Vehicle Description
1933 Willys 77 Truck
Drag racing was born in the dry lake beds in the California
deserts. In the 1930's as engines got better and drivers got
braver, speeds began topping 100mph. But it wasn't until after
World War II that a bunch of kids with cars, hanging out with
nowhere in particular to go, turned into something more serious.
Popularity grew steadily but drag racing still remained largely an
underground pastime. Races frequently took place on disused
military runways with the first organized event dating back to 1949
at the Goleta Air Base in California.
As the consigner states, this truck was built by Ken Kull to form a
twin to the original Hill Brothers coupe named the Red Baron. Even
exacting measurements were taken from that car to do the build for
this car. Meant to only really go in a straight line, it does a
very nice job of this! A blown Hemi engine running on alcohol, it
is definitely the star of the magazine, and has played off the fame
of the original Red Baron, looking just like it as a tribute to the
iconic drag car.
Exterior
Some shades of the original '33 truck are definitely evident, but
many mods have been performed for extra aerodynamics and speed. The
front of the truck has been stripped of any grille and bumpers,
along with the removal of the headlights which now have orange
smoked plastic inserts. This front end is fiberglass for easy
removal to wrench on the mill if need be. A chopped roof sports an
aluminum panel, again for weight loss, although it does not open.
Running boards have been removed and we just see the naked fenders
on front and rear. The bed is covered by a solid aluminum tonneau
top, and on the back is a parachute setup and wheelie bars. In lieu
of the running boards a set of 4 pipes of 2-inch ID, varying
lengths protrude from behind the front wheel wells on either side.
Plastic replaces glass in front rear and sides, and has a warm
tinting to it to go with the red exterior. Some hand painted
signage is on top of Riverside Red paint which is overall
excellent, on doors and bed sides. 15 inch Radir ET Wheels are
polished up and on all 4 corners.
Interior
Total gutting has replaced any signs of the original interior, but
we need to bone up for the power from the front end to be safe as
we can go to 165 plus MPH in this beauty. Fabricated aluminum
panels line the entire interior, with a roll bar setup and a racing
high back multipoint Simpson racing belt seat. Even a window net is
installed. A simple red steering wheel reaches out to the driver,
and by his right side is an old school B&M shifter. The dash
has been kept very simple with more aluminum panel inserts and a
small tachometer.
Drivetrain
A flip forward of the fiberglass clamshell hood and fender front
end, and we see a thing of beauty for the drag racing world. This
being a towering 426ci Hemi. A few goodies inside like aluminum
rods, JE Pistons, and a Schneider custom cam. Also, there are
ported cast iron heads on top of either side of the block. This
baby lives on alcohol and sports a large Hillborn 4 Pot Injection
aided by a Littlefield Blowers Co. 871 style blower. On back is a
TH400 3-speed automatic with a 4500 stall converter. Way back
between those rear fatties is a 1957 Oldsmobile rear with 4.56
gears.
Undercarriage
Remember a straight line is the task for this car, and the
undercarriage helps with that goal. A tubing racing frame holds all
floorpans and mechanicals together in a rust-free environment. For
the front of the car Don Long Dragster axle is installed with
Willys spindles and a mono leaf buggy spring. For the back a 4 link
and Watts Link are holding everything together. Oldsmobile drum
brakes are on the rear of this car or pull the chute if you go too
fast!
Drive-Ability
Please watch these videos to see the car in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SD23tyjKUQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjJtvKbFd6A
Odes to the Red Baron of yore in the drag racing world, this car is
all buttoned up, and looking just fab in that overcoat and fun
signage all over Riverside Red dress. Plenty of Alcohol fueled and
blown power, it can definitely cackle, and crackle as it warms up
for the 160MPH plus runs it can do.