Frame Off Built Steel Willys Pickup Blown 468 V8 800 HP TH400 3 Speed

SUMMARY

* Build completed in 2006
* 468 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 / Roughly 800 horsepower
* Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission / 2,800 RPM Hughes stall converter
* Modified all-steel body / Viper Red DuPont paint
* Custom interior
* ET Classic V wheels
* Flaming River Omni steering / SSBC power front disc and rear drum brakes
* Currie 9-inch rear axle / Posi-traction differential / 4.11 gears
* Custom suspension
* Sale includes build photos and component manuals

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It's time to think outside the Ford box! This rare 1938 Willys Pickup is for the gearhead who loves the style of a modern street rod, but thinks red, yellow and black Ford 3-windows are just too ordinary. As it sits, this Willys, with its big block V8, all-steel body and plush, custom interior, is built to cruise and show. And thanks to the popularity of the car's proven drivetrain, it's possible to have a completely unique custom with solid reliability and jaw-dropping aesthetics. If you're looking for a cool old hot rod to parade up and down Main Street, you've found your next classic!

BODYWORK/TRIM

This stunning, one-of-a-kind pickup, finished by an avid Willys enthusiast in late 2006, was built to be a solid driver that's fitted with an incredible motor. And, based on appearance, the truck's all-steel body was definitely a super solid canvas before its radical transformation started. That transformation, which was completed at Corona, California's Extreme Automotive, resulted in a unique profile that's been sprayed in spectacular DuPont Viper Red 2-stage. One look down that profile reveals high quality workmanship that's top-notch in virtually every way. A close investigation of the truck's classy panels reveals even surfaces that are free of ripples and major imperfections. And today, in its fresh and sorted state, this Willys is a banner showpiece that celebrates the fusion of America's greatest pre-war design and some of the coolest customization your money can buy.

It seems Willys street rods are the ultimate kings of clean. Finding a well-done Willys that has tons of trim is almost as hard as finding a modern pop singer that actually plays an instrument. The only difference is: stripped down Willys are actually cool. At the front of this first class custom, a stretched, cut and louvered cowl rides between polished Adjure headlights. At the center of the truck, a factory cab hangs smoked glass behind a polished wiper, Vision Concepts mirrors, old school bear claw door hinges and traditional chrome handles. At the back of the truck, a custom bed sits between Juliano Design taillights and a custom, roll-down window. And at the back of that bed, a custom, 7-gallon radiator, built by Canada's William Kydd Radiator Service, hangs large, electric puller fans behind a custom tailgate grille.

ENGINE

Given their storied history, it comes as no surprise that Chevrolet V8s can be vain pieces of automobilia. The very streetable engine is both a blast to drive and pleasing to look at. Built by Willys Replacement Parts, the iron roller mill feeds through coated Edelbrock carburetors, which are sandwiched between a polished air cleaner and Mooneyham-built Weiand 6-71 blower. At the sides of that blower, iron LS7 heads hang stainless valves, hardened pushrods and high quality roller rockers between polished, “WILLYS” branded valve covers and custom zoomie headers that were built by Kiwi Konnection of Bakersfield, California. At the back of those heads, a Mallory points distributor sequences fire between an MSD Blaster 2 coil and loomed Taylor plug wires. Those wires fire overbored cylinders and a balanced rotating assembly that's complete with a solid lifter cam, Speed-Pro blower pistons and a forged steel crank. Cooling is provided by the aforementioned radiator, which makes good use of a Stewart high-flow water pump. And charging comes courtesy of a slick chrome alternator that's bolted behind a full set of billet pulleys. All that mechanical prowess adds up to stout 8.5 to 1 compression and roughly 800 horsepower. The truck's surprisingly quiet engine rumbles under a titling hood that makes tweaking and cleaning a cinch. And everything, from the mill's Holley fuel pump to its polished Ogawa Enterprises fuel tank, is fully sorted and ready to hit the road!

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Take a look under this cool classic and you'll find a custom chassis that prefers to divide its time between cruising down Main Street and posing on the show floor. Behind Chevy's legendary big block, a proven Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed utilizes a 2,800 RPM Hughes stall converter to twist a tough Currie 9-inch. That narrowed 9-inch is, thanks to Pro Shaft of Bakersfield, California, equipped with a posi-traction differential, big 4.11 gears and stout 31-spline axles. Bumps get absorbed though a custom suspension that's fitted with a '32 Plymouth front axle, chrome Pete and Jake's shocks and a Flaming River Omni steering rack. Stops are provided by familiar front disc and rear drum brakes, which receive electronic power-assist from a floor-mounted SSBC booster. Torque transfers via stylish ET Classic V wheels, which spin 165R15 Wide Track Radials in front of 35x16.50 Hoosier Quick Times. And everything, from this hot rod's polished flywheel cover to its painted driveshaft hoop, is clean, lean and ready to roll.

INTERIOR

Hop inside this truck and you'll find an inviting interior that was installed by Custom Works of Bakersfield, California. Mazda Miata seats, lined in vinyl and cloth, are firm, provide good support and position occupants surprisingly low. Between those seats, a tough B&M shifter flows into Mercedes velour carpet that's protected by color-keyed floor mats. At the sides of that carpet, molded fiberglass panels anchor traditional chrome handles. At the front of those panels, a body-matched dash hangs a full array of Auto Meter gauges behind a 10-inch relocated firewall that adds much needed space to the truck's tailored passenger compartment. Above that dash, a custom-molded, 1-piece headliner stretches a “W” insignia behind a polished rearview mirror. And in front of the driver, a “WILLYS” branded Lecarra Mark 5 steering wheel laps a tilting column and billet foot pedals.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

* Historical photos
* Restoration photos
* A stack of component paperwork

This rare and equally cool Willys combines top-notch craftsmanship with a roster of proven performance hardware that's ready to hit the road today. And if you're the kind of gearhead who likes to buck fashion trends, especially at a traditional, brand-dominated gathering, it's the main ingredient needed to spice up your summer outings!