{"id":14682,"date":"2011-03-20T00:34:46","date_gmt":"2011-03-20T07:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/?p=14682"},"modified":"2013-02-17T18:07:48","modified_gmt":"2013-02-18T01:07:48","slug":"1941-willys-gasser-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/","title":{"rendered":"1941 Willys Dream Becomes Reality"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mr_social_sharing_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- Social Sharing Toolkit v2.2 --><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myrideisme.com%2FBlog%2F1941-willys-gasser-dream%2F&amp;media=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myrideisme.com%2FBlog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F02%2F1941-willys-hot-rod-3.jpg&amp;description=1941+Willys+Dream+Becomes+Reality\" class=\"pin-it-button\" count-layout=\"none\" rel=\"lightbox[14682]\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/images\/PinExt.png\" title=\"Pin It\" \/><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><fb:share-button type=\"button_count\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/\"><\/fb:share-button><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share\" class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-count=\"horizontal\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/\" data-via=\"myrideisme\" data-text=\"1941 Willys Dream Becomes Reality\"><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><div class=\"g-plusone\" data-size=\"medium\" data-annotation=\"none\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/\"><\/div><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a class=\"mr_social_share_email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=1941 Willys Dream Becomes Reality&amp;body=https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-sharing-toolkit\/images\/icons_small\/email.png\" class=\"nopin\" alt=\"Email\" title=\"Email\"\/><span class=\"mr_small_icon\">Email<\/span><\/a><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"linksalpha_button linksalpha_link\" href=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/social\/mobile\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/\" data-text=\"1941 Willys Dream Becomes Reality\" data-desc=\"Blown 41 Willys Hot Rod Marty Hacker loved to get out to the track and drag race whenever he got a chance back in the 60\u2019s and 70\u2019s. One thing always caught his eye, the \u201841 Willys. Rat Rodders and drag racers alike have a love for the Willys. It\u2019s one of the most popular street rod designs\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-3.jpg\" data-button=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/images\/social_share_button.png\" alt=\"Share\" class=\"linksalpha_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/scripts\/loader_iconbox.js?v=2.4\"><\/script><\/span><\/div><h3>Blown 41 Willys Hot Rod<\/h3>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-3.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[14682]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14964\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"1941 Willys Hot Rod - it's a gas!\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-3.jpg\" alt=\"1941 Willys, 41 willys, willys hot rod, willys gasser, 1941 willys gasser\" width=\"575\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-3.jpg 575w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-3-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-3-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-3-400x299.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Marty Hacker loved to get out to the track and drag race whenever he got a chance back in the 60\u2019s and 70\u2019s. One thing always caught his eye, the \u201841 Willys.  Rat Rodders and drag racers alike have a love for the Willys. It\u2019s one of the most popular street rod designs and probably the most recognized and famous drag\/gasser bodies of all time.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201841 Willys was stuck in Marty\u2019s head and he knew some day he\u2019d purchase one. The interesting thing was he just could not seem to find the one he was looking for.<\/p>\n<p>So what do you do? You find one you can purchase and get to work on it to build the look you want.<\/p>\n<p>Marty\u2019s son Mike Hacker started looking for his dad\u2019s dream.  One day while scanning racingjunk.com, he located a Willys in Long Island, NY.  They contacted the owner of the \u201841 Willys to let him know they were interested\u2026 but wouldn\u2019t be able to see it until the following weekend. Wednesday, they called the owner and found out  the Willys had been sold. Disappointed, they started their search again. To their surprise, right on Ebay was the same \u201841 Willys for sale in Cape Cod, MA. The guy even used the very same pictures the original owner used!  They found out the new owners wife was not very happy with his purchase and was given the option: \u201cLive in it or sell it.\u201d  Maybe this was meant to be?!!<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-4.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[14682]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14965\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"1941 Willys Hot Rod done up Gasser style\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-4.jpg\" alt=\"1941 Willys, 41 willys, willys hot rod, willys gasser, 1941 willys gasser style\" width=\"575\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-4.jpg 575w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-4-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-4-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-4-400x299.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mike knew his dad had wanted a Willys for years so he decided to build him one, the way he\u2019d always wanted it\u2026starting with the Willys they\u2019d just picked up from Ebay.<br \/>\nThe mold used to make the body was terrible. Mike was very frustrated and decided the best way to build the dream was to redo the fiberglass. He ended up cutting almost all the seams apart and several months later everything fit together correctly.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[14682]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14966\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"1941 Willys Hot Rod - glass body repair\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod.jpg\" alt=\"1941 Willys, 41 willys, willys hot rod, willys gasser, willys glass body\" width=\"575\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod.jpg 575w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-400x301.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The \u201841 Willys sits on an Art Morrison tube chassis with Mike\u2019s adjusted mid section of the frame to accommodate a new straight axle.  A 454 Chevy bored out to 468 big block engine with a BDS 8-71 blower was added.  A TH400 transmission with a 3600 stall converter and a Ford 9 inch rear with Moser axles and Strange center section with 4.30 gears, Detroit Locker and disc brakes finish off the powertrain. \u201cIt is about 550 horsepower, my friends helped me every night till 1am for four weeks to get it together\u201d states Mike.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-2.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[14682]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14963\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"1941 Willys fram and blower motor\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-2.jpg\" alt=\"1941 Willys, 41 willys, blown willys hot rod, willys gasser, blower motor\" width=\"575\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-2.jpg 575w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-2-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-2-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/1941-willys-hot-rod-2-400x301.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mike feels the best part of all the hard work, and of course the most fun, is when you start seeing all the painted and buffed pieces being assembled.  It\u2019s amazing to step back at the end of the day to see the car coming together. Mike said, \u201cThe best part was when the nose was pinned on, laid down and you were able to see how it looks\u2026 like it\u2019s going to jump on you and eat you!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mike did all the modifications to the body, the frame and this was the very first car he painted\u2026 all completed in a 2 car garage.   Mike said, \u201cIt took 4 years of nights and weekends, 96 cases of beers and 3 ulcers, to build his father\u2019s dream.\u201d When asked if he had it to do all over again, Mike said, \u201cI should have started from scratch on everything\u2026 but live and learn.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Marty\u2019s really proud of all the hard work Mike put into this project.  The Willy\u2019s was recently picked as 1 of 12 top cars at The Wheels of Time Street Rod Jamboree.  Coolest thing about that? It doesn\u2019t even have the interior completed yet!!! Mike said, \u201cI was interviewed by Sam Memmolo (the guy from Shade Tree Mechanic and Two Guys Garage) at the show.\u201d Mike states, \u201cThe car is a nostalgic gasser, with what I call \u201cmodern detail.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s really cool to see how people are drawn to the Willy\u2019s. They walk right up to it and say, \u201cHey Look! A Willy\u2019s!!\u201d Mike finally revealed, \u201cThat\u2019s been me my whole life, and still is!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mike and Marty are very happy they have completed most of the dream. Getting the interior completed will most likely lead to other projects to work on in the future.  As we know, there is always some type of improvement we\u2019d like to make to our cars.<\/p>\n<p>Story by Dave Semel and pictures by Mike Hacker.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mr_social_sharing_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- Social Sharing Toolkit v2.2 --><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myrideisme.com%2FBlog%2F1941-willys-gasser-dream%2F&amp;media=&amp;description=1941+Willys+Dream+Becomes+Reality\" class=\"pin-it-button\" count-layout=\"none\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/images\/PinExt.png\" title=\"Pin It\" \/><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><fb:share-button type=\"button_count\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/\"><\/fb:share-button><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share\" class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-count=\"horizontal\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/\" data-via=\"myrideisme\" data-text=\"1941 Willys Dream Becomes Reality\"><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><div class=\"g-plusone\" data-size=\"medium\" data-annotation=\"none\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/\"><\/div><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a class=\"mr_social_share_email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=1941 Willys Dream Becomes Reality&amp;body=https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-sharing-toolkit\/images\/icons_small\/email.png\" class=\"nopin\" alt=\"Email\" title=\"Email\"\/><span class=\"mr_small_icon\">Email<\/span><\/a><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"linksalpha_button linksalpha_link\" href=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/social\/mobile\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1941-willys-gasser-dream\/\" data-text=\"1941 Willys Dream Becomes Reality\" data-desc=\"Blown 41 Willys Hot Rod Marty Hacker loved to get out to the track and drag race whenever he got a chance back in the 60\u2019s and 70\u2019s. One thing always caught his eye, the \u201841 Willys. Rat Rodders and drag racers alike have a love for the Willys. It\u2019s one of the most popular street rod designs\" data-image=\"\" data-button=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/images\/social_share_button.png\" alt=\"Share\" class=\"linksalpha_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/scripts\/loader_iconbox.js?v=2.4\"><\/script><\/span><\/div><p>Email Blown 41 Willys Hot Rod Marty Hacker loved to get out to the track and drag race whenever he got a chance back in the 60\u2019s and 70\u2019s. One thing always caught his eye, the \u201841 Willys. Rat Rodders and drag racers alike have a love for the Willys. It\u2019s one of the most [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[384,1816],"tags":[1263,2547,2600,2513,568],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14682"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14682"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14682\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14970,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14682\/revisions\/14970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}