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Blown 1940 Willys Gasser Is Pure Eye Candy, Packs More Oomph Than a Hellcat

Willys-Overland is famous for introducing the iconic MB Jeep and morphing into the brand that produces the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee today. But the company founded by John Willys put together a handful of notable vehicles before the MB, with the best known being the Americar.
1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser 14 photos
Photo: carbon777/eBay
1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser1940 Willys Americar nostalgia gasser
A modern-looking and cheap compact that was supposed to save the struggling Toledo-based company, the Americar had a rather short life span. Introduced in 1937, it was discontinued in 1942 when Willys joined the American war effort with the MB Jeep.

Although it wasn't a particularly successful car and was mostly famous for its faulty four-cylinder engine, the coupe version of the Americar became a very popular choice among hot-rodders and drag racers. To the point where 100% stock examples are very difficult to find.

Gassers and hot rods, on the other hand, are much more common. But just like this build here, their only connection to the original Americar is the outer shell. If you're a fan of the Americar's hunchback stance and pointy noise, this is the perfect combination. That's because gasser versions usually come with massively powerful engines, menacing exhaust pipes, and meaty rear tires.

The really cool thing about this gasser, beyond its mean looks and flashy color, of course, is that it looks like a museum piece. This Americar has been built to run fast, but also to turn heads. The impeccable appearance and the perfect nostalgia look have brought it a couple of features in Gasser Magazine and several awards at specific car shows.

It is a no-expense-spared build with tremendous attention to detail, down to the race-inspired livery, suicide doors, and the white interior. It's all candy inside and out.

But the build that once was a 1940 Willys hides an even more impressive detail under the hood. That shiny blower is connected to a 528-cubic-inch (8.7-liter) Hemi V8 engine loaded with premium aftermarket parts. Everything sits on a steel boxed and cross-braced chassis with a nine-inch rear end and a front tube axle.

What about power, you ask? Well, the Hemi has been dynoed at a whopping 1,031 horsepower and 900 pound-feet (1,220 Nm) of torque to the rear wheels, so it can definitely run the quarter-mile in less than 9 seconds. And it turns out that the mill is even more capable than that with the right upgrades.

I have a hunch that this Willys has yet to see proper drag strip action, with the 838 miles (1,349 km) shown on the odometer likely completed at local car shows. Needless to say, I love concours-condition racers, but someone needs to burn some rubber with this gasser at the drag strip.

If you're into burnouts and quarter-mile fun, you can do just that in this 1940 Willys Americar coupe because it's currently listed for sale. However, eBay seller "carbon777" isn't willing to let it go unless you sign up for a "buy it now" price of $195,000.

That's about $30K more than a 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 and almost as much as some brand-new supercars from McLaren, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, but the seller says it's nearly impossible to replicate this car for this price. And I don't think he's just whistling dixie.
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About the author: Ciprian Florea
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Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer.
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