My version of the Griswald Family Wagon

I present to you, “The Willys”

I have been fabricating the chassis for the past couple of months and today I just threw the rear axle on and channeled the cowl to set it around the frame. That’s a 1930 Willy’s Overland cowl which will be mated to 1930 Willy’s doors and the rear section of a 1930/31 Ford RPU extended back half. The grill shell is sitting off center because I need to modify it some more to fit around the engine. Oh, yah, the engine, can anyone guess what it is? The tires are just some used ones hanging around the shop that are close to the ones I’ve ordered.

The whole idea behind this car is that it will have a bench seat in the rear for one adult and a kid the way I have configured it. A family wagon. I’ll post drawings later so you can get a better idea of what I am up to.

It sort of freaks me out to see how long the wheel base is when I see it sitting next to Magnum PI’s car. At 117”, center to center, the thing is no sports car.

Motor

 

Start cutting and pulling on that 308 GTS and put the running gear under your project. That would definitely cause some double takes.


Nik

I have to ask. Have you ever done a full service on that 308? I knew a guy years ago who had one and said it cost him a fortune every time it went in.

 

The motor is a Datsun 240z 6 cylinder. What do I win?

Nice fab work so far. It's got a neat look to it.


CBB

 

I was gonna guess it was the motor out of a Farmall M...to match the grille....I guess after spending so much time on a farm, it's hard for me to see using a tractor grill....but whatever floats your boat...nice work on everything so far though....

 

I wish that Ferrari was mine. It's in the shop to get an expensive dent repaired. I don't think anything about those cars is inexpensive.

And yes, it is a 240Z engine. Picked it and the tranny up for $250. and with the new straight six and straight eight engine craze at the moment I thought it fitting. My goal is to build the car for $5000 or less so it fit into my plan rather well.

As far as the grill, I know it's rather trendy but I plan to extensively modify it to look a bit more car like.

I have realy enjoyed designing and making the frame. The suspension was a head scratcher but allot of fun to figure out. I think the four bar rear will work real well.

Motor