It's cool, and certainly worthy of looking past the fad "T" stuff. It was even cooler in it's original configuration before all the late fifties tinsel got hung on it, when Wally Olsen still owned it. For the record, The Wally Olsen version is one of my favorites bar none.... But, here is where I sound like an ass.... IT ISN'T A T-BUCKET! It's a track roadster. Same '23-'25 body as a T-Bucket, kinda the same frame, sorta... But that's it. Sorry, but calling every "T" based vehicle a T-bucket is kinda like pointing at sedan anything and calling it a roadster.It's kinda like the guy that points at your hot rod and says "nice rat rod".
Exactly Chip, it's what I have been saying all along, every T based car is not a T bucket. It can also be like having people say nice dune buggy when they see your hot rod.
Found this tid bit of info: This kool little T-Gow Job sitting in front of The West Coasts Cadillac Distributor Don Lee Cadillac-LaSalle Dealership. The caption on the Picture stated that it was Los Angeles as does most other info re: Don Lee as he had Broadcast studios as well, But this little Gow Job which again resembles The Bob Estes T was actually parked on what is now a oneway street in Pasadena at Green -El Molino. The building was Jacob Marse Florist forever, it's right near the Pasadena Play House. It's architecture was the dead give away. Pretty kool that it still exists. Don Lee has a mountain named after him (Mt Lee) which has the Hollywood sign mounted on it and his son Tommy Lee was instrumental in early speed equip industry by providing Mal Ord the $'s to mfg his 21 stud Ford V8 speed equip and holding and participating in time trials on Muroc roughly about the time the Army Air Corps took it over and other lakes events as well. Tommy Lee had a similar T-Gow Job so I'm wondering if perhaps this was his?
Bonneterrre Missouri, new track a few years ago, good time, outlaw track. Pretty much anything goes ,like in the 70's !LOL, love it, I drive about 60 miles to the track, race then drive home, yep, just like the 70's !
I've been looking for a better picture of this 23 T, it belonged to a friend and it's the 1st Hot Rod that I had the chance to cruise around in. and drive . The first parts that I ever took to Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Repair to have rear radius rods to repaired, it was a great job with big metal bands to maintain strength under acceleration/braking. It was powered by a 371 Olds, Auto and a B.O.P. Rear End. Mounted in a 28-31 model A that had been shortened and had a suicide front end with a Mor-Drop Axle. If I can find a better pic, I'll post them.
Thanks for all the pics guys!!!! I'm off to do some soul searching. I need to figure out what to do with my new toy, picking it up tomorrow I have a '55 polysphere motor.
I hate to admit to it, but I can remember that location still being the Cadillac dealer into the mid fifties...I think. My wife still orders flowers through Jacob Maarse. This "old" thing sucks.
That just means that you have greater personal experiences than some. I like to refer to it as History. Good Job becoming Vintage, some never get a chance to ever achieve that greatness.
Some from the Hot Rod Reunion from Bowling Green this last weekend. There are a bunch more Pics on the thread that is linked in my signature My son really liked these cars
I've considered selling this recently. Took it for a hooligan spin the other day and it still makes me smile enough to hang on to it for a while longer...
you missed the other thread steel rebel... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/originali-t.1036321/#post-11735962
George I just checked out that other thread. Nice orange Turtle Deck T. Thanks I missed it as I was at TROG Pismo this last weekend. Another story. This is a really good thread though and started by a HomeBoy of mine. I've been wanting to get together with Jive-Bomber for a long time. I grew up in OakTown where he lives. Oakland Ca. Now that I know he likes and respects '50s style T Buckets I intend to make a point of getting together with him.
I finally got my T-Bucket body home last weekend, my metal mentor came over and looked at it today and was pretty encouraging. The character line below where the cowl top bolts on is flattened, and the metal is torn behind the windshield post. I was figuring I would be cutting that piece out and making a patch, he said "hell no, you can fix whats there, I'll show you how. Besides, making a patch panel would be too easy, you will learn more fixing that mess" I have the flu right now, as soon as I get better we are going to start on repairing that. Looking at this mess, I have a funny feeling he wants to see me push my personal envelope a little!
My body on the loft. Very nice 1918 touring to be cut into a stretched bucket that will set on the chassis I've been building forever. Power for this sucker. Fresh 283, 1957, with all the right goodies and a 78 case trans and '40 rear. Definitely sets right and has the late '50's look. Nothing newer on the car than about 1960. Obviously not the right valve covers on there.
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