Projects Gene (Moonlighter) Cromer's A/G Willys Resurrection

Gene has a lot of good stories about rubbing elbows with the greats of drag racing. When he talks about people like Mr. Platt it sounds like they ran into each other all the time must have been good friends(remember Gene loaned him an engine). The best I can tell from what little I can get Gene to talk about the old days he was respected by all of our old heroes. Gene don't know this yet but if they can get him to talk he has a radio interview coming up in few months with Bill Pratt on Racers Reunion radio. I think ya'll can call in and ask him some of those questions. The best one to talk to is Melvin he was with gene every where he went and remembers it all.

 

quain , talked to you & have seen your work . it will be great when done ....... good luck ............ steve

 

Please make sure you have some adult sizes made,,there are a lot of us 2X guys out there,I would even go for some Long sleeve T's. HRP

 

OK kids lets stay on topic

 

Your forgiven Frank because of the cool pics that you have donated to Gene and this thread. I was just afraid that a lot of people was going to start commenting on that and it would get Genes thread off topic. I checked out the link myself

 

Quain it's all good... your doing a hellava job with the build and the thread.

Gene and the moonlighter co staring Quain.... keep the cameras rolling

 

The shocks and springs that were put on the car in 1967 when Gene redid the rear chassis. He said that he bought them used from Holman and moody in 1967

 

Quain, is Santhuff still going to help with the coilover/shock rebuild?

 

Ron said that they would rebuild them but didn't say that they would donate it for free but I know that they will do it right, they help me out with all of my stuff. I'm not sure that there is any thing wrong with them we may just take them apart and clean up and put in new oil.

 

Gene sent me some pics today to post of the progress. This one is two of the people that are very special to Gene, his wife Ruth and his right hand man Melvin that he said he could not do with out on this project. And the moonlighter all took back apart getting ready for the body shop.

 

its really coming together, cant wait to see it with fresh paint lettered up

 

Genes grand son Geoffry Graves just sent this to me a good shot of the dynamic duo Gene and Melvin taken today.

 

Where did Gene find the Willys back then?

Was it stock or had someone else made it into a drag car?

 

Those two look like they were quite a pair of cards in their day. I have always been told behind every successful man is a good women.
Thanks for the pictures.

 

Great sheet metal work

 

Gene told me that he got the Willys from Ed Skelton who got it from John Arflin. He didn't say if it had been "hot rodded", but knowing those two, I'm sure it had been.

 

Sure wish I lived closer so I could help out!!

 

It was original with the 4cyl. engine and had been on Ford used car lot,
white in color, I got it from my friend Ed Skekton When he decided not
to build it.

 

Thanks to Chris and David for working sat replacing the brake lines, nice
job and thanks to everyone help.

 

Gene,did Ed buy it from Blue Ridge Motors Ford on South Main here in Anderson? HRP

 

Man, this is cool as hell. When it's done, somebody needs to make sure the car and its history ends up in Rodder's Journal.

Thanks for writing all of this up and posting the pictures!

 

Girchy.... that was a homerun. And I sure hope as much attention that this thread is generating, Steve Coonan will see it. Gene and the Moonlighter definitely deserve it.

 

There are a few magazines that are interested in doing something on the moonlighter and Gene but nothing solid yet. We welcome any help in that area. I do know for sure that Doug Boyce is going to have it in his next book we are working out the details now. Doug has already done several books on racing history. This deal just keeps getting better.

 

I agree with you guys 100%. We would LOVE to see Gene and the Moonlighter in Rodders Journal!

 

send e-mails to:editorial@roddersjournal.com.

 

Already did..... Others need to do the same.

If we can not be there to work on the car here is another way to help...Lets get Gene on the cover editorial@roddersjournal.com.

 

Quain, David and Melvin, Quain came down today and repaired and fiberglassed the tilt front section. We are
dismantling the car and getting it ready to be Soda blasted and to be painted. It's hard to believe all the work that Quain and and others have did and are going to do. We appreciate it very much.

 

Keep the pictures coming Gene!