There Goes the Neighborhood

[Ed Csoltko]

My neighbor (Jim Greene) who has a 34 Ford, now acquired a 41 Willis (900hp + NOS at the rear wheels). Damm, the engine is big as a house. Last night Jim was burning rubber up and down Hwy71. Any Cobras looking for action, let me know and I'll set you up with Jim.

[snakeeyes]

Ed, I think I saw that car advertised in the paper a week or so ago ($51K, I recall). Sounded awesome--500+ cid big block, NOS, etc. It seems like the ad said the thing had a blower, as well--am I remembering that correctly? Regardless, sounds like a hell of a neat car. The Willys body style has always made for a great street rod, IMHO. One of my first really fast rides was had in a similar-looking '40 Ford Coupe, SBC with Webers, a 4-speed, American Racing wheels, etc. The car was "in the weeds" and sounded fantastic. I'll never forget it, but I'm sure it was slow compared to your neighbor's new acquisition--

Bob

[stuck]

Is it black? If so, I think I saw it in S.A. a few weeks back...at the local burger joint/car show! Very nice car...

[Ed Csoltko]

This 41 Willis came from the Cedar Park area. The owner states he has $75K-$80K invested in it. It's two tone dark blue top and dark gray bottom with wavy chameleon stripes along the body and trunk area. I'll post some photos next week. I get to ride in it tonight. This Willis was at our Oakhill Car Meet several weeks ago.

[4RE KLR]

Ed,

My uncle has a 41 Willis that has a 1,000 hp alcohol injected small block that he used to race years ago. He has not run it in several years but I remember when he started it you could FEEL the thing from across the street. BTW it was the Jeep bodystyle not the car bodystyle and the type of racing was 100 yard sand drags. Oh I remember the days. I had almost forgotten about those days. I remember he would run 100 yards from a dead stop in 2.02 seconds. Paddle tires would throw sand 1,000 feet behind and several hundred feet up in the air. What a ride. Can you imagine 1,000 hp (dynoed) with two pedals in the floor, gas and clutch. That's right no break pedal in the floor ( it would only get in the way). The break "handle" worked sort of like the e breaks do in our Cobras, only that it does not lock in the up position. Anyway that much HP in a Willis jeep that is on 11.5 feet long. When he would "Blast off" the Willis would literally jump two feet straight up off the ground.

He asked me if I wanted to drive it, you know I did. But I was scared to death of that monster. He said "All you gotta do is hang on for you life and mash the pedal six inches past the floor" What a ride, man what a ride.

Ferrari Killer
Steve Parks

[Ed Csoltko]

Jim fired up the 41 Willis last night and we heard it from our rear bedroom. The walls had a slight vibration every time he hit the gas. I was standing behind the Willis, about 20 feet, and the exhaust blast hit me in the chest. Very impressive machine.

[Ed Csoltko]

I took 20 pictures of the 41 Willis. I got four pictures left that I'm saving to shoot Jeff Richard's new yellow SPF. Then I'll post the Willis pictures. Jim is tearing up the street as I write.

[Back in Black]

My older brother's first custom was a willy's mini pickup (forget what year, but it was EARLY) with flared fenders and a Buick aluminum v-8 motor/powerglide tranny...he put a plexiglass sunroof in it, 8 track tape player, and it was quite a ride for 1971 !