The Argument For Saving The 1938-1942 Willys Coupes

Recently I was perusing old car classified ads online, thinking of possibly buying a Ford Model A, when I suddenly realized that on some websites hot rod Model A’s outnumbered stock examples to a depressingly large degree. It occurred to me that at the rate hot-rodders are mutilating Model A’s, there may come a time when bone-stock examples become extinct. While I realize there are still thousands of unmodified A’s out there, the possibility does exist that it might happen at some point in the future. That thought makes me sad.

It made me think of another car that faces the same bleak future: the 1938-’42 Willys, especially the coupes. Unfortunately, these vehicles have already been hot-rodded to near extinction, and I fear that the day when they no longer exist in stock form is getting depressingly closer. It could happen in my lifetime and believe me, I’m no teenager. On one dealer website there were ten Willys cars for sale; nine of them were hot rods.

Sadly, today there are likely to be generations of kids who think every Willys automobile came equipped with another manufacturer’s small-block V-8 and a blower intake sticking out of the hood. They likely have no idea of the original purpose of the cars. So, I thought I’d show everyone a photo of a 1940 Willys coupe as it came from the factory, depicting what it looked like. Show it to your kids and grandkids and maybe they will appreciate how pure the styling was in its original form. After all, they may never get to see a stock example.

I realize that some readers–perhaps a great many–will object to my use of the term ‘mutilating Model A’s.’ I understand that for some enthusiasts a hot rod is more desirable than an original vehicle. In the 25 years since I purchased my 1967 Rambler convertible, I’ve had several people suggest I stuff a small-block in it, to replace the trusty original AMC 232-cu.in. six-cylinder engine. I never will, even if someone gives me an engine for free and offers to install it as well. For one thing, I don’t want another manufacture’s engine under the hood of my Rambler; for another, the 232 six has more than enough power for me. Back in my youth, I spent too many hours sitting in holding cells at the various police stations waiting for my parents to bail me out. I lost my driver’s license twice and was arrested at gunpoint once; my days of fast driving are done.

To get to the heart of the matter, I just believe hot-rodders are altering too many old cars. We need to preserve our industrial history and a lot of that involves cars. Especially independent brands, which are rare enough to begin with. What also disturbs me is that hot-rodders are so desperate to own a Willys they are now hot-rodding Aero Willys cars, Jeepsters, and station wagons. One enthusiast even modified an FC pickup. Prices of nice, original Willys coupes can run over $100,000, and I believe that’s because people like to buy mint originals and then rod them. The old story of, “Rodders are saving old Willys cars that otherwise wouldn’t ever be restored,” doesn’t hold water to me; they look for the nicest original car they can find and then chop it.

The 1938-’42 Willys cars were alternative vehicles. In an era when foreign cars were almost never seen in the U.S., the Willys were smaller and lighter than conventional American cars (hence their popularity with hot-rodders and drag racers) motivated by modest four-cylinder engines that provided adequate power and superior fuel economy. The Willys cars were less expensive and more economical than other U.S. cars. Being smaller and less powerful, they appealed to the type of buyer who could appreciate those qualities. And often those people had to put up with smart-aleck remarks from neighbors and kids who considered Willys owners cheapskates and weirdos. It took a special person to own a Willys.

All of that is lost on people today because all they see is a loud, aggressive-looking funny-car that snarls and spews exhaust. The whole meaning of the car is destroyed. So, if you simply must have a Willys, buy one of the replica kits that are available. Save the remaining original cars for posterity.