A weeklong event of non-stop fun culminated in a big Saturday show at the Coker/Honest Charley Speed Shop complex. No car defines open air motoring quite like the venerable T-Bucket.
Carl Tschopp built a thoroughly...
Carl Tschopp built a thoroughly modern interpretation of the famed T-bucket. Resplendent in orange, the “real fire” flames, billet mirror and modern aluminum engine accessories make this one very modern T.
There is no denying the important role the T-bucket has played in the hobby of street rodding. During the rebirth of street rodding in the seventies it seemed half the cars at any street rod gathering were T-buckets. The T-bucket had a lot going for it, it was relatively simple to build, quite affordable and provided wicked performance in an open air atmosphere second only to motorcycles. Cross country trips to the early NSRA Street Rod Nationals in a bucket are now the thing of legend, bragging rights that last a lifetime.
The venerable T-bucket began to lose favor with the advent of fiberglass bodies of the Model A and Deuce roadster, followed by coupe bodies and now steel bodies. Add to that, growing families and many of hot rodding’s first repro-rods found themselves parked, in favor of a larger more comfortable car. Oh, the T-bucket never went away completely, but only the hardcore hot rodder remained in a bucket.
Orange early Ford wire wheels...
Orange early Ford wire wheels provide the rolling stock for this traditional T, and speaking of traditions, what can be better than a father and son roadster project?
Kevin Tohill brought his Illinois...
Kevin Tohill brought his Illinois based bucket to the big show.
While the roadster is cool...
While the roadster is cool from any view we were particularly impressed with the interior.
Fast forward 25-years and the T-bucket is making a bit of a comeback, and for all the same reasons these neat roadster were so popular back in the seventies and eighties. Easy and economical to build and fun to drive, a lot of hot rodders are building a bucket for local cruise nights, the real guys are still hitting the highway in one.
Mike Goodman of Honest Charley...
Mike Goodman of Honest Charley fame built this bucket back in 1971, and even won “Best Unfinished” at the ‘72 NSRA Street Rod Nationals, well evidently it was finished because 40 years later is remains unchanged.
And so 14-years ago the Nation T-Bucket Alliance Nationals was born, a national association dedicated to the building, preservation and use of everything T-bucket. The association includes a very active online community and their annual event changes location every year, and what an event it is. Now you may be thinking of a couple hundred T-buckets caged inside a fairgrounds somewhere, but you’d be wrong. No. the NTBA Nationals is a week-long, and frankly we don’t understand why there aren’t more events just like this one.
First, there is no entry fee. That’s right, if you are a member in good standing of the NTBA there is no fee to come to their Nationals. Second, there is no fairgrounds, rather it is based around a headquarters motel to serve as a home base for the entire week. You don’t have to spend the entire week, the actual event is from Thursday through Saturday but planned, organized events begin on Monday and end on Saturday.
This year the event was held in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the famed Chattanooga Choo Choo. This historic train depot is now a large hotel with the passenger car terminal serving as a great lobby and dining area. Outside vintage trains are still parked on the tracks and many of the cars have been converted to motel rooms. By Monday over 100 buckets were on hand and most of them made the 20-mile trip out to NTBA member and event organizer, JR Fitch’s family farm for a good ole fashioned weenie roast. Yes, hot dogs over open fire pits, drinks and lots of tales of the open road. It was a great evening that reminded us of rod runs past.
Home base for the National...
Home base for the National T-Bucket Alliance was the famed Chattanooga Choo Choo. JR Fitch rolled his roadster next to one of the vintage trains for this classic shot.
Bill Williams drove his super...
Bill Williams drove his super sanitary T in from Kathleen, Georgia. The 327 is covered in smooth aluminum, while House of Kolor Sunset Pearl makes sparkle.
When talk turns to traditional...
When talk turns to traditional hot rods few cars can compete with a great track roadster. The blending of vintage race car and hot rod components keep them in a class of their own.
Other road trips to Jack Daniels Distillery (175 miles round trip), a poker run, evening welcome party at Coker Tire and Honest Charley Speed Shop and a drive up the fabled “tail of the dragon” were all planned for the week. The impressive thing about all this planning is it was done completely by volunteers in the club and possibly more impressive is the fact that almost everyone partakes in every event. Throw in some old fashioned valve cover racing, door prizes and a final day of show and shine at the Coker Tire/Honest Charlie facility and you can see this is one fun filled, action packed week.
We’d like to congratulate the NTBA on a fabulous event, one that should be emulated by other clubs. Next year the NTBA T-Bucket Nationals will be held in Carson City, Nevada. If you’re a T-Bucket owner you really need to add this event to, well, your bucket list. SRM
The T-bucket responds well...
The T-bucket responds well to all the great hot rod looks. Black suede paint, pinstripe flames and a red chassis, motor and wheels work perfectly together. Wide whites add traditional flavor.
All the traditional components...
All the traditional components are in place on Jim Cunningham’s roadster. Tunnel ram intake, cowl lights and the ever popular diamond tufted interior. It all adds up to a great look.
The NTBA Nationals kicked...
The NTBA Nationals kicked off Monday evening with a great weenie roast at the JR Fitch family farm. While the event was barely underway almost 100 buckets made the drive to the farm.
Speedway Motors was on hand...
Speedway Motors was on hand displaying two great buckets. This silver bodied roadster with bomber seats sure gave the illusion of bare metal, rest assured it is a glass kit available from Speedway.
Speaking of illusions, Todd...
Speaking of illusions, Todd Mullins has the only fiberglass roadster at the show that might need rust repair. A great faux patina of rust make this one wild roadster.
Tired of sitting in a fairgrounds...
Tired of sitting in a fairgrounds for eight hours a day? Join the NTBA and attend their event, it’s loaded with day trips to great sights like the Jack Daniels Distillery.
Anyone who was around during...
Anyone who was around during the rebirth of street rodding will remember hundreds of T-buckets hauling luggage trailers just like Dan Dyer does today.
Closing off the roads around...
Closing off the roads around the Coker Tire/Honest Charley Speed shop makes for the perfect location for the final cruise-in of the weekend. Next year the event moves to Carson City, NV.
Virtually everybody style...
Virtually everybody style ever built was on hand, from the shortened touring to C-cab truck and the basic bucket. It all made for a blinding display of chrome and color.
Mark Kolb’s Indiana based...
Mark Kolb’s Indiana based bucket had a great look; checker board accents, race car numbers and zoomie headers.
It employs a unique 2-deuce...
It employs a unique 2-deuce adapter plate atop a 4-barrel intake for a very traditional look. A pair of Demon carburetors feed the SBC.
This innovative roadster carries...
This innovative roadster carries early style scallops while roll bar foam pads the top of the body. A stitched-in Indian blanket adds style to the Texas based bucket.