Thread: Last chance bucket list bucket/bobtail/modified/track-roadster

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Back in the early 60s, when I was pre-school age, my uncle built a small sports car of his own design from the ground up, in my grandparent's barn. The building of that car totally fascinated me...to the point that doing the same thing became a life goal. Looking through that same uncle's old hot rod mags introduced me to the first hot rod that totally fascinated me...the pre Big Daddy version of the bobtail T Tweedy Pie. From that time in the early 60s until I graduated college in 1980, my main focus in life was cars of all kinds. The day I got my first post college job, I got a "time to grow up and give up this car nonsense" speech from my dad...and for the most part I did.

A little over 2 years ago, having lost most of my mobility due to a pinched spinal cord, degenerative joint disease, and other issues...I was bored out of my skull. Somewhere out of the scary recesses of my brain came CARS! Eventually I hatched a plan to get some kind of old motor and a motor stand, and I could spend my time learning it's workings, and eventually rebuild it. I started scouring ebay for a motor. It wasn't at all what I was looking for, but it was cheaper than scrap, it came with a transmission, it was relatively local, and the auction ended in a few minutes. It was mine. While my friend was unloading it from his truck, he asked what I was going to do with it...I told him I had no idea. I said that because it didn't have a lot of power, the only thing it would be good for would be something small and light. Almost in chorus, we both said "T Bucket". But there was no way I could build one, and for now I'd use it for practice while I looked for a motor I really wanted. But the wheels started turning.

Today, I have the 3rd generation of detailed and evolving daily CAD plans, parts everywhere, and a few detailed measurements away from being ready to have the frame built.

The car the plans represent already has an identity crisis...bucket/bobtail/modified/track-roadster. Call it what you like, but the next person will probably call it something else. I call it "the little green roadster".

• Wheelbase: 92"
• Engine: GM 60° V6
• Transmission: Metric 700R4
• Rear end: T-Bird Turbo Coupe 8.8" 3.73 Trac Loc
• Front suspension: 48" Super Bell tube axle, mono leaf spring located over axle, 4-bar location, and generic adjustable gas shocks
• Steering: Dodge Omni GLH quick ratio rack and pinion
• Front wheels: Lincoln wire style 15"x6.6"
• Brake master/pedal assembly: Wilwood floor mount pedal, dual masters to be named later, working front & rear discs
• Steering column: Ididit 28" non-tilt
• Body: Fiberglass '23 T Bucket, unknown mfg., stretched 8" and widened 3-4", Brooklands style wind screens.
• Rear Suspension: Ford Fox body triangulated 4-link, w Granitelli Motorsports links, Pro SM600 shocks, and Slam Specialties SS-5 air bags
• Rear wheels: Wheel Vintiques 13 series smoothie style 15"x8"

Project.jpg
Through out the planning of this thing, the goal has been to make as much of it as possible accessible from my wheelchair during construction...and after, for maintenance. Once I have the frame, the plan is to mount it between a pair of cheap HF motor stands for painting, brake and fuel plumbing, etc. From there it will go to heavy duty sawhorses for suspension, wheel, and radiator mounting. I don't intend to do anything with the body until I have a rolling chassis.

The catch to all of this is my health. Building this is going to be a slow race with my declining abilities...as-is, I have one good day for every 2-3 bad days. There's a very good chance I won't be able to finish it, but at least in the mean time I'll be doing something I've wanted to do for over 50 years