1931 Ford Model A Roadster

Norm Grabowski's take on the T-Bucket, built in 1957, is what most people today consider the definitive hot rod. While Kraft was responsible for the rail job concept, Grabowski refined it into something beautiful and iconic. In this car, you can see the genesis of many of our most classic hot rod styling cues. An exposed V-8 engine and headers, fenderless steel wheels with dog-dish hubcaps, a rakish stance, multiple carburetors, chrome everywhere and of course — side pipes. This was Grabowski's personal car, but it got its unusual name on its rise to fame. Shortly after it was built, someone from Warner Brothers saw the car cruising around Southern California. They paid Grabowski the princely sum of $50 a day to borrow his car, which would serve as the signature ride of Edd "Kookie" Burns on their detective drama 77 Sunset Strip. The Kookie Kar, as it came to be known, quickly became a fan favorite, and helped to spread California hot rod style nationwide. Pretty soon, everyone was cloning The Kookie Car, and stripped-down, chromed-out T-Buckets became the performance cars of their day. From then on, those early T-Buckets would remain the standard against which all future hot rods would be judged.

For consignment the quintessential Kookie Car all steel custom built hot rod that covers all the bases to be an actual real iconic hot rod. Open fender less wheels covered with moon caps, wide open oversized engine with big exposed pipes, a chopped top, ”rail job” framed and lots of louvers and a custom roadster top and we give you shades of Norm Grabowski in this 1931 wild ride all slapped together with ole Henry's steel from 1931.

Exterior
All bathed in satin black paint this car sports an all steel body! A custom fabricated hood scoop is riveted to the hood, and the radiator surround has been blackened. A single large round headlight in a chromed casing flanks the radiator and chromed suspension is hanging out for all to see. On the back the curved rear dives downward to the tail of the car which has shaved bumpers and fenders no longer. Dual u shaped roll bars, (for decoration only), are welded into the frame just behind the rear of the top, and when up or down definitely add some nice aesthetics. 15 inch red painted steel wheels sport shiny moon caps and are surrounded by wide whites and good rubber all around.

Interior
A swing of the shaved doors and we are greeted with red vinyl tuck and roll door panels. Black vinyl covered bomber styled buckets take up the interior and have back padding on the seats and wrap around arms integrated into them. In the center, a tall Lokar shift lever with a black leather boot rises proudly from the hump. The red painted metal dash has some black textured appliqué to add contrast and there are dual paint can shaped fabricated gauge holders protruding from the dash and also painted red. A sleek steering column emanates from the floor and is topped by a black padded rally style steering wheel. In the center is a stainless-steel cup holder and a wood custom console for extra storage between the seats. A shout out to the trunk which is also in perfect condition with red tuck and roll vinyl and some texture paint in speckled charcoal coloring.

Drivetrain
Within the open engine bay is now a 305ci V8. It is fed by a 4-barrel Holley carburetor along with an Edelbrock onto manifold. On back is a TH350 3-speed automatic coupled with a Ford 8-inch rear. Headers with sealed side pipes that have been diverted to the underside and a rear dual exit with glass pack mufflers. On the very top of this mill is a large scoop to funnel more air into this banger.

Undercarriage
A rail frame and solid dirt-free underbelly are all clean and painted black. The dual exhaust snakes rearward passing all this clean structurally sound steel. Upfront a chromed dropped axle has a transverse leaf spring and on back there are ladder bars with coil overs. Disc brakes are on for the front and drums for the rear.

Drive-Ability
Slipping into this work of hot rod art, it lit up with a thunderous roar, and it was off to the test track to make some noise. And indeed, it did, with plenty of smooth acceleration, good solid braking and fine cornering. It was a pretty comfortable ride and an easy driver. All working save for the gas gauge, and all good for rad retro rod.

We see lots of hot rods come through our doors, but very few emulate the original essence of the hot rod like this car does. It truly checks all the Norm Grabowski boxes, genderless open cowl side piped racer. Drop the hanky and we're off like a prom dress! Bombs Away! Yikes…

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.