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Willys Coupe 1941

General description : Seeing top-notch street rods roll through our RK Motors Charlotte showroom never gets old. But when we get a custom car that's constructed around a cohesive theme, we know we're seeing something special, and we ALWAYS take time to appreciate every little detail of its build. After all, we're talking about a car that was planned, researched, tweaked and detailed from its inception to be so true to an idea or time period that you'll need an expert to deny its authenticity. One of the best modern interpretations of an all-steel '60s weekend warrior we've ever seen, this timeless Willys Americar is a great example of what happens when a stack of original Willys parts is combined with hundreds of hours of specific build techniques and a roster of precisely modeled replica pieces. And if you're a discerning street rod buyer who's ready to go big and drop jaws, it's just the classic you've been looking for!
POTRAIT OF THE 1960S
Parked at the front of our colorful showroom in a fire of glowing glory, this awesome coupe is a car that takes multiple looks to truly appreciate. Sure, it's cool. But in the world of modern street rodding, finding a cool Willys is a predictable phenomenon. Yeah, it certainly is nice, But in the era of 21st century build techniques, seeing a super nice Willys is expected. What's not predictable or expected is finding a classic where the builder goes the extra mile, and then some, to both honor what the car originally was and re-create a feeling from a specific era in automotive history. From mold and jig to paint and trim, this traditional Americar was designed, assembled and finished by one expert who has an extensive background in the street rod industry. Subdued and glossy paint, sprayed one panel at a time and sealed in three layers of clear, is actually a dynamic Ford color that goes by the name Strawberry Metallic. Every carefully formed panel has been detailed to the point that no 'raw' fiberglass is visible from any angle of the car. That 'smooth as glass' profile was molded, laminated and accessorized to replicate an original Americar as exactly as possible. And today, with just sunny weekend miles on its build, this wicked street rod rolls as a fully-sorted throwback to exactly what made these cars so admired and so unforgettable.
The idea was to create a classic that looked, performed and drove exactly like a '60s-era racer. Naturally, a concept so specific and so scrutinized could only be achieved with a pile of top notch Willys parts and hours of skilled labor. At the front of the car, an authentic Americar bumper frames a familiar grille, which received 80 hours of work prior to being re-chromed, and original, red-detailed headlights that pair modified reflectors with halogen turn signal bulbs. Correctly modeled fenders feature correctly ribbed wheel wells at the sides of an intricate hood that, like its original counterpart, began life as four separate pieces of stock. That hood points authentic, 'Americar' branded stainless at a functional, custom-fabricated cowl vent that's propped in front of clean glass and power-operated wipers. Labor-intensive, bonded steel drip rails shade correct mirrors, restored handles, more authentic stainless trim and precisely replicated 'bear claw' hinges. Correctly modeled quarters feature correctly ribbed wheel wells at the sides of a manual trunk that centers an old school tag light above a restored handle. And correct halogen taillights illuminate a retro, 'Americar' branded bumper above polished exhaust tips.
355 / 388 / 396
Somewhere along the line, street rodding deities handed down a decree that all Willys must have the largest engines their builders can find. Fortunately, the owner of this car doesn't spend time at the altar of hot rod voodoo and appropriately sourced a 1969 Corvette mill instead. Now, before you start mumbling about outdated technology, bear in mind this isn't just any old small block Chevy. It's a high quality pavement pounder that was fine-tuned to 388 horsepower and 396 ft./lb. of torque by the experts at Maryland Performance in Fredericksburg, Maryland. At the top of the bright red 355, a polished Hilborn electronic fuel injection system mixes air from eight chrome velocity stacks with a steady stream of dino juice that surges through a Mallory regulator, a liquid-filled Marshall gauge and tailored stainless lines. A hot MSD distributor shoots spark through custom loomed MSD Super Conductor plug wires. Factory Chevrolet heads hide a Comp cam, SCAT rods, forged TRW pistons and quality roller rockers beneath MQQN filler caps and chromed Corvette valve covers. A custom, speed-drilled alternator bracket hangs a chrome Powermaster alternator amid chrome pulleys, braided hoses and a red-detailed flex fan. And at the sides of the engine, traditional fenderwell headers funnel spent gases into ceramic-coated, true-dual exhaust that's complete with straight-out side dumps. Aesthetically, the car's tight engine bay is a virtually flawless piece of street rod art that features a correctly duplicated firewall, a steel, correctly formed inner nose structure, and a correct chrome hood prop that's been speed drilled as if it were 1969. And the small block's workmanship is first-rate, with details like a custom throttle system, hidden wiring, canvas-style looming and a manual oil pressure gauge reinforcing the fact that someone put a whole lot of thought into its build.
CHECKERS AND MODS
Bottom-side, a proven BorgWarner T10 4-speed twists torque through a checkered driveshaft to a familiar Ford 9-inch that's built with stout, 3.50 gears. That detailed drivetrain rides an authentic Willys frame that's been boxed, equipped with an original-look X-brace, and bolted to the car's fiberglass body via steel mounts that are patterned after original equipment. At the front of that frame, an original straight axle, chromed, drilled and shackled to old school leaf springs, hangs a Vega steering box inside chromed suspension components. Opposite that axle, custom ladder bars join two more leaf springs to provide drag strip worthy launches. That suspension, lowered as much as its roster of stock pieces would allow, protects coated, Mandrel-bent exhaust that either roars through straight-out side dumps or growls through coated Magnaflow mufflers. When it comes to stops, power-assisted GM discs join power-assisted Ford drums to drain a vacuum pump, a vacuum reservoir and a dual-diaphragm, floor-mounted booster. Naturally, the car's exact replica floor pans host many excellent details, like AN fittings, a high-capacity Corvette oil pan and a stainless, 20-gallon fuel tank. And everything rolls on slick E/T wheels, which spin 195/65R15 Uniroyal Tiger Paw Tourings around spokes and 255/70R15 General Ameri-G4S around fuelies.
SPEED AND LUXURY
Twist this Coupe's precisely replicated door latches and you'll find an inviting leather interior that's a great blend of high quality materials and basic hot rod etiquette. Built around a modern split-bench seat, this stunning cockpit treats its occupants to a nice palette of Almond accents, Pecan Tan surfacing and hand-formed stainless garnishes. A Strawberry Metallic dash centers an authentic Motorola radio, rebuilt into an AM/FM MP3-compatible stereo, between an original-style glove box, custom Willys accessory knobs and an engine-turned instrument panel that's finished with early-style Stewart Warner telemetry. Custom décor door panels hang custom armrests between authentic Willys hard parts and driver-oriented kick panels that frame large Pioneer speakers. Quality LizardSkin insulation lines luxurious wool carpet, which anchors a re-bent Hurst shifter between a Lokar brake handle, trick MQQN foot pedals and traditionally drilled door sills. An ornate billet steering wheel laps a LimeWorks early-style column, which seats a large Stewart Warner tachometer opposite an NOS turn signal lever. And the passengers store cargo in a professionally finished trunk that centers burled Redwood cabinetry between speed-drilled sills and custom supports that are designed to preserve the integrity of the car's fiberglass decklid.
Many flamboyant hot rods lack the hardware to truly create the excitement their appearance promises, but this Willys certainly isn't one of them. You're looking at a '60s street-racer, and when your foot hits the floor, you'll get a '60s street-racer! The question then becomes: when will you ever find another Willys that's this detailed and correct? NOW is your chance to park a fun, one-of-a-kind street rod in your garage. If you're a fan of horsepower, Willys or just going fast and looking good, your timeless classic awaits!
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HIGHLIGHTS
* Incredible, ground-up-built Willys Americar custom that's a stunning tribute to 1960s hot rodding * 355 cubic inch Corvette V8 with Hilborn electronic fuel injection and 388 horsepower * BorgWarner T10 4-speed manual transmission * Ford 9-inch rear axle with 3.50 gears * Electric power steering * Power front disc and rear drum brakes * Authentic Willys frame that's been boxed and X-braced * Original solid axle front suspension and custom ladder bar rear suspension * Custom Pecan and Almond leather interior with modern audio * Custom trunk that's outfitted with burled Redwood cabinetry * Highly correct fiberglass body with authentic trim and Ford Strawberry Metallic paint * 15-inch E/T wheels * Ceramic-coated, true-dual exhaust with straight-out side dumps * Build photos, receipts and notes * All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point inspection * We can ship your new classic anywhere in the world

https://www.rkmotors.com/vehicles/3842/1941-willys-coupe

1941 Willys Coupe is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Charlotte by Donald Berard for $85900.

 

Car Facts

Car type : Car Make : Willys Model : Coupe Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1941 Location : Charlotte

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About Willys
The Willys-Overland Company, later known simply as Willys, was an American automobile manufacturer that played a significant role in automotive history. Here's an overview of the story of Willys:

Early Years:
Founding: The company was founded by John North Willys in 1908 in Toledo, Ohio, initially as the Willys-Overland Motor Company. John Willys acquired the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company, which produced the Overland automobile.
Early Success: Willys-Overland experienced success in the early 1910s, producing vehicles like the Overland Model 79, which was a popular car due to its affordability and reliability.
World War I:
Military Contracts: During World War I, Willys-Overland secured significant contracts to supply vehicles for the war effort. The company's production capabilities were crucial for the military, producing trucks and automobiles for various purposes.
Introduction of the Jeep:
WWII Contribution: In the build-up to World War II, Willys-Overland, along with other automakers, responded to the U.S. Army's request for a lightweight, all-terrain reconnaissance vehicle. The company developed the Willys MB, which became the iconic Jeep.
Jeep Legacy: The Jeep, with its ruggedness, versatility, and reliability, played a crucial role in World War II. Its success led to the establishment of the Jeep brand, known for producing off-road vehicles that gained popularity in both military and civilian applications.
Post-War Period:
Civilian Jeep Models: After the war, Willys introduced civilian versions of the Jeep, like the CJ (Civilian Jeep) series, which were adapted from the wartime Willys MB. These vehicles became popular for off-road and recreational use.
Willys' Evolution and Later Years:
Ownership Changes: Willys-Overland faced financial difficulties and changed ownership several times in the post-war years, eventually becoming the Kaiser-Jeep Corporation after being acquired by Kaiser Motors in the 1950s.
End of Willys: In 1970, the American Motors Corporation (AMC) acquired Kaiser-Jeep. The Willys nameplate gradually faded away as AMC focused on the Jeep brand. Later, Chrysler acquired AMC in the 1980s and continued the production and development of Jeep vehicles.
Legacy:
Willys' legacy is primarily associated with its contribution to the automotive industry through the creation of the Jeep, a vehicle that transformed mobility during World War II and became an iconic brand in its own right. The Jeep's reputation for durability, versatility, and off-road capability originated from the innovations and success of Willys-Overland during wartime.
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