1923 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

More than 15 million Model T's were produced between 1908 and 1927. And when the hot-rodding craze hit, the Model T was a great option for youngsters needing a low-buck street machine. Stock-bodied Ts were modified by the boatload, T bodies were dropped onto other car companies’ frames, and aftermarket bodies appeared as early as the 1920s before exploding in popularity. 

As the need for Model T speed grew, the number of body panels dropped. While hot rodders were patronizing the burgeoning speed parts industry and adding radical cams, high-compression heads, multi-carb manifolds, high-voltage ignitions, and chrome accents, they were also removing the T’s fenders, bumpers, and hood. And from these experiments, the T-Bucket was born. 

The hallmark of the hot rod culture is individualism, the “run what you brung” philosophy dating back to the earliest days of rodding. This 1923 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup certainly embodies that sentiment, featuring a 454 Chevy, automatic transmission, a black tuck-and-roll vinyl interior, all tastefully wrapped in “Brandywine” paint from House of Kolor. 

Highlights 

• Classic T-Bucket Pickup completed June 2024 

• Finished in House of Kolor “Brandywine” paint 

• Black tuck-and-roll vinyl interior with WWII aluminum bomber seats 

• Chevy 454 cu-in V8 featuring: 

  • Edelbrock Performer cam and intake manifold 

  • 650 cfm Holley 4175 spread bore carburetor 

• 700R4 automatic overdrive transmission  

• 3.80:1 rear end ratio with Trak Lock 

Features 

• Coys C5 gunmetal grey aluminum wheels with bullet lug nuts, 15x4-inch front and 18x9 rear-inch 

• Front tires Yokohama 145/65-R15 26psi; rear Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR 295/45-ZR18 

• Aluminum two row radiator with thermostat controlled electric fan 

• 10-gallon aluminum fuel tank 

• 100-amp polished aluminum alternator 

• Front disc and rear drum brakes 

• Tilt steering column 

• Stewart Warner speedometer 

• 1930’s era Ah-Ooo-Gah Horn 

• Mini glove box under each bomber seat

• Electric cooling fan override switch to run the fans constantly (for parades, etc.)

• Lock-up torque converter override switch

• Pushbutton release to remove polished aluminum trunk

Known Imperfections 

• Bubble in windshield (upper left on driver’s side) 

• Chrome chip on top of front transverse leaf spring perch mount 

• The headers have several imperfections and discoloration areas especially near the cylinder head exhaust ports (normal wear and tear) 

Included 

• Paint supplies leftover from the paint job, both body color and frame color (base coat, clear coat, catalyst, and reducer) 

• Extra ignition keys 

Ownership History 

The consignor reports, “We purchased the ’23 T Bucket in Santa Barbara as an uncompleted project car. The owner had rebuilt the 454 big block Chevy engine and 700R4 automatic overdrive transmission with lock up torque convertor from his one-ton pickup truck and installed them into the 23 T Bucket. We decided to change the car’s body color from Canary Yellow to House of Kolor “Brandywine” and retained the black frame. I fabricated an aluminum interior and used button head mounting screws that resemble aircraft rivets and added fabricated WWII aluminum bomber seats.   A nine-inch diameter stainless steel steering wheel with pointy horn button just seemed right for this car. Per Edelbrock web site data a dyno run with a performer intake and cam on a stock 454 the engine produces about 460 lb-ft of torque at 2900rpm. Bodywork and paint by Bill Anderson of Hot Rod Alley. My wife and I have enjoyed going on cruises in the countryside and the T Bucket has been in several cruise nights and parades.”