I had never seen this film until 4/14/22. Only problem I found was that the car actually won every 8 car meet al the beach for three months straight causing Walker & Gary to protest our burnouts. The reason we retired the car was that we finally figured out the rear of the car was lifting off the ground at 176 to 178 MPH causing valves to clip pistons and handling problems.
@brianlohnes30792 жыл бұрын
Amazing John! Is this why there is a wing on the back of the thing in some photos!? Also, what was it like to actually drive this thing!!
@johnlee96222 жыл бұрын
@@brianlohnes3079 The car was always a hand full. Once the TF was in it calmed way down. We kept floating the valves on the top end plus l had no control of the car up there. We tried ducting air thru the trunk and the wing but didn't work. We would have won the 16 car meet but floated thru the lights and bent a push rod. We had to run on 7 cyl the final round and lost by a car length. That retired the car and we brought out the rail. PS, Bill put the name Tinkerbelle in an article without my knowledge as a joke and it almost cost him a driver, Haha It was a lot of fun but glad that one's over. John Foust is now building Fantasia 2 with some new mods but the same look and he's on FB, You might have another good story their. I love you stuff Brian, keep it up
@brianlohnes30792 жыл бұрын
@@johnlee9622 - this is spectacular information. Very thankful for your replies here! I didn’t have the guts to ask where the nickname came from and now we know. Thanks a million.
@jimmycornwell3062 жыл бұрын
@@johnlee9622 😊
@CycolacFan2 жыл бұрын
Have to wonder if the car is still out there somewhere in pieces behind someone’s shop…
@iananderson48972 жыл бұрын
The fact it never crashed and everyone involved was unharmed is itself amazing. Who else thinks a fuel altered Willys simply sums up the sport in general?
@jakobquick68756 ай бұрын
Agreed❤ Love u guys /girls over here and the gas / fuel door slammers of the experimental crazy times😊 Dad talks about these monsters/ beauties very rarely but when him and his buds do, it’s like watching my son have a great idea….our childhood imagination/ wonder never dies❤
@mostcom Жыл бұрын
I am proud to say I knew Chuck.Finders. I met him in around 1987. Last time I saw him he stopped by the garage around 2001. He was a kind humble and generous man. I was always surprised with how many of the people I knew, knew him. I will always cherish some of the modding advice he offered me.
@jerryloughney47579 ай бұрын
These epic cars that just disappear to never be seen again is heartbreaking. I envy those that were able to witness such rides perform back in the day. Another great vid!
@z06doc868 ай бұрын
I can’t imagine anyone more knowledgeable of drag racing history than Brian. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, exhaustive research, editing and posting. ❤
@timothyvaher24212 жыл бұрын
So glad I clicked this one! Real drag racing pioneers! Making Don Garlits shake his head. C-clamps for prototyping frame mods at track speeds?! A scary bedtime story for any racer. So glad they survived thier fearless research.
@G55STEYR2 жыл бұрын
So it is a full second faster than the Bugatti Chiron bug hahahha. Amazing tech done in the old days with mechanisms, I hate wires
@kenc3288 Жыл бұрын
Maybe, but the Bugatti engine does not have to be dismantled after a few runs. That’s the dopey thing about drag racing, the engines have a very short life before dismantling. I much prefer real racing such as the Le Mans 24 hour, where realiability and handling is a prerequisite.
@G55STEYR Жыл бұрын
@@kenc3288 Real racing engines have Blowers. Said the man himself
@jeremykirk1334 Жыл бұрын
@@kenc3288anyone can make a 700 hp engine last 24 hours try getting 12,000hp like a top fuel car last that long it can't all the parts are always on the edge of breaking
@Diesel25711 ай бұрын
@@kenc3288*reliability and don't be a gatekeeper.
@jeffreydurham53429 ай бұрын
@@kenc3288If " real racing is 24 hrs",why are you watching drag videos?
@mikeytedesco12082 жыл бұрын
So cool to see this ! my grandpa is Warren Robbins have heard all the great stories of this race car from him thanks for putting this out ! I have an original painting of this car from an artist they knew back then hanging in my shop 🤘🙏
@groomlake51 Жыл бұрын
I was literally born at Baylands. My father was either the first or second guy to manufacture a “billet” Hemi head. I grew up on Dimond P and American sports cavalcade. I can’t thank you enough for making drag racing great again. Your like Brett, Dave, Steve, mixed together with some Bob Fry🦾😎. Bob knew every one by name at the track. All the drivers crew guys and their better half’s. He took the time for every one and treated the same just like you do. Thank you every much!!!
@bradhardy2629 Жыл бұрын
A Chrysler hemi. They won most of the drag races
@phillipragsdale33822 жыл бұрын
I remember that car very well.....392 Hemi on nitro. The car was featured in one of the several magazines I got every month as a youn teen. I saw the pictures of my favorite car the 40/41 Willys with a nose down attitude and thought "now I really love that look. Then read and reread the article seeing the fuel motor in it. I was in love. Pictures of it blowing the tires off it was amazing. I always wondered what ever happened to that beast. Thanks for reminding me of that beautiful Willys.
@woolyhighlander72802 жыл бұрын
I'm 74 now and still building those 392's, good article, but need more detail on the 57/58 Chrysler 392 Hemi Great Engines.
@thomasleclair74182 жыл бұрын
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Thanks Bryan ,,, I am 71 years here ,,, I am a living history . As a kid , I saw and bought my first car magazine [Car Craft Dec. 1965] still have it in mint condition.....
@halffastguy80246 ай бұрын
I love stories like this and the comments from the driver make it priceless!
@MatthewSchiess2 жыл бұрын
Call me one to wax poetic, this comes off as something more than just a weird car with a weird setup. This comes off as a summary of the attitude and “stick-to-it-iveness” of engineers and thinkers of the 1960s. As Freiberger says, ZERO FAIL!
@benbrown21192 жыл бұрын
Great history! The early years of Drag Racing has many great stories, and this is one of them. I had never heard of this car before. Thanks!
@georgedennison3338 Жыл бұрын
Hey Brian, Couldn't resist a trip down memory lane w/ this one. The '40 Willys has been a bucket list car for me since I was a model building kid in the '60's. Got into Gas class drag racing at the tail end of that era, & flatly lost a lot of interest 'cause of ET racing. It didn't help that the '57 Chev 210, 2 dr wagon I'd built for C-D/gas got stolen while I was out of town working so I could buy a trailer & make a trip to Pomona for the Winternats. Seriously took the wind out of my sails to lose the car, 2 high winding 302 SBC's, plus all my spare parts, & race related tools. Luckily, had my tool box & welders w/ me, or they would have been gone, too. It took 15 yrs before I could build another drag car, then that project ended when my shop biz partner went sideways; he owned the building, I made the biz happen & run. He decided I wasn't needed. I lost a dream shop I'd help build from scratch, but he only lasted 6 mos. So, now I'm an old man watching drag racing become mainstream, instead of what it used to be, & KZbin eliminating the need to scratch for sponsors & only get exposure at socially out cast drag strips. I was born 50 years too early, but it was still a real trip in the 60-70's. I just thank the heavens we weren't smart enough to marry Semi turbos to our mostly stock designed chassis, or the next gen of kids would have been much, much smaller. You have no idea how different, a 11.x run is in a mostly stock '40-'50's era car, compared to a 202x Vette or Camaro. Adding a turbo to the mix is terrifying to consider. LOL
@409adamc92 жыл бұрын
Very good video! I’m one of the rare ones that had read the article on that car years ago and have the magazine too. Great story-keep em coming!!
@RACECARREVOLUTION2 жыл бұрын
Love this stuff... Thanks for sharing. Miss the dork o motive pod casts but it's racing season so I get it
@z06doc862 жыл бұрын
Just found your channel Brian. Subscribed immediately! No better spokesman/historian for drag racing.
@DragsterJeffCrider2 жыл бұрын
Outstanding. Wild Bob Vance was one of the drivers who tried to tame Fantasia.
@agentk82632 жыл бұрын
Brian, what an amazing story on this car, your narration and history really is amazing and always love that car never knew why, now I do!
@mateofleet3390 Жыл бұрын
It is so fascinating how back in the day they had so much power and speed. With just what you had around the barn or farm. Great video
@jeffperrault83402 жыл бұрын
That's an awesome car and story.I would be say that the Stone,Woods and Cook was the most recognizable Willy's..Thank you for sharing.
@danoc51 Жыл бұрын
I loved Stone Woods Cook...I had a small framed photo of their car hanging above my bed in the mid- or late-60's. This is the first time I've seen a black & white photo of SWC. Back then, of course, film and photos were nearly all B&W. Their light blue color graced so many cars of the time, including the 555 Mooneyham fuel coupe..
@HighGearAutomotive2 жыл бұрын
Great video Brian. Love hearing stories from this time.
@vinceleone39522 жыл бұрын
What a fantastic story.Great info. I never heard of this car,what a beauty.nothing compares to the old dragsters! Great job on this.🏁AA/FA!
@BIBSTERSrepairshop2 жыл бұрын
Another great story thanks for bringing them to us
@jakespeed632 жыл бұрын
Incredible story!! Thanks for sharing this awesome slice of Drag Racing History
@a990dna11 ай бұрын
@Brian Lohnes. Than you for this video and history. I knew Bill Henderson and his wife Bette and their two sons, Billy and Scotty. Bette was my mother's cousin. In 1967, after Bill retired Fantasia Willys he campaigned "Rated X" in NDBA Blown Fuel Jet class. Bill captured the class record at some point. You should search "Rated X" and you'll find photos and Billy Jr. crashing Rated X end over end. Perhaps that could be a follow on segment dedicated to Bill Henderson's drag racing career.
@hurlingfrootmig6032 жыл бұрын
Thanks Lohnes - top quality material!!
@briantomcollins Жыл бұрын
This really is amazing. Such a great story about a very unique car. And a Watson paint job is just the cherry on top.
@coppermike5550 Жыл бұрын
OUTSTANDING SIR!! Well put together and well done!! Those were the days!! Big Daddy hadn't put mills in backwards yet!!
@robertlloyd71675 ай бұрын
Brian, I love these history lessons! Please keep at it!
@skyedog24 Жыл бұрын
I don't know how this popped up and this is a great story. I turned wrenches for two seasons on an NHRA eight-time Wally winner this is awesome thank you. There are still things going on today with stockers in order to we'll say initiate some weight transfer with the front end.
@therustyshoe89582 жыл бұрын
would love to know if it has survived time and whats left of it now
@rodgerhecht36232 жыл бұрын
Great story ,i might have seen this car run at Irwindale back in the day. Thanks for sharing this.
@mikebaker95748 ай бұрын
Great stuff! Knew nothing about that car, it's pretty awesome. You went deep on the research,i have heard of chuck Finders. Thanks for the great video!!!!!
@bobbolieu90137 ай бұрын
Fantastic video and history lesson. I really like the interaction with John Lee in the comments.
@gmain197710 ай бұрын
Great Video, keep em coming. Willys Coupes are so cool. Hot Rods , muscle cars and Dragsters is what Drag Racing is about!!
@dignlif2 жыл бұрын
Very cool story of innovation attempts vs final positive results. Crazy stuff.
@kevintucker3354 Жыл бұрын
Reminds me of some of the old Tommy Ivo engineering stories. He would build and drive some of the craziest race cars. 2 engines and 4 slicks and all tires smoking for a quarter mile.
@thefamilymans25454 ай бұрын
This is awesome!! I didn't know about this one, ANOTHER GREAT WILLYS!!
@marcmd542 жыл бұрын
Just great Brian, thanks !!
@larry-ev5sw Жыл бұрын
i remember fantasia......... it was very popular & everyone wanted to watch it run..... POWERFUL .
@THROTTLEPOWER2 жыл бұрын
Great vid, really enjoyed!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍
@dirk013adfa11 ай бұрын
Don't mind me, just watching old videos. Maybe it will bump this up in someone's algorithm...
@TheMrmmkkpro Жыл бұрын
Love old school innovation just think Indy was this way for a while. Exciting times. Nice work.👍👍🏁🏁🏁
@PhilAVega Жыл бұрын
I remember seeing this Willy's on Jackson Bros videos. Along with a lot of cool drag cars. I'm digging it.
@sgtyork93302 жыл бұрын
I have that issue of Popular Hot Rodding! So cool!
@georgejosephhaigh77252 жыл бұрын
Great video really enjoyed the History , My Father raced back in the 60's & 70s , back then he had a reel with the engine in the front also a 50s something English Ford setup as a Gasser with a V8 flathead but the WILLIE'S is my all time favorite car's from back then and I really love how he setup this one and not a Gasser Beautiful looking car 😀👍. 😈☠👍✌✌
@bradleyduncan82242 жыл бұрын
Awesome video!
@vehdynam Жыл бұрын
Now that is quite a story.! thank you so much; I am now a subscriber.
@josephwest72272 жыл бұрын
Great bit of History, Thanks
@jimgomez53962 жыл бұрын
Thinking outside of the box! Way cool!!
@CharlesAAnnen-rh4mk9 ай бұрын
Jocko Johnson rip, he was a brilliant gearhead that I was fortunate to meet and learn from in the 70's.
@PapaDutch Жыл бұрын
Absolutely stunning, and thank you!
@mattfarahsmillionmilelexus2 жыл бұрын
Great story! I'm getting hooked on this channel.
@AndyGeesGarage2 жыл бұрын
One would think it would compete in Fuel Coupe not Fuel Altered. Competing against cars like the 15 oz Fuel Coupe
@flightforensics4523 Жыл бұрын
Its 8n the Don Garlits History of Drag Racing Museum in Ocala, FL
@taylorperry78432 жыл бұрын
I wonder what happened to that car it would be amazing if somebody knew were its is or what has happened to it
@vincentbearinger224210 ай бұрын
Good old American know-how them guys are on the top of their game back then unless you experiment you will never know what's going to happen great job fellas
@georgeadams82302 жыл бұрын
Great story thanks for sharing
@kennedysingh39168 ай бұрын
Watched from Old Harbour Jamaica 🇯🇲 👌 😍
@lynchmobfc Жыл бұрын
I'm match racing funnycar most of my life in the South of the combinations we threw together we're pretty spooky !!!! Always did admire the Fantasia that was pretty cool
@vinskeeter2 жыл бұрын
Nicely narrated. Interesting stuff!
@j.d.culbertson4265 Жыл бұрын
Was good friends with his younger brother John in 7th grade. I was already heavily into drag racing. We would ride our bikes down to the tow yard just to see the car.
@Hugh_Mungis Жыл бұрын
My name is Cory henderson. Bill henderson is my great uncle!! Thanks for this video I can't wait to show my dad!
@RexCars12 жыл бұрын
Great Vid. BL..
@LITTLE19942 жыл бұрын
Dang, those are tight!
@40deluxe2 жыл бұрын
Great job on the build breakdown Brian !! I saw this unit take down Rich Guasco / Pure Hell at Fremont in 66' ! Best engineered Willys ever!!! Where is this car now if anyone knows ?
@BillyRillkratz10 ай бұрын
Brilliant Video due to brilliant Story telling
@paulhare6622 жыл бұрын
It they actually calculated any of these modifications, they probably used a slide rule.
@mzaccagnini7179 Жыл бұрын
I remember that popular hotrodding issue.
@rlp28062 жыл бұрын
Wonder where that car is at today... 2022
@Sleeperdude11 ай бұрын
Very cool
@claysmoker12 жыл бұрын
I remember seeing it run at Lions in 67. Boy I am dating myself.🤣
@irishmike519 Жыл бұрын
Growing up in the Chicago area in the 60’s my next door neighbor was Bill Knox aka Willy Knox or Wild Willy Knox. He was a fuel altered roadster racer. He’s the guy that really sparked my love for drag racing and racing in general!
@edpinkerton7947 Жыл бұрын
Bill Knox was my uncle. Great guy passed away October 2020
@TheReal_JohnDoeSmith7 ай бұрын
Imagine a design still surviving after 64 years as -laced into modern Airlines
@Gregorybridgewater5 ай бұрын
People still do things like what those guys were doing, theyve begun to perfect it though and long travel does in fact work
@kevintucker3354 Жыл бұрын
Imagine driving this untamed beast with that semi truck style steering wheel! At 4:47 in the video…
@johnhart12511 ай бұрын
Remember this car well,saw it in mags and on the strip, was sharp and totally unpredictable, as were many gsssers and altered of the Era. Think drag racing as a whole was much more exciting and fulfilling to all involved then, compared to now
@1958indyfan2 жыл бұрын
Anybody that can remember the early 60's can't see your tiny little thumbnails.
@bigharrykochenbauls45672 жыл бұрын
Chet's Hemi was the secret FYI That car was just a clapped test mule
@robspierre344611 ай бұрын
I did not know that, thanks.
@rodneyharouff57392 жыл бұрын
it's pretty cool! but what insanity they went thru.
@Dave-mi3jy7 ай бұрын
And now we know where the beloved Scott Palmer comes from 👍
@samuelbean99282 жыл бұрын
Jesus Christ! How the hell do you drive this evil wagon!
@talltimbot Жыл бұрын
This works!! Shevrolay bodies on HEMIS are simply wrong
@stevennewman82762 жыл бұрын
Thats the wildest shit i ever heard,period! Guy had imagination & guts tho!
@andypressley4702 Жыл бұрын
My buddy has one it's called moon lighter. Gean cromer from Anderson sc it's was A fast car in its days
@mgbchuck65279 ай бұрын
Awesomeness!
@bewarea Жыл бұрын
Great article, awesome car. Amazed that I've never seen this car before. Been buying hot rod mags since 1959. Guess I missed a couple...
@edminas3159 Жыл бұрын
Great video
@BuzzLOLOL2 жыл бұрын
Any info on the 1950's 'Little Stinky' '34 Chevy hot rod drag car with Olds V8?
@dannymac5623 Жыл бұрын
What a story!
@Praterphil Жыл бұрын
Great story!
@martysquires58642 жыл бұрын
The engine reminds me of a funny car engine or dragster engine
@caribman102 жыл бұрын
Nice article, but the 554 will always be #1.
@georgew.5639 Жыл бұрын
Absolutely wild! 😁
@leemiracle68402 жыл бұрын
Love me some Willlys!!!!
@bigmurr725 Жыл бұрын
Great video but where is in now ????????????????????