Name This Willys

[dinoKeymaster]

Just got a new photo collection from Brian…Can’t ID this Willys …Any Help? Name looks Ron Or Russ. ‘Falla”? Fatla Falta ?

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[dinoKeymaster]

Heres Another

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[babycakesParticipant]

Dino,that’s Gillis Bertran’s BB/GS Willys,driven by Walt Cagney,fancy paint job by Bob Mercer.That was originally Jack Merkel’s (black) record holding,and two time winner at the N.H.R.A Nationals in 63 and 64 in B/GS! That had one of the first Hill and Zartman ‘glass’ noses on it! Now,here’s the catch,Ron Normann,who just restored the Bee Line Willys,that was at Indy this labor day weekend,now owns,and is restoring this Willys also,exactly the way Merkel had it in 64! He located the original Hill – Zartman glass nose in California,and had to buy the Willys gasser that it was on,to get Merkel’s original glass nose,to put back on the car! Ron is a ‘ perfectionist’ to make it period correct! It’s got a long way to go yet,as it’s a ‘frame-off’ restoration it’s going through right now. Like me he’s a Willys gasser lover!!! Pete.

[dinoKeymaster]

Cakes… 3 meatballs with oak leaf cluster and a star on your forehead….now how ’bout the first one? Kinda looks like Mikeys.

[babycakesParticipant]

Dino,I have ‘no’ idea who that first ‘Willys’ belonged to? I’m sure it was an original ‘ole’ gasser from the area,prior to being resurrected once again in the late 60’s,early 70’s ? Mikey! How’s your memory? Anyway,I was with Brian when he was given this lot of photos.There’s a ‘great’ shot in that bunch of Kevin Dunn’s A/G yellow Willys P/U. Boy,you don’t know how much V Bob and I miss him.A great friend taken too soon in life! Any event,some ODF must remember who that belonged to….guys,,,gals ❓ 🙄

[mikey]

That red and silver Willy’s was around when I was young. Used to go to Dover with my Dad. My Dad new the guy, his name was Russ, but that’s all I can remember, other than my Dad saying that it had a Hemi in it. Sorry, I’ll keep diggin’ for info. …………..Mikey 😕 🙁

[babycakesParticipant]

I forgot to mention John Sachs,Paul B.,or George Lourie who may remember who’s Willys that 1st. one is? I’m pulling straws….guys???? 🙄

[john-sachs-srParticipant]

quote Babycakes:

I forgot to mention John Sachs,Paul B.,or George Lourie who may remember who’s Willys that 1st. one is? I’m pulling straws….guys???? 🙄

I remember the car. Try Ronnie Falta. Not 100% sure he could have been the possible owner. ❓ Ronnie was from Westchester.
John

[dinoKeymaster]

SHAZAM…It was here all the time …..”THE POWER OF THE FORUM”:
http://www.doverdragstrip.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=750

[frank-j-majauskasParticipant]

Hey Cakes, I thought you’d like this picture. This Willys drove into the Thomaston
Main Street Summer Cruise this past Sunday. “Pretty Kool” ❗ I thought of you ❗ 😆
Frank… 😎

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[babycakesParticipant]

Frank…your the man! Thank you for sharing that ‘Willys’ photo.There dear to my heart since 1960! I have nothing against fiberglass ones (Paul B, makes me laugh…he calls them ‘tupperware’ cars 😆 Mikey,don’t mad,he’s only kidding!).My preference is ‘real-steel’, like Paul B’s,George Louries’ and Munson’s for instance (that’s my era).To buy one nowadays (either glass or steel) you better have a ‘super’ thick wallet! Peter Maples (nephew of Al Z’s Bee Line Willys) who was at the Nationals this past Labor day weekend,seeing the ‘Willys’ on display, mentioned that the Stone-Woods-Cook B/GS Willys (restored and owned by Triolo and Wales) parked next to them,had an offer of 1.5 million,for the S.W.C Willys,and refused the offer! The ‘ole’ saying Frank….’had we known the future’! I’m passing the box of Kleenex tissues over to Pat D.,who owned some classic ‘real-steel’ ones,back in the day! Mikey,hang on to ‘Papa’s Toy’,it’s worth as much as ‘gold’ nowadays!

[dinoKeymaster]

just happened to get this From Peter…Indy …parked with Beeline.Guess this Topic Is now the Willys Channel…..wanna have fun? put WILLYS in search …Look out though …your computer may start to smoke….84 pages !

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[babycakesParticipant]

Dino,quite a history on the S.W.C Willys B/GS. In ’67’ it was sold to Cal Automotive (fiberglass manufactures of body parts for gassers),then sold to Ron Ladley in Pa. (Willys guru) in ’68’.Ron sold it to Joe Trilolo in ’72’,and made into a street-rod,with a steel 41 nose,and basically same blue color.Joe parted with it in ’78’ to Mike Wales who had a automotive shop in south Jersey.Mike got involved with the ‘monster-truck’ series (ones you see in special events,or on t.v.) and moved I believe to the Chicago area (?). He had it partially disassembled and stored inside in the ’80’s.Joe Triolo hooked up with him in 2001,and wanted to buy the Willys back,and restore it to the way it looked in ’62’ when S.W.C owned it. An agreement was made between them,and in 2002,Joe had the Willys in his garage in Pa. and started the restoration.Now,I don’t know for ‘fact’,but I believe both Joe and Mike are ‘partners in ownership.Joe did a ‘beautiful’ job restoring it! What amazes me,it has the original blue and white ‘tuck and roll’ interior!

[dinoKeymaster]

This was the first one…then came the Black version and a 33 . I always liked the Candy Blue with Gold Leaf that went up against Big John’s Red one. The first Mustang was a Gasser/match racer…then came the flip top full Funny version.

[pmbuickParticipant]

Hey Guy’s want to hear something ironic? I met Joe for the very first time at Indy and he told me the history of the SWC car’s ownership. When he told me that Paul Gommi used to own this car and bought it for $800 and sold it to him for $900 I almost fell off my chair, he asked me if I ever heard of Paul and I said of course I had and his former partner used to own the Bee Line (for over 30 years) parked right next to his car. It just goes to show you how deep the Dover roots go. Thanks, Peter

P.S Joe is always in contact with Pual Gommi, perhaps we can get him onboard.

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