Hot Rods My willys build, start to finish in pix

Now comes the boring task of wet sanding the primer, followed by wet sanding the primer and then a little wet sanding of the primer. Im guessing I will have at least a month in this with very little viewable improvement.

 

Yup start sanding and don't stop until your fingers are worn up to past the second knuckle! Just went through that with my roadster last year. Block sanded the entire car 3 times and then sanded the louvered hood and louvered trunklid as well. Don't get me started about sanding louvres!!

 

Never fails to amaze me.

 

Quite the job how long you been at it ?the metal is real thin on the Willy’s isn’t it,and not a straight panel every one has a curve .been working on mine going on 10 yrs hope for paint by the summer .like to see the pics when your done

 

Wet sanding is the best part of any build, you really get to know the car, relive the difficult parts of the build, if it is yours you can make it perfect, shop jobs a lot is allowed to slip, "good enough" "nobody will see it" sure, the guy pulled off it remembers were every unfixed flaw is, that is why the paint doesn't look quite right. Bob

 

My goal for this car is a nice driver. I really want it to be something that you could drive anywhere. The body and paint will be nice, but im not concerned with a show perfect car. Who doesn’t want an all steel 41 willys gasser that you can drive wherever you want. I have been working on it , off and on for around 5 year, but pretty serious for the past year. I’m hoping to finish it this year.

 

Today was spent at the d m v . Got the paper work all sorted out and the title is all done. This is a huge thing in a build. I am stoked!

 

You did all that with out a title???? You have more faith in the DMV than I do!!

 

Here in wa. I could just have it inspected and re-titled it, so this isn’t that crazy.

 

Can't wait to see it out and about this summer.

 

Added some traction bars, cleaned up the nose piece and jamb painted it so I can assemble the front end sheet metal.

 

Cracking job great you bought it back to life there all worth saving......

 

Headers, check!

 

nice save jim!

 

Fantastic Jim. I think you are going to really enjoy this car when she hits the road. I sure do enjoy looking at it. Great build!

 

Sweet

 

Front fenders, sealed beam lights installed, bed lined and ready to reinstall.

 

Got tired of trying to get the factory undercoat off of the bottom of the hood, so I just cleaned it up and sprayed over it. I kinda like the welded up hole left over from a tunnel ram. It ain’t perfect, but it kinda has that old race car vibe.

 

This is why you have the reputation as the metal master. Great to watch this amazing save.
Those headers are very cool!

 

Amazing skills, nice job !!

 

Jim, your work as always is amazing! It looks like the car is coming together really well.

 

Looks great Jim, can't wait to see it

 

Great job Jim! Sure wish I had a Willy's !! Can't wait to see it in paint! Lippy

 

500 hours of metal work, 80 hours of body work and 80 hours of prep, and it’s in sealer, ready for color.

 

Cool car & nice craftsmanship, good luck !

 

I’m going to sand out the sealer this week and hope to start painting this weekend. I’m thinking a silver and dark maroon panel or lace job. We will see how motivated I am after I lay down the silver.

 

Jim, after nearly 900 hours of work, plus materials, we all know how motivated you are! And since you saved that pile in only 900 hours, all us mortals are simultaneously bowing in your general direction.
Nice job. You obviously really wanted another Willys.

 

900 is probably an accurate number of hours thus far. Man it takes a long time to build a car. I figure I am about 150 hours away from completion. It sure would be easier if I could start with nicer stuff, but where is the fun in that? Head down and keep going!

 

In the overall picture ,,, 1150 hrs is just 1 guy pulling a solid 40 hrs a week for 6 months. from that pile into a finished car in 1150 hrs is incredible.