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1941 WILLYS COUPE - ALL STEEL - ALL ORIGINAL

Make: Willys
Model: Americar
Type: Coupe
Year: 1941
Mileage: 1
Color: Red
Engine: FLAT FOUR
Cylinders: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Brown
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title: Clear
Item location: Fairview, Oregon, United States

1941 Willys Americar Additional Info:

Here it is: A rare opportunity to own a REAL 1941 Willys coupe.

This particular car is not only real steel, it is also one of the very few that somehow escaped the gasser craze of the 1960’s. This Willys is 100% original and has not been altered, customized, raced, etc. The body, frame and motor are all original and match one another. I have a current, free and clear title in my name for this car with the correct matching numbers and proper “CP” (coupe) distinction.

This Willys coupe was stashed away in the early 1970’s by an eccentric gentleman with a passion for odd cars. It spent much of its time under a lean-to, rather than completely indoors and consequently does have some areas of rust that will need to be addressed. It looks to have received one repaint in the early 1970’s that does show signs of filler here and there.

The worst of the rust appears to be in the cowl, where the top (vent area) has rusted due to the cowl vent in the hood being left open. This can be easily solved by replacing the cowl, most cost effectively by purchasing a 4 door sedan, which are cheap. The roof has a dent on the passenger side, which lead to some rust pin-holing in that area over the years. There is some “oil can” effect in the metal that area. This would not be a complicated repair for an average-skill metal man.

The decklid is in need of repair on the lower portion, but is otherwise in good condition. Any peeling seen on the underside/inner structure of the decklid in the photos is actually an undercoating of some sort that is peeling. Rear trunk pan and tail section will need minimal corrections. The front floor pans are in relatively good condition, the exception being the front, outer corners on both sides. Passenger door bottom will need repair, driver side appears to be in much better shape. There is rust in the door hinge/pillar area that will need to be resolved. The doors open and close/latch.

This car had sat for approximately 45 years when I obtained it. I soaked the motor for over a month and it eventually did break free. It was then carefully coaxed back to life and actually runs surprisingly well. That said, it has run long enough to verify that it would do so, and to make a couple of trips around the shop. It is not road-ready. It will need the brakes redone and a multitude of tweaks to make it legitimately drive down the road. It has currently not run long enough to clear everything out of the cylinders from soaking it for so long. That said: it does technically run, no small feat for an almost 80 year old car that spent much of it’s life sitting. It’s a testament to how resilient these old cars really are. The clutch engages and transmission shifts.

This particular car has a very rare option, a factory Willys radio. I have personally never seen one and I have been offered what I thought was crazy money for it, but I wanted it to stay with the car. It seems to work, the dials turn, it turns on and off and lights up.

Not pictured is the factory air cleaner, which I have.

I have tried to give as accurate a description of this car as I possibly can. That said, if there are questions, please ask before bidding. I don’t want there to be any mistake about the fact that this is a project car that does have things that will need to be addressed. I want whomever purchases this car to be as well-informed as possible. I have additional photos and video of the car running and of it driving. I welcome and encourage anyone to come see it in person as well. I am located a few miles outside of Portland, Oregon.

Again, I want to be clear that this is a project. BUT, it is leaps and bounds ahead of what I’ve seen a lot of guys start out with. And at the end of the day, it is a real 1941 Willys Coupe that is bone-stock and running... this is not an easy car to find for a guy that’s out there looking, they simply don’t pop up very often, especially stock. I have tried to list all of the negative things about this car, but it has a lot of positives as well and is a complete and all steel car. Again, please ask questions if needed. I bought this car off of a few photos that didn't necessarily represent everything about it. I want whomever buys this car to know what they are getting.
This would be an excellent candidate for restoration, hot rod, gasser, or whatever you can dream up. Or, correct some things and drive it in "as found" condition, you will be one of only a few with one like it. This was destined to become a gasser, but space and other projects dictate that it is currently being offered for sale.
Happy bidding!