Page 74 - Experience Magazine Spring 2022

Rooted in prewar motorsports and the grand Entirely new industries quickly emerged, supplying
coachbuilding traditions of the pre-World War racers and customizers with a huge array of parts
II era, customizers gained prominence in the and services, and allowing virtually anybody to
1940s and 1950s by elevating normal production- turn even the most humble and unlikely cars into
line automobiles into unique creations equally unique and outrageous expressions of their owners’
capable of winning races and shows. America’s “Big creative visions.
Three” automakers watched these early backyard Each selling with No Reserve at the 2022 Barrett-
designers and fabricators closely and, by the 1950s, Jackson Palm Beach Auction, April 7-9, the fabulous
incorporated many of the forward-looking ideas vehicles in this selection, based on four of America’s
advanced by the rodding and restyling crowd into greatest automotive icons, celebrate originality and
their own dream cars and production models. exemplify the artistry of the custom car.

GOING FASTER

FOUR OF AMERICA’S GREATEST AUTOMOTIVE ICONS SELLING WITH NO RESERVE IN PALM BEACH

1941 WILLYS AMERICAR CUSTOM COUPE
In the early days of hot-rodding, the drag strips of America were filled with
fat-fender Willys "gassers" winning races and setting records everywhere.
This highly modified 1941 Willys Americar coupe is a fabulous example,
combining brute-force power with surprisingly luxurious touches. Power
is delivered by a supercharged and fuel-injected 454ci Chevy big block
engine detailed to show quality and featuring a full array of modern high-
performance goodies, culminating in a custom side-exit exhaust system.
A TH400 Stage 3 automatic transmission delivers the power with a B&M
QuickSilver floor shifter to a narrowed Ford 9-inch rear axle. Additional
features include rack & pinion steering, a custom powder-coated frame with

74 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE SPRING 2022