Network
Behind the build of every custom ride there is a story, especially for those individuals who have poured blood, sweat, and tears into making a ride into their very own custom piece of art. For some, it’s deeper than that. Not only is building a classic hot rod a passion; it is a way of life. For Fort Collins, Colorado’s Adam Lucier, this is certainly the case.
One unique build, this T-Bucket is nothing like you’ve seen before!
Owner of famed Newstalgia Hot Rods and Custom Paint, Lucier has not only made a career out of his passion, but lives it every single day- from his closest friends to his leisurely activities. Of course, he also lives it through his rides; a 1953 Ford and this magnificent ’23 Ford Model T Roadster!
A Passion of Generations
Lucier is just a young buck in the hot rod industry at 31 years old, but his work, passion, and mindset all stem from a different era–that of his grandfather’s generation.
“I have been into hot rods and kustoms since I was little and growing up around my grandpa, who restored old cars maybe since I was about 10,” Lucier told us. “[I really] got started while in high school. My shop teacher Mr. Neil Carroll got me a job in a hot rod shop and that was it for me.”
Over the years, inspiration for Lucier’s custom creations came not only from his schooling at Wyotech and personal hot rod shop experience, but also from his family. In fact, the 1953 Ford Lucier has, complete with his own finishing touches of course, was actually his grandfather’s originally.
From the punched grille to the pinstriping, Lucier’s ride takes the traditional hot rod platform to a new level.
In 2004, the inspiration for the T came about while Lucier was working for Squeeg’s Kustoms.
“The build started as an idea from my old boss Doug Jerger from Squeeg’s Kustoms,” Lucier explained.
“He told me to build a hot rod that was affordable so I had something to cruise in, and this is what we all came up with–a low slung T-Bucket with a wild color, but still maintaining the traditional show rod look.”
The idea quickly branched into a project–one which Lucier said he took on particularly to learn new things and work with his dad on.
“I really like building things with my own two hands,” Lucier explained. “Also, I like to see people’s reactions when they see their cars for the first time,” he added of his work done for customers since.
Tire to tire, Lucier’s T-Bucket is every bit of a show car as it is a fun cruiser for Lucier and his family.
Every Little Detail
With affordability in mind, Lucier started by crafting a custom frame for his project car and fitting it with a reproduction body from Speedway Motors, which he channeled himself. Added to the back of the vehicle was a handmade bed with louvers while a custom grille with a chopped shell, Lucier’s favorite feature on his hot rod, was fitted to the front of the roadster, giving the Bucket T its unique look.
“I never intended for it to be this nice,” Lucier told us during the photo shoot of his fine ride. However, that won’t stop him from using his T-Bucket frequently like any good rodder would.
“[I] learned how to TIG weld while building the car,” Lucier told us.
“[I] learned a lot about what not to do!”
Now, this custom creation is topped off with a custom paint scheme made up of a R-M Diamont custom mixed Silver Micro Flake base and a custom mixed Green/Gold Candy color.
This is accented with a Pearl White underbody and firewall, as well as custom pinstriping from Lil Dame Pinstriping.
The color scheme is continued into the interior of the Model T, intertwined in the custom seats, door panels, and even the shifter boot.
Every inch of Lucier's ride is complimented with custom touches, from the channeled body to the handcrafted interior.
Even the wheels are topped off with Green/Gold Candy accents to match the T.
Giving the T-Bucket plenty of pavement-gripping power are Coker bias-ply tires wrapped around similarly branded 15-inch reverse chrome wheels, which also carry the T-Bucket’s unique color scheme. Stopping power for this micro rod comes from stout Wilwood discs on all four corners.
Prominently displayed out front and just as unique as the rest of the T is the classic 1968 Ford 347 ci engine hovering between the front frame rails. Bored .040 over with balanced stock internals, this engine features ported and polished heads, a Mallory ignition, Mooneyes manifold, and a flat tappet camshaft from Comp Cams. Sitting atop the Ford powerplant are three Stromberg carburetors.
Ported and polished, the Ford 347 ci engine that powers the T is just as show-ready as the rest of the vehicle on any given day.
“I would make the frame about a foot longer so i could run a mechanical fan,” Lucier explained when posed the question on what he’d change on his ride if he ever rebuilt it. “And I would put drum brakes up front.” Aside from that, it’s good as gold!
A Hot Rod Epilogue
He may not even be a quarter of the way to getting his driver’s licence, but Lucier’s son is already proving that the family’s car blood has once again been passed down to the next generation.
Since completing the lightweight 1,400lb street rod in 2006, Lucier has taken it to numerous shows with much success in the awards circle. Topping the list of awards this special hot rod has taken home over the years include Best Paint, a Goodguys Suede and Chrome award and the honor of being named the Goodguys Terrific T.
Associated with the Crossthreaders of Fort Collins, Lucier plans to continue to take his ride to shows all over the Front Range, as well as use it as a fun cruiser.
“The car has been a huge inspiration for me to open my shop Newstalgia Hot Rods and Custom Paint, where we do everything from chassis, to custom sheet metal work, and of course award-winning paint work,” Lucier told us.
For the inspiration and support along the way, Lucier would like to thank his mom, dad, and grandfather Howie.
For more photos of Lucier’s amazing custom T-Bucket, be sure to check out Rod Authority’s Photo Gallery below!
