Seeing that I would probably never find enough sheetmetal to outfit the 31 chassis I picked up a few months back, I couldn't turn down this almost 99% complete sport coupe. It was on the way to being fully restored when a car struck the garage it was in, collapsing a wall and sending debris all over the Willys. It's got some damage, but the metal is primo, and should whack right back out. I'm going to keep this one stock as long as possible, but I'm thinking that I can set up my spare chassis for the day when it all goes south and I can't find replacement parts for the factory drivetrain. I've never driven anything this old, and I can't wait to get the experience. I'll need to find a carriage shop to get the top redone - Pennsylvania Dutch anyone? Haha
Jim, I've been working hard on this one for about two months. It popped up on ebay and luckily it didn't sell. I had to dump my challenger to come up with the cash on such short notice; we were trying to get a home equity loan so I couldn't pull anything out of savings. I just got it this afternoon. Here's the auction link, with some better pics. I have a pitched driveway, so I can't just roll it out and back in. SUPER SOLID; I'll have it going in no time. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=280237649691
Neat car. I know where there is a 30 model coupe that has been street rodded in the 80's sitting unused for years.
That is a neat car. I agree, with something that uncommon, keep it stock and enjoy the hell outta it. Damn did I just say keep a car stock on a HOTROD and CUSTOM forum? Someone slap me....
When's the injected Hemi and straight front axle going in? Just kidding. Nice car....I'd keep it as it too. -Lee Atomic Radio www.atomicpinup.com
I wanted to post some better pics now that I got a chance to get the spider webs off it. They are fairly big so I linked them below. If anybody has a landau bar for this thing let me know. I only got one with the car. They had two styles in 31, the kind I have which is a mostly smooth, stamped piece, and another that looked like two rods, that I believe was probably soild. I can post measurements later if anyone has a 'mystery' bar. I included a pic of my grandfather's 31 at the end. I'm not a superstitious kind of guy, but since I found the picture last summer and started looking for one, a bunch of stories came out, and the guy even mentioned how much he missed the car in an old video from when he was still alive. Coinsidence that the auction on this one ended on basically the stroke of midnight on his birthday? Think what you want, I'm just glad to finally get one home. http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj83/montclairemotors/DSCN0515.jpg http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj83/montclairemotors/DSCN0517.jpg http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj83/montclairemotors/DSCN0512.jpg http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj83/montclairemotors/DSCN0514.jpg http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj83/montclairemotors/beechst.jpg
Here's some more info on the landau irons. They measure 19 inches center to center of the mounting holes. Like I said, the early 31s may be solid, but these are stamped. I'm looking for either a match for this one, or a pair of others, or even a pair from a different make if they fit. Thanks again
The Jalopy Journal
