37 years later - she's back in his garage

[tardis454]

That's a nice T-bucket, glad it went back to it's original home. Thanks for sharing this Dignlif

[JOES66FURY]

not HAMB approved?


that thing is too cool. diggin the brass radiator and moto fromt wheels...

[6 Grrrs]

Super cool story and neat how he's redoing it. T buckets were never my cup of tea, but I think one would be fun with a 4 cylinder in it. I'm starting to think Turbocharged 2.3L ford or a GM Quad4 with W41 cams and a T5 5 speed. That 1400 lbs sure is enticing. 200 horsepower in something that light would be a blast!

[mlcraven]

7lb/hp - hot stuff for the street. Things must be squirrely with a worked-up V8.

But I'll never know (won't ride in 'em, they look like death traps to me).

[Dignlif]

glad you guys are diggin' it. He's having a blast and he really deserves it 'cause he's a great all around guy!

A little update. He had to redo the steering column again. The angle was better than straight up and down but it was too close to the side and he couldn't get his knee between the body and the wheel so he moved it over and since he was doing that, he tilted it up a bit more. But...now he has to also redo the pedals.

He tried to rebuild the rear brake calipers today but found them to be frozen. He's looking into sourcing a new set and thinks he got a lead on some today.

It also looks like he's figured out the routing of a throttle cable to run under the firewall and into the cab. The last thing he wants to do is put a hole in that killer paint on the firewall.

Found a small ding in the top of the windshield frame so it went back the to chromer and the owner said he'd do it free of charge since he'd taken him so much stuff. Cool deal, should be back early next week so he can have the glass made. Wiring is scheduled for next week with his brother.

I agree the radiator looks killer. It's going to be highlighted a bit more when he gets the headlights on as they have brass rings on them. The steering wheel is also brass and the new gauges are a gold/ brassy color against that gloss black dash. Not so much to overpower it but enough to highlight and keep some of that 70's vibe.

He signed up for the GoodGuys West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton at the end of August so we should be seeing some starting up action in the next couple weeks.

I'll see about posting it to the HAMB, good idea. I just tested my old login and it worked.

edit to add picture I just remembered I had on my phone...it shows the new upholstery and before he moved the steering over a bit.

[Beagle]

steering change = win!

[Deaf Bob]

steering change = win!

I agree.. Never liked the up/down steering for some reason..
Always liked buckets.. Getting too unflexable to crawl into one nowadys.. But can still appreciate them..

[65RHDEER]

A few weeks have gone by with no updates, the way they were going I thought it was going to be finished before they started!

Something else got in the way?

[Dignlif]

yeah I figured it would be running by now too. He's been fighting a few small things along with the local heat the last couple weeks. One thing is he's still waiting on his brother to help do the wiring. I took him my weather-pack kit and he's hoping to get started on that soon.

We finally found replacement calipers for the Volvo rear end. I got some great help from Raybestos and they had them sent to a local supplier for us. Awesome customer service, thanks Chip!! Also thanks to Nathan at the distributor.

Another thing he's fighting with is the windshield. The upper frame came back from the chromer repaired so he took it to the glass shop to have the glass cut. He got a call from them yesterday that they put a dent in the frame. So...it's back at the chromer and should be back Monday.

He did get his throttle cable/ pedal setup figured out, the front engine dress with fan is done, front wheels now have the correct seals and are permanently installed, and the steering & I believe the pedals are done and ready for prime time.

Still to go besides the wiring are headlights and gas tank paint (cleaned and coated already), carpet, front brake install. He still has two weeks till the show that starts on the 24th but he needs to get it going and road tested.

[Dignlif]

ok, some photo updates finally. I went over to Al's lastnight and he showed me some progress. The wiring is mostly in, he just needs to finish up the gauges and get a few connectors to finish attaching things.

It's getting down to just days as he's supposed to be driving it out to Pleasanton this coming Friday for the Good Guys West Coast Nationals. What a great place to debut the comeback of his ride! He's planning to fire it up on Monday sometime so I'll try my best to get down there and get some video.

The front Wilwood brakes are done and plummed.


The gas tank is painted and ready for install


Carb refresh and new throttle setup is complete and working. New stainless top water tube made, bottom one being mocked up then will need to be tig welded.


Alternator and new fan installed. It's all looking really good

[Dignlif]

engine turned over today and headlights installed and working. going to pick up the windshield frame and windshield tomorrow.Gas tank goes in tomorrow. Looking to start it Wed morning. cutting it close but he's still planning to have it ready to drive 50 miles each way for the 3 day show.

[Beagle]

almost there - that was quick!

[Dignlif]

Fire in the hole!!!

He got it running this afternoon after a distributor reset. Looks he needs to go one more tooth but it's running.

http://youtu.be/y0N2C1uS088

[mlcraven]

Dang...where are all these sexy-sounding 4s and 6s coming from?

[Deaf Bob]

Dang...where are all these sexy-sounding 4s and 6s coming from?

Remember... That one was put together over 30 years ago... Just refreshened...(if I read right)