For a while my wife has wanted an old open car, preferably a hot rod. There is a guy by me that built a T-bucket type of car with a simple small block/th-350 that he has been driving the wheels off of for a few years now. He's looking to sell and build something else but we would lke more than two seats. I had the bright idea to move the engine up a few feet and put together a body like this. Someone explain the flaw in my plan.
The only flaw is the 350 part. You don't need it. A four will be fine. I have wanted to build something similar for a long time.
http://www.rootlieb.com/home.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WwCmjdOL54
paging JoeyM
Wally wrote: There is a guy by me that built a T-bucket type of car
He's looking to sell and build something else but we would lke more than two seats. I had the bright idea to move the engine up a few feet and put together a body like this. Someone explain the flaw in my plan.
No flaw at all....just something to do your homework before purchasing, and pay attention to the many variables you should consider. What's the current wheelbase on the t-bucket? Can you fit a new body with an extra row of seats onto that chassis without modification? If so, do you like the way the build will look? Take a photo of the potential donor t-bucket from the side and mess with it in photoshop/GIMP
How much of the existing bodywork can you use for your build? Does it have a hood? Fenders? It is probably fiberglass (most t-buckets are.) Do you prefer laying glass or bending metal?
The only flaw I can think of is that if the current owner is especially fond of the t-bucket, the price may be too high. If you can't use the chassis, need to buy fenders, etc, you might be better off to to get a small pickup for the drive train, make your chassis from 3x4 rectangular tube (nice thick sidewall, maybe 1/4"), and buy fenders, cowl and hood from speedway or rootlieb, or these guys
paging Transmaro.....He will have better thoughts on this than me.
If you don't need a third row of seating, your body could look like a Model T touring.....
....or a Model A phaeton 
You could also get one of the rootlieb C-cab bodies and cut windows into it
, then put seats in the back
B-banger in a t-speedster with a t-5 tranny conversion, but that's just me.
The flaw in your plan is that the back seat should be a rumble seat.
Edited to add:
JoeyM wrote: You could also get one of the rootlieb C-cab bodies and cut windows into it
I had a piggy bank model of one of those when I was a kid! I think it was styled as a Home Hardware delivery van. Never knew what it was!
I liked the wood idea because I do better with it than metal. The 350 wasn't my first choice for an engine but seeing as the guy drives it whenever it isn't snowing it must get the job done pretty well. If I was starting from scratch I would probably go with Miata drivetrain and a dirt track type of body but being the fun uncle and anut I can see how the long body and extre seats can come in handy. I don't know that I would add fenders I think a long T bucket could be cool, maybe just see if I can dig up some of those goofy 70's style accessories like the big windshild and little brass lights.
Wally wrote: I think a long T bucket could be cool, maybe just see if I can dig up some of those goofy 70's style accessories like the big windshild and little brass lights.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/T-Bucket-Parts.html
$500 (to add the extra back seat)
(Many styles, all around $300-$400)
$900 (Too expensive for my tastes. I think it would be more GRM to use brass colored paint on a cheaper bucket.)
Wally,
I'll encourage it.
I think you want to look into Model T Express Trucks for inspiration:
Canopy top version:
Or the Depot Hack for one with seats:
One thing to keep in mind, cars of this era had very narrow passenger areas.
If your neighbor's car is a Fad T or Kookie Car (see below) it might not easily convert over to something longer.
You'll probably need to lengthen the frame rails, then any of the support systems (fuel & brake line, driveshaft, etc). If it's a 2x3 box tube frame it shouldn't be bad, depending on the kick-up.
One really important thing to remember with the nieces and nephews. If the T-bucket has sprint style headers and side pipes, they are 3rd degree burns waiting to happen. Little kids are drawn to chrome. I've known a few adults that have been bit by the pipes. Wouldn't want to see a kid have that happen.
I looked it over and it is a little small for what I was thinking, and someone else was waving money at him so it doesn't matter. Talking to my brother last night though he was saying his fruck bed is in sad shape. It's a 99 Ranger 4cyl/5sp. He wanted to do make a toy out of it but still keep it useful as he maintains a church retreat. If we can make this nose from some old washing machines and a hack body with removeable seats we may be on to something.
Wally wrote: If we can make this nose from some old washing machines and a hack body with removeable seats we may be on to something.
Thanks for the tip of the hat, there. I appreciate it. 
That shape of grill - i.e. something like a Model T - is easy; simple angles, nothing curved in two different directions, no raised beads on the front. You can do it with no problem.
This one
was hammer formed over an MDF "buck" 
Here's your tutorial http://allshops.org/cgi-bin/community/communityalbums.cgi?action=openalbum&albumid=9980172031634
You can also get something mid-1930s looking - and avoid half of the grill shell fabrication - just by sectioning an early 1950s truck grill and welding it back together. Here's a replica of a 1932 ford grill shell. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=221&highlight=shell
He did a good job, but that's old enough metal that i probably would not have gone that route. Stuff that old should be preserved, IMHO
Once he fabricated the rest and cleaned it up for paint the grill shell looked great.
It is worth reading that HAMB thread; there are more pictures and a step by step description of what he did.
[Sorry about the bump. I was editing, adding pics, etc. and decided that another post was preferably to sticking the stuff below onto the end of the post above]
The most impressive part, to me, was the curved upper section that he added.....the curve was done with a ball peen hammer and a couple welding gloves (he didn't have a shot bag)
somewhere I saw a Zetec Powered 1915-1920 vehicle of some sort. I think the company that did it was British. It was hilariously quick.
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