Projects The bucket of ugly! A de-uglifying thread...

This threads been quiet way too long. Maybe we can get some T Bucket before and afters.
Here's mine.
Before

 

After

 

I am glad you were able to save some of that cool scroll work and pinstriping.
Here is a before and after of my recently sold roadster...

 

Glad you kept that cool old paint!

 

Great thread…back from the dead! How about this slick one from Kustomrama.

 

I miss Chip on here!

 

How to build a T-bucket
&
How to take a proper picture of it!

 

This is where he is these days: https://www.facebook.com/louvering

 

Droooool

 

Here's a bump and one I just spotted for sale.
Wonder if he'd trade for something in the collection?
EDIT: reached out and he's had other offers, but he's keeping my number.

IF it works, I might be able to post my own big guy in a little car pic, like Fatty Arbuckle in the Bantam.

 

So, wondering if the power of the HAMB can help.
Seller says it was built in 1976, it has a working passenger door, hairpins, rear coil overs, rear tie rod, typical cross front leaf bolted on top of the perch, tube front axle, no visible front shocks, upright steering (VW?), Chevy 12 bolt (?), a dash with a lip but not a deep tunnel, molded in 16" not 20" bed. Also the brass radiator and big headlights that are usually not part of a kit.
Does not look like a Total Performance/Speedway or Florida Rod Shop (front tie), Bird (rear coils or leaf), CCR (Corvair steering), Dan Woods (front coils). I know it was mix and match, many years since and the seller has fixed it up and replaced some stuff. There were many places back then that did bodies and chassis, too. Just hoping that someone might recognize the unique 'bones' in the pictures. The door, steering, non center braced hairpins that almost meet, suspension at both ends and the dash.

 

Many ( most) T's were built by individuals , some design elements were incorporated from many places , or a modification of such elements , after so many years go by , its impossible to tell , or like I tell people when they ask where mine came from , " $199.95from Sears Roebuck"

 

Yeah, I know that the completion rate of home built VS kits is probably 4:1 or higher, and as mentioned it was mix and match on stuff. I'm currently going through the Love For T Bucket thread (page 30 of 67)
and haven't found one yet that has the hairpins and steering like this. Did see a Corvair box mounted under the floor when most were up on the top of the frame. The painted front axle and the chromed hairpins make me think it's got some store bought stuff, not all homebuilt.

The guy will probably find a cash buyer, but I'm still hoping... No garage space and would have to get a loan to buy.

 

Snicklefritz65, May 2, 2022 !Report!

2OLD2FAST
^^^^ pitman arm , draglink ^^^^^
Glad we got past that part of 1965

Just ran across an old post of yours, Hope this is NOT what's hiding on the far side, but the rest of that Orange one is nice!

 

Found the dash, and the body has a door! no info on who made it...

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...or-the-t-bucket.1229552/page-39#post-14566313

 

I wonder what ever happened to Need Louvers? That guy was like a kindred spirit.

 

Mohr, each time he's mentioned, the answer is he keeps to facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/louvering
I went over there yesterday and read some posts, but am not signed up for it.
I'm sure he would call this example out for various things, mostly bolt-on stuff.
His philosophy is clean, simple, early 60s style. I tend toward mid sixties (more chrome, bigger rears, more wheel selection). The radiator, wheels/tires, coil overs, headlights and intake all clash with that. They seem to be serviceable, but most would get swapped over time if I owned it.
Looking close, the front axle spring mount seems to be kind of unique. It extends the axle forward and is not a part of the hairpin mount. For looks or a longer wheelbase? To move the tie rod forward to clear?
Might be a MAS axle?
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/mas-front-axles-any-good.138209/

Found this on the tube...

EDIT: texted the guy and got some pics of the steering. Corvair box mounted inside frame, steering arm under frame going up, drag link goes through bottom front of body. Not the best, but not scrub line bad. Needs a lot of cleaning and polishing. I think I'll be trying to get this one.

 

Talked to Chip @need louvers? about fixing the steering and the car, also sent him pics. He's thinking CCR chassis with a variation on the steering. Didn't discuss the body. Hoping he takes a look here at the monster he created. Have to secure money and talk to the seller.

EDIT: Talked to seller. Minor (major?) title issues = not in his name, old MI title when he's in NV. It's CCR and seller added door. Front axle and body details match, just the steering is not typical Corvair in front of firewall, but under floor and vertical. Also, current chassis have a front shock mount this does not have from 75.
.

 

Well, it appears that the seller is at best trying to sell something without any paperwork, at worst a thief. Reached out locally yesterday to set up getting funds together (cash only!) and check on insurance. Then asked him for pictures of the interior and the title. No reply. So what is listed as clear title, then tells me he has one and the number and title were inspected (required in NV for new-to-state cars) to what now seems like no title or paperwork at all.
It appeared in the ad pics to be really good bones that could be tweaked into a righteous little rod. Price was suspiciously low, but in my reach.
Another case of if it's too good to be true, it is...
Sorry to get all of you going on what turns out to be a scam.

Trivia: Watch old episodes of CSI: Vegas and count how many times Henderson is mentioned in a negative way.

 

Call his local cops ask them to go check scam or stolen car. Sure scare him anyway

 

Hey, RSR;
That front axle/spring-hanger setup is from CCR. I think they're the only ones to do that long extended style. I do believe it's in their plans. Nothing wrong w/it, but I never liked that look or execution.
Marcus...

 

nrg, thanks, you are right. Chip said so, and the seller also said CCR, although I can't trust his opinion of the color of the sky now.

I also would prefer to have the axle tighter to the front crossmember and not so much leverage where the support (spring) is connected inches behind the axle. There are big and small differences in all the different kits that make choosing your favorite an exercise.
They offer a 4 link, which would be a better choice for me, but still want an I beam axle since a tube one doesn't twist as well. Choices...

 

Any further contact with the seller, or have they continued radio silence (or have you given up on the deal) ?

 

Full radio silence since asking for the pics.
I am unwilling to spend that much on a no paperwork, possible legally someone else's (stolen) car that could be confiscated when I try to build paperwork. I also am unwilling to deal with someone who's story changes substantially over 2 days when I'm the one taking the risk. He also wanted only cash, no trail (I offered secure wire transfer with both parties present). Too many red flags.
Ad is still up with this still in it.
paint color: red
size: sub-compact
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: convertible

 

Do you have a problem with the pitman arm / drag!ink ?

 

Theres no discernable leverage difference whether the front axle is close to the frame or not .Why do you need the axle to twist when running a 4-link ? 4-links are 80's street rod stuff. IMO

 

There’s two affordable T Buckets on Craigslist today, one in Rocklin,Ca and the other in the SF Bay Area (Fremont/Newark) $12,4 and $8500 both look good.
Just trying to help….

 

Actually, they were putting 4-links on rods in the late '50s, so...

 

I'm sure someone was however I'll bet the majority of hotrods !(or specifically tbuckets) used split wishbones /hairpins / radius rods until the late 70's ,so...

 

Norm used a 4 bar.