Projects New 1940 Willys project

Greetings! Son bought a '50 Caddy in running condition, his plan was to chop the top and update the drivetrain but the more he drives it the more he likes it exactly the way it is. Sometimes it's best thing to do is to put them back the way they were.

 

Nice car to build from. Subscribed.

 

Junkman. I know what you are saying. I first had this little original 36 Willys 4dr. I was going to use it to build my 36Willys Phaeton. This car was a complete stocker. original interior and paint. I just couldn't do it. Sold it to a Willys collector. My freind wanted a nice unmolested car to start with.

 

I'm not really trying to rehash any negativity here, but I think the point that Shakey was trying to make was... you described the build as keeping the car looking very original and much like a mildly modified 50s-60s early gasser. Yet the engine is very modern looking, with all the polished aluminum and contemporary valve covers. Some minor changes could make that engine fit in much better with the style of build you're describing. Perhaps painting (disguising) the aluminum heads, maybe some Cal Custom finned type valve covers or Covette type... maybe even media blast the blower and paint it a dark gray, and leave the ribs polished, maybe some kind of fabbed/painted intake for the carbs. All the polished hardware on the engine just isn't consistent with the stock/mild modified gasser look you're describing. If that's what the owner wants, then I guess that's what he'll get. I just think with a few minor cosmetic changes to the engine, you could pull the whole look together a little better.

 

Well guys you have got me in the middle of this subject. Yes the engine looks modern. I had little to do with this part of the project. This is his engine builders idea for a strong running sbc. My goal is to make the car look as near stock body as possible. As Shakey said the engine will be under the hood. I just wanted to show a project that some would like to follow. I think i'ts best that I end this project on Hokey Ass as of now......

 

NO.

Don't do that, there are TONS of us that want to see and follow how and what your going to do..... Trust Me!

 

Yeah that black one done a couple years ago as a "street rod" was one of the coolest I've seen.
TP

 

You mean Lynn Park's? You're damn right it's cool - beautifully thought out and engineered and a 392 under the hood with no holes and no cutting of the stock firewall....

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WOW ! ^^^^ WOW ! ......ah...... WOW !

 

Well I talked to my friend about the posts we have been getting. He wanted me to show you this 40 Stud champ I did in the early 90s. This car speakes for its self. You don't have to open the hood. This is the theme we will use to do the 40 Willys. We may do the same paint. Dove gray, looks good on these 40s cars. You must understand that at my age 72. I have my short senior monents. My job on this project is to do the chassis, body work and paint. I don't do engines. My friend comes over to my shop and likes me to go through the post on Hokey Ass. He loves all the different ideas and comments. He has no computers,cell phone, and no TV. And a life long girl freind. But he has a nice collection of cars. Again we will move on.

 

We love that look. See my studebaker

 

I didn't want to run you off. I still think it would be a great project to follow. I was just offering some suggestions on how to make the engine look a little more suited for the build. I'm sure it's a great engine. Hell, I'd love to have it. There's nothing wrong with a small block Chevy. Just convince the owner to dress it out a little different to go along with the build.

 

Years ago I built a 265 2bbl SB Chevy for a guy restoring his '56 Nomad complete with 3 Speed/overdrive. He drove it for a month and said what a boring piece of crap.., we built a 550HP 400 SB chevy for it an put in a Richmond 6 Speed and he loves it to this day. Bob Panella has a bunch of stock ones as well as others around the world to put into someones future Willys Museum.., I say Gas it!, besides no one is gonna hack one of these car ugly with angle iron and stick welding like they did back in the day. I'm sure every nut, bolt and widget will be first class. The only way I would leave it stock, is if I sold it to a purist for a boat load of cash, and build a glass gasser instead, while putting a chunk of money left over back in the nest egg at the same time.

 

looking forward to this build. Street Willy's gasser. Yes!!!!!

 

Like this one - 327 SBC belonging to Hamber 440deluxecoupe? Hmmm, muy delicioso!

 

Well guys. My friend will be over tonight. He will love your input. The cars that you are showing are very vert nice. I'm sure he may go for some of your input We will see as we go.

 

exactly

 

Maybe you can show him some subtle changes he can make cosmetically from some 60's magazines? Maybe he just doesn't fully understand his options in that area, and you can provide some guidance. Little things can go a long way and still keep it strong as the builder intended

 

Just my opinion, but I believe that if 33-42 Willys Coupes and Sedans had not be come the cars to build as Gassers, back in the day, they may well have just become another old car that some guys happen to like. It could have easily turned out that today a guy may have had to "settled" for a 40 Willys, when he really wanted a 40 Ford. I believe that the Gasser Era that we a love and cherish is what gave the Willys it identity. If it hadn't been for the Gasser racer/builders back in the day, these cars may have become nothing more than 33-42 Pinto's & Vega's. I really enjoy every itteration of these cars, but when I see a stone stock one, my first thought is, man!, it could of been..,

 

ah wtf!!! why cant i ever find a steel willys haha great score! gonna look bad ass!

 

I disagree - the Wilys coupes have a wonderful organic and harmonious form and it is when you see them as resto rods or in stock form that the beauty of the car - especially in coupe form comes to light. Put one of these next to a 1937 - 40 Ford and the Ford looks clunky. I have owned both at the same time - sold the Fords and kept the Willys. The Gasser thing has little to do with my love of Willys and has never influenced my choice - my opinion I agree but it seems that others share a similar vision judging by the number of stock type builds (including my own) that are now going on.

A lone Willys attracts far more attention than an ocean of Fords....

 

Here is a 1939 Chevy that was started 10 years ago. Just waiting to be finished. My friend likes the Willy better. So the 39 will get done after his death!!!!! Check out the 427 435hp bb.

 

How about some inspiration:

http://youtu.be/sDfgfruQ250

 

I agree 110% Nothing finer looking then an original 1940 deluxe coupe. Or any other willys as far as that goes.
Nothing against your build other then I wish it was mine. Most willys are gasser's want a be gassers or streetrods. It's nice to see an uncut car.
Good luck with your build

 

Nice car! Hopefully the drama doesn 't shy you away. Would love to see your progress.
J

 

cant wait to see what u guys do with it!

 

Well the first thing that was to repair work that had been done in past years. Some bondo guy had his day. This is how he repaired damage to the rear end below the trunk. His idea was to just weld new sheet medel over the dents and bondo it in. The bad part was he welded up the seams for the center lower panel. This was a disaster. I was unable to cut the center panel at the seams. This ment that I had to cut out side the seams and weld in new seams. We were able to buy the new center section so is all I had to do was use this to pattern my new seams. More pic to come.

 

Yes that's the one.
Back when the Jim Weimer mustang II kits were a deal for $1350 shipped.
This Willy's and that sleeper 40 ford coupe in the same SR mag definitely cool.
TP

 

This is the start of installing the new inter seam sides. Fun I'm starting on the left side. I requires a little more work than the right.

 

You can get a replacement tail panel if you need it.
http://www.kayskustommetalworks.com/?page_id=95