For his Mini T Bucket build, Larry Matlock of Durham, NC came at it with many years of experience. As a long-time car guy, Larry’s interests and collection spans the range from the oldest of antiques to Chevelles, Mustangs, Corvettes, motorcycles and everything in between. In fact, Larry’s Mini T Bucket build got its start four years ago when he visited here and downloaded a set of the Youngster Free T-Bucket Frame Plans.
Larry even got started building a full-size T-Bucket, but his interests got diverted when he learned about the half-scale Mini T Bucket bodies produced by Spirit Industries. He’d already been exposed to T-Bucket frame building and had our plans and years of experience so he ordered the body and pickup bed from Spirit and began his Mini T Bucket build.
So, instead of using 1-1/2″ x 3″ tubing as would be used for a full-size T-Bucket, Larry chose 1″ x 2″ tubing and just scaled the Youngster T-Bucket Frame Plans down to size.
For his front crossmember he used some 1-3/4″ round tubing and a piece of angle iron for the spring perch. For the front transverse spring he used a lightweight trailer spring and his front shocks came from a BMX type bicycle. The front axle, spindles and hubs were scrounged from a vintage EZGO golf cart and mount some cool looking 12″ wheels. For steering, Larry happened to use a rack and pinion unit originally designed for a fuel dragster.
For the rear end, Larry chose one that was originally used on a motorcycle trike along with its drum brakes and added 18″ aftermarket wheels. For both front and rear radius rods, he used 1/2″ tubing with heim joints.
The body, as noted, came from Spirit, along with the pickup bed.
The floor is diamond plate, upon which is mounted a Volkswagen emergency brake, and the interior, of course, was treated to rolls and pleats upholstery.
The windshield, by the way, is an original Model T windshield cut down to fit the half-scale body. Larry’s Mini T Bucket also contains many small parts purchased from Speedway Motors as well.
And the radiator shell is an actual steel ’23 T cut down to fit, sporting a vintage Model T motometer and flanked by Harley Davidson Sportster headlights. Larry fashioned his own steel hood and what lies underneath really makes Larry’s Mini T Bucket build unique.
A Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine just wouldn’t do for Larry and, drawing on his motorcycle experience, he chose a Harley Davidson 883 cc engine for power. The chrome exhaust you see is functional and when this Mini T Bucket motors down the road the sound is really sweet!
Speaking of motoring down the road, Larry’s Mini T Bucket build is completely street legal. When he took it to the DMV the inspector remarked there would be no way they’d pass Larry’s Mini T. Then Larry reminded the inspector that’s the same thing he said when he’d brought in his 1901 Oldsmobile to be registered!
By the way, if you look closely at the pickup bed cover you’ll see the neat little solar panel that’s used instead of an alternator. So this Mini T Bucket is the total package and Larry’s been offered $12K for it and turned it down. Just too much fun and a nice diversion from his dozen other antique cars.
Like we said, Larry Matlock is a very experienced car builder and this excellent Mini T Bucket build reflects his skills. By the way, if you haven’t already, now’s the time to enter our Mini T-Bucket Body Package Giveaway. To enter, click here>
TBucketPlans.com originated in 2005 as a personal blog extolling the virtues of T-Buckets. In 2009 I blogged about Chester Greenhalgh, the "how to" genius who wrote the legendary, out-of-print “How to Build a T-Bucket Roadster for Under $3000”. That led to a friendship with Chester and our partnership in marketing the updated eBook version of his T-Bucket building bible. The T-Bucket fire burns stronger and stronger.
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GINOS in Boise ID built them back in the mid to late 70s but he lost all of his molds plans etc.to a fire,from what I heard. Dwarfcars made scaled down cars with bike engines linked to small car diffs(toyota,datsun etc) that were offset to the right to a driveshaft linked with double chain to the primary chain sprocket. They were wicked fast on the track
Anyway Gino’s stuff was fiberglass body’s with a lawnmower engine in front and chain driven to a rear axle go-kart style
If I can I will try to post pics, this forum struck good memories for me and has given me the drive to look up pics and stuff. Thanks
Looks like a good project without breaking the bank.
Yes, Jim, a mini T-Bucket is pretty straightforward if you just scale things down and look in golf cart scrap piles for a rear axle and other components. Thanks for your comment, John.
I drive a Shriners mini truck kart with a 5 hp. This thing must fly with the 883. Would like to get one for myself for parades.
You bet, Dennis. If you’re a Shriner then, you’ll enjoy this T parade car story https://www.tbucketplans.com/model-t-clown-car/
I love the mines… cars trucks bikes all of them
Has anyone built a t-bucket go kart that is wanting to sell it that you know of?
No, Hans, I’m not aware of any for sale. This appears to be a very niche market (as if T-Buckets weren’t niche enough in the street rod world). Aside from bodies being available, I’m not aware of anyone still making a chassis or even turnkey one. At one time there was an outfit that made some pretty nice looking ones but they discontinued them. Good luck in your search.
How did you resize the plan? Did you just 1/2 scale it?
It all depends on what you have to work with, James.
But most are closer to 3/4 than 1/2
For example, the Spirit Mini T-Bucket body measurements are LxWxH = 39″ x 29″ x 19.5″
While the full-size Spirit T-Bucket body measurements are LxWxH = 53″ x 44 1/2″ x 26″
So if i scale it down to 3/4 size then the spirit bucket will work.
James, the best thing to do is start with your body first and then do scaled down dimensions from the full size plans, mock up the frame with wood, and then see what needs to be adjusted to look right and to fit the driveline you use.
Okay. Thank you for the help.
WOW! No that is creativity. Gas milage has to be great. Parking has to be easy. Ford started somewhere and I think this could be a great mode of transportation for everyone. My congrats on your build and. Just might start building one for myself.
Thanks for the nice comments, Ben. Just be sure to enter our Giveaway and you could be well ahead on the Mini T-Bucket body package — especially if you share your Lucky URL with friends and get 3 additional chances to win for each one of them who enters!
An 883 is a Sportster motor, which has the transmission built into it. The motor is mounted like it would be in a bike frame, with the drive chain running back to the trike rear end. The article doesn’t mention if this mini T has a reverse, but separate reverse gear boxes are available from a few different sources.
Thanks Butch, for answering Brock’s question. I’m not a Harley guy and wouldn’t have known that. Sounds like a nice solution for a Mini T-Bucket with a good bit of horsepower. Oughta’ be easy enough to just get out and push it to reverse 🙂
How did he set up the motor,trans,etc?