Hot Rods The Ultimate Willys Gasser Thread

Hello,
History is sometimes confusing. The Gas Coupe and Sedan classes were going through some changes not all good, but none the less, changes were made. So, the need for lighter, faster, more powerful Gas Coupes and Sedans were on their way and who cares if the moniker of “street legal” is listed as part the class rules.

Jnaki

Here is a synopsis of the origin of the black Willys Coupe of SWC, that also made its debut at the All Gas Coupe and Sedan Races held at Lion’s Dragstrip in 1964.

Posted previously:
1964
“In 1964 the A/GS car was painted black and given a Hemi. It was a terror and set several records. The black car was run for one season, 1964. It was known as the "Black Widow". The car did not get the magazine attention because it was not photogenic in black. Most of the photos you see are B&W…”
thanks... @Joe Troilo

In April 1964, the new lighter-weight Willys, informally referred to as Black Widow because of its black paint scheme was fitted with a fiberglass front end as well as various other lightweight components to make the most out of the new rules. Still, the car weighed nearly 1,000 pounds less than Swindler II.

I just happened to be at Lion’s Dragstrip in 1964 for the biggest, All Gas Coupe/Sedan Meet. I was invited to film the debut of our friend and fellow Willys builder, Atts Ono. He helped us with our 1940 Willys 671 SBC coupe and now, after years of painstaking work, he was ready to make his own debut. What a meet to make a debut.
1964 Lions SWC single run

Every powerful Willys Coupe and/or Sedans/Trucks, made an appearance at Lion’s Dragstrip on that day. These are the only SWC film clips available from that past historic event.


1964

Extra note:
The SWC camp just came off of a match race against the Northwest’s fabled, Wilbur-Massey Ford modified sedan, in the event the day before, on Saturday night. Then on Sunday, they competed in the All Gas Coupe and Sedan drag meet.


“Coming down from Davenport, Washington to race Stone-Woods-Cook tonight was Wilbur-Massey’s little DFMC. It’s a sanitary early Ford sedan with a 267 inch Chevy on fuel. The block is of the 1958 vintage. Home strip is Deer Park, Washington. The best time for the car is 9.80-150.00. The driver is Vern Masse, 28 and single."

"He makes his home in Spokane, Washington and has been around the sport some 10 years. The mechanic is Don Wilbur, 24 and single who makes his home in Davenport, Washington. The best the boys could get out of the car this evening was a 10.60-144.00. They had mixed feelings about Southern California. But both said the racing plants out here are boss.”

 

Golddigger

 

^^^^^ Nice truck but it looks like a 40 Ford P/U, not a Willys. ^^^^^

 

You're right 427 sleeper.

Pat

 

At Thompson today

 

Early K.S. Pitman?

 

Swade41 my brain says buy it my body tells me to have my head examined. I don't have the ambition to finish my 57 and that needs to be assembled all of the fabrication and drive train is done. And no bodywork required. I'd still love to have another 33-36 sedan though.

Pat

 

Not a gasser ... but a very nice-looking roadster utility which looks like it was photographed when brand new. State Library of Western Australia; slwa_b1921095_1; 013170PD

 

That is really cool! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Pat

 

Great stuff @Speed Gems

 

Bruce Kiser of Visalia C.A. went 120 M.P.H in '58
Posted on facebook by David Sorenson AKA @296ardun