Does anyone have a good picture of the hood opener for a 1939 Willy? This is what I have, think the top part is bent and missing the part that connects them together. Everything is on the hood, but this is all I have on the opener part. Lots of brazing on the bottom part of the opener.
You have the correct one, but let me get back to you with a great, and much safer alternative (and reasonable price) way to operate the '39 hood. (g-willys)
The kit is out there on the street rod market...it is similat to a volkswagen bug opener. Kit is about $45-50 ...I did the other metal work on a brake, and fitted it to the '39 hood, and center section (louvered piece). Toughest part is getting the correct angle from the hood to the locking mechanism...I sat in the (open engine-less) compartment while my wife lifted the hood up and down until I had the correct angle for the latch , before I welded it on. As you can see there is room for movement of the latch, in case it needs some minor adjustments. I had a '39 owner tell me that the stock latch he had, came open while driving, and the hood went all the way back and dented the roof. g-willys p.s. Played Junior Hockey in several of the towns around you (over 50 years ago) played for Moose Jaw, but remember many towns (Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Melville...)...one other thing I had heard that there were several dealerships (Willys) in Sasketchewan...are there still some of those cars around???
I will have to see if I can google that kit, not sure if you know the company? That is really cool you played up here!! Its -23 Celsius tonight. lol. You likely have lots of stories to tell, and played with some NHL stars. I know a pile of guys that I went to school with that played with those teams 40 years ago. A few went on to the NHL and two brothers that coached NHL teams. And yes, I have 8 Willys there was a Willys dealer about 25 miles away from me. The truck I have, a friend found it and was hauling it home and he stopped and a guy stopped and said had a Willys at home. They drove to his place and he pulled a nice frontend off a 41 Willys four door. I have to haul another couple cars home if it ever warms up again. If you know where there was a Willys dealership in a small town, just ask the old people and they will tell you who had Willys and where they lived out in the country.
If you have some VW Bugs in any bone yards near you...they have them...other VW models have one that will work with the 40-41. I remember the Melville Millionaires...they had a huge dollar sign $ on their Jersey. g-willys
10secterror, My condolences on the terrible bus crash involving the Humbolt Junior Hockey team...its been many decades since my memories of long bus rides in that same area as we traveled to places like Prince Albert, and even as far as Flin Flon , Manitoba (part of the old SJHL. ) What a great tragedy for all involved. It is not an area of easy access, especially for emergency vehicles and meical facilities to treat a large group of injured players. It appears, as I look at a map that it is quite close to you in Melfort. During those many bus rides, I can remember that all we wanted to do was get to our destination. Sadly, this will have a lasting effect on everyone involved for many years to come. Sincerely...g-willys
Yes, so sad!!! That evening I heard there was an accident at that intersection and that night I lost track of how many air ambulance choppers were going over my yard. One time there was two going side by side. Last one I seen and heard was at 10:30 that night, that had me wondering, but getting up in the morning that blew me away! Never expected that news. I had thought worse case it was like the Swift Current bus crash. And you know what is even sadder!!! At the intersection there is two big crosses and three smaller crosses in the ditch! The brother and whole family of a friend of mine was killed there! Exactly the same thing happened, there is a yard at that corner and that makes it worse some someone blowing that stop sign. That bus driver drove the local Kinistino Tiger Bruins to championships and would blow the horn lots picking them up. The 16 year old actually played for the Pats and they got knocked out of playoffs and somehow they put him down to Humboldt. The one 20 year old, his dad planned in the NHL and he was traded from Melfort earlier in the season and got killed. Could go on and on about it, and the sadness!! Going to be rough to see all the funerals for all these young guys and see the families.
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