Art Brissete located in Vermont

Dino can you help me with Art ? I’ve been tracking down ‘any’ info on Jack Merkel’s 39 B/GS black Willys of previous history and owners,trying to fill the empty gaps throughout it’s lifetime.I’m after ‘any’ photos Art may have of it and also his history with the Willys.Appreciate and thank you for your help in this matter Dino.I’ve been in contact with it’s ‘new’ owner Ron,who’s doing an excellent job restoring it to the original ’64’ look.

Many ‘THANKS’ Dino,appreciate your effort and help…Pete.

Dino,here’s my version,Pat is right.Jack sold the Willys to the Pacers in late 64.The Pacers channeled the body 4″ glass doors,’Hemi’ powered and painted it white.A few yeras later,Bob Petrucelli purchased it (less drivetrain).Bob never did nothing to it and sold it as a ‘roller’ in 69 to Gillis Bertran who put a small block blown and injected Chevy,running BB/GS.Bob Mercer did the ‘fancy paint job on it,and Walt Cagney drove it.In 1983 Gillis sold the Willys to John Arsenian.John switched the ’40’ Willys frame he rebuilt on the 39 Willys and put in a 302 small block Ford engine.John sold the ‘original ‘Hill-Zartman glass nose to Tom Grasso in Omaha Neb.Tom sold it to a guy in California who put it on his 39 Willys until 2005.John Arsenian lost his battle to cancer at age 42.Bob Kutzsagoitz from Fairfield ,Ct. purchased it from John’s wife,had it a few years;replaced the engine with a small block Chevy,and found and installed an original 39 ‘steel’ nose.The Willys was partially complete in ‘primer’ when Ron Normann from Ill. purchased both the Bee Line 40 and Merkel’s 39 Willys from Bob Last year.Ron is restoring both Willys to there ‘original’ condition,circa 64 and 65.Talk about a ‘miracle’ Ron found the ‘original’ Hill-Zartman glass nose to put back on the Merkel Willys! Ron is a ‘finattic’ to say the least,sparing no expense to make both these Willys 100% period correct! Like Pat said,Eddie Sanzo had the red A/GS Willys pick up,built by the Pacers,and had Jack Merkel’s Racing Engines (with the chevron) on the doors.Pat and I remember when Eddie flipped it and totaled it out,replacing it with a 33 Willys coupe in 66.

Your not the only one 😮 😮 😮

Pat