You want it all. And you want it now. Here’s your car. One of the all-time favorites in the worlds of drag racing, customs, street rods, and collectors, the 1941 Willys Coupe, has been built to a show-winning, state-of-the-art level, and is now offered for the first time at MAXmotive. A collaboration of top professionals pooled their talents to produce an award winning custom rod. The top organizations in the sport, including ISCA, Goodguys, and NSRA have all recognized and awarded this thoughtfully designed and well-executed build. The original owner’s goal was to create a design that is “timeless, not trendy.”
The goal was achieved, then surpassed, with a level of refinement and integrated design befitting a high-end luxury automobile. For example, the designers took the classic Willys logo, stylized it, and created an oval-type theme seen throughout the car. A pattern in the upholstery work under the deck lid replicates the shape of the engine cover. Fine details like this are known as “Easter Eggs” in the world of design. The best of the best of the leading manufacturers employ this technique, whereby a new owner is surprised and delighted by new discoveries with his/her car months after taking it home. That’s the kind of thought that went into this build. Clayton Custom Cars produced the gorgeous body, and Jeff Volker of Volker’s Auto Body in Youngwood PA took it from there. In front, behold the Alumicraft grille and the nosed hood, that’s laid down and back. The truck lid is decked with radiused corners. Suicide doors with shaved door handles are also radiused. To accommodate the hefty big block, the firewall is recessed and the A-pillar area is reworked for a seamless fit. Semi-tubs make room for the massive rear rolling stock. To be a crowd pleaser, a car needs a killer paint job. This one delivers with an expert application of PPG basecoat/clearcoat Vertigo Blue (inspired by Aston Martin) and Cappuccino Frost (an elegant Buick shade). Then Thad Cunningham of Icon Custom Paint in Duncansville PA worked his artistry with the tasteful pattern design and pinstriping.
This Willys brings the hardware too. Prorides/RPM in Warrendale PA coordinated the project. One engineering challenge on a custom like this is the exhaust system. It also provides a barometer for the overall quality of the build. This one starts with custom-fabbed headers with right-sized 2¼-inch primaries. They dump into custom pipes with SPD F1 Flex Joints, and DEI header and exchange wrap provides protection. The exhaust exits through the body.
The engine compartment presents a great custom show car look with a hand-formed sheet metal cover. Underneath, though, is a hot rodding staple, the venerable big block Chevrolet. This one is 502 cubic inches of attitude that you’ll feel the moment you fire it up. It effortlessly pumps out 502 horsepower with a very responsive 565 lb/ft of torque. A Powermaster starter gets things going. Billet Specialties’ Tru Trac pulley system drives everything up front, including air conditioning and power steering. A Bowler-built 4L80E automatic with a Street Bandit shifter assure effortless cruising. Even the third member is state-of-the-art. A Currie 9 Plus Nodular Ford rear with 4.11 gears puts the power to the pavement.
The interior showcases the characteristic refinement of the car, with credit going to Paul Trapizona and Wicked Stitches of Sewickley PA. Full grain Austrian Leather buckets in just the right shade of charcoal lends a timeless air of elegance, appropriately complimented by Mercedes Benz carpeting. Those beautiful seats are heated too. You take control with a Billet Specialties “Rival” steering wheel on an Ididit tilt column with molded mount. Ahead of you are the perfect gauges from Classic Instruments’ Traditional Silver Series. Now let’s talk tunes. A Clarion Marine AM/FM/CD Multimedia Controller commands components from JL Audio, including a 300/2 full range amplifier, 500/1 Subwoofer amp, ZR component speakers, and 10W1 subwoofers. A Vintage Air Super Gen II air conditioning system optimizes the environment.
A project of this caliber requires a tremendous investment of time whether you can do the work yourself or you’re having it done. A huge advantage here is that this ambitious project is complete, it’s tested and sorted out, and it’s ready for you to enjoy right away.
Build Team
- Built by Prorides/RPM Warrendale PA
- Curt Ukasik – Designer/Builder
- Martin Carlin – Project Assistant
- Josh Hart, Justin Wilson – Fabricators
- Steve Barrett – 12 Volt and Fiberglass
- Body
- Manufacturer – Clayton Custom Cars Inc.
- Body Work – Jeff Volker, Walt Natskakula
- Paint – Jeff Volker, Volker’s Auto Body, Youngwood PA
- Graphics and Pinstriping – Thad Cunningham, Icon Signs and Kustom Paint
- Glass – Ron Brandstadter, Superior Auto Glass
- Interior
- Upholstery – Paul Trapizona, Wicked Stitches
- Wiring – Ron Francis
- Accents – Clayton Machine Works
This build was completed with the best available products from:
Billet Specialties, PPG Paints, Currie, Paul Yaffe Originals, IDIDIT, Vintage Air, BFGoodrich, ARP, Air Ride Technologies, Alumicraft, Clarion, JL Audio, Be Cool, Flowmaster, Wilwood
