Were Willys and Essex frame rails the same? I'm researching for a magazine piece and struggling to find credible info. Any experts out there with personal experience? Do tell... Thanks in advance for any help! Scotty (Jangleguy)
Since they were made by completely different companies it seems doubtful. Have heard that Hudson (Essex) steel was the best available but don't know if it is true. Ed Iskenderian used Essex frame rails for his hot rod in 1938. https://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Ed_Iskenderian's_1924_Ford When this rod was built it had what were considered the best parts like Rajo head, Franklin axle and steering box as well as the Essex frame rails. All these parts were used to build race cars in the 30s.
My Hudson knowledge is all post-war but I can assure you that the rails are not the same, unless Willys for some reason bought frames from Hudson, and I have never heard that. Get in touch with the Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club.
You didn't mention what year(s) you are comparing. If they used the same chassis, it was in the 4 cyl. era. Essex went from a four to a six in 1925. Willys made a six available in their smaller Whippet in 1927. I couldn't find a comparison for 1927, but in 1928, the Essex 6 WB was longer than the Whippet. Good chassis photos are fairly hard to come by. Here's an overhead shot from the 1926 Essex owner's manual: A 1927 Whippet chassis: (I think this is a Whippet 6, but it might be a 4.) It's a little hard to see, but the rise over the rear axles are shaped differently and the rear springs obviously attach differently. As time went on, the Essex chassis became more like its Hudson big brother. The Whippet morphed into the Willys 77. I suspect that the only reason they would have ever shared a chassis is if they both bought in chassis from the same chassis maker. I haven't found any evidence that Hudson bought in Essex chassis. Willys might have.
Why doncha just go down to your local willys dealer and measure? Then slide over to the E-sex dealer and measure that sucker? BTW, good to see you posting again, Brotha Scotty.
Scotty, Not sure if they are the same, but here is a Willys frame with modifications, out of the Bizio Truck. Good to see you are still diggin !
Essex frame rails were the frame of choice for the dirt track race car builders in the late '20's & into the '30's. they had nice rear kick up's & could be configured as a two springer or a three springer, as in this picture.
Pete did you build the pictured car? Specifically, I am interested as what was done to narrow the Essex chassis- what sort of cross members were used? How was the rear-end kick modified? Hope I am not seeking trade secrets. Thanks.
Yes I'm building this car go to this thread "Late 1920's sprint car" here on the HAMB It should answer some of your questions.
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