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

I remember reading back in the thread that Gene's '55 Chevy Gasser he raced before the Moonlighter Willys was Ford powered. Does anyone know if the Moonlighter's first engine came from that car. Would be interesting to know.

--- Steve ---

 

Here a little video I made today of Gene and Melvin backing the Moonlighter into the shop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aTxWtIBDHs&feature=youtu.be

 

Looking great! HRP

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I asked Gene and he said, "no, I blew that engine up". He said he was always breaking stuff in that car.

 

sounding great too!! thanks for posting Frank.... been wondering whats happening

 

If the Moonlighter runs as good as it sounds, Gene better hold that steering wheel tight when the pedal hits the floor

 

I'm betting Gene and Melvin are getting a kick out of running this car again. This is beyond cool!

 

Did anyone get pictures or video from the Ware Shoals gasser meet? Did Gene make any passes in the Willys?

 

Sorry I still haven't learned how to embed a video here so I just posted the link. This was Gene's 3rd pass of the day the first one the track was not prepped and it just spun the tires the 2nd try it hooked up and went hard left and let me tell y'all he hasn't lost a thing he drove it back and got right out of the throttle just like he he had never had all this time off from driving. On this pass I made a small adjustment to the bars and it did a lot better but still a little left but as you will see he drove it right back in the grove the only reason he quit was that a fuel line came lose. The next pass I made aanother adjustment and it went straight but no video has turned up yet, it went 6.65 and he quit early because there was a car in the other lane that got crossed up so Gene let off to keep from a crash. We did the math it would have been a 6.30 to 6.40 pass. Hophttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXB9jAa1VAM

 

Awesome. I'm so glad he is back running, and it sounds like the moonlighter will be right on with most of you guys.

MELTDOWN DRAGS
JULY 19-20 2014

 

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For Quain

 

I love it!

 

His FE Ford engine sure sounds wicked Quain.

In your professional opinion,what do you see his Willys capable of doing E.T. wise?

 

This video proves that Gene has still got a passion,,I am so happy for him and everyone that has been involved in getting him back behind the wheel. HRP

 

Way to go Gene and Company. I wish I had made the drive now. Went to MIR for the legend race instead. (closer) I watched Arnie "The Farmer "Breswick in his GTO run 180+ at his young age. HRP is right.....ITS THE PASSION.
Quain it had to have made your day. Can't imagine the feeling.

 

Hooray for all old timers, what a great example.
An 81 year old driver in a 72 year old car, and they both can still strut their stuff. Heck, many of us have had to take our parents keys away at Gene's age. Great job Gene, Quain, and Melvin. Now, go put some on the trailer for old times sakes.

--- Steve ---

 

Wow, that gave me Goosebumps! Gene was gettin after it, that FE sounds good! Whens the next Gasser Race?

 

It should go high 6.20s too the low 6.30s and he is already talking about building a better engine ( I vote he puts the cammer back together) He didn't make any more runs because he didn't want to risk tearing something up before the hall of fame induction in Oct.

 

Quain,,what is the date for the induction ceremony? HRP

 

I sure hope Gene goes with a Cammer too. If the car is capable of high 9s with the current engine I bet he'd shave some time with the Cammer. Plus the cool factor would be over the top.

 

18 19 20 I don't know what day the main induction will be here's a link to there home page http://eastcoastdragtimeshalloffame.com/

 

Have they weighed the car?

 

No these tracks we have been going to don't have scales. I think Gene said it weighed around 2100 back in the day with no driver I added about 100 lbs with the stronger rear end housing tubes, roll bars and stuff like that.

 

Quain, I'm with you on the cammer. That's what I remember being in the Moonlighter. I was talking with Gene a while back and he said he would like to build a tunnel port FE engine.
According to their poster, the Hall of Fame induction will be on Sunday October 20 from 12:30-3:00 pm. at the civic center in Henderson, NC. Bret Kepner will be the MC. There will also be a meet and greet with the drag race icons from the '50's - '70's FREE &OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND.
Info is at WWW.eastcoastdragtimeshalloffame.com

 

Here's a link to Bryan Webster's facebook page. I met him yesterday at Ware Shoals and he said he would like for me to share the pictures he took with all the guys on the HAMB board. He has some really good shots, enjoy. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.573399502722918.1073741853.129707333758806&type=1

 

Major respect for the man.
Go Gene Go!

 

very cool--genes still got it

 

Anybody that has the means to attend should go to Henderson NC the weekend of October 18th. The official ceremony is on Sunday the 20th but there are all kinds of activities all weekend. Car shows , cookouts and a bunch of great history too. Would be a great weekend trip. My wife and I are going to make it a mini vacation and I get to haul the Moonlighter up there for Gene, plus I get to ride with Gene and Melvine for 5 or 6 hours and hear all the good racing stories! Gonna be a great weekend.

 

The Moonlighter is Wicked! Thanks for the video. Carp





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David,,Where are you guys staying? HRP