Features 1937 to 1942 Willys Picture Thread

Based on what I have read this Willys named Rowdy Willy started out being raced by a car club in New Mexico (the charioteers maybe) and then was sold to someone in Texas and raced there too. The pictures with the white paint were taken at Indy at the Nationals.

 

Paul Frost...

 

any pics of Mike Mitchell's 40/41 Willys....recently found in Minnesota....

 

Don't think he ever ran a 40/41. What makes you think it was his?

 

I wonder if he is talking about the Antilope Valley Speed Center car? I remember reading where it came from Minnesota to California and went back to Minnesota too I think it had Doug's Speed Shop painted on it when it was in Minnesota and the paint job was about the same.

 

My old Willys in the traps at Island and as a street rod in the 70's

Pat

 

Looks like Buster "don't let em get away with anything" Couch.

 

ME Gasser says this is Dave Hales and Fred Bear.

 

I just read on another thread that Al Tschida passed away last night. I hope this is not true but I am afraid we have lost another great racer. Al was C/Gas runner-up at the NHRA NATIONALS in 1963, he won the C/Gas Class in 1964, and was runner-up again in 1965. His green Willys was always a strong runner, as you can tell with a record like that. From the looks of this photo, he may have won at Pomona too. After the gassers, he went on to run Funny Cars.

Rest In Peace Al....

 

I hope that it's not true. He sure inspired a lot of people.

 

Al Tschida's C/Gas Willys in 1963. RIP

 

RIP Al.
Any pics of his car from then til now? Different owners, it's evolution?

 

rfraze, To the best of my limited knowledge, there was more than one car. The original car is supposedly still in Minnesota where Al lived. It was a little rough like most race cars were at the time. It has deteriorated and has had little done with it over the years. This is the original that he did so well at the NATIONALS with.


The next one was one that he had some involvement with his brother-in-law. It went to California where he won the WINTERNATIONALS with it. Both were Green.


This may be the same car a little later on.


Hopefully someone will come on here much closer to the situation, and add some to this and correct me if I have provided inaccurate info. The second car is now also supposed to be back in Minnesota and will be restored to race car condition. Also the Antelope Valley Willys in post #4812 may be this same car also with additional refinements.

 

RIP Al and best of wishes to his family. I think he had another Green Willys Coupe that he had finished in the last 5 or so years and it was featured in a magazine.

 

Great pics of Darryl Fischer's Kandy Blue Willys. That car is a 100% real deal survivor. All steel with 'glass rear fenders only.

 

Rfraze, paint job at post #4815 looks like that Mind Binder/Bender willys coupe. I wonder if perhaps if they
they'er one in the same? You got any info on that?

 

Do not, but I will call Charlie O'Neill who, I believe told me he owned that one at one time.

 

Sad time...going to Al Tschida's wake and funeral tomorrow. It will be crowded...Al was well liked and a real gentleman. I watched Al race in the '60's and stayed away from his class with my coupe (mine was all steel and we could drop down a class or two with the extra weight). He was about as consistent as they come, and he could make a 4-speed sound like it was an automatic.
Here is a little help on the cars Al owned and ran. The cars pictured with 445 & 331 were the same car, and Al's 1st coupe...this was the one that won in '64-C/G. Al ran (with a partner) a '41 4-door for a season or two...not sure exactly what years (I'll find a picture)...the car originally was raced by local guys (Lutz & Lundberg).
Al's 2nd coupe was the was the one with green plexi windows. He told me that he and his brother-in-law took it to California where his brother-in -law raced it...it had a couple different sponsors (Antelope Speed Shop, Triad Land Co.). It did come backe to Minnesota in the 70's and ended up with a friend of mine in 1985. He sold it less than 2 weeks ago to another local friend, who knew Al. I have heard that he will put it back to how it looked in the day...still has the same paint. It's nice to have it still in the area. After that Al built and raced an early coupe ('33 style)...that's still around too, but I don't think anything has been done to it. About 4-5 years ago Al built a replica of his race cars, with the help of a local fabricator. Al did run it a few times at Brainerd a few years back. I'll did up some pics of it too. The 1st car is in the Duluth MN. area last I heard...all apart...been that way for quite a while. The 2nd one that just changed hands just North of St Paul...the new owner wasn't very far from the fellow he bought it from. Al's replica is at his house...beautiful car. We are going to miss him.
Sorry for the doubles...the '41 sedan had Tschida and his partner on it, but I don't have a pic handy...car was identical to what you see with L & L on it. Wild Willys is the Antelope Speed shop car. The one at Greg's Speed Shop is the replica.

 

Thanks for all this info.