Hot Rods Hangin' those rear tires

I remember when this issue of Hot Rod came out - I stared at this image for a long time (at least until the next issue came!) and thought it was so stinkin' cool in spite of being a more-door! What did I know, I was a kid. It's cool, period.

 

I’m surprised I haven’t seen your 61 on the corvette hotrod thread lately? Nice car!


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Hip look...back in 1975 :

 

1959
John Edwards from the Pittman-Edwards Team Willys Coupe. One of the first racers to make big tire changes in the early days of the Gas Coupe and Sedan Class competition.
Pittman-Edwards Willys Coupe

1964

Don Hale Photo

Hello,

Most of the drag racers used larger M&H tires when they came out in the 1959-60 season. Until then, Bruce Slicks were the king of the drag racing tire stories everywhere. Since most of the Gas Coupes and Sedans were street legal, not many had wider slicks that made it necessary to cut out the rear wheel openings. But, when the wider slicks came out, those rear fenders started getting the radius treatment.

The Bruce Slicks started on our 58 Impala to fit inside of the stock wheel well opening. The 7 inch wide slicks had plenty of grabbing power to give it some force. But, at the time, there was no need for wider slicks. The 7 inch Bruce Slicks fit nicely inside of the Willys wheel well fender openings. (Interchangeable at its best usage with the Impala and the Willys.)

In August of 1960, we had ordered some big M&H slicks to increase the amount of grab for our Willys. With the 671 SBC motor gaining more horsepower, better traction was necessary. My brother had already planned on larger new M&H slicks as we had custom made 9 inch wide Chevy center 15 inch steel rims ready to go for the new slicks.


Jnaki

So, our final 1940 Willys Coupe would have looked like our friend, Atts Ono’s red Willys on our future trip to the 1960 U.S. Nationals in Detroit. But with new Halibrand wide mags supporting the wide M&H slicks. Yes, they would have stuck out from the body. No, we did not finish the 671 SBC 1940 Willys Coupe.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/willys-owners.999990/page-9#post-11609788

 

{ Before & After } My two in the early 80's. I narrowed the Halibrand Q.C. in the 90's to get'em back under the fenders. But I still kinda like the old look.

 

It looks just amazing! I would give anything for owning such a car

 

Just a little bit.

 

Just wanted to say,{ A COOL Thread }! I do like the 1965 cutoff date. But wasn't it fun to beat the factory muscle cars with our home built Hot Rods back in 60's and 70's! A few photos of some of my old models to show the way I liked hanging the rear tires back then. Ron........

 

Ron, that is some cool stuff right there!


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I only have one

 

Reminds me of this guy - are they from the same owner?