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

Tweet

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

Welcome Bill to the family here and you will find that the people here helpful, friendly and more importantly, knowledgeable. I think also on this site more so then the other one you will be able to fully discuss your build thoughts openly without one or two saying they wish you had your own thread etc.. I totally believe in you and your dream of creating a car to your vision and I hope I can be as encouraging as possible to help you fulfil your dream.
Best wishes, Marc.

Thanks Marc.

I could understand where those on the other site were coming from, but with so much of what I'm planning on being contrary to that site, I could not see starting my own thread there. After getting about 1/4 the way through the thread for that low black and orange/copper modified http://www.clubhotrod.com/hot-rod-ta...ost182120.html , I could see that the focus here is broader. I still debated if I was far enough into this project to start a thread, but finally decided to take the plunge.

Thanks again...I appreciate the encouragement.

Welcome, hope your project is everything you wish it to be!
Just a thought that may benefit you in the process, check with your local High School, College, Trade School, there may be one or more young lads that would love to assist you in your project. And, you may be able to pass the torch onto a couple of young people in the process much like your Uncle did for you.

Now that would be a excellent idea to look into Bill, you just may meet a young man or woman who is keen to not only learn about hot rodding but become a good friend for the rest of your life.

Originally Posted by 36 sedan

Welcome, hope your project is everything you wish it to be!
Just a thought that may benefit you in the process, check with your local High School, College, Trade School, there may be one or more young lads that would love to assist you in your project. And, you may be able to pass the torch onto a couple of young people in the process much like your Uncle did for you.

I'd love to make this a school project...whole or parts. Unfortunately the local HS vocational school does not do outside projects due to insurance restrictions. If they were willing, I have no shortage of projects that could keep several vocations busy.

Welcome, and good luck with the project. One comment/suggestion, take a look at the tires you plan to run, and be sure that you can find them in 15's which are getting harder to find all the time. OEM's pushing to larger wheels, shorter sidewalls are changing the tire availability big time. I'd look at some bigger wheels, if I were you.

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Welcome Bill to the family here and you will find that the people here helpful, friendly and more importantly, knowledgeable. I think also on this site more so then the other one you will be able to fully discuss your build thoughts openly without one or two saying they wish you had your own thread etc.. I totally believe in you and your dream of creating a car to your vision and I hope I can be as encouraging as possible to help you fulfil your dream.
Best wishes, Marc.

I don't know what happened to my earlier response, so I'll try again....

Thanks for your welcome and encouragement. I really do understand where those folks on the other site are coming from, but I do not see fit to start a build thread there since so much of my build will be contrary to their focus...and that kind of thing does not go over well.

I've spent the last few days going through the thread here on that low slung black and orange/copper modified, and I could tell right away that things were less restrictive here. I was still hesitant to start a build thread here, because I've not started building...so far it's just plans and parts. Today I decided to take the plunge.

Thanks again...I appreciate your support.

Originally Posted by rspears

Welcome, and good luck with the project. One comment/suggestion, take a look at the tires you plan to run, and be sure that you can find them in 15's which are getting harder to find all the time. OEM's pushing to larger wheels, shorter sidewalls are changing the tire availability big time. I'd look at some bigger wheels, if I were you.

I already have tire options picked out from several different manufacturers. The ones I'm liking best are Coopers. I already have the wires for the front, and since I'm a wire wheel nut, I'll likely be keeping them. I'm kind of restricted on the rears. Unfortunately my rear end is set up for a 4 lug bolt pattern...4x4.25. So far I've not run across any affordable wire wheels for that pattern. About the only other wheels I've found that fits my loose post WWII appearance theme and that bolt pattern is the Vintiques smoothies...and they are only available in 15". Since the time for actually needing the rear wheels and tires is quite away off, I'll definitely be looking out for alternatives.

Use adapters to change the lug pattern;
Rim Adapters : ATV Wheel Spacers : Auto Adapters : 4 Lug to 5 Lug Adapter

Good luck on your bucket list bucket!

It looks cool, don't worry about what others may title it.

Speaking of which, you have selected a great forum / website for your project.

Lots of amazing experience and knowledge here.

Some things I forgot explain on this project.

This project is VERY low budget. Almost all the parts I've acquired so far used, ebay, Speedway garage sale or similar. So far, the only parts I've paid retail for are the front shackles, the heims, and the air bag brackets. I only buy parts if there is money left at the end of the month.

This is going to be a fair weather project...and typically that's only about 6 months out of the year. A workshop shed is on the want list, but that is a ways off, and would not be heated either.

The fictitious background scenario for this car's appearance is that it was a race car from the immediate post WWII period, during the transition between Modifieds and Track Roadsters. Later it was resurrected and turned into a street going hot rod.

Beneath the skin it's going to be modern...with the exception of a twist with the motor. It started life as a modern computer laden fuel injected V6. I'm turning back the clock and making it old school. Everything electronic will be gone...along with the spaghetti tangle of hoses and wires. I've got Mallory dual point distributor, Edelbrock intake manifold, a yet to be determined carb, and home made weed burner headers. Hopefully that will make it look like it could have come from back in the day.

Originally Posted by 36 sedan

Use adapters to change the lug pattern;
Rim Adapters : ATV Wheel Spacers : Auto Adapters : 4 Lug to 5 Lug Adapter

I'd like to avoid spacers/adapters if at all possible. Back in my VW days I had constant problems with them. Also, because my bolt pattern is the same as 20+ years of Mustangs, the adapters are premium priced...almost as much as the smoothies, and I'd still need wheels.

Plus there me be an appearance issue with spacers. Most are around 2" thick. My rear axle is already very wide...61.5" between wheel mounting surfaces. A lot of that will be taken up with the body tucked back between the wheels, but I suspect another 4" or so would be looking way too wide.

If I run across a set of wheels I really like and can afford, I'd consider the adapters...but they'd have to be special.

Ooops....duplicate post

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

Good luck on your bucket list bucket!

It looks cool, don't worry about what others may title it.

Speaking of which, you have selected a great forum / website for your project.

Lots of amazing experience and knowledge here.

Thanks for the welcome. The folks here are already making me feel at home here.

I'm not worried about the labels folks apply to this thing...I'm sticking with The Little Green Roadster. Back then the car my uncle built was mostly called "The little Red Car"

voight special.jpg