1924 Ford T-Bucket

Description

While many T-buckets are cartoonish, this '24 gets it right and pares it down to mostly the bare minimums aesthetically, giving it a hardcore performance look that was surely the intent. Based around a custom frame and powered by a muscle-bound Chevy small block, this is the T-bucket that you buy to drive, not merely to show.

There's no doubt about what this is, but the somewhat low-key and expertly applied black paint (although admittedly, the painted-on pinstripes do add some flash) gives it a serious demeanor. It's a fiberglass body like most T-buckets, but they nailed the look with doors that are merely hints of the originals, a stubby little trunk that used to be a pickup bed in the original T (topped with a super-cool grille), and precious little else. Fit and finish are quite good, and thanks to the solid fiberglass, it was easy to get a brilliant final shine. You'll note that it still sports the perfectly vertical windshield that's a big part of the T-bucket look, and the smoked glass adds a touch mystique to the look. The custom chassis makes for some dynamic changes in the look, and with the engine set way back in the chassis and adorned with chrome and brightwork, it looks fabulous. There's a good bit of chrome too, just enough to tie it to the past, with a shiny gold radiator shell that's pure Model T and it's flanked by a pair of King Bee style headlights on slender little stalks. The rear deck is topped with a cool custom grille and houses the fuel cell and battery inside, and little round taillights encircled by a chrome "bumper" are yet another nod to the past.

Minimalist is how we'd describe the interior, but that shouldn't be a surprise to you because that's why you're looking at a T-bucket. However, there's a very high level of finish here that's somewhat unexpected in the bare-bones T, starting with hand-painted mural on the dash. The upholstery matches the bodywork quite well, adding a monochromatic look that's fairly modern. Pleated vinyl on the seat and smooth side panels wrap around you in a way that only a car without doors can, and while the chrome steering column is fairly upright, it's actually quite comfortable on the road, especially with the modern Grant GT steering wheel that rests up top. Modern gauges from TPI Tech offer a pretty comprehensive view of what's going on up front, but with a T-bucket, you can actually just look at the engine there doing its thing. No radio, no heater, and only the barest of basics other than the B&M shifter, but that's pretty much the point, isn't it?

No worries in the performance department, however, thanks to a strong running 400 cubic inch Chevy V8 motor. Since it's an integral part of the look, it's beautifully finished with lots of chromed and polished components. There's a set of finned valve covers and dual chrome air cleaners up top, and the polished components work well with the shiny headers and side pipes. A high-rise aluminum Weiand unit handles the intake duties with dual Edelbrock 600 CFM carburetor feeding the block, and an MSD coil and Mallory distributor ensure that the engine fires to life on immediate command. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission feeds a Winters quick-change rear end that can easily handle the power, and 4-wheel electric power assist brakes are welcomed option on this very light T-bucket. A polished tubular front axle on a transverse leaf spring keeps the T-bucket look and feel, with the rear end suspended on coil-overs. Flashy Centerline wheels look right on the slick T and wear 135R15 front and 375/60/15 rear performance radials for that classic skinny-and-fat look.

T-buckets are about a recipe, but sometimes a few different ingredients give you a slightly different result like this. Call today!