1941 Willys Americar

Steel 1941 Willys Americar, Originally built by Chuck's Speed Center of Phoenix, AZ in 1967 for Gil Guggisberg to advertise his family's chain of coffee shops while competing at the dragstrips. It was built with a mechanical Hilborn injected 1966 Corvette 427 hi-performance engine connected to a 1964 Chrysler 727 Torque Flite pushbutton automatic transmission. The rear consists of 4.5:1 Olds gears with Olds flanged axles. Magnesium Halibrand wheels at the front and rear. With this set up the car ran consistent low 10's on the 1/4 mile. The beautiful metallic lace paint job was sprayed by Ed Cerney Jr.

In 2016 a full restoration went underway at Ida Automotive to return it to it's original racing form in 1967. Restoration was guided by dozens of original build photos for accuracy. It is an all steel body with House of Kolor metallic blue lace paint, featuring gold leaf and pinstriping by Alan Johnson. The straight axle up front is chromed and the rear axle still wears its original chrome from the late 60's. All parts on the car are vintage original, NOS, or custom made parts. NO REPRODUCTION parts.

NOS 1941 grille

vintage magnesium Halibrand starburst spindle mount wheels (second version)

vintage magnesium Halibrand "big window" rear wheels

1964 Mustang six cylinder radiator

vintage 3.5 gallon aluminum moon tank with original 3-ear spinner cap

1966 Corvette hi-perf block ( engine built by Nick Manarino of Modern Performance NJ)

nos aluminum L-88 heads

L-88 crankshaft

Crower camshaft

nos aluminum Mickey Thompson 427 valve covers

vintage mechanical Hilborn fuel injection

vintage aluminum finned Moon BBC timing cover

vintage Mallory Super Mag magneto, transformer, transmitter

vintage Stewart Warner green-line gauges

vintage 7000 rpm Super Sun tach

original to the drag car roll bar and control panel

vintage Art Carr pushbutton selector

1964 Chrysler 727 Torque Flite automatic transmission (rebuilt by Select Performance NY)

1957 Oldsmobile 4.5:1 rear

nos 1968 M&H racemaster wrinkle wall slicks

nos Cure Ride 90/10 uplok front shocks

vintage Cure Ride 50/50 rear shocks

vintage Hurst Airheart brake calipers

Fabricated parts by Ida Automotive

17-quart oil pan

2- aluminum lightweight seats

12-gallon aluminum fuel tank

front spindles and mounting brackets for Hurst Airheart brake calipers

ladder bars (original to car circa 1967)

long tube headers (original to car circa 1967)

window pull straps for lexan side windows

fuse panel under passenger seat with correct cloth covered wires and fuses

The car was featured at Carmel Concours on the Ave. , Greenwich Concours, Speed & Kulture magazine issue number 1, and Hot Rod Magazine.

This car is truly unique with all of the greatest speed equipment and wild designs of the go faster 60's drag racing era. It is a must see and hear in person.

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