Since my Ute isn't selling, I am somewhat deciding to do a slight hot rod makeover. 33 Willys artillery wheels and a 1940's-1950's original paint color with some lettering and pinstrip on the wheels. 50's hot rod look. I feel guilty messing with a completely original stock car so I’m on the fence on whether I should change its look. Maybe a magnesium quick change rear end? View attachment 6146234
If it were mine..... I'd keep it simple, change wheels with a contrasting color, lower the nose a little, maybe look at different bumpers, just simple bolt on/off stuff. Easy to replace back to stock. You can have a lot of fun and change the looks just with simple bolt on mods. ...
Bolt on is EXACTLY what I am thinking. I didn't think about bumpers but that's a GREAT IDEA! I don't even know where to start to get ideas on bumpers.
@drumyn29 you are one of the great builders on here. When YOU say I feel stupid for even saying this, but I'd start with a tape measure and a cardboard pattern of the curve you want to follow on the end. Both can be adjusted, but it will at least provide a rough template. I'd also look at British and other Euro cars, 'cause those are small and narrow too.
That thing is never going to be a gasser. I would slam the front of it with a healthy rake and throw some 5-spokes or halibrands on it. A basic small block and 9" rear...done.
Hello, The hold up for selling the Ute may be several reasons. The top dollar hold up, or cash in hand sale is up to you. But, right hand sitting position, left hand shifting, having to re-register it with California DMV, etc make it not so handy. Not everyone has ever driven a right side steering wheel car in the USA. it is a weird feeling, just sitting in the car with the stick shift to your left and having to use your left hand to shift. most of us are right hand folks. so, we are used to our old seating positions. But, even if it becomes registered with the DMV and it is now on the street, one has to get used to the seating position on the far right of any traffic lane. So, in the fast lane, perception of how close to the double yellow lines is difficult for everyday adjustments. The oncoming traffic is off center as normally we all adjust to the distance of those cars headed our way. A young guy I knew had a foreign, right hand drive car. He finally got it registered and the guy started driving it on the local So Cal streets. He said his driving was now relegated to the far right lane, since all traffic is going in the same direction and although it was still hard to adjust to the single white line, at least they were all headed in the same direction. Making left hand turns became another problem. Entering the lane position and ending up in the correct lane made him think about going around the block to end up in the right hand lanes. After driving it for several months, he sold it to a collector who had a bunch of grey market right hand steering cars. He got a lowered, modified, high performance Beetle for his daily driver after that. Jnaki What to do… your builds and collection of cars is very nice. But, one way out may be a tax write off if one donates the "hard to sell car," to a non profit group like the Lion’s Dragstrip Museum. Their collection of Willys coupes, convertibles, station wagons and sedan deliveries is outstanding. Sometimes they are in the market for additions to the collection. Check out the policies about donations or acceptance to the museum for your rare Willys pickup/Ute. It may be different enough to add to the collection. YRMV
Excellent comments and suggestions. My buddy donated his OT '37 Packard to a Lincoln Highway Museum and got a tax write-off for more than twice what he most likely could have sold the car for. Looks great in the museum,too.
@drumyn29, I would like to see it photoshopped exactly like you are describing in the colors of the Ford Coupe that you shared and another photo shop in the colors of the Harley that you shared. I would like to see the pinstripes just like you described. I also believe that an improvement could be made in the stance. I guess that It depends on why you are painting it. Do you want to change the look or is the idea that it will help you to sell it? A lot of 30-40s cars could be either right or left hand drive depending on what market they were built for. That’s why the dashes were symmetrical. I would look and see what it would take to make it left hand drive. It might not be too difficult.
I have enough willys parts to make it a left hand drive, I just thought it was always better to keep it somewhat original. I guess I am just tired of looking at the same old car, maybe a spruce would make me enjoy it more. Dropping the stance should help a ton!
Like others have said, here's what you need to do, post a couple of pics here: The Photoshop thread to end all Photoshop Threads! Art & Inspiration .
Wheels stance, and maybe some seat covers inside would go a long way towards changing the appearance without alternating the car. Sometimes it doesn't take much to change the driving experience and make an old ride more enjoyable to drive again. The Blown Chrysler Hemi might be going a bit too far.
LHD conversion, for comfort-sake. Piecrusts out back, skinnies out front. Disc brakes up front. Period-style gasser wheels. Chrysler Hemi (they are still out there, I have several), topped by a 6-71.
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