Thread: might swap my impala for t bucket

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65 implala with big block for my buddies t bucket with 350 small block. my car needs paint and his doesnt need anything. i will ost pics if i can figure out how to.

Heck that will be like like living in a 10 bedroom mansion and then moving into a 2 bedroom apartment but in saying that, oh the fun of the power to weight ratio and sitting out in the open, just can't get any better.

do what flips your switch but for some reason the phrase "fair weather Rod" comes to mind

good luck with what ever you choose to do

Good luck with it which ever way you go. I'd like to have a roadster, but the weather varies too much lately to make it a routine DD.

Living in MI you gota know what the weather is like SOOO do what your heart tells you.

Does it have a heater?

Originally Posted by MelloYello

do what flips your switch but for some reason the phrase "fair weather Rod" comes to mind

good luck with what ever you choose to do

( yep think motorcycle)
thats why i didnt build one.
being able to drive mine whenever i want is mandatory.

When I was first thinking about building a rod, I "tried on" a friends "t" bucket.. I just didn't fit to be blunt! Not knowing your size, I'd ask if I can try it out and go for a ride with him. See if you "fit" and enjoy it.

Let us know how you make out! Good Luck!!

T's are usually sold cheap considering the power some have built in. A T would make a great parts car for a hotrod or 65implala , look at pictures of these cars, notice how the driver is sitting. Good looking cars parked, twitchy and uncomfortable under power. I understand your reason for thinking swap, but think longer and a bit harder don't jump off the bridge.




Good luck...

My opinion and mine alone - a '65 Impala, unless it's a convertible is not high on many folks list of favorite cars. At a show, even a very nice one will barely get a nod. Out driving - it's OK. A 'bucket properly built and dressed out will always be an eye catcher and conversation starter. If it has a top, you can always add side curtains and even a heater - when I had mine, it was driven as often as possible and even got snow on it several times when the temps got into the 20's. Rain? If you don't have front fenders, the tires will sling slop on you in a turn. Fit you? I'm 6'4"/200+ and had absolutely no problem with mine. Yeah a bit short on leg room, but really no worse then my current car, a '31 Ford roadster and actually a bit easier to get into.

What you need to do is determine what it will end up costing you to bring the Impala to the 'bucket's condition. A good 'bucket is selling for $7-$20,000 depending on engine, dress up and overall condition.

Thanks Dave for your thoughts on the T. As one can see in my avatar, I am a T owner driver and before I purchase it, I wouldn't of give one a second glance, how wrong I was as I have driven my in winter storms, driving rain and sunny weather and it doesn't really matter, the smile on my face stays there for days after. There is something special about being one with the environment like on a motorcycle when driving a T. One can sort out the seating so that one sits down into the car better and also as most of your bodies over there have one opening door, it should be easier to get in and out of.Cars with roofs and heaters are so similar to driving your daily driver there is not as much fun as an open car, and anyway, rain is just water like what one has when in the shower and snow is just water frozen abit.

Just so you don't think I'm blowin' smoke about owning a 'bucket Built it 1986-88 after a stint working in the 'promised land', Saudi Arabia:

Had a 65 SS many years ago and liked it back then. Now looking at one at the shows, it seems like you can fit 10 people in them w/o any problem where a T is great for two. Never owned a T but had many street rods and I would go with the T.

Well I might as well share my experience as I have been a T bucket owner myself, hence my username. I started out building a turbo 4 cylinder in the tuner scene, went into a lowered mini truck and then was about to swap a 302 into my focus.

Then I came across a 69 mustang grande coupe, I knew I had to have it. Though this isnt quite the size of your Impala it to was a big car, though after a certain amount of time it became bland and was just like driving an oversized poor handling car. The amount of money needed to make this beast of a car move and handle was going to far outway what I wanted to put into it. This is the first thing you have to decide.

So I came across my T bucket, it was a long drawn out process but when I saw it I HAD to have it. I drove 4 hours to go see it and similar to your situation we traded vehicles the next week. The T was mostly done too and only needed a few minor things, it had a 1970 440 roadrunner motor in it with a 3 speed torqueflight and a manual valve body. It was indeed a blast to drive and even more fun to look at.

Over time the disadvantages of the car started to come out. The first one was the steering, due to my starter being on the drivers side the column was inverted which made for some awkward handling. Secondly mine had no doors so jumping in it began to get old. The thing I disliked about it the most was that it was a fair weather car, if I wanted to go to a show I had to watch the weather and if there was a chance of rain I didnt go. I always made the street rod nationals in York but having to watch the sky and run for cover got to be a pain.

The one you have pictured appears to have a roof and be a little more driveable with a smalle power terrain which is still plenty for the car. It looks to be in good shape and if I were you I would probably do it. I just sold mine a few months ago and I only managed to get 9000 out of it and that was a stretch. The market is VERY slim for these things so just be aware.

So my advice to you is this: ask yourself if you really want to keep your Impala forever, if so put alot of money in it and make it yours. If not maybe take the chance and make the jump, just understand that its basically a motorcycle. Its a fair weather car but it will get a ton of looks and be lots of fun. Sorry for the long write up but there is alot to consider.

Ill leave you with a few pictures of mine.

The OP hasn't been back on here since doing his original post, wonder if he traded?