1940 Willys GASSER: History of the "HEMI HURRICANE"

The Hemi Hurricane Willys Gasser is a historic drag car from the Southeast. It raced for only a few years, and was retired after its owner, Bunky Bobo decided to build a Barracuda Funny Car. Despite its short career, this car went through several changes, including having the original (extremely rare) A990 Hemi swapped for a more aggressive nitro-burning Hemi in 1967. Luckily, the car survived the abuse and was stored in Bunky's barn for about 35 years before his son Tony encouraged him to get it out and rebuild it. What you see here is the product of an extensive restoration to bring this gasser back to its 1966 configuration.
#hotrodhoarders #historic #hemi

[@LocalHauntsShow]

Wow, great video. Bunky was my uncle. I remember sitting in Hemi Hurricane as a kid in the 70's and pushing those buttons and making car noises as I fantasized about ripping down the strip for the win. I only saw the car run once in Gainesville (I think) back in the late 60's when I was very young. I believe he won a championship at that time. I always joked with Bunky as a kid that he better leave Hemi Hurricane to me in his will. I went back to visit him and the car after the restoration the week it was sent to the Hallo of Fame. He was going to take me for a long over due ride, but alas, he couldn't as my cousin Tony had already drained all the fluids from it to have it displayed in the Hall of Fame later that week. So I missed my chance to finally get to have a ride in the beast. I guess another trip back to Georgia is in order and perhaps cousin Tony will let me have a spin in it. Thanks so much for the video. I love seeing all of those pics of the car from back in the day as well as my favorite Uncle Bunky in his prime. I shot video of Hemi Hurricane and posted it to my old youtube channel back in 2007. It shows Bunky and the car. I will share the link if you would like it. Thanks again, Steve.

[@bradmeredith1746]

That’s awesome I wish I was a kid in the 70s instead of the 80s I still feel like I missed all of the Golden years for great carbureted cars that you could make pure raw power I only drive carbureted cars to this day I hate the fuckin computers and sensors this biggest electronic thing on my car is the MSD box and the HEI Dizzy or the holly touch screen interface lol ya know love it!!! Wouldn’t have it any other way up here in Canada drive a 1980 square body Chevy truck in the winter and my big block Camaro and my 83 Harley Electra Glide in the summer !!! Worked my ass of to get these vehicles and had to find em as well which is hard up here where everything is either “ a trailer Queen “or a rust bucket and so I had to look long and hard “like she said “ lol ikr but I found the truck in a scrap yard but it was in a Sea can 125000 original KMS on it I got it going and fixed it up and the camaro we bought for 3500$ in good shape with just a 350 in it and my wife wasn’t having it so I yanked it out and she got a 454 big block older crate motor from BPE and still had lots of power in it about 600hp BPE makes killer engines folks !!! My wife daily’s this camaro every summer spring and fall and she’s not afraid to break them loose guys she’s my dream wife she will go heads up any day any time

[@timothycunningham3983]

These early Willys are one of the best coolest looking cars.

[@joshuagibson2520]

What I miss about this era: You mentioned how you couldn't just order shifters, cams, and other parts off the shelf as on demand as we often do today. Back then, that caused a lot of these guys to build and fab a lot of things people wouldn't even attempt to these days. This whole bolt on craze seemed to start in the 90s. (I'm 42, I was in highscool.) Then ricers came in and it really took off. I feel like overall there's going to be a generation of lost and forgotten arts and skills. I hope not though. Excellent photos and production man. You're narration photos, and how you're putting it all together are great. I also love that I'm in the same general area as you and a lot of what you've featured is Cars and tracks close to me. But yeah, thank you. Prep and reasearch, shooting a vid, then editing it all as well as upload time... Man. Its work. I understand it's a labor of love though. Just like you to know it's enjoyed and appreciated bud. You take care.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you very much Joshua! It's a labor of love, and it makes me happy when others notice the amount of work that goes into this stuff. Thank you!

[@bigragu6828]

You probably remember a magazine called Car Craft. That’s what hot rodding was back in the day. Crafting a car. Today? The magazine would probably be titled “Car Mail order” Or “Car Point and Click” it’s good to know that some young bucks like you are attempting to carry the torch of old cars. (Or at least keeping the torch from smoldering out and fading to dark)

[@brianfrazier5215]

@@bigragu6828" Old School Rods" and Backstreet Choppers is magazines for us 40 year old timers... Look them up I promise it's almost as good as this channel...

[@douglorimer5985]

The Fast and furious movement demonstrates just how far in the toilet the auto world has gone.

[@gteefxr3094]

40 year old "old-timers", hah!

[@roadman14]

Wow you never cease to amaze me!!! Awesome job again!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for the kind words Doug!

[@karltite128]

Super slick. As a kid I can't recall how many times I built the Stone, Woods and Cook model car. 40 Ford and Henry Js. Again great coverage and history. Thanks. 🇺🇸

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you Karl!

[@mick_1949]

A very super cool story about this family. That car is unbelievable and it's all real. Love it. 👍

[@bobyoung1698]

This beautiful Willys certainly put a smile on MY face!😊

[@michaelmartinez1345]

What a great video!!! It is nice to see this beautiful machine brought back to life... A real Labor of Love...

[@elliottstevens8564]

It's put smiles on a lot of faces no doubt!!

[@jackieliner3812]

Thank You for sharing, i love hearing the history behind those old cars, they all have a story to tell

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching Jackie! I love telling the story of these cars.

[@billstetler6769]

The gassers was the best years of drag racing

[@c.s.s.1723]

And after looking at so many different shots of the car, I still think that this body was pretty aerodynamic. Everything is teardrop shaped and it is just beautiful. Just a perfect flow. I suppose the wind tunnel could prove me wrong…..

[@YippeeKiYayMrFalcon]

That Willys coupe looked to be an absolute perfect candidate for a survivor car, maybe with a mechanical restoration. At the 11:20 mark it looks sooo good!! Survivor cars probably weren't really a thing back then though. Beautiful restoration nonetheless!!

[@markrobinson6916]

This video brings back memories for me of another A/Gas legend, and perennial NHRA record holder, Fred Hurst of Ohio. He lived across from my school and often had his beautiful Candy Apple Red '40 Willys setting in his driveway. I remember the first time I got to see the car up close; It also had a Hillborn injected Hemi with the tall injectors tipped in Candy Red. As time passed I would often hang out at Fred's garage and got to see his '68 Barracuda in which he won the NHRA World Finals Street Eliminator. I got to watch him build his '70 Cuda over one winter, and had the pleasure of going to the dragstrip with he and his family a few times over the next few years. Some of my best memories of my early teen years. Thanks for your videos!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Oh wow, that's really cool! Fred's car was an iconic gasser...so cool that you got to hang around and see those cars.

[@markrobinson6916]

@@HotRodHoarder Yes, it was cool. Looking back I'm sure I made a nuisance of myself being just a kid, but he and his family made me feel welcome. By the way, your videos are great and you tell the stories so well.

[@IronheadGarage]

Great old gasser and other great story. That's right we are all just caretakers of these old cars. Most of them will live on for the next guy to love. Thanks for sharing👍

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@bkizers]

Really enjoy your work about the history that is fading do to Ole man time. I'm 76 and got to watch Stone Woods and Cook race at San Fernando those were the days that creativity and hard work went into drag racing. Keep up the great job your doing and thank you.

[@eloyortega1465]

Beautiful Hot Rod

[@HotRodHoarder]

Such a great restoration! They knocked it out of the park!

[@johndehaven8694]

What a beautiful car

[@chuckstith838]

If you don't like gassers you ain't alive! Period!

[@MaliciousSRT]

My dad daily drove an ex-gasser 57 chevy as his first car when he was 16. He would get pulled over because cops didn't think he could see the road as the front was so high, and he said you couldn't when going over a hill.

[@nickknickerbocker6415]

😉 " Hot Damm " 🌽♨️🧉 🎵 Artist 🎵 George Jones Song: The Race is on 🎶

[@briantomcollins]

I know this is 2 yrs old, but i couldn't agree more. Anything A/G styled is my dream car.

[@granddad-mv5ef]

Just caught up to this one and happy I did! Took me back to my drag racing days with a Mopar guy who was so inventive. When I met him he was racing a Healey-bodied altered 413 with Torqueflite. He also built a Dart station wagon with a mid-mounted (behind the front seat} 354 hemi. A few years later, he built his own clutch-flite for his SBC B-dragster. All of them were push button controlled.

[@davidvonanderseck8649]

Great pictures and story

[@fullmoonfool]

Very interesting stuff. Your hard work paid off nicely here. I'm 71 and still a big fan of the old gasser days. I can't get over the prices you could pick one of these up for after the glory days if you knew where to find one. A few hundred bucks!! wow. So glad the Hemi Hurricane was purchased by the right person or we wouldn't have it to treasure as a great piece of a great period of Americana history. And of course people like yourself who have helped to give this awesome race car a second life for us to enjoy. Great job! I for one will take all I can get.

[@myhotrodtv]

Wow.. you bring the history of this Willys alive. Thanks for sharing.

[@gerilynntarvin9402]

I certainly miss the willys on the dragstrip, I built my own car in 1970 with a 440 Dodge engine then in 1974 switched to a 426 Hemi, hilborn injected. I ran pump gas only ,battery ignition, an automatic then a Doug Nash pro shifted mopar 4 speed. those shifted better than a lenco at 1/5th the weight. with a dana 60 ,5-13 gears launching at 3500 RPM it ran mid 9's all day long. speeds of 145 best. sadly in April 1977 on a qualifying run the chute tangled in the wheelie bars, hit a dirt berm at 140- flipped7 times in the air, landed on its belly, the rear end and chute about 200 feet from the car. I stepped out relatively unhurt- cracked ribs and broken finger, but there was nothing left of the car. I've owned several willys since 1958 and would have another in a heart beat. I'd be drag racing in a couple weeks as I have an all aluminum 510" hemi -hilborn injected and 3 speed lenco sitting close by.

[@andya857]

I just love these historic race cars, they get me excited , just so damn cool..Thank you...

[@robertbrady9597]

amazing old willys

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching Robert!

[@jonwood8282]

This weekend I bought the original Velocity Stacks from this car.I am fortunate to a small piece of its history.

[@keepout7439]

What a Awesome piece of journalism history 💯👍 , I could only imagine how much that 1965 donor car would have went for at a Barrets auto auction 🤔 , 7 figures I would imagine . I hope you find the history of that car someday 👍💯 , thank you for memories/ history🙏

[@ryanbassett2091]

That is one BADASS Willys! Thanks for sharing!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching Ryan!

[@anthonymalvoso6100]

We had the best cars and the best music….. Cheers

[@LOVEMCHUNCKY]

Great work ! Appreciate all the work it takes to make this content. This channel and Vice Grip Garage are #1 on you tube..🏆💪

[@douglorimer5985]

What another great story... Yea you better catch these old racers while there alive.. Good job.

[@whocares2227]

What a great story. Thanks for running down all the details.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@terryrampey617]

Great video...loved the picture with the car lined up against Mr. Gene Cromer In the moonlighter....sure do miss Mr.Gene!

[@alanquintus2069]

One hell of a nice paint job. Love the black and white photo with this car next to The Moonlighter. Keep up the good work!

[@davidlandeck9566]

Cool story thanks for sharing 👍

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks David!

[@RustyIronProjectsRIP]

Once again a over the top video, love the history of these old cars. THANKS for the video and history lesson.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for the continued support!

[@lagh84]

Thanks for making this video. As a kid growing up in San Antonio, I got to hang out across the street with a fuel racer Bill Jarrette. My parents let me practically live in his garage and even let me go to the races a couple of times. He drove many, best know for the "Tia Juana Taxi" Don't think I spelled it correct but, it was an fuel altered cornett or savoy, not sure. Altered wheel base, some fiberglass, tall stacks on a Hemi and "Nitro" Bill loved the nitro. Also got to see "Stone Woods & Cook car a couple of times getting something done, some welding/chassis work. Bill built a 41 willis during the same time, candy apple red and crashed it on its first outing. Also got to see Tommy Iveo ? He had a trailer that had glass sides really cool, Bill did some work on that car also, again I think some chassis mods. He had a dragster for a while, really beautiful built like a show car. I think that car crashed also after he sold it. Love the old pics you find, keep it up, you have a really cool hobby, Thanks again. Larry Hargett

[@z06doc86]

Great video! Brings back memories of my childhood.

[@charlesharper7292]

Great story! Thanks 👍

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid ........................................... 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you!!!

[@j.w.8110]

) I was there back in those days & could tell you a lot about them but will reframe from doing so right now ? I will confess that Bunky taught me a lot and I will never forget that ! I did consider him, Randy Payne and a few others back then as my friends, and lets not forget Tony & and his precious other half Kay Look, I am starting to get a little heavy on the nastalgic side so let me stop now, Thank you for the video and the memories 🙂

[@MrPappysCobra]

Great story!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks Mark!

[@mattskustomkreations]

What a rad mo-chine! Thanks for sharing!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching Matt!

[@michaelthompson1110]

Fantastic series friend. Keep up the good work!

[@William-Bill-Munny]

I joined the Elks lodge in Huntington Beach and met Art Carr. That guy is a transmission legend beyond compare.

[@William-Bill-Munny]

Drag racing may be faster now but to me the show can not even be compared. I miss those days of my youth at Riverside raceway, Pomona, Brotherhood(San Pedro) etc.

[@robertheadley8561]

Thoroughly enjoyed the story thank you very much you did an excellent job

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you Robert!

[@harveydecker6381]

A/G. Simply bitch’n ! SoCal memories from bygone years. Pomona, Lyons, Irwindale. Fontana, Colton Drag Strips. And the Gasser Wars of the 60’s. Man what great times... thanks

[@gregorytimmons4777]

I am so glad that at least this car was not lost to the sands of time. Now if that Coronet could be found by the same family or at least one of their close friends. Love to see both of them at one of the big indoor winter custom car shows.

[@HotRodHoarder]

I'm still digging around to try and find that Coronet. No leads just yet, but it will be awesome if that car ever reaches the surface.

[@markstopkey4085]

Thanks for all your research. This is great

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching Mark!

[@rickhowd6093]

I like that story about the willies great I’m building a 1941 Willys as we speak and I’m looking forward to getting it done and I think you justify t made me Clark’s that excited about getting go in and start doing this again thanks again and this is Rick from Michigan Great job keep it up

[@HotRodHoarder]

That's awesome, best of luck with your project Rick!

[@kevinsnyder4425]

I'm glad I subscribed to your channel ! You always have the coolest stories & history on cars. ! Love willys gassers- especially the hemi powered kind !! Thanks!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for subscribing Kevin! I love telling the story on these old drag cars. I hope to keep doing more of them!

[@Wooley689]

Great story yet again. Keep them coming.

[@j.w.8110]

Thank you for such a good video, I was there in those days and was a good friend of Bunky's !

[@dalecain1158]

I grew up in Western New York and loved going to Niagara Falls International Dragway. I loved the gasser class and remember a guy who’s last name was Ott. He ran a B Gas and I believe he was a National record holder. I love this story and video!

[@paintslinger16]

On the end of the lake here Watertown

[@HotRodHoarder]

That's awesome Dale. I'm doing some research on a car that I believe ran at Niagara back in the mid to late '60s. Hopefully I'll be able to wrap that one up soon and put a video together about its history.

[@dalecain1158]

@@HotRodHoarder thanks for the info and I will be looking for it!

[@racingmach1]

Another great gasser video brother, I can appreciate all the hard work you put in the research of each car, keep 'em coming

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@rolledbrim2326]

Thank you sir for sharing the history of this Willy's and taking the time to post this video. Looking forward to watching future episodes.

[@steveclark4291]

Wow , I remember hearing about this car while growing up ! But never got to see it race in person ! Thank you for sharing this with me and bringing some great memories back ! Take care , stay safe and healthy with whatever you maybe doing next ! Doing well here in Kansas .

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you Steve! Hope you guys are staying warm in Kansas!

[@steveclark4291]

@@HotRodHoarder You're welcome ! Right now it's 3° but feels like -17° with a high 4° today ! Doing my best for my animals here on my little 24 Acres ! Hope that you all are staying warm also ! Thank you for the hopefully wishes !

[@terrycole6464]

Great story thank you for doing these

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching Terry, I enjoy making them.

[@ECCL11]

This would make a great story for Hot Rod Magazine!

[@alanwood5857]

Love the Hemi Willys story...be awesome to find that A-990, maybe it's still out there?

[@HotRodHoarder]

I'm hoping I can figure out where it ended up. Would be a cool addition to this story, for sure!

[@brianfrazier5215]

@@HotRodHoarder where there's a will there's a way... Thanks for your work and the channel

[@MrBlm1984]

My dad knowed bunky and Frank and all them guys I will ask him if he might have any knowledge of where it went

[@keithmaxwell2169]

@@HotRodHoarder Hey Bud who owns this car now, I heard Tony passed away this past year? I don't really know, the Last time I saw this Car was at Liberty Day in Cedar Bluff Alabama years ago

[@MrBlm1984]

My dad can remember that car but didn't know where it when

[@jimmarshallman6300]

BEAUTIFUL CAR! 😢

[@racerj2.03]

I was just a kid in 1964 discovering drag racing. My first image of a drag car were the A gas cars. I fell in love with the whole deal. Just remembering.

[@almoffat7504]

Brilliant :) I love a good gasser I have several in my collection (model cars) the time it takes you to do this is appreciated .

[@L8RAlligator]

I had the chance to chat with Bunky a couple of times. I loved chatting with him and even communicated with Tony a couple of times. I was saddened to hear of Bunky's passing. What an iconic story and figure he was. I built an HO scale slot car replica and even had video on KZbin of it racing on my scale drag strip. Love that car and the story behind it !!! Hopefully that A990 body is still out there.

[@michaelguinn5736]

Wow, what a awesome video, I've heard about that car, it's great to see where the car is now, looking forward to your next video next friday....be safe, God Bless!!!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for the continued support Michael!

[@kevinrudd4689]

ThT is one awesome car. Thank you for doing these videos!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching Kevin!

[@Darrin_Wyatt]

Another amazing story, cant wait to see if you come up with info on the cornet. One super rare car to make a one of a kind race car.

[@HotRodHoarder]

I'm hoping I can string together enough details about the car to track it down.

[@russchiappa4870]

Another very informative video thanks well done

[@drewturner6885]

Love all the stories. Need to do one on the Dixie twister. Amazing story be hind that car....

[@cbsbass4142]

Frank was my cousin by marriage. I had a Hot Rod magazine with a piece about it. Bunky also like to skin dive down around Alligator Point and spear fish. At a Marina store, while on vacation with my family I went to the register and there on the wall was a mounted giant Goliath Grouper speared by Bunky. I thought what a small world. Don't remember how much the fish weighed but it was hundreds of pounds. Great car story. Saw the car with Tony and Bunky at a car show near West Rome Baptist Church before Bunky passed away.

[@davekulman8195]

Another good one 👌💪👍 great job always looking forward to what's next

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching Dave!

[@Merylstreep1949]

Too bad u couldn't get video of this thing running , quite possibly your best video yet, an absolute stunner of a Willys

[@ricksalmon4916]

I really like that story and a great looking car!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks Rick!

[@ronaldsteveson76]

Glad I happened on to your channel! Obviously you like drag racing history too! I subscribed 👍

[@mikepreciado7807]

God i love this channel. When i was 5 or 6 i lived next to Fontana drag strip. My dad would take me anytime there was cars running. This vid reminded me of those days. Anybody remember Fontana?

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you Mike!

[@stevehilliard1495]

I just realized the grill in my Pontiac Vibe owes it’s styling to the Willys. Great video 👍🏻😎😷

[@HotRodHoarder]

Never thought about that, but you're right!

[@ddmau7995]

An authentic 1940 Willy's SS GRILL has got to be around $1,000 if you can find one . My buddy sold his back in the early 70's for $ 650.00 .

[@agcacustoms2852]

7:51 the moonlighter and the hemi hurricane, two very beautiful and although not super iconic still very impressive drag racing cars that survived to this day.

[@HotRodHoarder]

They were both local legends for sure. Cool to see them lined up against each other.

[@davida.p.9911]

Very cool history! I noticed the early cooling fan set up...literally an electric fan. And the huge Pentastar on the trunk lid is a nice touch. Beautiful car! Thanks for sharing.😎

[@HotRodHoarder]

Yes, the electric fan was kind of a revolutionary piece back then.

[@Autobodyscotty]

I see that 9 people gave a thumbs down on your video and that's sad. They're definitely not Hot Rodders. They must be some of those Asian Ricers driving Honda's with those garbage can mufflers.

[@Redneckairflow]

I love these old history videos. Have you thought about doing a video about what may be the the next generation of survivors from now days drag cars?

[@georgetroy532]

That’s the coolest car I have ever seen !!!!!!!

[@outdoorfuninthesun2393]

Another great video, thanks for doing these.

[@davidwood1923]

Thanks for Sharing... Brother. Great Car Great Story

[@paintslinger16]

Amazing car, we used a Willys for our car club logo. I am sure you know this since you been around these hot rods so long, but for those that don’t it’s actually originally pronounced Will-less.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Yeah, I actually debated on which way to pronounce it when I was shooting the video. I've heard it pronounced both ways, so I went with Will-ees. Thank you for the clarification on that.

[@paintslinger16]

@@HotRodHoarder at this point 95% its accepted as Willy's! But if you refer to it as a surname like it was originally then it doesn't sound correct. Either way its the classic gasser drag car.

[@jontrudell7529]

Awesome as always! Thanks

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for the continued support Jon!

[@ARKANSASHUBCAP]

You do quite well with this kind of work history and updates the entire story of the car and the people behind it good job and keep up the good work very much enjoy your Channel

[@markallen1413]

Totally awesome dude!!!! I knew I had seen that car

[@HotRodHoarder]

It's a pretty iconic piece!

[@jameswilson3554]

Yeah man. Great video keep'em rolling. 2thumbs up.

[@samsgarage1716]

I love this car.Great video.

[@johnwilkerson2195]

Awesome car

[@timfreeman476]

you need to do something on Hubert Platt

[@HotRodHoarder]

Agreed! He was a legend for sure.

[@Sport--willow]

Excellent history and wonderful car!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching Rodney!

[@jimschrader4758]

Cool memories keep the history alive

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching Jim!

[@bmcshane80]

Another bangin video!

[@karlmorrison7933]

great story!

[@michaelstrangefranke7002]

Great story behind this car I love hearing the history of cars like this and it'd be great if you can find that Coronet it's probably sitting in somebody's yard rotting away because they don't know what they have

[@HotRodHoarder]

I'm hoping I can track it down. That would be so cool!

[@davewoodmancy4596]

Fantastic story

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching Dave!

[@RestorationAustralia]

wow very cool

[@GasoliniASMR]

Beast!