AutoRama 2008

Photos by Dave F. and Dan L.

This year's AutoRama was the best ever, and I've been going since I was a kid in the '60s. Back then we'd gawk at the incredible creations, that can only be described as "auto sculpture", by legendary George Barris.

This year people stopped to admire our T-Bucket. Which, as you'll see by the photos, looked great. It was a "sweet spot in time" for Team Full Throttle.

Overall, the raffle brought in $18,837 ($5,720 generated during AutoRama weekend) for the Open Door Rescue Mission! Along the way we studied the Bible, grew together as group of Christian men, and served God.

Palm trees, sand (yes, sand, look closely) ... listen and you can hear the Beach Boys singing "California Girls" from their "Endless Summer" album.

Mac drumming up some last minute ticket sales.

John demonstrates a slightly more easygoing sales technique :)



Between conversations, Rick gets bite to eat.

Mac, Pastor Farris, Toan, Dave S., and Steve L. posing for a photo-op.



Our graphic artist John L., showcasing the "T" and the sign's artwork.

March 7-9 - Come See Us at AutoRama This Weekend!

Our scouts tell us the "T" is looking good at the Detroit AutoRama! Come see us at space #1331, in the middle of the upper level. Look for the aisle with the red '58 Rambler wagon and black '57 Chrysler. Head down that aisle. We're about half way down, right hand side. Look for the lighted palm trees. (Really.)

March 5th - AutoRama, the Final Road Trip

Photos by Greg B., video by Mike N.

Our "Fab Four", Greg, Mac, Mike, and Rick registering the"T" at AutoRama. For those of us that have to wait until the show formally opens, heres how it went down...

A Work of Art

John L, our graphic artist, designs a custom banner for AutoRama!

Read all about it!

Yeah, Open Door & Full Throttle made the news this morning! Our thanks to FOX WJBK Detroit, Channel 2 Morning News. Here's the interview with Pastor Jerome Farris, Open Door and our own Mark Johnson.

"DETROIT -- The Open Door Rescue Mission has recently restored a 1927 T-Bucket Roadster with the help and generous donation from Team Full Throttle, a Christian Men’s group passionate about cars and the love of God." Click here for the full story!

Or click below to watch the video...

P.S. Great job Mark, but where's your Full Throttle shirt ':0)

T-Bucket in the news!

Detroit Auto Scene

T-Bucket was Built from Donated Parts

By Irena Granaas, Staff Reporter

March 3rd, 2008

"Based on a cut-down Ford Model T, the T-Bucket was popular with fans of fast cars and customization in the 1950s. Team Full Throttle, a Christian men's group whose member combine their love of God and their passsion for cars to help others, spend 18 months donating their tme and labor to build the Roadster from the ground up."

For the complete article contact the Detroit Auto Scene

Before and After

See the details by clicking the images.
BEFORE...




...AFTER

Everything you want to know...

Heck, all you really need to know is that it's got about 326 HP. Oh, and the wheelie bar isn't included :-)

February 25th - It's a Wrap :-D

Photos by Dave F. and Greg B., video by Steve P.

Finito! Somehow we knew, deep down, that we'd finish before the raffle at the upcoming Detroit AutoRama. Heck, they always finish on time building cars in Overhaulin' and bikes in Orange County Chopper.

The T-Bucket didn't get built without a struggle. What you never see on those T.V. shows is all the behind-the-scenes scrambling to get things done, and done on time. Coping with last minute problems, like brake switch fitment. Breaking stuff like the speedo glass, locating and ordering a new one, only to find out the replacement speedo was too big for the dash. Scavenging junkyards trying to find hard-to-find steering assembly parts. Scratching heads to come up ways to coax parts from different manufacturers to work together.

Memories of late nights. A few early mornings. Mike's UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) going down, with the server, when we inadvertently plugged the coffee pot into it. (So much for "uninterruptable", eh.)

The T.V. shows may have Hollywood backing them, but we have God. I figure He chuckled. Then He answered our prayers. Schedules were adjusted, people showed up, parts were found. Looking back, it's all too coincidental to be a coincidence.

The photos offer a glimpse, but not the essence of the project. Celebrate with us...

February 18th - Burning the Midnight Oil

Photos by Dave F.
Multiple choice:
a. Hi-jack.
b. Tease and blow dry.
c. Heat thermostat, test fan.
d. Best not to ask ;-)

Dave S. routs brake lines.

John R. troubleshooting the pesky wiring harness.

Thanks to Dave S. the speedo now fits!

Notice the oil pressure gauge and horn are hooked up.

Steve L. fabricates a mounting bracket for the water temp gauge.

Showing off Mark V's fabricated brackets for the dual horns!

Showing off Toan's custom fuel pump lines!

Mark V. and Steve L. ponder the electrical schematic while Mac works on the trans.

Showing off the brake pedal / master cylinder assembly -- tight fit, creative mounting.

The mechanical brake light switch had "fitment issues" so we replaced it with a fluid pressure activated switch - nice plumbing!

Bleeding the brake lines - always a thankless task.

February 4th - "It's Alive!"

Photos by Dave F.


Tonight's the night. We've been waiting a long time -- it's time to fire up the bucket ...

Got battery? Cables? Check!

Got distributor, coil, plug wires and plugs? Check!

Got that 1-wire alternator hooked up? Check!

Rick's gonna crank it up...

Get your volume off mute. Turn it up.

Turn it up some more. Now click the arrow below.

If it sounds like this, can you imagine how fast it's gonna go:)

Wow, that was sweet!

January 14th - Back from the show...

Photos by Mark V.
The "T" is back from her showing at the Grand Rapids AutoRama. Yikes, the raffle's in early March. This time we have to be done. "Time Waits for No One" (you know, that song from the Rolling Stones album) plays in my head. Time to get to work...



Say it ain't so: Steve P. and Fernando disassemble the steering column for the n'th time!








Rick, what are you up to now?














Dave S. wires in the chassis ground.

January 7th, 2008 - Surprise Road Trip

Photos by Mark V.

Surprise! Tonight we learned the "T" is going to be shown at the Grand Rapids Autorama this weekend. Here we are, scrambling to get it off the jack stands and out on time...

Rick J. demonstrates the latest New Balance fashion statement.














Steve Q. ponders electrical fan connections.















Steve L. wires in the electric choke.

Dave M. installs the master cylinder / brake pedal linkage.

Best not to ask.









Ah, ready to roll (perhaps not under her own power yet, but roll she will). Off to Grand Rapids, affectionately known as Michigan's "West Coast". See ya there :)