It feels like Hot Rod week at Barn Finds, with our feature car the second such vehicle to appear on our pages in under a day. While the previous vehicle was an old-school Ford Roaster, this is a 1924 Ford T-Bucket that has spent decades in hiding. It requires revival and plenty of TLC, but its solid nature and Chrysler Hemi V8 make it worth more than a passing glance. The seller has listed the T-Bucket here on eBay in Bohemia, New York. They set their BIN at $12,500 with the option to make an offer.
There’s a lot to unpack with this T-Bucket, which the seller believes was created in the early 1980s. It appears to have seen little active service before spending approximately forty-five years in storage. Time hasn’t been kind to its paint, which shows significant deterioration. The body probably needs stripping to bare metal, because even the visible undercoat doesn’t look flash. The frame is significantly better, with its Candy Red free from major problems. There is a range of nice old-school touches on this Ford, including the iconic Cragar wire wheels and the brass radiator and headlamps. One aspect of this classic with the potential to be a highlight is the timber. The photos indicate that it may have been the work of a craftsman, and a sand and a fresh coat of urethane might be all it needs to genuinely “pop.”
The flathead four Ford fitted to the original Model T delivered 20hp, which was considered very respectable in its day. However, this T-Bucket would have placed significantly more at the driver’s disposal, courtesy of the Chrysler 392ci Hemi. The builder teamed the Hemi with an A-727 automatic transmission and a Jaguar independent rear end with inboard disc brakes. Those specifications aren’t outlandish, but should have provided a rewarding driving experience. The engine wears a range of cosmetic enhancements, although the news below the surface is less positive. The seller states that the Hemi is stuck, with an inspection revealing severe rust in one cylinder. Its cause is unclear, although a leaking cylinder head gasket would be the most likely candidate. However, it could also be an indication of something more sinister, which may only reveal itself once the Hemi is dismantled. This is one aspect of this classic where the buyer will be rolling the dice.
The timber theme set by the deck lid continues inside this T-Bucket, with not a sign of soft trim. The joinery looks superb and would present beautifully with a bit of elbow grease. The same is true of the matching wheel and the dash that houses retro-style gauges. It lacks creature comforts like a radio, and there are a few changes that many potential buyers may consider to make the interior more user-friendly. These would include carpet and some form of padding for the seat. There is no doubt that if the new owner attempted any long journeys in this T-Bucket when it returns to active service, it wouldn’t take long for them to lose all feeling below the waist! Therefore, I believe that it will take more time than money to make this interior sparkle.
Any classic will appeal to a specific group of enthusiasts, which is undoubtedly true of Hot Rods. They speak of an era when builders were forced to compromise on their creations due to budgetary restraints, leading to some innovative vehicles. I won’t say that this 1924 Ford T-Bucket was built as a no-expenses-spared exercise, but it appears that the person who produced it had one eye on fine details, and the other on brutal performance. It needs work to recapture its glory days, and I hope that someone is willing and able to do that. After all, four decades is way too long for any classic to spend in hiding. Do you agree?
I’m all for older hot rods. The T bucket roadster was the ultimate hot rod. These were cars, as kids, were just plastic models to us, and we turned out many. For a kid, that, and a vivid imagination, was all that was needed. Math class? Nah, I was draw’ring pictures of hot rods, until I got busted.
I’d think this car was made in the 60s, not 80s. By the 80s, everything was 426. The 392 came out in ’57, the 727 in ’62 and was an immediate hit in the 60s, as those big Chryslers were being junked, a 392 was a must have. In fact, many really nice cars were probably sacrificed just for the 392 alone. The automatic is a bit unusual, but probably a lot easier build than a stick.
I question the street legality of this as is. I happen to know New York has one of the toughest inspection programs in the country. Unsure how this would qualify, no fenders, wipers, unapproved lights, the alternator looks a bit out of place, but that too, came out in 1960. Jag rear end, also early 60s.( that was really cool, a Jag rear)
Now, ( yep, here it comes, hey, gotta be known for something) is there interest in a T bucket roadster today? I know the old farts are scrambling to disagree with me. Certainly, the automatic helps, and could be easily updated, the asking price isn’t that far off the wall, for this. You could never create such a period correct hot rod for anything close, heck, I bet a 392 alone brings $10gs today. I just wonder, though,
@Howard A- New York being New York, a $20 bill wrapped around your keys, helps with the inspection process of a car that is not quite in line with all the rules and regs. Once a year I would be part of a parade of “Not quite in line with the rules” vehicles from our place of employment to a local garage where six cars would be “inspected” in 20 minutes max.
Twenty dollar bill? You need to get out more, Frank.
Not when I was there.(2016) The “inspections” must be done by certified shops, and are on camera for the inspection. I had a friend that had a Subaru Outback, that the “check engine” light was on. The computer readout kept saying “neutral safety switch”, and 3 shops couldn’t get it to pass. Finally, I think he paid the waiver fee. $300, if I remember.
There is a bit of merit to what you say. He did have a son-in-law that has his own shop, and when his older light duty dump truck needed inspection, well, let’s say it passed no problem. Apparently some loop hole for trucks.
In Wis., they used to have certified emission testing places, always packed, for the 4 counties around Milwaukee. They phased those out and dealers and shops now conduct those tests with a rift of corruption.
I’m with Nelson, $20 bucks today would be an insult for a bribe, :)
Nelson- It was 15 years ago.
Howard,
WI emission testing is for pollution (my opinion). from Chicago etc. It comes up along Lake Michigan. The testing started south and they kept adding counties till Sheboygan got it.
When we had those stations, it was the IM240 test.
Any states have that now?
When it was going to start, feds came 1 night a week classes/ seminars for 6-8 weeks. WI was the first state to have it and it was a big deal. They tested cars back to 1972.
A state employee would:
Drive the car in
look at the mirrors under the car
check the gas cap
tie the car down on the dyno
put the probe (sniffer) into the tailpipe
would drive the car on a chassis dyno following a set route for 240 seconds.
That took time!
Long lines and many didn’t waste gas or pollute, so they shut off the engine.
Then we had many come to the shop that failed. Often a quick check and we told them to retest and be sure the car was warmed up when tested.
At the last meeting with the feds they handed out certificates.
They spelled my name wrong and said they’d send me a corrected one. My wife also attended those sessions and got her certificate. I never got mine but she was certified.
What was wrong with that system. Damage to cars by the state employees. There were some cars that had to towed away after being driven on the dyno.
Rift of corruption? with our current testing?
I don’t see how that can be. Dealers, shops and oil change places that have paid fees and bought equipment do the testing. Testing is connecting to the OBDII diagnostic port. I don’t remember if that is direct to the computer (or the reader connects to the computer) that prints out the result, is connected to the DMV for the result and will also spit out the license renewal sticker.
Same counties as before but only vehicles with OBDII can/are tested.
Could be a good one. I loved going to shows and weekend car gatherings but after driving one I decided I’d live a lot longer looking rather than driving.
đź‘Ť đź‘Ť
I wish I was looking for a new toy, because this would be perfect !
Get in, sit down, shut up and hang on!
I’d say buy it for the motor and drop into something more deserving. Nice build tho. Roofless cars aren’t such a good thing in Florida, especially during the rain season. Hard rain comes out of the blue for 5 minutes and stops, by then your soaked. Gives you just enough time to put tools away before it stops…
$12.5K BIN ? He’s got that much in the engine.
Nice hot rod but not feeling it at $12,500. That old hemi being stuck and having severe rust in one cylinder could get real expensive real fast. Your probably looking at a motor swap and possibly a transmission swap depending on what make engine you use. Also if you use something other than a 392 hemi your probably looking at motor mount and other modifications. GLWTS
Broke the cardinal rule of hot rods…..keep EVERYTHING the make of the car….
As an 80 yr.old, I can tell you that’s a load of horse puckey!
I agree!! There should be a FORD motor in it!!!!! and I’m only 72!!!!
Sure. Put the original 4 cylinder engine back in it!!
If you put the original engine in, would it be able to meet the DOT crank requirements?
Ha ha ha! You’re kidding, right?
not!!!!!!! Ha Ha…..
It has a Hemi in it cos Ford never made a good engine..
I’m sorry to mention this, but Ford has ruled the roost for over 100 years. Every once in awhile Mopar and Chevy get lucky when it comes to cars and engines, but for the life of cars, Ford has ruled!!!
Ford made lots of great racing engines….do your research.
Gotta be a hemi !!!
No it doesn’t!!!!!! A lot better, more reliable engines available….
Might be a big job sanding it back to metal. It looks like a replica fibreglass body.