Thread: 1923 Ford Big T Roadster Pickup

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Built by Darryl Starbird to replicate his original “Big T” roadster made famous by Monogram, this is one of two replicas of the rod that inspired a generation of model car hobbyists. Starbird partnered with Predator Performance in Dubois, PA to build the replicas, which are based on Total Performance chassis and fiberglass bodies by Spirit Industries. All the details are there, from the matching Dark Red paint and White pinstriping to the White carriage-style high top, “Baby Moon” hubcaps and vintage Model T running lights.

The Red and White vinyl interior is an exact copy of the original, including the wooden-rim steering wheel, Classic Instruments gauges, the “skull” shift knob replicated by Monogram for this project, and the antenna frenched into the front cowl. Out in front, a 1957 Chevrolet 283 CI engine is authentically dressed with finned valve covers, triple Stromberg carbs and chromed side-dump headers and connects to a Ford Top Loader transmission.

The tubular dropped front axle is fitted with tube shocks and reproduction Wilson Welding Lincoln drum brakes, while the Ford rear end is finished with a polished quick change center section and drum brakes. A Total Performance steering box, steel reproduction Ford wheels from Wheel Vintiques and Firestone wide Whitewalls round out the package.

Originally Posted by tango

....original “Big T” roadster made famous by Monogram... the rod that inspired a generation of model car hobbyists.

Their marketing worked on me!! I built a Big T sometime in the early '60's, during a time that nearly every nickle & dime I got in my hands went for model kits, paint, plastic body filler, and paint.... Like Don (Itoldyouso) has said before, that was not a bad time to grow up.....

In the late fifties/early sixties, my cousin and I were heavy into the local contests and such, in central Illinois. I liked the 24th and 25th scale, but my cousin built a "Big T"! Great memories.

About 15 years ago, I got back into modeling. Took it to a much higher level than I did as a kid, but finally got burned out, and focused on the 1:1 toys again. I'll miss many of the great friends I made through modeling.

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

In the late fifties/early sixties, my cousin and I were heavy into the local contests and such, in central Illinois. I liked the 24th and 25th scale, but my cousin built a "Big T"! Great memories.

Hotrodpaint your post jogged my memory on the size - I remember the Big T at the hobby shop (the owner probably bought it thinking I would buy it for sure!!) but I was also into the 24th scale size and the 1:8 was just too big, plus none of my "stash" of left over parts could be used My modeling days ended when the hobby shop mysteriously burned to the ground one night with about a dozen of my best creations in a display case and the shop owner had disappeared, supposedly leaving on an unplanned vacation a few hours before the fire....

I did forget to mention that I had "mama" buy me a model for Christmas... at the age of 62! I painted a "flower Power" VW van recently... and thought it might be fun to do one in scale someday. :-) (I'll never grow up!)

Originally Posted by rspears

Hotrodpaint your post jogged my memory on the size - I remember the Big T at the hobby shop (the owner probably bought it thinking I would buy it for sure!!) but I was also into the 24th scale size and the 1:8 was just too big, plus none of my "stash" of left over parts could be used My modeling days ended when the hobby shop mysteriously burned to the ground one night with about a dozen of my best creations in a display case and the shop owner had disappeared, supposedly leaving on an unplanned vacation a few hours before the fire....

Probably one of them "friction fires"---you know, where the insurance policy papers rub against the mortgage papers creating excessive friction, heat, and eventually a fire.... happens often in biznezz!!!!!!!!