Willys Gasser, 1941
Willys CJ
Willys CJ•
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Chassis No.: BH42613LT34
Auction: Monterey 2023
Auction date: August 19, 2023
Lot No.: F149
$176,000 | Sold
- Engine: V-8
- Transmission: Automatic
- Exterior: Candy Apple Red
- Interior: Gray
- Body: Gasser
- Custom build completed by Roy Brizio Street Rods in the style of a Big John Mazmanian gasser
- Mazmanian has purportedly stated that this car was the most faithful tribute he had seen
- Original Willys steel body with fiberglass rear fenders
- Outlaw Performance one-piece front end
- 426 CI Hemi V-8 engine built at Reggie Jackson’s machine shop in San Bruno, California by Bruno Gianoli
- 671 supercharger
- 4-port Hilborn electronic fuel-injection
- Chevrolet Turbo 400 automatic transmission
- Ford 9 inch rear end
- 4-wheel disc brakes with Wilwood calipers
- Magnesium Halibrand wheels.
Nobody at the Willys Overland Motors company could have ever foretold the notoriety its economical 4-cylinder prewar coupes would garner. Once discovered by postwar Hot Rodders, the 1940-41 models became very desirable for gas supercharged drag racing as well as for street-modified projects. This 1941 example, created around an original Willys steel body, was customized and completed by legendary South San Francisco shop Roy Brizio Street Rods in the style of a Big John Mazmanian gasser.
Built upon 2×4 inch boxed frame rails with a straight front axle and coilover shocks on all four corners, this car from The Reggie Jackson Collection represents one of the ultimate ownership opportunities for the aficionado of these special cars. Of course, period power makes it, which in this case is a show-detailed 426 CI Chrysler Hemi V-8 engine topped by a 6-71 GMC-style supercharger and 4-port Hilborn electronic fuel injection that emerges from the hood. There are capped headers, modern ignition, braided lines and an aluminum radiator underhood as well. This is backed by a Chevrolet TurboHydro 400 automatic transmission and Ford 9-inch type differential.
The detailed undercarriage showcases chrome and clean paintwork, while 4-wheel disc brakes work with Wilwood calipers. Fiberglass rear fenders and a one-piece Outlaw Performance front end were added to the period sheet metal body, then all of it was covered in deep rich Candy Red paint with light chrome trim accents. The interior is done in light tans and grays, with custom bucket seats, Simpson harnesses and a rollbar structure installed. There are in-dash gauges and toggles, a top dash-mounted tachometer and a Gasser-style steering wheel. The car is set up for show, with offset-size magnesium-construction Halibrand wheels in bare metal and blackwall rubber completing the look.
The Gasser wars would end once late model vehicles and funny cars took center stage on the quarter mile, but the prewar Willys remains the most notorious of its participants from back in the day. The example here constructed by Brizio Street Rods represents the show quality first found in the class’s most serious contenders.
Cost
646,360 AED
