Vehicle Description
The T-bucket is perhaps the most recognized hot rod of all time.
Norm Grabowski didn't know he was spawning a cultural icon when he
built the first one sometime in the '50s, but this modern
interpretation of the classic minimalist rod proves that the
T-bucket has some serious staying power. There's definitely
something going on, because we can't seem to keep these in
stock!
Somehow, this T-bucket manages to embody all the traditional cues
that make them so popular, but has an updated look that brings the
vintage T into the 21st century. Perhaps it's the cut-down and
raked windshield, or maybe the billet wheels, or the HID
headlights, or even the sophisticated two-stage urethane paint with
glowing purple flames that seem to leap off the surface. Whatever
it is, this is one fantastic-looking T. It maintains the classic
proportions, with the open engine bay, compact Model T roadster
body, and a stubby vestigial pickup bed out back. It's fiberglass,
of course (few steel T-buckets being made these days), so fit and
finish is quite good, particularly since there are no pesky doors
to worry about. And while some T-buckets get a homemade look from
primer and unfinished details, this one is highly polished and
complete, with a beautiful hand-rubbed finish on the paint that
would be at home in a Lexus dealership. Well, maybe if Lexus did
bright yellow with purple metallic flames.
Forget those colorful Mexican blankets that so many T-buckets use,
this one gets several cows' worth of supple tan leather. Expertly
stitched into a traditional pleated bench that wraps around the
entire passenger compartment, it's an impressive bit of work that
needs to be right, given that it's out there for everyone to see.
It's also surprisingly spacious for a T-bucket, with decent legroom
and plenty of comfort for longer road trips, and the angled
steering column is a big improvement over the original nearly
vertical setup that made T-bucket drivers feel like they were at
the helm of a Greyhound bus. A beautifully finished wooden gauge
panel holds brand new white-faced Dolphin gauges, and a track-style
wheel has an accessory suicide knob purely for style points. Yes,
it's back to basics, but the execution and detailing are absolutely
first rate, and all the auxiliary controls like the turn signals
and starter switch have been expertly hidden behind the dash.
Nobody went minimalist with the mechanicals, which are impressive
throughout. It roars to power from a 350 Ford and inhales through
dual Holley 4-barrel carbs on a tunnel ram for a bigger-than-life
statement of power. The engine is dressed with a ton of chrome
dress-up, including valve covers, air cleaner, and accessories,
along with ceramic-coated side pipes that are a key element of the
T-bucket. The frame has also been painted to match, and the front
suspension uses traditional wishbones and a rigid axle with vented
disc brakes, all of which has been either chromed or painted to
match. Out back, there's 10-bolt rear end suspended by ladder bars
and coil-overs, all painted yellow to go with the rest of the
chassis. An automatic transmission snaps off quick shifts and
delivers power rearward via a custom driveshaft that's barely a
foot long. Giant chrome wheels offer a modern take on the
traditional exaggerated big-n-little configuration, wearing kinda
wide 225/40/18s up front really wide 305/40/22s out back.
This T-bucket is a neat combination of a traditional look with a
few modern styling cues and powered by an over-achieving small
block V8, which is just as it should be. Call today!