Grand National Roadster Show 2014 – T-Bucket Highlights, Part 1

I had a unique opportunity to attend the Grand National Roadster Show 2014. Having been in Southern California on business meetings all week and my last one late Friday afternoon, I was scheduled to return to Chicago’s snow and freezing temp’s on Saturday morning. With Friday night open, I thought maybe there’d be a cruise or something I could attend. But after checking event schedules I saw that the Grand National Roadster Show 2014 opened on Friday night! So, after my last meeting I hopped in the car and made it to Pomona shortly after 5:00 p.m. With the show scheduled to close at 8:00 p.m. I was anxious that I might not be able to take it all in.

Grand National Roadster Show 2014 T-Bucket Pomona

My anticipation was heightened after parking when I saw this cute little T-Bucket parked just a couple cars over from where I parked. (After posting this, I learned it is owned by Bill and Linda Seal of Covina, California who are members of SO-CAL T’s in San Diego. Thanks Dennis Mahar. I also learned that Bill and Linda put over 5000 miles on the T last year. They drive it from their home in Covina to Oregon every year rain or shine. And they even camp out with their little trailer. Thanks Tony LaRue Jones).

Grand National Roadster Show 2014 T-Bucket Pomona

I was impressed by the owner’s tonneau cover that kept out not only the elements (fat chance of that being needed with SoCal in drought emergency status) but also the hands of more curious onlookers.

Grand National Roadster Show 2014 T-Bucket Pomona

My initial impression of this T-Bucket being cute was confirmed when I noted the 17 stud heads of the diminutive V8-60 flathead Ford engine.

Grand National Roadster Show 2014 T-Bucket Pomona

The nicely constructed wood pickup bed with its’ beer keg fuel tank and rollbar gave this T-Bucket a nice look from many decades past. (That 15.5 gallon keg should give some nice cruising range with that fuel sipping little V8-60).

Grand National Roadster Show 2014 T-Bucket Pomona

And with a trailer hitch, it was obvious that the owner must get around in this sweet little T. But, hey, time’s awasting. I better get from the parking lot into the Pomona Fairplex to check out all the action.

Inside Grand National Roadster Show 2014

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

One of the first buildings I came upon was the Suede Palace exhibit and I had to drop in there to see what kind of budget creativity I’d discover. The building was pretty much filled with 50s mild customs, faux gassers and typical rat rod trucks, but I spied one lone T-Bucket that was hard to miss with its Mexican blanket upholstery.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

This turtle deck T was tastefully done and no doubt on a reasonable budget, but with just enough chrome to catch one’s attention. The dropped I-beam front axle, drum brakes and wishbones lent a nice traditional look and the cowl lights were reminiscent of a 60s or 70s build, but my guess would be that it was either a new build or an old one that received considerable freshening up.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

The headers were very traditional looking and quite different from those found on most T-Buckets and that’s one element that contributed a lot to this bucket’s distinctively nice look.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

The rear three-quarter view of this T is classic and tasteful and just shows you don’t need to throw dollars at a project to make it look good.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

Moving on to another building I had to stop to look at the ARC Audio T-Bucket electric trike on display.

Grand National Roadster Show 2014 T-Bucket Pomona

With a 1959 Cushman chassis and a fiberglass T-Bucket body they couldn’t have come up with a better way of demonstrating their audio systems at the Grand National Roadster Show 2014.

Grand National Roadster Show 2014 T-Bucket Pomona

I know, the Harley mats look out of place but the color kind of matches.

Grand National Roadster Show 2014 T-Bucket Pomona

Of course, the fiberglass T body was narrowed some but looks quite nice behind the front air bagged fork.

Grand National Roadster Show 2014 T-Bucket Pomona

With its headlight and taillights this would be quite the ride in a gated seniors community. But, on we must go to the “real” T’s.

Grand National Roadster Show 2014 T-Bucket Pomona

Talk about real! How about the runner-up to the Niekamp roadster at the inaugural 1950 Oakland Roadster Show, the precursor to today’s Grand National Roadster Show 2014. There it was: the “Woody” Lee T.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

Constructed in 1949 by Jack Hagemann for Larry Neves of Oakland, California, who entered it in the show and then sold it in 1951 to Richard “Woody” Lee of Castro Valley, California, who raced it as a member of the Cal-Neva Roadster Association.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

With a tubular chassis, Franklin steering, full belly plan, and Indy Novi aluminum nose, the Woody Lee T was powered by a 296 cu. in. Mercury engine with Winfield cam, Navarro heads and 3 pot intake, and a Harmon Collins magneto.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

The Woody Lee T ran 133.6 MPH at Bonneville, held the Tracy, California 1/4 mile record at 124 MPH and the Cal-Neva record at 131.1 MPH. In the view of the dash above you’ll note the trademark “Tommy the Greek” flourishes and pinstriping. After numerous ownership changes, the car sat untouched in a garage for 45 years until August of 2013 when the new owner acquired it and only cleaned it to its present survivor state. What a find!

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

I wasn’t quite sure if it was a T-Bucket or not that caught my attention, but according to Nels Linde of Glendale, Arizona it’s only registered as a 1932 Chevrolet. But it’s 100% designed and built by Nels over a four-year construction period.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

Nels is a guy after my own heart. He did everything: fabricated the body (with its strong T influences), built the whole deal, painted and upholstered it. His efforts resulted in winning the 2013 Speedway Motors “Homebuilt Heaven” award at the Goodguys Southwest Nationals.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

I’m particularly fond of his clever little collapsible luggage carrier.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

And the next roadster that grabbed my attention certainly wasn’t a T-Bucket, but many of the elements were similar, including the Jaguar independent rear suspension and stylized pickup bed. The dual hoop rollbars are a terrific classic look in my book.

GNRS 2014 Grand National Roadster Show T-Bucket Pomona

It would appear this roadster is also jag powered and although it was certainly upholstered by notable trimmer Eric Thorsen, for all I could gather it may be his as well.

This is a good time to mention that the volume of roadsters of any kind appeared sparse at the Grand National Roadster Show 2014. I’d speculate you could find almost as many or more beer vendors at the Grand National Roadster Show 2014 than actual roadsters. But, maybe you had to be there on Saturday and Sunday when they opened things up for the outdoor display. But, there are plenty more T’s to see in Grand National Roadster Show 2014 – T-Bucket Highlights, Part 2: America’s Most Beautiful Roadster.
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John Morehead
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11 thoughts on “Grand National Roadster Show 2014 – T-Bucket Highlights, Part 1”

  1. Yes I still enjoy the old school T Roadsters from the Oakland Roadster Show days way back. There’s fewer around these days at the shows but the ones I see at times are awesome rides. Looking forward to more stories & T Buckets renewed. Masato

    Reply
  2. What is it about a Bucket-T Roadster that just screams Kool ? My Uncle showed up in one when I was 9 and I was ruined after that…. Wanted one since that very day! Got serious on my design a few years ago and will have it finished by early summer. To check it out. Find it on Facebook at…………FRIKI FRYDAE…which is what I named the car!

    Reply
  3. To Richard Tokiyeda II – I too was very impressed with your ride and took almost identical pictures of it. I have a couple of questions about it and if you have the time woould appreciate if you could email me so I could ask about some details. Thanks and, again, nice ride! Regards- Jack Logan, Albuquerque, NM, jack.logan.ctr@kirtland.af.mil

    Reply
  4. Thanks for the nice comments about my T in the Suede Palace. I drive this car every day to and from work rain or shine. I have plans to put on a top and white tuck and roll interior.

    Reply

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