Modifications to a 1927 bucket roadster

 

Ok so this post is a bit out of order but like I said on the opening page it is different from your average blog in that things posted have already happened so the order of posting is a bit flexible.

I have been asked to detail more clearly where I deviated from the original Chevrolet design and why.     I made some changes for aesthetics and some for more practical reasons.  My basic theory comes from examining the cars I really like and trying to figure out why I found them so appealing.  Watching an interview with Chip Foose one day he condensed his design theory into a simple form even I could understand.  Basically it consists of looking at the overall design and taking away any ugly or distracting parts while improving the overall flow of the vehicle.  Anything that stands out as out of place or disturbs the flow of the lines should be fixed.  Details should appear only on close examination but should disappear when you step back from the car melting into the overall design, flow and theme. 

So what does that mean for this design, what did I change and why?  Well here goes starting from the front! 

The basic front dimensions are pretty close but slightly wider and a hair taller for a couple of reasons.  Why wider?  First it allowed good flow of the 27 firewall into the surrounding surface. Second it provided a little more foot room.  Why taller?  Again it provided a little more room, this time for knees and also brought the horizon of the sunrise design high enough to clear most bell housings.  A final change to the cowl was the addition of a hood rest shelf around the top and sides.  Chevrolet had a minimal edge here and making this area wide provides another inch or so of foot room and makes supporting a hood easier should you choose to use one.

Moving to the rear, the body was expanded 6” in width.  This translates to greater width in the seating area and gives a nice even taper when viewed from either front or rear.  The rear of the body also features more curve in the lower edge.  The Chevrolet had a rather abrupt bottom end and the return curve along the bottom edge just provides a more finished “Hot Roddy” feel.  You basically get a roll pan for free.

In between these two areas are five more changes.  The first of these was the elimination of the bump in the AA Touring’s top body line.  The original Chevrolets top bead line only extended back to where the folding top bows attach.  At that point there is a pronounced bump in the top line as it continues to the rear.  I thought it disturbed the top line flow so you won’t find it on the C Bucket. 

The second change in the same area is the slope of the rear body top line.  The line had a gradual rise and lacked ……..  I don’t know visual impact?  So I used a sharper rise with a more pronounced upward curve and another curve to return the line to level.  I like the look a lot better.

Third, the body from the cowl back has been made 4” taller mainly because I want to sit in my car, not on it as is common among buckets, particularly those which have been channeled.  It also serves to make the transition from door to cowl top less severe as the Chevrolet had a more pronounced difference here that I thought distracted from the cars lines.

Fourth the body was lengthened ……a LOT.  It gives a longer sleeker profile and maintains scale with the taller wider body with the added benefit of a HUGE increase in leg room.  Unless you are really tall you’ll probably have room behind the seat for storage.  If you are really tall this is probably the only bucket for you!

Fifth is the elimination of the wheel well area.  This is left smooth so that a bed could be added, or any diameter wheels can be used without looking odd.  If the wheel well were there, or even a body line representing one, tires would have to be chosen to match that line or risk looking odd.   No line means you can run any diameter you like with complete freedom to move the rear axle forward or back as you see fit.

There you have it, the changes I made and the reasons for each.  I’ll be happy to answer any other questions you have so fire away!