Vehicle Description
Like fashion, the collector car market is cyclical. And, like
fashion staples, there are some cars that never go out of style.
For instance, you just can't go wrong with a comfortable pair of
jeans. And likewise, you'll always be admired when you pull up in a
ground pounding Willys. Back in 1941, at a small automaker that was
about to go through its second bankruptcy, no one would have
guessed that, 71 years later, we'd be looking at a bright yellow
Americar thinking it's one of the coolest street rods we've ever
seen. But alas great design endures, and when great design is mixed
with modern technology, it's a sure-fire bet for success! Featuring
an impressive roster of components, a supple leather interior and
an awesome 355 cubic inch, 560 horsepower V8, this do-anything
custom is poised to draw big attention and take home very big
trophies. It's also completely sorted, scary fast, and amazingly
comfortable. So, forget all that nonsensical talk about boring
coupes and trendy roadsters owning the next cruise season, this
first class Willys is your go-to piece for dominating the strip and
stopping the show!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Okay, so it's not really an Americar, and naturally, that paint
isn't a traditional single-stage that's going to dull and wash off
in four years. Instead, this Willys is a high quality fiberglass
tribute that's been prepped, dipped in custom PPG 2-stage and
finished to a much higher standard than anything that rolled off a
pre-war assembly line. The car's build was completed in 2008, but
that vibrant yellow pigment, applied by the pros at our own RKM
Performance Center, is fresh to 2018. And while its timeless shape
is ultra-traditional, this coupe employs choice detailing that
provides unique personality.
It's hard to find any well-done street rod that doesn't turn heads
and inspire stares. But this car, with its excellent stance,
brilliant paint and well-planned tweaks, makes most customs seem
amateur and second-rate. Up front, an electric tilt nose hangs a
fresh chrome grille between original-style, chrome-trimmed
headlights. At the top of the car, a contoured hood, fitted around
the big engine's finned scoop like a well-tailored glove, leads the
eye to a full array of like-new glass that's sealed in fresh black
silicone. At the sides of the car, shaved doors and small mirrors
frame polished, side-exit exhaust pipes. Out back, a shaved trunk
shades traditional Willys taillights and a retractable license
plate. And overall, this custom is simple, smooth and classic,
carrying the true hallmarks of a timeless and enduring design!
ENGINE
One thing you won't have to worry about in this Willys is power.
Thanks to a blown 355 cubic inch V8, which belts out a healthy 550
horses, this sleek coupe is more than just some pretty parking lot
poseur! At the top of the car's professionally-built engine, a pair
of 750cfm Edelbrocks mix air with a steady stream of high octane
fossils that travels through braided fluid lines and a chrome
pressure gauge. At the base of those bowls, a polished Weiand
blower rides between chrome valve covers, fitted with matching
breathers and matching looms, and a traditional points distributor,
snapped to yellow Taylor plug wires. Cooling is provided by a beefy
Ron Davis radiator, which is sandwiched between a chrome cap, a
chrome expansion tank and a large-diameter puller fan. Exhaust is
handled by coated long tube headers, which look great next to the
block's subdued black paint. And charging is provided by a chrome
alternator that, along with a chrome AC compressor, spins amid a
full assortment of chrome brackets and chrome pulleys.
Aesthetically, this Willys's clean engine bay is a very impressive
showpiece that's basically a sea of first rate hardware, from its
chrome power steering reservoir and trick dipsticks all the way to
its chrome brake booster and fully finished hood. And overall, the
car displays first-rate workmanship that conveys a tailored, high
quality demeanor.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Behind that killer Chevy small block, a 2,800 RPM stall converter
engages a rugged Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 4-speed which, like the
motor itself, is eager to shred some tires and scorch some
pavement. Power from that proven transmission flows to a familiar
Ford 9-inch, which spins big, 3.50 gears. That first class
drivetrain is held off the ground by a Bad Boys Willys Mandrel-bent
chassis, which, along with the suspension, has been bathed in a
pleasant shade of black paint. Speaking of suspension, the front of
this Willys utilizes tubular control arms that are equipped with
modern power steering and modern coil-over-shocks to spice a
pleasant ride with vintage feel. And the back of the car combines a
traditional 4-link system with two more modern coil-overs to
provide drag strip worthy launches. Serious stops to counter the
car's serious speed come courtesy of four power-assisted discs.
Exhaust duties are handled by neatly packaged stainless side pipes,
which growl through high quality MBRP mufflers. And keeping all
this muscle rolling down the road is a slick set of 15-inch Weld
Racing Rodlites, which wear 165R15 Kumho radials in front of
29x18.50 Hoosier Pro Street radials. With a beefy drivetrain that's
been reliably built to be both tough and fun to drive, this '41
Willys is the real deal. And with its clean floors and super
impressive hardware, it will fare well at any show you chose to
attend!
INTERIOR
Hit the remote to pop this car's forward-opening doors and you'll
reveal one of the most beautifully finished cabins this side of a
Rolls-Royce. With acres of tan leather, custom tweed and high-end
carpets, you simply won't want to leave the driver's seat. Auto
Meter supplied the retro-looking gauges arrayed across the dash,
while a custom console was fabricated to hold a modern JVC CD
player, billet power window switches and controls for the car's
Vintage Air climate system. Look a little closer and you'll see
that those beautifully sculpted door panels, which feature small
billet handles, match the headliner and cargo hold. The primary
controls, a half-wrapped billet steering wheel, a Lokar shifter and
a polished tilt steering column, make it very easy to get very
comfortable. And a fully finished trunk, which props a large
Infinity amplifier above completely custom panels, provides enough
space to stow a good amount of car show essentials.
VEHICLE SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
A Cam Card
A receipt for the car's engine build.
The Willys Americar is an icon. And in today's street rod scene,
the cost to build an icon this nice is much higher than our asking
price. If you're looking for a fully-sorted cruiser that's
aesthetically exhilarating and blindingly fast, this custom is your
ticket to instant gratification!
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a detailed, ground-up build / Professionally
repainted by the RKM Performance Center in 2018
355 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 / Polished Weiand blower / 550
horsepower
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission / 2,800 RPM stall
converter
Custom leather interior / Modern audio
Modern air conditioning
Mandrel-bent Bad Boys Willys chassis / Custom suspension
Power rack-and-pinion steering / 4-wheel power disc brakes
Ford 9-inch rear axle / 3.50 gears
High quality fiberglass body / Custom PPG paint
