FWIW, someone is making a book about Norm's skullshifter knobs... aka Normskulls, and it's supposed to be sold this fall

I read that Norm sold these in a Crown Royal bag

 

Rumpsville will offer a 60 page hard bound book featuring a photographic collection of over 200 uniquely hand carved wooden skull themed sculptures produced by Norm Grabowski between 2000-2010

http://www.rumpsville.com/?p=16181

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/norm-skull.1246720/page-2

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/is-this-a-norm-grabowski-skull-shifter.1251031/

by the way, I never saw this until now, his Henway was featured on the cover of the March 1974 issue of Rod & Custom magazine.  

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/is-this-a-norm-grabowski-skull-shifter.1251031/page-2

George took photos of Norm's '37 Ford truck! (thank you George!) at the 2009 Bucket Bash in Mountain Home, Arkansas in July '09

Go full size on the above, read the name on the door under the window, and that the side mirror is mounted on a shovel

I don't remember where I read it, but this front bumper log was found, was too heavy to move without several people helping, then was chopped on until it weighed less, the was chopped on to balance it side to side

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-official-door-lettering-thread.404496/page-3

https://www.hotrodhotline.com/feature/2004show/04wot3/html/04wot2_2.html

Ever heard about the last vehicle Norm Grabowski made? The Frish Fish Nash, which started out as a roadster!

https://www.motortrend.com/news/norm-grabowski-the-entertainer/?galleryimageid=044ae612-ab76-4a26-b733-a9ac983674ba

https://www.flickr.com/photos/splattergraphics/5418420887/in/photostream/

https://royboyproductions.smugmug.com/Cars/2011/2011PeteAndJakesOpenHouse/i-Crmx8xT

The Kookie T, the first T bucket as I understand it, Norm's 1st and the original, is finally on the loose. The guy who'd kept it in storage for decades has died. (thanks Ron!)

the last time anyone had seen it was looking this way, painted by Watson and made to look goofy for the 70s custom car show ridiculousness.

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/11/replica-of-norms-kookie-t-i-doubt.html

There you have it, this will be coming to an auction, and it's going to be the last chance to buy a legend. Well, until it gets flipped for profit annually for the next decade. But, the 1st person to buy it gets the first Norm carved shifter skull, and the last to be out there for purchase. I seriously doubt these come up for sale even once a decade

https://www.customcarchronicle.com/cc-builders/jim-skonzakes-customizer/jim-street-collection-uncovered/#comments

Norm... it's been too damn long since I've posted something about Norm Grabowski

Two years in succession he has been on crutches for a period of several weeks. The first time a motorcyclist ran through a red light wiping Norman out. His buddies which were following in a truck picked him up thinking he was dead– but Norman survived. Just recently he shot himself in the leg practicing a fast draw with “Cold 45″– the kid has a 1966 4-door Lincoln Continental and a pretty sister to chauffeur him around. The lucky cat has three films to be released in which he plays important supporting roles” Out-of-Site” for Universal-International, “Happiest Millionaire” and “Gnomobile” both for Walt Disney Productions.

As Mickey Moose in "Run For Your Life"

the above is named, and has cast into the valve covers, PP & Vinegar, because the phrase piss and vinegar though known to everyone, offended too many people

Images from Google Image search, and http://www.jockeyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?s=dae73be14be28a268ffe712c3f550c16&t=70801&page=2

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/94650-name-that-tv-show/?page=4

http://run4.us/hoodlumsonwheels.htm

https://www.pinterest.com/cleeyoss/norm-grabowski/

Norm's Kookie T photos from 1957 Life photographers

Go FULL size on this and the first photo to check out the kids seat... world of difference from the ones you'll see today

racing at Santa Ana, and below, the far lane is Tommy Ivo

These photos found at: http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/the-great-1950s-t-bucket-rod-rivalry/

For a gallery of the recreated Kookie T:http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/11/replica-of-norms-kookie-t-i-doubt.html

For more about Norm: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/11/norman.html

For a gallery about Tommy Ivo ( in the above photo he's racing in the far lane ): http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/12/tommy-ivos-bucket-t-on-tv-and-in-movies.html

The replica of Norm's Kookie T, I doubt anyone but Norm could tell the difference

For a full post on Norm Grabowski, icon and influence of hot rodding: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/11/norman.html

For a full post on Norm and the Life gallery of photos taken at Norm's garage and on the way to drag race Tommy Ivo at Santa Ana dragway in 1957: http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/the-great-1950s-t-bucket-rod-rivalry/


my girlfriend was invited to sit in the T and have her picture taken with the hat.

   But I was stunned to see the T at SEMA... completely unremarked in the SEMA information pamphlet I'd looked at, and at an entrance to the South hall (I think)

The original was upholstered by icon Tony Nancy, painted by legendary Valley Custom, and with flame job and pinstriping by icon Dean Jeffries

this was the start for this replica, looks rough! But they did a perfect job and you've seen the results!

This is what has became of the icon bucket T that was on 77 Sunset Strip, it was a victim of the touring show car craze of the flamboyant 60's, and in this iteration it remains in storage. It's current owner is not showing it, or returning it to it's original look.