Danny Eichstedt "Leg Show" T-Bucket Hot Rod

 

Episode 17 -- Jim Unruh's "Blue Car" Neotraditional T-Bucket

The components, the stance, the look: Jim Unruh's T-Bucket looks like a true 1960s hot rod, but construction only started in 1997. Learn all about it and how you can build a cool looking one, too!

Aug 29

31 min

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Episode 16 - Rolla Hessel's "Bud T" and the NTBA

A unique Budweiser beer-themed T-Bucket and all about the National T-Bucket Alliance.

Jun 19, 2021

21 min

Episode 15 - Dennis Broeske's "Nastee" 1927 T Coupe

The unique polished stainless steel details on Dennis Broeske's chopped T coupe make it stand out as one of the best ever built. With its beautiful Buick nailhead engine with his own fabricated stainless 6-deuce intake manifold to its aluminum "upholstery" it's truly a one-of-a-kind T hot rod.

Jul 19, 2020

1 hr

Episode 14 – David Gadberry’s Low-Bucket

How teenage David Gadberry, while working at Tom Medlock's Specialty Cars in Artesia, California, starts a long range plan to build a distinctively traditional T-Bucket hot rod on a budget and becomes one of the only low-buck, primered hot rods ever featured in Hot Rod magazine.

Jul 14, 2020

23 min

Episode 13 - Piero De Luca's "Tweedy Pie" Clone

The hot rod archeology of the 1950s T-Bucket, originally built by Bob Johnston, that went on to sell over 11 model car kits after "Big Daddy" Ed Roth popularized it. "Mad Fabricators Society" creator, Piero De Luca, undertakes the creation of his own Tweedy Pie T-Bucket tribute.

Jul 11, 2020

49 min

Tim Taylor's 300K Miles T-Bucket

Tim Taylor's "rolling experiment" T-Bucket has served him well for decades, especially when Tim became a founding member of the now National T-Bucket Alliance (NTBA).

Jul 11, 2019

35 min

Ed Iskenderian's Legendary T Roadster

Built in the 1940s and still with him, Ed Iskenderian's T roadster is one of the most famous hot rods ever built. Featured on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine in 1948 and turning 120 mph at El Mirage it also had custom features not found on any other T.

Jul 10, 2019

59 min

2019 T-Bucket Nationals Report

T-Buckets galore from 15 states participated in the National T-Bucket Alliance's 19th T-Bucket Nationals. Listen and watch to get the dates and location for the 2020 T-Bucket Nationals.

Jun 18, 2019

6 min

Bob Collins and the Fred Steele Ventures in Space T-Bucket

In 1960 Fred Steele built what would become the most iconic T-Bucket hot rods when it appeared on the cover of The Ventures Lost in Space guitar tunes album. It remains today as original as the day it was completed and will shortly be for sale.

Jun 14, 2019

39 min

Chuck Penry's Stylish 1960s T-Bucket Hot Rod

In the early 1960s Chuck Penry built a T-Bucket that not only was featured in Car Craft magazine, but also the ads of three of the most influential T-Bucket roadster body and kit producers of the day. It became the "dream" T-Bucket of thousands.

Jun 11, 2019

21 min

Tom Booth's Fantastic "Torsion T" T-Bucket

Tom Booth's goal was a fenderless-legal T-Bucket back in the 1960s. He accomplished it and in incredible style.

May 13, 2019

26 min

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Kerry Smith's Potvin Supercharged T-Bucket

How one T-Bucket builder combined some of the rarest traditional hot rod components with the latest technology to build a unique T-Bucket that's been racking up thousands of miles on the road for over two decades.

May 10, 2019

38 min

Don Garlits' 1927 T Roadster Paves Way for Dragster Success

"Big Daddy" Don Garlits dragster success began with a 1927 T-Bucket roadster on a Model T frame with a Ford flathead engine. It accomplished Don's goal of defeating the local "King" but Don saw even bigger successful challenges when he removed the body and sat behind the rear axle.

May 6, 2019

20 min

Danny Eichstedt "Leg Show" T-Bucket Hot Rod

Danny Eichstedt's severely sectioned 1915 T-Bucket roadster with Jim Babb brass in abundance blew minds when it hit the hot rod scene in 1970.

May 5, 2019

45 min

Episode 3 - Doug Siemen's Hand-Built Steel Traditional T-Bucket

Listen to Iowa hot rodder, Doug Siemen, tell about how he came to build a very traditional looking 1923 T-Bucket roadster that will be given away in a raffle to raise funds to help families of children with heart defects.

Apr 27, 2019

14 min

TV Tommy Ivo and his Legendary 1950's T-Bucket

Hear Tommy Ivo tell about acting on his Norm Grabowski T-Bucket to build his own with a strong emphasis on performance at the drag strip as well as good looks. 

Apr 22, 2019

27 min

Introduction to Hooked on T-Bucket Hot Rods Podcast

Welcome to the exciting world of T-Bucket hot rods. This introduction includes a brief T-Bucket history and a peak at some of the many interviews to come and what we will cover. Also, why a Podcast and why you'll want to be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

Apr 4, 2019

8 min

1929 Ford Hot Rod with Modern Upgrades

 

In the rodding world, there are few combinations more traditional and righteous than a 1929 Ford body riding on 1932 Ford frame rails from the fabled Deuce. This 1929 Ford hot rod is a modern interpretation of the historic “A/V-8” that necessarily makes use of some modern reproduction rod components. Described as being built in the style of Magoo’s Street Rods, the fabled Southern California rod fabricator, this Ford is said to have been built and upgraded over several years, and to have been displayed at the famous L.A. Roadsters show many times.

POWERTRAIN

This Ford is powered by a Chevrolet 350-cu.in. V-8 of unspecified sourcing topped by three two-barrel carburetors, and the seller states it was built about 1,500 miles ago. Finned rocker covers, a polished aluminum intake manifold, and a mirror-finished firewall can be seen in the photographs of the engine bay, which presents as very strongly clean. The engine is said to start and idle “properly, without smoke,” and the General Motors Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 three-speed automatic transmission is said to have been rebuilt at the same time as the engine. No powertrain leaks are noted. A 9-inch rear is utilized.

EXTERIOR

The seller describes the paint as in nearly “perfect” condition, except for some minor road rash, road chips, and a few small bubbles. The body is said to be full composite, riding on a modified 1932 Ford frame. This Ford is offered for sale without a top. The body seals are reported to be effective. The frame is molded throughout, with a Covell steel hood. Custom touches to the body included a sunken license plate and rolled lower pan. The seller says the hot rod is free of rust, notes there are no issues with the tinted windshield, and reports that all lighting is functional.

INTERIOR

This Ford’s interior is upholstered in distressed-finish near-leather that looks to be in excellent condition, with no visible tears or stains in the photos. The seller describes the carpet as being “as-new.” As noted above, there is no roof. The seller reports that the Auburn-style dashboard mounts a full complement of functional VDO gauges which replaced the original gauges several years ago. The carpeted and finished trunk has dual storage compartments and presents as being nearly spotless, per the photos.

CHASSIS

The Ford’s most recent chassis work is reported to be fewer than 1,500 miles ago. Components, described by the seller as being “as-new,” include a Super Bell front axle, premium coilover shock absorbers and neoprene bushings, custom chromed hairpins, Wilwood front disc brakes, and Ford cast iron finned rear drum brakes. The brakes are said to be fully capable of stopping the car. The Wheelsmith chrome wheels are said to be in “as-new” condition and are mounted with Coker reproduction Silvertown wide whitewalls reported to have traveled about 1,500 miles.

DOCUMENTATION

The seller states that this vehicle will be sold on a clean Arizona title in his company's name. Additional documentation includes receipts for improvements. This traditionalist 1929 Ford hot rod makes use of modern build techniques and presents strongly.

Photos

EXTERIOR

+9

INTERIOR

+8

ENGINE BAY

UNDERCARRIAGE

+1

HOT PLATES Licence Plates

 

This is something I apparently planned to write, or feature, some 42 years ago. Don’t know why I didn’t. But let’s take a look now, because it’s still amusing–hopefully creative–and it gives us teasing glimpses of all sort of hot rods. I’m of course talking about personalized license plates, also known as vanity plates.

Most of these pics were taken at a large event Gary Meadors called “Motate to Merced,” I think when he was still with NSRA, in 1980. I was doing hot rod stuff as a freelancer then, so that’s why it’s all black and white (that’s all the mags used), and why it didn’t run anywhere (no mag wanted it). Color shots are newer.

My sources say personalized plates were first introduced in Pennsylvania in 1931. Lots of other states had them before California. I first saw them in Arizona, which even offered them on copper plates, since they were the copper state. Although CA switched from black plates to blue in 1970, it didn’t start vanity plates until ’72 (maybe that’s when they first offered seven characters). I’m surprised, because these plates of course cost a sizeable surcharge (every year), which means more money for the state. What took CA so long?

I also think some of these just make good black-and-white photos. But in 1980, vanity plates were still somewhat of a novelty. Further, they were one more (new) way to personalize your vehicle, to make an automotive statement. And that’s what rodding and customizing is all about. In terms of “custom” plates, the more creative, and wittier, the better.

So, at first I really couldn’t understand why people would want custom plates that just stated the obvious. We all know what a 1926 T or a ’34 Ford looks like. Then I realized that aggravating question everyone else asks at a gas station, market, or stop light: “Hey. what year is that?” When what they really mean–and should say–is “Hey, nice car!”

Sometimes stating the obvious is witty in itself, such as Danny Eichstedt’s way chopped and sectioned black ’34 sedan, which was incredibly low, especially in contrast to his previous tall-topped “Leg Show” T-bucket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or, maybe there are more creative, or just informative, ways to identify your hot rod through its license plate.

So you can see this is mainly a photo essay. The plates do speak for themselves. And, in fact, these are only half the photos I shot at this one event. Plus I have a whole ‘nuther batch of witty plates, and tales, from the late pinstriper/collector Shaky Jake, so let me know if you want to see more.

But first… Whether you’ve ever ordered a vanity plate or not, you have very likely played the mind game of thinking up good ones for you car. Of course I did this for years–decades–for my thank-god-it’s-finally-gone ’48 Chevy. The one with too many doors and not enough cylinders. I’ll only mention a few. Most were self-deprecating. My favorite was SICKX. A nicer alternate was 153624 (firing order). When Pro/Street was happening I would have chosen PRO SLUG. And since it was an honorary low rider, I liked OR LA, or what it meant: ORALE (pronounced OR-A-LAY), which in Chicano slang translates to BITCHIN! in Baskervillese. There were plenty more, but the one I should have done–which I’m pretty sure I’ve seen somewhere–was FOR SALE. On the other hand, the reason I’d never done a personal plate on any of my cars–especially the ’32 roadster–was because they all had black CA plates, which meant they were original to 1963. Until fairly recently, that was the only way you could get a black plate. It had to have been issued to that car between ’63 and ’69, and (for the first time) you didn’t have to turn it in when the new blue plates came out. So my ’32 and ’56 F-100 still proudly wear their original black plates. However, our new ’33 sedan didn’t have old plates when I got it, so I finally got my first personalized plate:

And I took this photo after returning from our recent cross-country trip to show it means what it says.

And speaking of “message” plates, this is one that Lil John Buttera affixed to his famous coffee-brown ’26 T sedan, which he vociferously drove to the NSRA Nats in Tulsa in ’76. It also demonstrates that CA personal plates could be kept and transferred from car to car. This is Lil’s then-new, hi-tek ’32 3-window, seen on Hot Rod’s Dec. ’79 cover, square headlights and all.

For Inliners, this was the plate to get, and it was snagged (in CA) by rod-writer Jay Storer for his quite unusual ’32 highboy roadster powered by an Ak Miller-built turbocharged Ford straight six on propane. Love that single exhaust. And it hauled ass; I rode in it.

This guy went beyond self-deprecation. He was all-inclusive.

I showed this photo on Instagram and people thought it was another Angeleno migrant to Oregon, but I think the subtle reference is to Irma. On the other hand, la douce in French means “the sweet,” and this Deuce is.

OK, how about some that are just fun and creative?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the above photos, I’d point out that the B BOPIN pickup is a Model B, The CHEV ROD plate is a bit redundant given the Bow Tie right above it, and rodders had a brief infatuation with COORS when it was only available in the West (probably not the best thing to advertise on your hot rod).

Given the scarcity of female rodders, it’s great they can use plates to announce ownership, and hopefully encourage more.

 

I don’t know about other states, but CA law says it’s illegal to alter a license plate in any way. That would include painting the background of a blue plate black (which some did before new black plates became available). But here are some more creative, and artistic, customized custom plates:

And here’s one I can’t begin to figure out. That nice black ’32 sedan is conspicuously devoid of any louvers, of any kind. Maybe this guy is a deadpan satirist.

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes a personalized plate really adds little to a car that makes a strong statement all by itself. I once used Jay Carpenter’s big block-powered black hiboy in an HRM article to demonstrate the elements that make a real hot rod. It has all the right stuff, and not too much. The plate certainly doesn’t detract, but it’s more like a nice fashion accessory on this rod.

In this case I’d say the plate is more like an exclamation point.

And in the case of Guy Ruchonnet’s similar orange chopped ’34 3-window, with its blown and injected Chrysler Hemi and Funny Car slicks, this plate is nothing less than a declarative statement that has rightfully become a classic. I saw its corollary UD LOSE on an ’80s Pro/Street fairgrounds cruiser once, but it was wishful thinking.

I did mention Baskervillese, didn’t I? Gray had a way with words for all places, in any medium. And that of course included the very appropriate, and by now famous, blue plate on the back of his equally revered veteran Deuce. I took this photo of it parked in its Pasadena carport, along with his last pair of worn-out flip-flops. Adeeos, my good friend.

And adeeos to you, my much-appreciated readers…for now.  I’ll be back.