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

Rear view of the bars going back to the original chassis.

 

I got started on the fire wall tonight but it's a long way from finished. I planned the roll bars to go in front of the fire wall to hide them from view, the fire wall is as close to it's original location as I could tell from clues that I found and Gene's memory.

 

Front view of the fire wall. I plan on filler panels on the side to blend the bars to the door post to hide them from the front. The engine will hide the safety bar. Again I'm sorry but we had to add these bars.

 

Quain, you and Gene will get no grief from me! I'd much rather see that ole girl dance again, than be and asphalt anchor.

 

Looking good Quain. Gene being safe and the car running again are equally important. I'll see you tomorrow.
Daron

 

I totally agree, X1000 !

 

Very true. That's one thing that's good about restoring an old door car. You can add some up to date safety stuff so it can be raced and not take away from the look of the car. We did the same thing with our Willys.

 

Looking good Quain, thanks to you and Gene for sharing this with us all.

 

Not much to report in the last few days. I had to get the door hinges off before i could go any further with the fire wall. I spent countless hours trying to getting the bolts out that have not been out since the car was new in 1941. The head of the bolts had been cut out on the passenger side so I had to weld a stub on what was left and worry with them until they came out. I thought the driver side would be easy because they had never been messed with but the taper on the head of the bolt had taper locked then rusted so I had to weld something to get a hold of on them too. Be leave it or not I was able to save the backing plates.

 

I had to redo the rear body mounts they had about rusted away I made a plate to weld in, this looks ratty now but I'm going to work on it some more later.

 

Can't tell much by the pix but this is the filler panel from the door post to the roll bar again all this trying to hide the front bar's because they were not in there in the 60's

 

That's funny! I do the same thing when I'm bending tube with the old Hossfeld or punching louvers, "get outta here" or "don't talk to me". Keep up the nice work, going to be great to when this old war horse is burning rubber.

John

 

It's hard for me to think of Gene as being 80 years old ,,I know he ain't no spring chicken but he is still sharp as a tack,,I look forward to seeing him in the drivers seat again! HRP

 

He's looking forward to it. I showed him how to post on here Saturday but I think he still afraid to try ya'll cheer him on and maybe he will try it I know ya'll would like to hear from him.

 

Yes we would Gene, great story going on here. I may have missed it here, but do you still have the topless funny car too?

 

Subscribed, SOHC Powered !!!!! This will be My favorite Willys for sure. Fed

 

Today was floor pan day it's ruffed in all one piece from fire wall to wheel tubs. Tomorrow I'll cut out for the trans and bell housing.

 

Another angle where it meets the fire wall.

 

Another shot with the wheel tubs in place.

 

Some of the fit around the roll bar and body brace some trimming still to be done and another piece for the back side later.

 

Quain,you are making a lot of progress.

Gene,come on and join in,I'm sure a lot of the guys here would love to hear how you feel about the Moonlighters Resurrection! HRP

 

Quain, are you using aluminum or steel for the floor? What thickness? Thanks

 

It's aluminum just like it had when Gene built it except it was .032 I'm using .040 for safety in the front and fire wall, it's going to be .032 in the back. The filler panels at the wheel tubs and door jams are steel they will be welded in when finished.

 

It's just to bad that there is'nt a camera / film crew capturing this entire rebuild....

I send you massive energy >>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<

 

Not much to report I didn't get to work on the moonlighter much today. I did get the hole cut for the trans and bell housing it still has to be trimmed out more but it's enough to set the dummy block and trans back in.

 

Made a little head way on the trans cover tonight and worked with the top of the fire wall.

 

I set the seats in it and made this pix just for fun.

 

That's fun alright. Keep on it, Quain!!!

 

Great job hiding the front bars! I'll bet at night when It's quiet, if you listen just right, you can hear the "Moon Lighter" disappearing off in the distance at full song.

 

Very cool!