[bobthetran]

14 years ago I put a deposite down on a Fiberfab 29 Mercedies kit.After several years of sending in small payments the company went belly up.I figured I had lost the money.Some time later I was contacted and told the new company would honour my original contract.I did some calling around & traded up to a 34 Ford Cabrolet.I paid on this until the 41 Willys kit came out and for a bit more money I traded up.I put a push on & paid up.I live in canada & had it shipped up & until it arrived ,on time I might add I had never seen any of their stuff.I had heard the horror stories though.Let me tell you I have been playing at this game since 1964 & when it arived I was very pleased with what I saw.I feel that I can work with this car & I am very proud of it.If something doesn't suit me I can Change it to suit myself.The body is quite strait, the frame fits well & in general plenty strong.I know I would probably prefer an Outlaw body but to go that route would have cost a lot more & to be honest I'd be 3 more years paying for it.I am 54 years old and I look forward to enjoying it while I still can.5 years ago if you asked me if I thought I would ever get a ride in a willys coupe I would have said " NOT IN THIS LIFETIME> Hey I'm a happy camper .It may be just a Kit Car to some but to me it's a dream come true..BOBTHE TRANNY MAN

[willys36@aol.com]

Bob. Congrats on your coupe. Wait until you actually ride in your Willys. I have had mine for over 30 years and still get a feeling of awe when I drive it. No other car gives me that.

[slider in wa]

41 willys is the car of my dreams. I am super happy for you !!! slober, slober. How about you send in some pictures from time to time, that way we lovers of Willy`s can all share in your triumps!!! Thanks and good luck,
Slider in Wa.

[46_stvblt]

Way to go Bob. I also am a Willys lover and altho I also luv the fat fender Chevs if someone came up to me and wanted to buy my 46 I think I'd wave bye bye to it and start looking for a Willys. Have fun with it. You're only 54 youve got lots of time. I'm 65 and I would start building one in a New York second.....Good Luck... send pics.....GlennK

[78 monte]

A freind of mine just bought a incomplete 41 Willys kit car.I believe its a Outlaw body.I do remember him saying about the street beasts.He posted on here a few months ago about it. His name was Homeslice if you find his post E-mail him.

[hot_rod_kid]

Whats it got, what engine and add ons. It sounds like a riot to drive.


HRK <img src="graemlins/pimp.gif" border="0" alt="[pimp]" />

[bobthetran]

I have a Big Block Chev engine & I may run a 4L80 E trans I haven't decided yet.More research needed. Of coarse it will be blown with a 9 inch ford diff& it's tubbed.I also have a 63 vette roadster I bought in 1971 in the garage in front of the Willys.It's a 340 hp - 4 spd . I really haven't driven it much since 1974 the odometer reads 30,000 miles.Needs paint & really should have a frame off restoration.No time for it.I gave it to my son a fiew years back & maybe someday we may tackle it.By the way just for interest sake I would like to point out to all you lucky American members that A simple Kit like Street Beast that costs $16,995 American costs just shy of $ 28,000 Canadian and I want to say This Sucks.It cost $1800 Canadian to ship it and 7% g.s.t. Tax when it crossed the boarder.No wonder it took me so long to purchase it.I'm not complaining I just thought you might find this of interest.Thanks for the interest.. BOB

[bdogg6]

Thats cool you have a street beast willys, I bought one last year and dont have much time to work on it but little by little I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I put a custom 9" from mosher in it with 16"micky thompsons on the back and 3 1/2" mickys on the front, looks cool. Now for the fun stuff getting the interior fiitted and gonna start the wiring next. I dont have much experiense at this and with no instructions I think its coming out ok. Well good luck and hope to see ya behind the wheek soon. bill

[batstar70]

Congrats Bob and Bill, Seems you're not alone. I purchased the executive option '41 Willys kit about a year ago, and just slowly working on it in my spare time ,between the wife, kids, cruise nights, softball practice or just about anything else that comes up,I try to do something constructive every week. Like you, I didn't have any idea how neat owning a Willys coupe would be. My body, like yours is really straight. Both doors, the front end and deck lid fit almost perfectly. I was really appreciative of that, 'cause I'm no body man. The less time it has to spend in the body shop the better. I'm building a Bbc 572ci w/dual quad tunnel ram intake and a 6 speed Keisler T-56 style trans,and a Currie 9" rear end with a Detroit Locker and 4.30 gear set. I'll also go the Mickey Thompson sportsman tire route and probably Weld Prostars or Draglites. Do either of you know, I heard that you limited on the diameter of the front tires, I guess cause of the turning radius. I was going to use M/T 28X7.50-15 on a 4.5" wide rim. The tire diameter is about 27.5".Or should I go with the smaller 26X7.50-15 ? Thanks for your help. Batstar70

[bentwings]

batstar

I have a 41 A&C Willys. The front tire size is somewhat restrictive. If you are low to the ground expecially. You can use narrowed a-arms. I have 205 x 15's and had to grind off all of the inner fender lip. Other wise no problem. I should have used 14's but there weren't the right wheel choices that I wanted. If it were lower ....big problems. Some guys cut the wheel well and reglass it so it looks stock. Too much work for me.
Mine will just make it lock to lock but only on flat ground. have to be careful on the angled driveway.

[steve t]

is a real willys made by willys, or what co?

[OldSchoolChevy]

Im a hardcore chevy person, but I have a soft spot for a 41 Willys coupe. If I ever got the $$$ to buy a complete kit, I would but........damn that paper cloth stuff we call money.

[OldSchoolChevy]

Oh and post up some pics .

[batstar70]

Steve, The Willys is a reproduction of the original either '33 or '41. There are a bunch of companies out there making fiberglass copys of the original. It kinda all comes down to how big your wallet is and how much you want to spend. There are exact copys and ones not so exact. It just matters what you want to do. batstar70

[smoke]

Myself, I would go for a willys pickup.