The Wintec Roadster T-Bucket Kit, “Before” and “After”

Our initial post about the Wintec Roadster attracted a lot of attention from T-Bucket fans looking for more room. Our recent “Shop Stop” at Wintec Fabrication fanned the flames even more. People wanted to know more about how this stretched, not quite a Tub, T-Bucket came about. So, here goes.

Wintec Roadster Brian McAllister Total Performance T-Bucket before

The name Brian McAllister may be familiar to you because he was also a long-time Total Performance employee, along with Jim Wilkos before Total was purchased by Speedway Motors. You may have also seen Brian’s yellow Total-based T-Bucket in past Total Performance catalogs. I seem to recall one Total catalog photo where he used it for his honeymoon transportation, which kind of leads us to the Wintec Roadster today. After getting married and then having children, Brian still loved his T-Bucket, but its use was limited just because it wasn’t “family friendly”. (Above is the “Before” pic).

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit concept drawing

So, working together with Jim Wilkos at Wintech Fabrication, Brian and Jim came up with the above concept drawing of what the family man’s T-Bucket should look like. (Above is the “During” pic).

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit after

Not surprisingly, the final product came out looking just the way it was envisioned. (Above is the “After” pic).

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit

Well, now that the snow in Connecticut has melted, they can finally bring the finished product out into the open.

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit

This view shows perfectly the family friendly room that has been created with the new Wintec Roadster.

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit

And, what’s really cool is that if you already own an older Total Performance-based T-Bucket that you can use most of what you already have and upgrade to the roomier Wintec Roadster configuration for about $5k. I’d venture a guess that investment will also significantly increase not only the resale value of your T-Bucket, but also should you later decide to sell it that it will likely sell quicker because of the increased utility it offers.

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit with soft top

We’ve also been seeing a lot of interest lately in T-Bucket soft tops and Wintec has made that a nice option as well.

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit with soft top

Being a fan of bobtailed T’s, I really love this smooth, all-business view of the new Wintec Roadster.

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit with soft top

This view of Brian’s new Wintec Roadster nicely illustrates how he was able to use his existing front suspension, grille shell, radiator, headlights, engine, trans, wheels, tires, etc. in the new-look bucket.

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit interior

I’m also a big fan of the new bomber seats Wintec offers and they go perfectly here.

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit interior

From this angle, you can really appreciate all the extra leg room this conversion provides as well.

Wintec Roadster T-Bucket kit interior

To me, the Wintec Roadster is kind of like having your cake and eating it too because you still get the super-cool hot rod look, while now being able to take the family on a nice outing.

John Morehead
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10 thoughts on “The Wintec Roadster T-Bucket Kit, “Before” and “After””

    • If Wintec is no longer I’m business who would have the plans / production capabilities or surplus stock Wintec ????

      Reply
      • Thanks for asking, John, but as you’ll note this story was done nine years ago and Wintec has been out of business for quite a while. To my knowledge, there was no successor to their products.

        Reply
    • Yes, Michael, the fuel tank would go under the rear seat area. Unfortunately, I understand that Wintec is no longer in business. But that’s kind of the way it goes in the hot rod manufacturing world. Thanks for your comment.
      John

      Reply
  1. hi think this is a geat idea to fit the kids in can i ask how much bigger was this made over the original body? and what measurement is it over all?

    Reply
  2. looking forward to checking out the family T-bucket, where can I go to actually sit in one before I consider dropping money on this puppy ? Plus check the possible seat configuration comfort for long drives possible also the shift lever location for c5-6 ford autotrans connected to a small block ford 351 windsor ,electrical choices and excessories, I am looking to make it a mid 60’s driver street rod ( Think, The Munsters ) large metal flake paint ,radirs rims…where Can I find dragster style front spoke wheels that do not look like motorcycle wheels ( think oversized spoke hub …Boo ) looking for the slingshot dragster spindle mount wire wheels w brake kit.. just like i mentioned before , “Munsters George Barris ” he is actually a pretty nice Gentleman….

    Reply

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