Drag Racing History: The Most Insane Willys Ever Built - Fantasia

This is the story of Fantasia, the most insane, evil, and oddly engineered Willys drag racing car ever. It was NOT a gasser. This was a full on AA/Fuel Altered that had the engine straight out of a top fuel car, direct drive, and some of the most bizarre mechanical decisions ever worked into a race car, no matter the year or era.
It is the story of a car that for nearly two seasons of drag racing was an abject failure built upon faulty logic until one brilliant engineering mind tamed it.
If you have never heard of Fantasia, I don't blame you. Its lifespan was short, accomplishments perhaps even shorter, but its story is incredible. This is the history of one of drag racing's oddest nitro burning hot rods. A car well before its time. Heck, that's still a time that hasn't arrived yet.

[@iananderson4897]

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?

[@jakobquick6875]

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❤

[@johnlee9622]

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.

[@brianlohnes3079]

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!!

[@johnlee9622]

@@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

[@brianlohnes3079]

@@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.

[@jimmycornwell306]

@@johnlee9622 😊

[@CycolacFan]

Have to wonder if the car is still out there somewhere in pieces behind someone’s shop…

[@mostcom]

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.

[@jerryloughney4757]

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!

[@z06doc86]

I can’t imagine anyone more knowledgeable of drag racing history than Brian. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, exhaustive research, editing and posting. ❤

[@timothyvaher2421]

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.

[@mikeytedesco1208]

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]

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]

A Chrysler hemi. They won most of the drag races

[@MatthewSchiess]

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!

[@phillipragsdale3382]

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.

[@woolyhighlander7280]

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.

[@G55STEYR]

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]

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]

@@kenc3288 Real racing engines have Blowers. Said the man himself

[@jeremykirk1334]

​@@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

[@Diesel257]

​@@kenc3288*reliability and don't be a gatekeeper.

[@jeffreydurham5342]

​@@kenc3288If " real racing is 24 hrs",why are you watching drag videos?

[@thomasleclair7418]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,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.....

[@benbrown2119]

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!

[@halffastguy8024]

I love stories like this and the comments from the driver make it priceless!

[@409adamc9]

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!!

[@DragsterJeffCrider]

Outstanding. Wild Bob Vance was one of the drivers who tried to tame Fantasia.

[@z06doc86]

Just found your channel Brian. Subscribed immediately! No better spokesman/historian for drag racing.

[@agentk8263]

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!

[@RACECARREVOLUTION]

Love this stuff... Thanks for sharing. Miss the dork o motive pod casts but it's racing season so I get it

[@vinceleone3952]

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!

[@HighGearAutomotive]

Great video Brian. Love hearing stories from this time.

[@jakespeed63]

Incredible story!! Thanks for sharing this awesome slice of Drag Racing History

[@hurlingfrootmig603]

Thanks Lohnes - top quality material!!

[@jeffperrault8340]

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]

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..

[@georgedennison3338]

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

[@coppermike5550]

OUTSTANDING SIR!! Well put together and well done!! Those were the days!! Big Daddy hadn't put mills in backwards yet!!

[@mateofleet3390]

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

[@briantomcollins]

This really is amazing. Such a great story about a very unique car. And a Watson paint job is just the cherry on top.

[@gmain1977]

Great Video, keep em coming. Willys Coupes are so cool. Hot Rods , muscle cars and Dragsters is what Drag Racing is about!!

[@rodgerhecht3623]

Great story ,i might have seen this car run at Irwindale back in the day. Thanks for sharing this.

[@a990dna]

@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.

[@robertlloyd7167]

Brian, I love these history lessons! Please keep at it!

[@BIBSTERSrepairshop]

Another great story thanks for bringing them to us

[@mikebaker9574]

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!!!!!

[@marcmd54]

Just great Brian, thanks !!

[@thefamilymans2545]

This is awesome!! I didn't know about this one, ANOTHER GREAT WILLYS!!

[@mattfarahsmillionmilelexus]

Great story! I'm getting hooked on this channel.

[@vehdynam]

Now that is quite a story.! thank you so much; I am now a subscriber.

[@dignlif]

Very cool story of innovation attempts vs final positive results. Crazy stuff.

[@bobbolieu9013]

Fantastic video and history lesson. I really like the interaction with John Lee in the comments.

[@skyedog24]

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.

[@PapaDutch]

Absolutely stunning, and thank you!

[@vinskeeter]

Nicely narrated. Interesting stuff!

[@josephwest7227]

Great bit of History, Thanks

[@bradleyduncan8224]

Awesome video!

[@georgejosephhaigh7725]

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 😀👍. 😈☠👍✌✌

[@kevintucker3354]

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.

[@TheMrmmkkpro]

Love old school innovation just think Indy was this way for a while. Exciting times. Nice work.👍👍🏁🏁🏁

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid, really enjoyed!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@georgeadams8230]

Great story thanks for sharing

[@PhilAVega]

I remember seeing this Willy's on Jackson Bros videos. Along with a lot of cool drag cars. I'm digging it.

[@sgtyork9330]

I have that issue of Popular Hot Rodding! So cool!

[@therustyshoe8958]

would love to know if it has survived time and whats left of it now

[@jimgomez5396]

Thinking outside of the box! Way cool!!

[@larry-ev5sw]

i remember fantasia......... it was very popular & everyone wanted to watch it run..... POWERFUL .

[@RexCars1]

Great Vid. BL..

[@dirk013adfa]

Don't mind me, just watching old videos. Maybe it will bump this up in someone's algorithm...

[@edminas3159]

Great video

[@BillyRillkratz]

Brilliant Video due to brilliant Story telling

[@LITTLE1994]

Dang, those are tight!

[@kennedysingh3916]

Watched from Old Harbour Jamaica 🇯🇲 👌 😍

[@mzaccagnini7179]

I remember that popular hotrodding issue.

[@lynchmobfc]

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

[@Praterphil]

Great story!

[@vincentbearinger2242]

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

[@CharlesAAnnen-rh4mk]

Jocko Johnson rip, he was a brilliant gearhead that I was fortunate to meet and learn from in the 70's.

[@robspierre3446]

I did not know that, thanks.

[@AndyGeesGarage]

One would think it would compete in Fuel Coupe not Fuel Altered. Competing against cars like the 15 oz Fuel Coupe

[@georgew.5639]

Absolutely wild! 😁

[@Sleeperdude]

Very cool

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Awesome!

[@rodneyharouff5739]

it's pretty cool! but what insanity they went thru.

[@Hugh_Mungis]

My name is Cory henderson. Bill henderson is my great uncle!! Thanks for this video I can't wait to show my dad!

[@40deluxe]

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 ?

[@j.d.culbertson4265]

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.

[@rlp2806]

Wonder where that car is at today... 2022

[@mgbchuck6527]

Awesomeness!

[@TheReal_JohnDoeSmith]

Imagine a design still surviving after 64 years as -laced into modern Airlines

[@dannymac5623]

What a story!

[@flightforensics4523]

Its 8n the Don Garlits History of Drag Racing Museum in Ocala, FL

[@bewarea]

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...

[@paulhare662]

It they actually calculated any of these modifications, they probably used a slide rule.

[@rtkl13]

Can you imagine finding this car in a barn somewhere

[@taylorperry7843]

I wonder what happened to that car it would be amazing if somebody knew were its is or what has happened to it

[@samuelbean9928]

Jesus Christ! How the hell do you drive this evil wagon!

[@claysmoker1]

I remember seeing it run at Lions in 67. Boy I am dating myself.🤣

[@bigharrykochenbauls4567]

Chet's Hemi was the secret FYI That car was just a clapped test mule

[@mattskustomkreations]

That stance is so badazzzz

[@1958indyfan]

Anybody that can remember the early 60's can't see your tiny little thumbnails.

[@caribman10]

Nice article, but the 554 will always be #1.

[@stevennewman8276]

Thats the wildest shit i ever heard,period! Guy had imagination & guts tho!

[@kevintucker3354]

Imagine driving this untamed beast with that semi truck style steering wheel! At 4:47 in the video…

[@bradcarpenter2396]

It was a beauty.. ❤️

[@talltimbot]

This works!! Shevrolay bodies on HEMIS are simply wrong

[@irishmike519]

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]

Bill Knox was my uncle. Great guy passed away October 2020

[@leemiracle6840]

Love me some Willlys!!!!

[@Dave-mi3jy]

And now we know where the beloved Scott Palmer comes from 👍

[@jackhammer111]

what's with the small images?

[@martysquires5864]

The engine reminds me of a funny car engine or dragster engine