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We have quite the Craigslist find for you: a 1922 Ford T-Bucket. These cars are some of the coolest hot rods around, and this one is no exception.
As we all know, these hot rods were originally just Model Ts converted to carry the biggest engine in the smallest package. However, knowing Model Ts were pulled from production in 1927, it became harder as the years went on to get a functional, decent-condition chassis and body. People began to use other models of cars as the foundation, such as the ’32 Ford Roadster for classic hot rods, but the demand for original T bodies was still in high demand.
Pictured left, Buzz Pitzen; right, Norm Grabowski.
In an attempt to fill the need, a small number of fiberglass bodies were built in the late ’50s by the Diablo Speed Shop in Northern California. They found traction when guys like Buzz Pitzen and Norm Grabowski took an interest in buying and building them. Public attention was gained from TV shows like 77 Sunset Strip, in which Grabowski’s “Kookie Kar” was used for an episode.
To our delight, this specimen comes with a couple of videos on YouTube and a trove of photos to enjoy on Photobucket. You can view the burnout video above, and the walk-around/showcase video here. The Photobucket gallery can be viewed here.
It’s a fresh build right out of Orange, CA. The 1,735-mile engine is a powerful Chevy 350 with a 3-speed transmission, and the rear end is a 10-bolt. The owner claims the car has been dynoed recently and achieved a max power of 182.26 and a max torque of 266.74. As evidenced by this and the attendant burnout video, it’s obvious that this car has some real get-up-and-go to it.
And it’s easy on the eyes too, with an interior and exterior in terrific condition. All that chrome stretching from front to back just looks plain cool.
The owner will show you a “binder full of thousands of dollars in receipts” for all the parts and service done to the car over the years. He seems a gracious and kindly sort, as he’s inviting towards meticulous test drivers. Check out those vids and pics, and decide for yourself if you think this car is the bee’s knees.
