Bernard Kron Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) ’41 Willys Retro-Mod Street Rod (more pictures below) This project was inspired by many different fat-fendered coupes done in a variety of styles. In particular I would point out a metallic blue street rod from issue no. 4 of The Rodder’s Journal, a typical late billet era street Willys with a blown big-block Chevy and a nose-down rake, and a few years later, also in TRJ, a battleship gray ’40 Ford coupe, also big block powered (‘though not supercharged) and severely raked. This second car was featured at a time when TRJ had finally found its style and, although very modern underneath, was almost totally stock on the outside with steelies adapted to the big-power rubber it required. And then, about 4 years ago my friend Raul Perez did a hemi powered Revell ’40 Ford coupe with a Revell Willys street rod chassis underneath and a wicked lowered stance as well as some sweet and subtle chopping and sectioning on the bodywork. All of these cars were swimming in my head last month when a whole group of superb Willys coupes started popping up on the ‘net, including a pair of shiny black modern street rods which really got me motivated to start a Willys of my own. A .couple of years back I had purchased a Willys kit from Curt Raitz that included an aftermarket resin chassis that dramatically lowered the Revell street rod. As many of you probably know, the stance on the Revell kit is undistinguished at best, being rather lamely nose-high with a pan flat stance. Unfortunately the resin caster that makes this chassis has developed a poor reputation for service and I felt that if I ever used the chassis the chances were slim to none I could ever replace it. So instead I decided to use it as a model for how to lower the Revell chassis myself. So when I started this project I knew I would lower the car, but with a couple of super-fine modern street rods just completed I felt obliged to do something different. I decided to combine the depression era color of the TRJ ’40 Ford with the stance and powerful look of the late-billet Willys from issue no. 4. Raul’s ’40 Ford would help remind me of what a fine street machine should look like. The result is what follows, a Revell Street Rod kit with the front end lowered some 3+ scale inches for a pretty severe street rod rake, a Hilborn injected Chrysler Firepower 392 hemi adapted from the kit mill for some serious retro action under the hood, and a diamond tuft upholstered interior to extend the backdating to the driver’s compartment. The only bodywork was adding a hood scoop from an AMT ’49 Ford coupe kit. The color I chose is Tamiya TS-19 U.S. Navy Intermediate Blue. With a minimum of trim and the Depression era color I thought the car might straddle the line between Retro and Billet. I chose to use steelies finished in body color to emphasize the slick single color theme, but without any of the machined aluminum bling. I used AMT ’40 Ford fronts. The rears are AMT deep-dish reversed rims from a ’29 Ford Roadster kit, stripped of its chrome and with the centers drilled out to take baby Moon caps from an AMT ’40 Ford sedan delivery kit, which are also used on the fronts. Tires are from the kit. Other than the radical drop on the chassis, accomplished by raising the entire front suspension assembly, most of the car is straight out of the Revell kit. The other major change, eliminating the billet style interior, was accomplished by using an aftermarket floor panel from Altered States Models which combines the tubbed rear from the Street Rod kit with the interior bits from the Revell Stone, Woods & Cook Willys gasser. I cut the centers out of the kit door panels and added diamond tuft inserts along with a rear panel of the same sort. Add in a pair of diamond tufted buckets from the recent Stacey David Rat Roaster kit and … Instant Retro! The Firepower valve covers and Hilborn injectors were left over from a Ross Gibson injected 392 I used a few months ago, and the really nice 7” injector stacks are from Speed City Resin. The Hilborn injector pump is from Altered States. That’s it for modifications. What I tried to achieve was a blend of classic hot rod styling with the smooth monochromatic look of the Billet period which I have always felt was well suited to the Willys coupe. A modern chassis with lots of Old Skool vibes in the details. Thanx for lookin’, B. Edited November 8, 2013 by Bernard Kron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o-man Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Sweet, love the wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Very impressive old school build.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PappyD340 Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Very NICE, I like that color!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Nice car, nice photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-409 Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Very cool as always from your bench! That color is excellent for a '41 Willys and I really like the Wheel choice too. The Dog Dish Hubcaps fit perfectly! My favorite part might be the engine, though. Very fine detailing and glad to see another Hemi with Hilborns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Very nice Bernard ! I like the subdued color and dog dish hubcaps , very cool ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Helferich Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Nice concept and excellent follow through Bernard. I love Hot Rods with a subtle appearance. I remain a fan of your builds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinky Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Wow done already, the result is very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frozono Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Cool one............ nice......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocknRolla Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Nice job Bernard ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpletcher55 Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 VERY COOL BUILD ,LOOKS SPOT ON! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris White Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 very cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Excellent build and SHINY :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) Wow! Thanx for all the nice words! As always, it's much appreciated. I'm glad this car could make a connection. I definitely was working on a sort of post-modern New Traditionalist style with this one. With those huge meats and the beautifully detailed modern chassis there was just no way around a more contemporary look. But with all the gorgeous modern machines being shown of late (Arno's (Dinky) jet black knockout got me started on building this one) I found myself inclined to try something different. I wanted to find a way to play to my strengths and still come up with something a little closer to the second decade of the 21st century. This is an evolving thing with me. I hope to pursue other projects that explore this challenge. Thanx again! Edited November 9, 2013 by Bernard Kron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike 1017 Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Reminds me of a Moonshiners car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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