ITGMw
SUBSCRIPTIONtext
ProgressArrows
digital issues
ProgressArrows
online store
ProgressArrows
SUBSCRIPTIONtext
ITGMw
ACPnew header logo
CTP LOGOs
all cars

Parting Shot: Lady Luck II The Iconic T-Bucket

The Legendary Lavender Pearl 1923 Ford Model T

By Brian Brennan   –   Photography By Chuck Vranas & Eric Geisert

Some hot rods are just destined for a life of their own. In this case Chuck Vranas (longtime hot rod journalist and contributor to Modern Rodding) has ended up in the history books himself. Well, technically not himself but rather his 1923 Ford T—“Lady Luck II.”

02 At speed … Chuck Vranas driving the 100 inch wheelbase Lady Luck II during the photo shoot by Eric Geisert for Street Rodder’s Oct ’95 issue
At speed … Chuck Vranas driving the 100-inch wheelbase Lady Luck II during the photo shoot by Eric Geisert for Street Rodder’s Oct. ’95 issue. It also features Total Performance’s first-ever chopped Carson-styled top.

It is based on a Total Performance ’glass body powered by a 460-inch Chevy big block put together at the Wallingford, Connecticut, shop back in 1994-1995. Chuck’s love and fascination with T-buckets was spurred on by Norm Grabowski, often referred to as the Father of the T-bucket, whose T was featured on the TV show 77 Sunset Strip that ran from 1958-64. The “Kookie T,” as it would come to be known, is as legendary a hot rod as there is. Chuck and Norm would later become fast friends, even traveling abroad as special guests to the 16th Annual NSRA UK Hot Rod Super Nationals.

Read More: Tommy The Greek’s Lasting Legacy

03 When a T bucket is done “right” it has the quintessential look Based on a Total Performance ’glass body it was then painted in PPG Light Lavender Pearl
When a T-bucket is done “right” it has the quintessential look. Based on a Total Performance ’glass body it was then painted in PPG Light Lavender Pearl. Many refer to the color to this day as “pink.”

Many early hot rodders will remember the Lady Luck I built by Mickey Lauria of Total Performance in 1993. It too was a lavender-colored roadster but this time Flathead powered. It now resides at the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed. Before its final resting point, it was seen around the country with Chuck’s Lady Luck II.

04 An Edelbrock dual carb fed 460 inch Chevy big block is the perfect powerplant for a 2 000 pound hot rod!
Of course, an Edelbrock dual-carb-fed 460-inch Chevy big block is the perfect powerplant for a 2,000-pound hot rod!

Lady Luck II, aside from appearing at numerous indoor and outdoor shows and other types of events, has made appearances at the 35th L.A. Roadsters Show, the 50th Grand National Roadster Show, and the 50th Detroit Autorama. (Historical tidbit … it was the only car to be at both 50th events and judged in competition. And it’s the only hot rod to be exhibited in the main gallery of The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. It was featured amidst Kustom Kulture art where the likes of Von Dutch, Ed Roth, Coop, David Perry, as well as others were featured.)

Read More: Classy Oldsmobile 442 Looks, With Modern LS Power

05 Having your hot rod made into a Johnny Lightning 1 64th scale diecast with a matching trading card for hot rodders
Having your hot rod made into a Johnny Lightning 1:64th scale diecast with a matching trading card for hot rodders of all ages is another high bar easily cleared by Lady Luck II.

Talk about a hot rod that has been seen. Lady Luck II has appeared in 18-plus publications, including Street Rodder, Custom Car UK, Rolls & Pleats France, Magneto, Rod Action, and Cruisin’ New England. It also appears twice in the tabletop book Hot Rods 500 by Kevin Elliott as well as the hardcover book Great American Hot Rods.

It’s been almost 30 years since Lady Luck II graced the highways and we wouldn’t mind seeing it one more time. MR

Related Articles

Search Our Site

More Modern Rodding

The Latest in Fuel Senders – Holley LiDAR Technology

By Ryan Manson   -   Photography By Brian Brennan Classic Instruments...

Installing a Vintage Air Front Runner on Your Big-Block Chevy

By Ron Ceridono - Photography By Brian Brennan Dean Livermore...

Bringing Back a 1987 Buick Grand National with LSA Power

By Brian Brennan   -   Photography By NotStock Photography The 1987...

Tommy Foster’s 1932 Ford roadster to be auctioned at Mecum Kissimmee event

By Brian Brennan   -   Photography Courtesy of Mecum Auctions If...

2024 L.A. Roadsters Father’s Day Swap Meet & Roadster Show

By Brian Brennan   -   Photography By the Author The L.A....

1966 Corvette is the Best of What a C2 Can be Made Into

By Brian Brennan   -   Photography By NotStock Photography The 1966...
More Modern Rodding

Detroit Speed & Engineering QuadraLink Settles in Under Our 1969 Camaro

By Barry Kluczyk   -   Photography By Brian Brennan Our 1969...

1939 Buick Special Complete with 6.0L LS Hits The Road … At Last

By Brian Brennan   -  Photography By Josh Mishler This 1939...

All the Right Connections

The Del Rio Gets a Much-Needed Wiring & Instrument...

Revving up for a Cause

The 2024 Triple Crown of Rodding Surges Ahead By Brian...

The Ultimate 1936 Ford Roadster … It’s Almost There

By Brian Brennan   -   Photography By NotStock Photography Handmade hot...

Part 3: Building a One-of-a-Kind Model A Sedan

By Ron Covell   -   Photography By Chris Gray The one-of-a-kind...