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1972 T-bucket Ford

reserve not met
3 Bids
8:40 PM, 06 Jan 2017Auction ended
Highest bid

£4,000

reserve not met

Background

If, like us, you aren’t completely au fait with the hotrod scene, you might be wondering why a classic car site is featuring a fiberglass replica. If, unlike us, you’re a bit of a classic car crusty, you’ll probably also be wondering why anyone would want to destroy a Ford Model T to build one.

Well, read on, because this example is an iconic hotrod and a genuine classic in its own right. It might also prove to be a very astute investment; hotrods tend to lack the investment credibility of their more conventional cousins, a situation that can’t last forever making this an opportunity to beat the rush and get in at the ground floor…

First for the basics, a T-bucket is a specific style of hot rod based on a Ford Model T of the 1915 to 1927 era, but extensively modified, or alternatively built with replica components to resemble a Model T.

Since the last Model Ts were built in 1927, most modern T-buckets use replica fibreglass bodies. By the 1950s, original steel Model T bodies were becoming increasingly hard to find and in 1957 the first fibreglass T-Bucket body (based on the 1923 version) was introduced by the Diablo Speed Shop in Northern California. 

A genuine T-bucket has the two-seater body of a Model T roadster (with or without the turtle deck or small pickup box), this "bucket"-shaped bodyshell giving the cars their name. There is never any kind of engine cowling (or bonnet) on a T-bucket. Windscreens are vertical glass like the original Model T.

  • 18000
  • Auto
  • Green
  • Green Leather

Background

If, like us, you aren’t completely au fait with the hotrod scene, you might be wondering why a classic car site is featuring a fiberglass replica. If, unlike us, you’re a bit of a classic car crusty, you’ll probably also be wondering why anyone would want to destroy a Ford Model T to build one.

Well, read on, because this example is an iconic hotrod and a genuine classic in its own right. It might also prove to be a very astute investment; hotrods tend to lack the investment credibility of their more conventional cousins, a situation that can’t last forever making this an opportunity to beat the rush and get in at the ground floor…

First for the basics, a T-bucket is a specific style of hot rod based on a Ford Model T of the 1915 to 1927 era, but extensively modified, or alternatively built with replica components to resemble a Model T.

Since the last Model Ts were built in 1927, most modern T-buckets use replica fibreglass bodies. By the 1950s, original steel Model T bodies were becoming increasingly hard to find and in 1957 the first fibreglass T-Bucket body (based on the 1923 version) was introduced by the Diablo Speed Shop in Northern California. 

A genuine T-bucket has the two-seater body of a Model T roadster (with or without the turtle deck or small pickup box), this "bucket"-shaped bodyshell giving the cars their name. There is never any kind of engine cowling (or bonnet) on a T-bucket. Windscreens are vertical glass like the original Model T.

Overview

'Nykilodeon' was built by the legendary Nick Butler in 1972, this car took more than 2,500 hours to build and cost £1,200 in parts alone. It is estimated that building the same car now would set its owner back a six-figure sum.

Why so much? Well, the 371 cubic inch (6-litre, in Euro-speak) Oldsmobile Rocket V8 petrol engine develops 350bhp and 400 lbs/ft of torque and aficionados will know that while there ain’t no substitute for cubes, performance like this doesn’t come cheap.

The engine was fully stripped down and then ported and polished and balanced to within an inch of its life before being carefully reassembled with lots of the good stuff to stop it going bang.

The headers alone took 370 hours to build. Yes, you read that right; three hundred and seventy hours went into their fabrication of the front end of the exhaust alone, giving you an insight into what it takes to build a car of this quality.

The front tube axle was also hand fabricated and features Herridge ends, a transverse leaf spring and Spax dampers. Corsair discs and calipers ensure that it stops as well as it goes, and the whole lot is rose-jointed.

The back is similarly obsessive, featuring an axle from a 1964 Pontiac, adjustable Armstrong dampers, and the original Pontiac drum brakes because they look great and do sod-all work, making their relative lack of stopping ability an irrelevance.

Exterior

The bodywork is as rudimentary as it should be; after all, if there was more of it then it wouldn’t be a T-Bucket, would it? But what there is is gorgeous and way better finished than anything Henry produced back in the 1920s.

The headlamps come from a MkIV Jaguar and the rear lights come from a Volkswagen. Plus chrome. Lots and lots of lovely chrome.

Interior

The dashboard is crafted from glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) and populated with a mix of Triumph and Sunbeam Tiger gauges.

Green, button-backed seats and a vertical leather steering wheel complete the minimal interior.

Mechanical

The Ford T-Bucket has been the subject of a careful programme of refurbishment including fully rebuilt front and rear brakes complete with reconditioned original calipers, and new master and slave cylinders. The chassis has had new radius rods made and fitted on both sides and new steering bolts and pins made and fitted.

The engine has seen a new carb, including a rebuilt kickdown linkage, plus a new safety-foam petrol tank complete with rebuilt mounting and a new petrol filler cap. The whole thing is cooled through a Land Rover radiator and new Kenlowe electric cooling fan.

The electrical system hasn’t been neglected, either. A new wiring loom has been handmade and fitted; the electrical work also included a new fuse block, alternator, and switches. The instruments have also been rebuilt and fitted into a refurbished dashboard.

But all you want to know is “what’ll she do, mister?”, am I right? Well, with all that power in a car that weighs the square root of bugger all the answer is that it’ll make your ears bleed.

History

This example of a T-Bucket is a genuine icon and has been featured in multiple magazine articles over the years, many of which come with the car as well as featuring at several shows.

It has also been voted one of the top ten hotrods of the past forty years. Now that’s an accolade.

Summary

With a provenance like this, this must be one of the best investment-grade hotrods currently on the market. Engineers will appreciate the quality of the design and build, while aesthetes will love its retro looks and anything-goes quirkiness.

Drivers will love the performance and everyone will love the to-die-for appeal of a Hot Wheels toy made real.

This truly is a unique opportunity to own a very special vehicle. We have guided the car at £27.5k - £30k, an inconsiderable amount when compared to what it would cost to recreate this car today.

Nykilodeon can be viewed in Watford, use the button above to contact the seller or ask questions and discuss this car in the comments section below.

About this auction

Seller

Private: mravalon

Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.

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