Went to a carshow in Kilgore, TX yesterday and spotted an old Willys Coupe. I started reading the history of the car that was displayed in front of it and said... "I know these people - I recognize that car!" I began a conversation with the owners Alan and Gary Ratliff of Liberty City. These guys are Alliance members but have not posted pictures of this local legend. We spent quite awhile talking about the old days of racing and the people who owned this car and it was great to hear the old girl rev up! Hopefully these guys will get on here and tell "the rest of the story"... and it is a good one as they have been following this car for most of their lives and are now the proud owners. FYI this car was photographed for Car Craft magazine in a picture spread of cruising in Texas at Kilgore College. There is also a pic of their other car which is also a survivor.
Hey, I remember that car too. I also raced at the two strips mentioned on the plaque. Good old times.
I was at the track in Gilliam, La (Thunder Raceway) this weekend and saw an old Willys gasser hit both walls, roll several times and slid several hundred feet on it's top. The driver was O.K. I clicked on here thinking this was a post about that accident. Anyone know the driver of the accident I'm talking about? Really nice old car but will probably be scrap now.
driver of the car at gilliam la. was terry brown he is ok asfer as I know the car was not an orginal but afairly recent repop car was evil handling
Awsome car I hear all the stories about the old tracks that were here and its neat to some of the cars survived. I know the owner of the old White House strip. I ran I 20 fun times in East Texas !!
One of the anglias that ran with that car is in the attic of a local repair shop in Hawkins and no he wont sell it I tried several times !! 4 lug halibrands and all
Dang! What a way to start Monday morning. First thing I do is go to the Hamb and see what went on over the weekend and what do I see but pictures of my Willys and my brothers 39 Ford. Thanks to Kris and Lynda Cole from Henderson,TX for posting these. My brother and I met this nice couple over the weekend at a car show in my hometown, Kilgore,TX and they we oh so nice and we really enjoyed talking with them. Thanks again, Kris and Lynda! Now back to the Jack Daniels and that everloving honeybun! From Deep in the Heart of Texas! 1940 Willys Coupe
Gary, Great to see your car on here. Maybe some day you can get a few pics of the engine posted. I think most of the gasser guys would like to see the 327 small block chevy with MECHANICAL HILBORN INJECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And just a little tid bit to everyone, "Gary drives this on the street"
The Jalopy Journal
