1941 Willys Americar Coupe

Only the 1941-1942 models were called “Americar”, (441 and 442 models respectively), following the patriotic trend of the time. It sold 22,000 units in 1941 and 7,000 more in 1942. Its price was about $630. As war broke out, civilian production was abandoned by all US motor companies, in order to assist the military, and the Americar was no exception. However, Willys was one of the companies awarded a contract to produce the highly successful Jeep. After the end of the war, they managed to secure the trademark on the Jeep name, and the much higher sales of its civilian CJ version kept the Toledo firm from resurrecting the prewar models, sealing the fate of the Americar.

For your consideration is this Outlaw bodied 1941 Americar custom rod. A sinister satin black finish with its wildly large rear wheels and tires, and a snazzy buttoned up interior. She’s all custom and running with all 8 cylinders and 8 stacked and canted Hilborn fuel injection intakes piercing through the hood. Put in a massive 540ci Bill Mitchell built engine with a dyno proven 604hp, some racy customizing for the interior, up to date with the latest and you will be the belle of the hot rod drive in ball, AND no one will mess with you!

Exterior

Solid fiberglass makes up the Outlaw body and it is bathed in a nice application of satin black. We do note a repair has been made to the left rear fender lip as it shows in black primer. A simple single grille in “Groucho Marx” style with blacked out horizontal ribs is just below the hood and is framed by teardrop headlights and a shaved lower bumper area. The front fenders curve around blacked out ET wheels and 185/60R15 radials up front. The fender comes to a complete halt just in front of the suicide hinged door, with no running board. Another wide fender equally as curvaceous as the front, picks up after the door and frames massive blacked out deep ET wheels wrapped by 31×18.50 Hoosier Pro Street fatties. A nicely curved roofline melts into the rear deck passing by a split oval rear glass, and a curved and rounded trunk lid. Simple flush mount slit-like taillights adorn the rear filler panel which is yet another surface with a shaved rear bumper to keep it simple but gorgeous! What a nice rear end…

Interior

The customization and efforts of this build are plainly evident here with just custom, custom, custom at every turn. Starting with the gray tweed covered door panels with the black vinyl and chrome armrests give just the right look along with the black billet door actuators. Turning to the chairs in black, these high back Corbeau racing beauties, which provide comfort and support for a long haul to a show or a short trip to turn heads at the grocery store. Don’t forget the RCI 5-point racing harnesses to keep you and your passenger held firmly in the seats. In the center is a custom aluminum bracket to hold the Hurst automatic shifter and the dash is all business with satin black panels and black faced Classic Instruments gauges. A fully chromed adjustable steering column, and small rally wheel front the dash. Above is a perfect gray tweed headliner, wonderfully tight, and below is black carpet that has a fine weave to tuck your toes into. A black painted roll cage finishes off the interior and will keep the occupants safe should something nefarious arise. Turn on the AC and keep yourself cool, all the while looking hot hot hot!

Drivetrain

A lift of that tall fronted hood, and we shake hands with the monster 540ci Bill Mitchell built big block Chevrolet. Horsepower in the dyno proven 604hp format is aided by 8 Hilborn fuel injection system stacks. A TH400 3-speed automatic transmission is on back which pushes power rearward to a Currie 9″ rear. A very monochromatic look under the hood with shades of black, gray and silver and if you find the need for a quick shave or to style your hair, a mirrored firewall is on to assist. Our consignor states that he has a full book of invoices and receipts that he’ll turn over to the new owner upon purchase.

Undercarriage

As good below as it is up top, the eye candy continues for the undercarriage. All pristine black structural steel frame, fiberglass floorboards, and 4-wheel disc brakes for the Outlaw chassis. Shades of orange are showing through on the underside of the transmission tunnel but its miles of rust-free steel for the frame and suspension. Speaking of which, a 4-link suspension with coilovers provides the ride for the rear, and an independent front suspension with coilovers has been bolted on. Large tube heads ooze down from the block and flow spent fossils into header collector mufflers before taking 90-degree outlet bends at the middle of the transmission. Get my large mirror. I’m going to a car show!

Drive-Ability

Once I figured out all the “rub your head and pat your belly” controls to open the handleless doors I hopped in and took her for a ride on the test track. Here this car performed flawlessly, good handling, great acceleration, all functioning functions, and working together to give me a great experience. I felt like a real rodder in this sculpted fiberglass rolling work of art.

There are those “car guys” and then there are “THOSE CAR GUYS”. This is definitely an example of the latter, with its menacing satin black, monochromatic finish for the engine, 8 cylinders and 8 stacks, and wide ET blacked out wheels, and we are in hot rod heaven. A multiple best of show award winner using nothing but the best of the best and ready to rip right out of our Hallowed Halls and into your garage.

Price: $87,900

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Location: Morgantown, Pennsylvania, United States