. chose a scrumptious Model
T hot rod built by a true life hot rodder, (and sometimes actor),
named Norm Grabowski. Although it was also seen in dozens of other
movies and TV shows, (plus a full-page photo in the April 29, 1957,
issue of LIFE magazine), that particular rod would become known as
the Kookie T, but, more importantly, it also signaled a sea of
change for hot rods in general." Thx MotorTrend.com
For consignment, a 1923 Ford Model T T Bucket with a title verified
7,196 actual miles and a hot rod engine that includes aluminum
heads and an Offenhauser intake. Great chrome, great paint, and a
canvas top help create one wild, good looking ride.
Exterior
The open wheel frame sets the front tires ahead of the grille and
headlights and the exposed engine looks like it's floating on air
while sending high rise tunnels up and over the grille and within
the sightline of the driver. The bucket itself is painted Black
Cherry and depending on the light, both black and cherry come to
the forefront. As an extra bonus, a pinup doll decal augmenting the
body along with pink and teal pinstriping. Tuck and roll patterned
tan vinyl covers the gas tank in back and tan blends with that of
the canvas top with its round plastic window, all in good shape.
15-inch Weld DragLite wheels of drastically different width are
fantastic additions to the collection of polished metal that can be
seen throughout, including on the winged motometer that tops the
shell of the aluminum radiator below. Imperfections include some
scratches on the top edge of a faux door where it meets interior
material, numerous other scratches, some touched up, and a few
small holes in the canvas top.
Interior
Vinyl covered pontoons line the bucket edge and connect to the
bench seat, also tan vinyl and in great condition. The typical
T-bucket upright steering wheel rises from the floor in front of a
tidy dash, body colored and housing a series of white faced, metal
rimmed Classic Instruments gauges. On the floor, a billet shifter
is also simple and clean and surrounded by brown loop mats. Aside
from a visible zip tie and some wires or two, the interior is clean
and minimalistic.
Drivetrain
Out front we have the lead actor in this show, a 350ci V8 with
plenty of polished metal including the fantastic headers reaching
out like tentacles to the side. An Offenhauser intake rises to
accept two QuickFuel 4-barrel carburetors and everything climbs a
bit higher with the Weiand type air scoop. FlowTek aluminum heads
are on board, lightening things up a bit, and a TH350 3-speed
automatic transmission sends power to the Ford 9" in the back. Disc
brakes are up front and very visible, while drums are tucked in the
back, a bit more discreetly.
Undercarriage
It's all clean underneath with no panels or belly pans to hide the
inner workings of the car, so wires, linkage, and components are
all visible. It looks like some LED lights are underneath as well
for a bit of nighttime fun. No dirt or grease build up however we
do note some drops on the rear diff and on the transmission pan,
which is a dress up piece in polished metal. A chromed transverse
leaf spring is up front and a four bar arrangement with coilovers
are in back.
Drive-Ability
If a dragster, an amusement park ride, and a Naugahyde booth as a
steakhouse had a baby, it would be this T-bucket. It's such a
classically American invention that they will forever be cool. And,
they are all loud, this one not excluded. It rolls straight with
more power than we'd like to apply, but rest assured, this light
vehicle has big power. Ultimately, it's a cruiser and performs well
on the test loop with all functional items working as they should.
While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were
working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these
functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
These were the original hot rods. The original resto-mods and the
ultimate in cool rides. Nerds don't ride these, these are Fonzie,
not Richie Cunningham. Elvis, not Perry Como. Hell's Angels, not
Charlie's Angels. If you're in the market for a T-bucket, this one
absolutely has to be on your radar.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
