my mom and I were looking at some photos yesterday and came across these. 69/70 or so. cars were raced at 75/80 drag-a-way in MD. Hope you enjoy. awful pic of the willys I know, but its still cool....
I know Jim Rhea. That was an incredibly detailed Willys. Perfect in every respect. For some reason, pics of it are hard to come by. I believe he sold the car to someone in Florida and it became a street rod It's hard to tell but I'd bet the pic is from the D.C. Armory at the World of Wheels show. I'd love to see more pics if ya got 'em. Thanks!
Jim's dad and my grandfather were good friends. I can still remember riding around the country side with those 2 when I was a kid and they would point to cars off in the field and argue about what make an model they were. I'll look for more pictures of the willys. the anglia was traded off for a vette I think, 67 maybe? I think the vette was traded for a bug.
Those shows were the best. Jim also found a '33 Willys panel truck in a tiny garage in D.C. but I never heard what became of it?? As I recall, back then, cylinder heads were his specialty. I haven't talked to him in a few years but last time we did, he mentioned having lots of pics and movies from the area. You might want to ask him, maybe he'd share them? He was a fun guy to be around. Did ya ever ride in the back seat when he was driving? He'd turn all the way around to talk to you and keep right on driving Made me nervous a time or two. Please keep posting up. Those old pics are too cool. mike
Jim and I have been freinds for close to 50 years. He sold the Willys after having Paul Osmond [Modifications Unlimited] chop the top. Paul did an unbelivieble job, but Jim didn't like the way it looked. That car was featured in hot rod magazine 3 times.1st when Jim raced it, second when Tom Gooding had it. 3rd ,the current owner, I don't know who that is, I saw it on TV, it is in Pro Mod form. It has never been a street rod. Jim still does a little machine work,his shop is on his farm in MD. Mostly antiques,and motorcycles. He has the best collection of car and motorcycle magazines around. and some incredible antique motorcycles
I know Jim also met him at the pre NSRA Timonium nats in about 72. Spoke to him last year he is on HAMB but very very little. Some pics of his Willys before and after chop. Pat