Vehicle Description
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"Black on Black on Black-no cooler traditional hot rod" - Bruce
Canepa
<font size = "4">392 Hemi V8 / 450+ H.P.
5 Speed Tremec
Built by noted hot rodder Jerry Hagens
<font size = "4">Featured on HotRod.com, Motor Trend, and
other various publications
An awesome tribute to the traditional style of hot rodding!
The hot-rodding and drag-racing cultures have long been centered
around the attractive cars and trucks that Willys created in the
early 1940s. The compact size and light weight of the Willys
"Americar" line, whether in coupe or light-duty truck
configuration, lent itself well to 'rodders stuffing enormous V8
engines under the hood and going racing. When someone talks about a
Willys hot rod, most will think about a nose-high '40s coupe with a
big, blown Hemi up front, slicks, and a wheelie bar out back or
even a 1933 Willys Model 77. As popular as the style has become,
the Gasser motif is now much more common than before. So how would
one differentiate? How about going back to the simplistic roots of
traditional hot rodding?
Lynn Park, who owned the car for more than 15 years, bought this
Willys from accomplished hot rodder Jerry Hagens, who in the mid
90s had found the near-perfect original '40 Coupe at a Good Guys
street rod meet in Des Moines, Iowa, with only 77,000 miles on the
odometer. The vehicle was almost too nice to modify but true to his
roots, Jerry went about hot rodding the vehicle by adding a Hemi
and a 700-R4, but then later decided to sell it. In late 2000, Lynn
bought it and added his own touches by adding a Tremec five-speed,
different wheels and tires, and changing the rear end.
The chassis was built with an original 101-inch wheelbase and a
Ford 9-inch (3.70) rear-end with '57 Ford axles. The front
suspension is an independent Mustang II unit, while the rear
suspension consists of Willys springs and Pro Shocks. 16x6 and 16x7
Willys steel wheels are wrapped in General tires (205/55-16 and
235/75-16), respectively.
Lynn had Blair's Speed Shop in Pasadena, California, machine and
assemble the '58 Chrysler 392 Hemi, set up with a 10:1 compression
ratio. After installation, not much else would fit in the engine
compartment when he was done, though, save for the SPAL electric
fan, Sanderson headers, and custom air cleaner. The big-block was
mated to a 5-speed Tremec 3550 transmission and is equipped with a
McLeod clutch, flywheel, and dual discs. To make the trans fit the
Hemi, Lynn used a Chrysler-Chevy adapter plate, a Chevy bell
housing, and redrilled the Tremec to fit the Chevy housing.
To match the black and chrome-accented exterior, the simple hot rod
look was carried over into the interior as gray cloth was used on
the bench seat and door panel for a clean and uncomplicated end
product. The only splash of color in the otherwise inky interior is
the stock orange-colored gauge unit.
Lynn is best known for his impressive collection of Cobras
including 10 original Cobras built by Shelby in the '60's. However,
this car held a special place among his others as he enjoyed
driving it much more often and was known for taking it to the NHRA
Museum in Pomona where it was regularly voted best hot rod.
Upon arrival at Canepa, every collector car for sale is put through
an extensive and diligent process called the "Canepa Difference."
This includes a major and comprehensive mechanical inspection where
all systems are serviced and restored as necessary. They also
receive an award-winning concours-level detailing, including a
thorough cleaning of each and every surface.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to own this "timeless" '40 Willys
Coupe Hotrod.
