Thread: New, First Hot Rod of my own.

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My name is Donald. I am 20, i live in Des Moines, IA. For my very first personal hot rod i would like to build a 27t coupe. I had a few questions, just not sure where to start asking.

Originally Posted by DCsdime16

My name is Donald. I am 20, i live in Des Moines, IA. For my very first personal hot rod i would like to build a 27t coupe. I had a few questions, just not sure where to start asking.

Welcome to the forum, Donald! How about at the start. What is your plan for the frame, power train, body, and the "look"? Do you have Henry's original steel to start with, or are you doing something in another direction?

Yep, welcome and just start at the beginning.. what do you currently have to begin with? Anything more than a dream is a bonus! LOL..

My basic early quick questions were, the difference between a 27tbucket and 27t coupe hot rod....arent they the same thing just the bucket is the coupe chopped up? any hepl appreciated. thanks.

i have absolutly nothing as of yet expect a dream and 20 ft of 1 1/2 x 3 x11ga. steel on order through holley industries in holley springs. lol imy over all ideal car would be the 27 coupe, a t bucket with a solid top if you will. my powertrain is between two general motors power plants (being that i am a general motors technician) its either going to be a 5.3L with the 4l60E in it or a turbo ecotec as seen in the cobalt. im leaning more for the 5.3 for the classic hot rod rumble, but i like the idea of having a 4 cyl hot rod. i would like to drive the car from my home in des moines, ia to the back to the fifties weekend fathersday weekends in minnesota with my father and grandfather in their tri-fives. i also have printed and like the simplicity of "youngsters" t-bucket frame plans. again, thanks for any help.

This pic.....if it works is close the shape I want for the car, but I'd really love a dark blue or red and white/gray to match my grandpas 56. Minus rake and more t bucket style front suspension I think. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

Start at the start mate; from the ground up.
Are you planning on using a donor chassis?
Or buy a chassis from a specialised hot-rod chassis shop?
Or build a chassis?
Whatever your decision here will dictate what happens during the whole build.

And welcome to CHR...some helpful folk play on here.

Welcome, Donald. OK, just to clarify, a T Coupe and T-Bucket are not the same and the "Bucket" is not a cut up coupe. The Bucket is a roadster and it may be built with or without the "turtle deck" (the trunk section) as it is removeable. The Model-T coupe is dimensionally different, has a roof of course, and the trunk is not removeable. The only interchangeable part of the original bodies is the firewall. Of course, you could make a roadster out of a coupe by cutting off the roof.

FYI - The 1926 and '27 bodies are identical. If you plan on using a fiberglass body, you may have to settle for a roadster. Someone else may know better, but I've never seen fiberglass T coupe bodies...

Reminds me of the 1 Mike built on " American Hot Rod "
When he & Boyd Codgton had a friendly competition of a " modern rod vs old school rod "

I'll be reading your progress if you post it during the build!! I think it's fantastic when a new generation picks up the " hobby " & keeps it alive!!

The T coupe pictured above was built by Boyd Coddington a while back (I don't remember the year) from a complete, running Model-T coupe. Coddington bought the car, took the body and grille shell off, and sold the running chassis. One of his employees, Mike, built a '29 Model-A pickup. They then drove the cars together from California to the NSRA Nats in Louisville, KY where they were entered in a People's Choice competition - Mike's '29 won.

Coddington's coupe is a pretty cool car. I don't know why he reshaped the rear quarter-windows - they looked better with the stock shape. Nevertheless, the chop is about the right amount and the car is well proportioned. The main thing I would change is the paint. That car NEEDS color and the smooth body would look better with a glossy paint job - just my opinion... Of course Coddington has been dead for a few years now; I have no idea what happened to the coupe. Anybody know?

Thank you for responding about the body!!! another question i had is about the frame. can i use the same home built frame for the t coupe as i can for the t bucket? or will i need to get different plans? also, i plan on using four of the same size tires/wheels. any problems with that? one last thing for now is has anyone heard of the model t graveyard in ks? are their prices reasonable or are they one of those places that thinks they have gold sitting in their back lot? thanks again guys.

Frames will be the same for either car. Same size tires won't be a problem ,but big & little's just look right on those cars.

good luck with your project feel free to look at pics of my tall t coupe for ideas

if i can help just send me a pm

Not heard of them before but, if they "specialize" in something.. I'm sure they charge a premium for it!!

Well if they'll use the Sam frame I can build the frame and find a body as I go right? Is it difficult to "chop" the top? The place in is is called the modelthaven. Again I appreciate all the info you guys. Any objections to using youngsters tbucket frame plans? I don't know if I'm going to taper the rails yet though.