Vehicle Description
The stylish cars and trucks produced by Willys in the early 1940s
have long been a cornerstone of the hot-rodding and drag racing
communities. While a Hemi-powered '40 Willys "Gasser" tearing up a
local drag strip is an iconic image for any historic drag racing
aficionado, the same sight might make a traditional marque
enthusiast squirm. Whether in coupe or light-duty pickup form, the
compact dimensions and light weight of the Willys "Americar" line
lent itself well to 'rodders shoving massive V8 engines under the
hood and going racing, but that popularity has made standard, uncut
examples an exceedingly rare sight today. This 1940 Willys Model
440 �-ton Pickup is a rare survivor, restored to near-standard
appearance with a few discreet and attractive personal touches. The
Model 440 Coupe-Pickup was introduced for the 1940 model year,
targeted at fleet managers looking for economical and inexpensive
lightweight delivery vehicles. At a list price of just $535, Willys
guaranteed every truck for 100,000 miles or three years. Despite
the attractive figures, Willys could not compete with the might of
Detroit's major players, and sales never lived up to expectations.
Considering the hard life most commercial vehicles lived, the smart
and stylish little 440 Coupe-Pickup is quite scarce today. This
example has been treated to a high-quality cosmetic restoration,
with the all-steel body attractively finished in deep blue,
highlighted with red wheels and wide-whites for the classic look.
The paint is excellent, and chrome trim is in similarly fine
condition. The interior is attractively restored in natural tan
upholstery accented with oatmeal square-weave carpet and body-color
dash and door tops. A bit of artistic license was taken in the
choice of materials, which warm up the cab without spoiling the
original layout's simplistic charm. Electronic gauges from Classic
Instruments retain the classic look while adding a layer of
reliability and functionality. The restoration work is very well
done, with an appealing quality that encourages regular driving
enjoyment. Willys relied on its tried and true "Go-Devil"
inline-four to power the entire "Americar" line from 1937-1947. The
134.2 cubic-inch four is rated at a modest 60 horsepower, but it
has character in abundance. The engine bay is tidy and well
detailed, showing some signs of regular use. Power goes through a
3-speed manual gearbox with a floor shifter. Useful updates to the
drivetrain include a 12-volt conversion with alternator charging
and a high-torque gear-reduction starter. It runs well and feels
nicely sorted on the road, with outsized character and charm. With
discreet but effective updates, this rare and delightful Willys 440
Coupe Pickup is a joy to drive, and the authentic, high-quality
restoration is sure to garner plenty of attention on the road, in
club gatherings, or at your local Cars & Coffee. Offers welcome and
trades considered For additional details please view this listing
directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6820-1940-willys-440-coupe-pickup/
