Vehicle Description
This 1941 Willys coupe is the veritable definition of fantastic
overkill, and the result of a wild dream and open-checkbook
professional build. The compact body has been stuffed with a
built-up 540 Merlin aluminum engine, a snug-fitting custom leather
interior, and an outrageous high-impact yellow paint job that
blinds any that dare stare too close. If you're out to get noticed,
this is definitely the right streetrod for the job.
Second only to Ford's line of 3-window coupes in terms of hotrod
popularity, the 1941 Willys has the right look for the pro-street
makeover. The body seems to be just barely big enough to contain
the mechanicals within, and with those teardrop-shaped headlights,
'37 Ford taillights, and electric shaver chrome grille, there's no
mistaking it for anything else on the road. The fiberglass Outlaw
body is beautifully finished, showing expert workmanship from every
angle, with doors that fit flush and a giant hood that accommodates
the horsepower monster that lies beneath. The Boyd's Yellow
Chromobase paint seems to glow from within like it's radioactive or
something, and it was expertly applied to the point that we've yet
to find an imperfection to speak of - its simply that nice. Shaved
door handles, smoke-tinted windows, trick side mirrors, and simple
integrated taillights are the kinds of little details that add up
to a big effect on the overall look. It's easy to see why these are
so popular, and why we had to clean up a drool streak that followed
this beauty into our photo booth.
There's actually more room inside than you'd expect by looking at
the coupe bodywork, and the deeply bolstered, custom leather
buckets make it easy to spend time there. A polished tilt column
with a leather-wrapped billet wheel is a big improvement over the
original Willys' bus-style steering gear, and the custom-sculpted,
paint-matched dash carries a full array digital/analog AutoMeter
gauges. Cool modern-art vents manage the airflow from the Vintage
Air A/C system, whose controls are neatly integrated into the
custom middle console that anchors the cabin. Inside that simply
stunning middle console are more vents for the A/C, switches for
the power windows, and the ignition, while built right above it is
a custom roll-bar style platform that houses the B&M shifter.
Wow! Those door panels are simply elegant, the taut headliner
houses an Alpine AM/FM/CD/AUX stereo, and out back the trunk has
been upholstered to match the cabin with neat bindings on and an
embroidered "Willys" script on the bulkhead. Despite the massive
wheel tubs, there's actually a decent amount of storage in there if
you'd care to take a long trip in this slick coupe.
Better bring your liquid-cooled gas card with you when you go,
because making big horsepower is what the neck-breaking 540 V8
Merlin under the hood does best. The all-aluminum block is
augmented with Brodix heads and inhales through the dual-bazooka
air cleaner, Holley carb, and custom polished intake to deliver
RIGHT NOW throttle response that will take some getting used to out
on the street. Seriously, this thing makes insane power well before
you can get your foot on the floor, so make sure it's pointed where
you want it to go before you stomp on the loud pedal. With only 2k
miles on the build and insane attention to detail, it's also
beautiful to look at, with lots of chrome and polished aluminum
plus a compact accessory drive system that puts all the components
in exactly the right place for the Willys' engine bay. The A/C uses
R134a refrigerant, so it's easy to service, and a big radiator up
front means you don't have to worry about using it to stay cool.
The TH400 transmission has obviously been heavily reinforced with a
3k stall convertor and spins a narrowed Corvette rear end out back.
Everything is chromed or painted bright yellow underneath,
including the custom tube chassis from Mark Williams, Fatman front
end, and coilovers and power disc brakes at each corner. A custom
stainless dual exhaust provides an awesome soundtrack, and the
traditional big-n-little tire combination comes via Boyd Coddington
rims wrapped with 215/45/17 front and 295/45/20 rear BFGoodrich
radials.
Outrageously fast and tons of fun, this expertly built rod is a
turn-key piece that is more than just pretty. Call today!