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Kookie Kar, a customized 1922 Ford Model T, built by Norm Grabowski became THE iconic hot rod in the 1950s. |
Junkyard jalopy
A model T Ford is the basic concept for the T-Bucket. You were riding around in a bucket that used to be a T-model Ford. By the fifties, there was an abundance of early to late 1920’s cars laying around in barns, alleys, back yards and junkyards — seemingly everywhere. Car guys, being the pioneer recyclers, put these automotive remains to good use. They swapped, modern for-the-day, engines into a chassis designed to hold a fraction of the torque and horsepower that they were now harnessing. The good, old recipe for a fast car — lots of power, no weight. As time went on and V-8 engines were abundant and affordable, they only got faster.
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Actor/drag racer Tommy Ivo's Buick-powered T Bucket. |
Scary fun
T-buckets were street monsters. Take a V-8 and add multiple carbs and unrestricted headers. For traction, add a super strong Mercury, Corvette or Jaguar rear end and massive fatty tires on the back. Up front, to save weight, how about tiny wagon wheel pizza cutters on the front? A back seat would only add bulk, so forget that. No fenders, no hood and usually no roof would be uncomfortable in the winter, but are we men or mice?
Absent were things we take for granted, like seat belts. Maybe today you might see a bucket with belts, but back then it was a rarity. The steering column was more or less a giant spear waiting to impale you. Power brakes, right? Oh. Brakes, yeah-that’s not working out so well due to drum brake technology at the time and the disproportionate skinny bicycle-like tires in front. So some of them had… no front brakes. Are these guys daring? Crazy? Suicidal? Yes, yes and yes. T-Buckets were also fun and addictive.
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Tommy Ivo's T' Bucket Hot Rod sports a custom Von Dutch pinstripe. Photos: theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com |
Buckets of speed
How fast are we talking? The one I rode in was basic bolt-ons and nothing exotic. It didn’t have to be, it was so light! Today it would be compared to putting a small block Chevy in your lawn mower or your kid’s go cart. Can you imagine a street race crowd of T-Buckets about to line up. That would be great to watch, like maybe from a distance. If you lived through it, you just might get street respect, also I have heard that back then it was not uncommon for a girl to arrive with someone and leave with the guy in the faster car.
Calling all T-Buckets
So where are you now, T-Buckets of yesteryear? We here at Junkyard Life know of a couple here and there, but the masses have seemingly disappeared. Do you know of one that makes appearances around your town? If you know of one sitting dormant in a basement or barn, let us know. We would love to do a story on one and the times it has seen. T-Bucket guys, you’re crazy, but we love you! Lets hear from you soon.