Norm Grabowski, the man who literally invented the T-Bucket with his famous “Kookie Kar” has passed away. Grabowski’s creation launched hundreds of thousands of copies and even entire cottage industries over the years which is certainly not what the talented craftsman and hot rodder had in mind when he built the car in the early 1950s. The car’s look was revolutionary for the time and featured a pieces from a 1922 Model T, the shortened bed from a Model A pickup truck, a Cadillac engine, and lots and lots of time and fabrication work to make it all look “right”. Grabowski showed and drag raced the car. His success at the strip was so inspirational that Tommy Ivo himself managed to sneak into Grabowski’s garage when he wasn’t home to get measurements and details to built a ‘bucket of his own to take to the drags. We all know what happened with that Ivo character!
The car became literally famous as a member of the cast of the show “77 Sunset Strip” where it was driven around by a character named Kookie, hence the car’s name. So influential was the car that it appeared on the cover of Hot Rod in 1955, Car Craft in 1957, and during the same year it appeared on the cover of Life magazine in an issue where lots of space was devoted to both it and Norm. Why would Life write a cover story about a hot rod and the rodder that built it? Because this single car ignited a craze to build machines just like it around the country. So often in this hobby, things can’t be traced back to a specific point but more a gathering of smaller pieces onto trends and movements that drive things in one direction or another. That’s not the case with T-Buckets. Ground zero was Grabowski’s car, no disputing it.
As the car got famous, so did Norm and he had an acting career for years because the car had opened the often tightly shut doors of show business to him. Grabowski was in many televisions shows and movies over the years. Along with his skills as a hot rodder and actor, Grabowski was a very gifted wood carver and his various artistic creations are highly coveted among hot rod collectors and enthusiasts. Norm was a hot rodder to the end working on a bunch of cool projects and being the generally awesome dude that everyone who knew him says that he was.
Norm joins too many of the foundation level hot rodders that have left us this year. There’s one more bitchin’ ‘bucket hauling ass down the big strip in the sky today.
R.I.P., Norm! ‘Never got to meet you. My loss…
Although my opinion of the practicality and creature comfort (or lack thereof) may not be shared by many, I’ve gotta give Norm kudos for creating the Fad T. The concept has changed little over the years.
A “cast member” on a weekly TV show and pictured on the cover of LIFE magazine?
That car and its builder had creds!
By the way, I referred to T-buckets as “chopper cars”. No disrespect…
Happy trails old friend it was a pleasure to have known you and worked on your cars. We had some great days together.You will always be remembered.
Many an evening when I was a child were spent being entertained by Norm at our San Fernando Valley home. My father and Norm were good buddies who would go “cruizing” on Van Nuys Blvd. “What’s a Hen weigh?” He was a wonderful person with many many talents. He would always bring his guitar and play, sing and wistle (or whatever that was) to all the songs….Mariaha…Braziers….many more. Great memories–great fun. Safe travels my great friend and hang out with my dad who has preceeded you in Heaven.
Race In Peace man…. I had the honor of meeting him once in Omaha same day I met Ed Roth. To think that we have lost another Legend is sad. However my next rod build will be a T bucket and I know now that I will be painting a tribute panel to both of my lost idols.
I met Norm years ago in Tulsa. From first meeting, he treated you, and you flet like, you’d known him all your life. Fun, funny, hilarious, gregarious, having the most fun possible with his time on earth. What a guy, and what a loss for all of rodding.
Godspeed, my friend, I’ll see you again in a much better place…
I’m sorry to hear of Norm’s passing. I was born in 1973, so i came along after all of the fun on the car scene! I love the old school rods and customs. That blue T Bucket is a sharp car.
We met Norm in the sixties when we showed our car in the I S C A. We talked to Norm, Ed Roth, George Barris and many other Street Rodders during those shows. At the fifty year Cobo Hall show we asked Norm if he kneww where the Henway was and he said, “yes its in my garage “. We talked to him a couple of years ago at the Frog Follies, in Evansville Indiana. He was showing Kookie II. You will be missed Norm.
Another rodding legend is gone.
What a contribution to hot rodding this guy made.
As a kid growing up in the ’60’s, the “T bucket” was the clear point of entry into hot rod consciousness, for me and all of my buddies.
R.I.P. Norm.
I was gifted & blessed to be listed as one of Normie’Poo’s friends for quite awhile.He was a gifted “whistler” & he whistled the bridal dance for my wife & I as we danced in a restaurant while having dinner with Norm & some friends @ the NSRA Nats in Lousville Ky. a few years back Norm was a gifted car builder,designer,showman & comedian. Norm will surely be missed…R.I.P. palsie’ & Thanx for being in my life…Bugs’
A true hot rodder in every sense of the name. I fell in love with his T while watching 77 Sunset Strip and have followed EVERYTHING he has done since then. A true gentleman Rest In Peace
I met Norm at Detroit 50th. Very pleasant man. I asked if he minded if I took his photo. “Not at all.” He stood up, smiled, stuck his hand out.
Norm, Thanks for Blazing a Trail.
I’ve had my T-Bucket for 26 years. Been me & Big Daddy ridin’ around for many years. There’s room for 1 more.
Gwillyville Kid
Canada
I was a late bloomer to the car world but remember seeing Norm on Monster Garage with some other greats. I recall thinking that this guy Norm is having a lot of fun just being himself; something we can all strive for. He must have been a blast to hang out with. RIP Norm, you are a permanent pillar in the House of HotRodding.
Rest in peace Norm, I remember seeing you on Monster Garage, you definitly lightened up the mood there.
R.I.P. Norm. It was a pleasure knowing you and spending time with you.
One of the most affable men I have ever met in my life. You certainly will be missed. – Charlie
R.I.P Norm. cruizin with the angels….O:-)…………is this La in the 50’s no its heaven
…
I lived in Sunland Ca, so did Norm and all his cars were seen often on Sunland Blvd.
His Dad had the Egg ranch, Norm had the Pickups Ltd. meetings at their place reguliarly. Norm was a true Car Guy and an Innovator. Vally Custom did work on his T and Pickup under his guiding eye. God Bless You, Norm!
Rest in peace Norm..You will always be remembered in our hearts.
Unfortunately, I never met Mr. G, though I wish I had. Funny thing, though – there’s a guy in my church men’s group that is a dead-ringer for Norm, in looks and personality.
RIP Norm..You’ve put the happy in my heart from the 1st time we met in Paso Robles..Thanks for the goofy times, the fun times, the memorable times.. Now you can cruise along with my husband & all of the hot rodders in heaven..Have fun..be safe..&..make it a heavenly life. The Hot Rod Lady 0:)
R.I.P. Norm,
What a great time we had in OKC at the NSRA Nationals (last one before Louisville each year). My nephew Mike said he would never forget riding with you all day that Saturday in Kooie II. The way you made the resturant sing happy birthday to him and myself will always be one of the best times for a birthday.
I for one will greatly miss you Normie Pooh.
God Speed my friend.
Jake Perry Westerville, Ohio
First ‘T-Bucket’ ?! I think not. Perhaps the earliest as most publicized is more likely ~
http://federicodecalifornia.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/birth-of-the-california-hot-rod-survival-of-the-fittest-on-the-desert-dry-lakes-1945-2010/
Cheers, F deC
Like others, when I saw Norm at the GNRS at Pomona a few years back, we talked like we had known each other forever!
Because we had! In the fifties we met and often were side by side at Toluca Lake Big Boy drive-in! Ever since, we bumped into each other often and always reminised about the Big Boy years and talked hot rods.
Like countless others, I should have bought the “T” when it was buyable – to this day I keep a model of it in the little case on my big tool box! It was and is the coolest hot rod ever! Period!
RIP Norm!
later on norm,first met norm in 62 at the fresno autorama along with ed”big daddy”roth,
my brother and i spent over an hour after the show talking with both norm and ed what
a couple of great men,sage advice and a whole lot of laughs that night and every time
our paths crossed at different rod shows,last time i got to spend time with norm was in
st.paul at the nsra nat’s and it was like 1962 was the day before,the conversation star
ted where we left off that night in fresno,god speed friend and i’ll keep the passenger
seat in my bucket open for you.bear