FEATURE – 1923 Ford T Bucket

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Prestige Motor Gallery, NSW

The synergy between hot rods and Chev’s small block V8 goes back a long way. In fact, it was being applied to rods and custom cars soon after it was released in 1955. Just as enduring is the Ford ‘T Bucket’ that’s been a styling constant in the rodding scene since the 1950s. As shown by the car featured, uniting these two elements of hot rod history seems only natural.

Both the T Bucket and Small Block have seen changes over the years, as new engineering arrives and styling trends come and go, but it seems like the 350 cubic inch version of the Small Block has been a constant. Attribute that to it being an engine that was so widely utilised (at least in the US), its combination of good power and reliability, plus a healthy aftermarket industry that supplies all manner of things to stuff into and bolt onto the compact V8 – both functional and cosmetic.

While the original Small Block has been out of circulation for almost 30 years, the availability of crate engines means that it’s still a popular choice with rodders to this day.

Fire Up

When the Chev Small Block made its debut in selected 1955 model Chevrolet passenger cars, it was referred to as the ‘Turbo Fire V8’, which had nothing to do with turbocharging, but was a name General Motors seemed to like applying, as they attached it to transmissions, too.

The initial Small Block was of 265 cubic inch capacity, with a 283ci version arriving two years later. A 327 Small Block was added for 1962, while the 350 Small Block, that everyone knows and loves today, arrived for 1967. Exclusive to the Camaro SS that year, the 350 would soon be available across the entire Chevrolet range, then spread to other GM divisions, too.

More variations in capacity were added during the 1970s and ’80s, with a second-generation released in the 1990s until it was finally replaced by the LS engine in 1997.

The Small Block’s application to hot rods started early, and while there’s no acknowledged pioneer, by the late 1960s, it had replaced Ford’s flathead V8 as the engine of choice, especially amongst younger rodders.

The Small Block’s position in rodding was acknowledged in the 1973 feature film, American Graffiti. Set in 1962, this nostalgic look at Southern California culture – especially car culture – featured the “Milner coupe”, a bright yellow ’32 Ford powered by a 327ci version of the Chev Small Block. As one of the movie’s hero cars, the Milner coupe has spawned countless replicas over the years.  

Outside of Hollywood, an equally famous application of the Small Block was in the “Eliminator” custom ‘33 Ford coupe built for ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons. This time, the engine was a 350, tricked up with a camshaft from a Camaro Z/28. But as this rod was built to drive (the music video appearances came later), there was nothing too crazy and the transmission was a T350 automatic.

These are just a couple of the applications that have made the Small Block famous.

Norm and Kookie

The wider adoption of the T Bucket as a hot rod styling genre owes its existence to Hollywood, and this time, there was a recognised pioneer.

While cut-down and souped up Model T and Model A Fords were certainly a thing before the 1950s, the TV show 77 Sunset Strip that first aired in 1958 put one into the loungerooms of millions of Americans every week, in turn elevating hot rodding from niche to mainstream. What became known as the “Kookie Car” (after its use by Gerald ‘Kookie’ Kookson, one of the show’s main characters) had actually been built by Norm Grabowski in California sometime around 1952.

Grabowski combined a heavily modified ’31 Model A chassis with half of a Model T touring body and a shortened Model A pickup bed. Fat tyres on the rear and smaller front rubber to create a jacked-up stance, along with an exposed Cadillac V8, near-vertical steering column and compact steering wheel were other defining features.

Featued in Hot Rod magazine in 1955, its star turn on 77 Sunset Strip a few years later set the T Bucket template that’s been followed ever since, including on the rod featured here.

Authentic Bucket

Currently listed for sale with Prestige Motor Gallery in NSW (see breakout), this T Bucket was built in the 1990s. Not much of its early history is known, other than it’s had at least four owners, with a connection to the long-running, NSW-based Shifters Rod & Custom Car Club, too.

The 350 Small Block features a tunnel ram intake, oil cooler, Edelbrock valve covers and braided lines throughout. What sort of power it’s putting out is unknown, but the extractors, working side pipes and the presence of a big tachometer suggests it’s potent. The Small Block is connected to a T350 automatic, with a Jaguar rear end.

All the signature T Bucket styling features are there, from the transverse leaf springs at each end, to the touring body, upright steering wheel and cut-down pickup bed that holds the fuel tank. Wheels are Weld Pro Stars and there are fat 31 x 16.5 Hoosiers at the rear.  

Some individual touches include ’39 Ford teardrop tail lights and electric windscreen wipers that are arguably more decorative than practical.

The cabin is lined in pleated vinyl that extends to the pickup bed, too. Gauges are spread across the compact dash, with the speedometer centrally mounted. Burgundy paint on the fibreglass body and cycle guards completes the package.

FOR SALE

Beyond its looks, the appeal with this T Bucket is that’s already been engineer approved in NSW – something that’s harder and potentially very costly to achieve these days.

It was on full rego at time of listing with Prestige, so it’s ready to do the same in the hands of the next owner.

The burgundy paint is in good condition, with only minor repair needed on the black vinyl seat trim.

An ideal weekend cruiser, especially in summer, this distinctive hot rod is ready for the next owner to enjoy.

Asking price is $88,990.

Available from  Prestige Motor Gallery NSW . Click HERE for more details.