2012 NATS & Bash, the world's two largest Bucket -T gigs

Due to a date change of the Buckethead Bash to one day after the NATS, and only 500 miles apart, Chattanooga, Tenn to Mountain Home, Arkansas I was able to attend both. T-buckets are alive and well with over 150 Ts at the NATS.

The NATS, more pictures and videos at http://tbuckets.lefora.com/2012/06/2...ats-choo-choo/
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSC01835.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSC01846.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSC01760.jpg

The Bash, more pictures and videos at 2012 Buckethead Bash~~~~~~~Mountain Home, Arkansas~~~~~~~~~~~Home of Spirit industries
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSC01920.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSC02046.jpg

Thanks for the pictures

Hey DeckOfficer, haven't seen you around but I'm glad you thought of us and shared the pics!

Looks like you guys/gals had a blast! Thanks Again!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 34_40

Hey DeckOfficer, haven't seen you around but I'm glad you thought of us and shared the pics!

Looks like you guys/gals had a blast! Thanks Again!

---

The level of care my dad requires cuts down on my Internet time. I hired a nurse for two weeks because for the first time ever, was able to take in both the NATS and Bash. We always have fun in those under-weight over powered little cars. What did you think of the Viper V-10 powered T?

The V-10 in a T..??.. What did I think?? I THINK I WANT ONE!!!:eek::LOL::LOL::3dSMILE:

Glad you were able to make the trip!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 34_40

The V-10 in a T..??.. What did I think?? I THINK I WANT ONE!!!:eek::LOL::LOL::3dSMILE:

Glad you were able to make the trip!

---

What is funny is I've always prided myself on having a lot of torque low in the rpm band and geared super tall, well Chris with the 6 speed Viper box has a 0.50 top gear into those tall tires. I cruise a 73 mph at 1750 rpm, he runs 70 at 1500. My hat off to him.

Now for the beer lovers...........
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSC01807.jpg

What kind of mileage does the T give you on the highway? 73 at 1750 RPM should be very economical I'm thinking.

At 65~70 mph on a level highway (going from Northern California to Southern California) I've broken 30 mpg.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by deckofficer

At 65~70 mph on a level highway (going from Northern California to Southern California) I've broken 30 mpg.

---

That's impressive. And it looks like a fun ride!

Simply as a matter of scale, my Focus can get 40+ with the cruise set around 65 and the air turned on as long as there is no hills. The 4 cylinder will be making almost 2500 rpm's.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 34_40

That's impressive. And it looks like a fun ride!

Simply as a matter of scale, my Focus can get 40+ with the cruise set around 65 and the air turned on as long as there is no hills. The 4 cylinder will be making almost 2500 rpm's.

---

The A/C and cruise is missed on long drives. If it isn't a T-bucket event, then this is my trip car with A/C and cruise, plus 556 hp and a 6 speed stick.
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...971014x760.jpg

Back to the T-buckets
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSC01836.jpg

My ride
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSC01848.jpg

vids and pics here 2012 NATS Choo Choo

So Bob,
You drove the T from NOCAL to Chattanooga, then Mountain Home and then back home? That would be quite a trip in a T-Bucket & no top!! My hat's off to you, sir!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rspears

So Bob,
You drove the T from NOCAL to Chattanooga, then Mountain Home and then back home? That would be quite a trip in a T-Bucket & no top!! My hat's off to you, sir!

---

Don't do that anymore. I have a 24/7 nurse caring for dad when I'm at a event, so don't have the luxury to travel as weather would dictate. Still do 1100 miles in the T for Fred's Fun Run 1st weekend of November in SE Arizona, where the weather is perfect that time of year. For this last 5200 mile trip, set the cruise control on 75 and let the old diesel 4X4 do its thing. One leg was 1280 miles.
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSC01687.jpg

I love buckets! Thanks for sharing your experience with us! :-)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

I love buckets! Thanks for sharing your experience with us! :-)

---

My pleasure. I've been into hot rods for 40 years, and had I started with a bucket, there would have been a lot less hot rods in my past. It is a power to weight thing, and I got tired of fighting the Laws of Physics trying to get a 4500 lb lump to do what a 1800 ride can get away with.

One of my past 4500 lb lumps, about 30 years ago. No gray in the beard back then.
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/...0694x970-1.jpg

I understand. My first V8 car was a '57 BelAir HT with a 283 4-speed... then I moved up to dual quad 409s... then dropped back to the lightweight early Vettes. I also did a cople '63-'65 Novas. Not as light as a bucket... but my "built" smallblocks in the light bodies had very little trouble with hi-po big blocks.

Today I view the T-bucket with reverence. :-) Four wheels... an engine... and just enough bodywork to cover your butt!

The closest I have come to them though, is to paint one once in a while.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

I understand. My first V8 car was a '57 BelAir HT with a 283 4-speed... then I moved up to dual quad 409s... then dropped back to the lightweight early Vettes. I also did a cople '63-'65 Novas. Not as light as a bucket... but my "built" smallblocks in the light bodies had very little trouble with hi-po big blocks.

Today I view the T-bucket with reverence. :-) Four wheels... an engine... and just enough bodywork to cover your butt!

The closest I have come to them though, is to paint one once in a while.

---

I'm into the performance, but most of my fellow bucket heads want head turning looks even if not conducive with performance, i.e. tunnel ram intakes for street driven rpm, monster diesel engine refuge blowers that beat and heat the intake charge, limiting the amount of boost vs the small, efficient positive displacement blower designed for the job at hand. I use a good dual plane, aluminum heads and 650 CFM vacuum secondaries. Also have my engine and manual trans mounted so low in the frame rails that if I used a stock oil pan would only have 3/4" to the road. Needless to say, cut 3" off the pan, but the cornering is worth the hassle.