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Hodge-Podge Special: Ford T-Bucket

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Years ago, it was practically expected that every 4th of July parade would feature an army of T-bucket hotrods, chock full of components from any number of different manufacturers. While the culture still exists, it seems the rat rod approach to customization has migrated to newer generations of vehicles, which isn’t all that surprising. But these old-school garage builds are still appealing, just like this Ford T-bucket here on eBay that has one bid at $300.

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Truth be told, I don’t know what we’re looking at here and the seller doesn’t offer many details. All the information that is given says it was built on a 1970s-era Ford pickup frame and the engine is a straight-eight. This lone shot of the interior indicates long-term outdoor storage and a rat’s nest of wires will be a challenging project for the next owner.

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The transmission badge at least gives us some clue as to the running gear. The best part about these hot rod builds is there’s no compulsion to stick with the parts it came with since the original builder likely threw it together with whatever was in the shop. If it doesn’t work, toss it and find a cheap replacement. Provenance be damned!

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I wonder if this T-bucket was anything more than it appears here, which looks like a narrow cabin with a big motor grafted onto a truck frame with a bed. Was there ever a roof? Doors? It was tagged at one point, so I’m assuming it ran down the road at least a few times, but what an odd combination of body types. Regardless, the bidding is slow and the reserve is unmet – what do you do with a project like this?

Comments

  1. Avatar MH

    Looks like a bunch of scrap metal. They wasted a Google old car to make this? People were doing plenty of drugs in the 70’s. Must be some wild creation someone thought of while on acid. Send it to the scrap yard.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Mike H.

    To say it’s on a Ford pickup frame is a very loose translation of “Ford Pickup Frame”. I see an independent front suspension with unequal length A-arms (Ford had the Twin-I-Beam through at least the early 1990’s) and a Courier box, so I’m guessing it’s actually a Mazda Pickup frame, but beyond that? Who knows? The flathead straight eight is an interesting concept, though. It looks like the driver and the motor would be occupying the same space; makes me wonder if this thing ever went anywhere under its own power.

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  3. Avatar Mark E

    Wait…the engine is INSIDE the car?!?? What’s under the hood, luggage space? I’m confused. Appears the guy had most of a pickup, drivetrain of an old buick and a model T tub and after a case of beers got busy in his garage. A sad development…

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  4. Avatar Donnie

    It is a early 1970s ford frame but not what you would think/ its a ford COURIER frame mini truck .

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  5. Avatar Bill

    Ford Courier.. you can see it on the tailgate.. I’d buy it for the straight 8 with the aluminum head. (and roadster body/cowl etc).

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  6. Avatar joeinthousandoaks

    Seller missed a p in his description “the cra was made from diferen parts “

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  7. Avatar Gary I

    What the ????! I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, maybe someone will see this and love it. If you have always wanted one, well then here it is, and someone saved you a whole lotta work!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar mike young

    Great parts car…if you have an early fifties Hudson…. Pull motor/trans. Heave the rest !

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  9. Avatar Steve

    What’s the current going rate for scrap steel?

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  10. Avatar Brian

    If the Beverly Hillbillys were a little younger and someone left them in a junkyard with a welder…

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ed P

      That’s what it is, a Jethromobile.

      Like 0

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