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

Thanks to Chris Dunn and Palmetto Rod Worxs and PPG company for paint and and supplies and body work. This is a big blessing. All that Quain is doing is astounding. We are amazed at the interest and views and offers of help and donations that have been received.
Thanks to Steven Thompson for telling me about my rear mags and to Steve
Smith for locating the other mag wheels. Thanks to everyone for their interest and offers.

 

a lot of people want to see this car back together, including myself.

 

Gene.... I don't think you realize years ago you were the teacher and Quain was one of your students. And you made a very strong impression on him.
Hope to meet you and the willys at Henderson. Congratulations on your induction.

 

Gene, I am from the left coast. I am excited by the restoration of your Willys Coupe. Mostly because like you I am a Ford guy like you and Quain. Mine are Ford stock mills but if I had the coin there would be a couple of stout mills in my Rods !

Congrats on your award for the Hall of Fame - Way to GO !

Dave

 

Remember last night I posted pics making pieces for the front top of the rocker where it meets the floor pan here they are installed. It's tuff welding to the old rusty metal it would have been easier to cut the whole thing out and start over but I'm trying to keep as much of the original car as possible.

 

Adjustable stop for the clutch petal. Worked about 12 hours today and these 2 pics are all I got done that's worth posting. Remember the old saying the last 10 percent of any job is 90 percent of the effort.

 

Hey Guys, Thanks for all the kind words. My friend David Gregg is the one that got me interested in the project and introduced me to Quain Stott. It would not have happened without him. Just remember this is more of a thrill and honor for us just to be a part of the resurrection. There is still lots to do and we may put the word out for some additional support. Be thinking about the finish line. I hope everyone will come out and see the Willys and Gene Cromer when its all said and done.

Thank you all,

Chris Dunn
Palmetto Rod Worx

 

Thank you Chris for stepping up to the plate and offering your time and talent to the project. HRP

 

PM sent. HRP

 

thanks brother! no payback required for the hinges, glad to help.

 

Mounts for the charging plug and master shut off switch. When the trunk pan is in place the charging plug will be under the car where you can get to it. The cable studs for the master shut off will be in the trunk so we won't have to drill holes for the cables. Both are out of sight except for a 1/4" rod for the shut off. It would kill the looks of this car or any other period correct car to mount them on the body where it's the first thing you see.

 

The rod for the shut off switch. I wanted to put it under the car but NHRA wants it where they can get to it quick. I hope the bumper will help hide it.

 

The bracket for the throttle cable. I don't like to just drill a hole in the aluminum fire wall for a mount it will move around to much this bracket will stop that. We will have to do something with the late model looking nuts that came with the cable.

 

I think that I posted pics of making the throttle petal way back some where but I didn't finish it because I didn't know where the cable was going to be. Here I'm pressing the end flat for the cable bolt.

 

These are the dies I made for pressing small tubing flat. Note the bevel on each so it won't make it look like you just put it in the vice and mashed it flat.

 

This is what I ended up with.

 

All mounted in the car it works smooth. The fire wall will be sandwiched between all this. I still have to make a wide open stop and come up with some kind of old school pad. I'm thinking about making something that looks like the end of a spoon I've seen that on some old Gassers.

 

The finished throttle petal notice the adjustable wide open stop. The pad is dish shaped but you cant tell in the pic.

 

Remember back when I was doing the roll cage I said that I was going to try and hide it from the engine bay. Also I have to do something with this area it was filled with bondo before so I'm going to build a panel that will do both.

 

This is the only pic we can find of the way it was.

 

I started by just rolling a piece of sheet metal

 

Quain,
Here is a picture of a pedal from the '30's that was used in a old Drag Car.

 

Then trimmed it down and hammered one end to fit the cowl area. (I think that's what is called)

 

Another shot from the back side, trying to show the curve but it still don't I need a camera or some one that knows how to use it.

 

This will give you an idea of what it's going to look like when finished. I should not need as much bondo as before. I think when a complete engine is installed the bars won't be noticed.

 

Looks like I hit it close.

 

Can't have it all Quain,,a absolutely outstanding fabricator and not half bad photographer,,,your doing a great job of ongoing photographic progress! HRP

 

These build threads take a lot of time. But trying to get enough done by quitting time to have pics to post gives me a goal to work towards every day.

 

Do you have the gauges that were in the car?

 

Gene is looking for the tack but hasn't found it yet I need it to make mounts. It was a Jones cable drive you can see the back side of it in post #593. I'm not sure about the other gauges.