Vehicle Description
1927 Ford Model T Tudor Sedan
Norm Grabowski's take on the T-Bucket, built in 1957, is what most
people today consider the definitive hot rod. While Kraft was
responsible for the rail job concept, Grabowski refined it into
something beautiful and iconic. In this car, you can see the
genesis of many of our most classic hot rod styling cues. An
exposed V8 engine and headers, fenderless steel wheels with dog
dish hubcaps, a rakish stance, multiple carburetors, chrome
everywhere and of course, a flame job! This was Grabowski's
personal car, but it got its unusual name on its rise to fame.
Shortly after it was built, someone from Warner Brothers saw the
car cruising around Southern California. They paid Grabowski the
princely sum of $50 a day to borrow his car, which would serve as
the signature ride of Edd "Kookie" Burns on their detective drama
77 Sunset Strip. The Kookie Kar, as it came to be known, quickly
became a fan favorite, and helped to spread California hot rod
style nationwide. Pretty soon, everyone was cloning The Kookie Car,
and stripped down, chromed-out T-Buckets became the performance
cars of their day. From then on, those early ModelT's would remain
the standard against which all future hot rods would be judged.
For consignment the quintessential all steel custom built hot rod
that covers all the bases to be an actual real iconic hot rod. Open
fender-less factory style 19-inch wire wheels, wide open oversized
engine with big exposed pipes, the funeral coach roof style, "rail
job" framed and a custom paint job from the 2018 Ford truck lineup.
We give you shades of Norm Grabowski in this wild ride all slapped
together with ole Henry's steel from 1927.
Exterior
All bathed in black metallic paint put together with silver
metallic mixed with copper for the headlight buckets, door handles,
steering gear and rear mounted fuel tank, this car sports the
original steel from the factory in 1927. Starting out as and
remaining a Tudor sedan, there has been no silly chopping or
louvering, but the body has been channeled over the custom frame
and hopped up on the suspension front, and now we have a totally
wild ride that bleeds the original hot rod styling. A flying winged
goddess adorns the radiator corral and all otherenginecoverings
have been removed in the name of weight savings and looks. A
tiltable windshield and canvas top covers the passengers and on the
back we note a sultry curved trunk lid with the earlier mentioned
copper color fuel tank and twin leather straps. On all 4 corners
are OEM style 19-inch wire spoke rims bathed in black with copper
painted caps, all wrapped up in 4.75/5.00-19 blackwall rubber.
"Leap out the window, my inner Tigress cried. You aren't ready to
face such a powerful Tiger. I frowned. I thought a true Tigress
never backed down from a fight."
Interior
A swing of the doors and we are greeted with faux alligator skin
patterned black vinyl making up the inner door panels. Copper
painted steel tractor seats are in with more alligatorskin vinyl
making up the back of the cab, which also serves as the upper
bench. In the center, a tall copper painted shift lever with an
integral microphone for the modern 10 speaker Bluetooth stereo
reaches for the driver's right from the center hump. The black
metallic painted metal dash sports a central copper finished
license plate pattern instrument cluster with a trio of gauges. A
sleek steering column emanates from the dash and is topped by a
wood rimmed steering wheel. More license plates are in making up
theflooring and a custom faux alligator finished console has been
fitted with copper tubing cup holders. The interior headliner is a
work of art in its own right withsmooth black canvas highlighted by
wood stripes wearing multiplecoats of clear lacquer. Let's just say
Kilroy was definitely here!
Drivetrain
Sitting in what was the cowled hood area, now long gone, is an
oversize 350ci V8. On top of this blacked out monster is a single
4-barrel carb complete with a 2 butterfly air scoop just to keep it
simple. On back is a TH350 3-speed automatic, that throws power
rearward to a 10 bolt rear axle which was sourced from a 1981
Chevrolet Blazer. Nice headers with heat wrap emanate from the open
engine bay and are ready to "rack off" at the turn of the key.
Undercarriage
A custom boxed frame provides the backbone of this rodder and the
body has been channeled. All is nicely painted black, and for the
rear we note it's been treated to a 4 link with air bags to adjust
ride height and smoothness. Upfront we see more air bags for the
suspension and disc brakes are noted up front with traditional
drums in the rear.
Drive-Ability
Slipping into this work of hot rod art, it lit up with a thunderous
roar, and it was off to the test track to make some noise. And
indeed, it did, with plenty of smooth acceleration, good solid
braking and fine cornering. It was a pretty comfortable ride
especially with those airbags to help put on the ride and height.
All working all good for rad retro rod. 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.
We see lots of hot rods come through our doors, but very few
emulate the original essence of the hot rod like this car does. It
truly checks all the Norm Grabowski boxes, adds in your own artwork
to make you blush, and a pin striping to beat the band. Drop the
hanky and we're off like a prom dress! Yikes..
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.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
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!
