Looking for opinions on new build

I am new to the street rod scene. I have owned a custom & collision shop for over 25 years, involved in completing award winning muscle car restorations & race car paint work, just never personally doing a ground up street rod build ,only on the refinishing end. I am starting to do the research to build a rod for myself . Still trying to make a final decision on a 32 Coupe or a 41 Willy's. After searching the internet I have found the web site,-- VERY NICE!
I am looking for a complete roller, feeling this would help take out some of the 1st time guess work.
I am open to your professional opinions.
Can anyone maybe help with any frequently asked questions?
Can anyone let me know your opinion on pros/cons of the two styles I am looking at?
Are there any manufactures/builders you would or would not recommend?
Any info would greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

My suggestion would be to go with a Brookville 3 window. It will be the easiest to build and when you are finished it will have some serious value as long as you finish it in an acceptable way. Some of the fiberglass Willys projects are fairly straight forward builds but there are too many out there that can be very frustrating to work with. I would suggest that before you buy anything run it by us first. I've personally been building these things for over 40 years and I've seen it all. There are a lot of others here with a lot of experience too so take full advantage of it.
Good luck, Walt

Welcome to CHR ts! So many deuces around these days, shouldn't be hard to find a roller or older build around that you could pick up for a good price....Not near as many Willys projects around to pick from, though.... So many good parts and pieces around, are you sure you want to limit your search to just those two cars????

Walt, thanks for reply I was leaning towards a glass body. again open to pro/cons.

Dave,thanks for reply. No I do not want to limit myself to the two cars I mentioned, I just keep finding myself going back to both of them. It appears there are a lot of different bodies on the market and it can get a little confusing, I just want to be sure I find a quality built body/chassis. Of course I do have a budget I would like to work within, but having a restoration back ground I fully understand what can happen when you tally up the final build cost. Fortunately I can do all the work in house. I just figure a roller can save me a lot of time & give a real good baseline do to never building a rod from ground up.

thanks guys i posted a quick reply but do not see it on screen.

Hey look at that. Quick reply came up that time. I must of hit the wrong key.

I just wanted to thank Walt & Dave for replies.

I was leaning towards a glass body but open to opinion not wanting to completely eliminate the steel body 32 if really the best way to go.
Also wanted to mention I am open to other bodies than the two I mentioned. It gets a little confusing with all the different body styles I have been finding, I just keep going back to the 32 & 41. I do know I do not want an open rod, and want to go fender less if I decide on a 32.
I do have a budget I want to work within & fully understand from my back ground how it can get out of control real quick. Fortunately I can do completely in house, I just figure if I can find a good quality roller to use as a base it can save me a lot of hard ache with my 1st ground up build. Starting with a good foundation really makes things go smoother.

Thanks again & please keep the opinions coming.

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Originally Posted by ts307

thanks guys i posted a quick reply but do not see it on screen.

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Use the "Post Reply" button directly below the last post.

There's a whole bunch of latitude in your question depending on your vision for why you're doing this, what you want to end up with, and how long you plan to keep it/or building to turn.

For instance, and this isn't all inclusive, do you envision the 32 as a hiboy, full fendered, traditional, high tech, ratty, or what? On the Willys are you thinking drag style, pro touring, high tech, whatever? You thinking glass or metal? Lots of choices, each has an affect on responses (well, meaningful ones anyway).

Not knowing your experiences I'm not sure where you fall on why these two different types of car appeal. My first suggestion would be for you to find a way to drive a reasonable example of each that fit your desire. You may find that the early glow of expectation doesn't match up with reality, or it may. Just as a for instance, you may not like the steering/ride/handling of a solid front axle car, but an independent suspended one fits your feel just fine. Both these styles are relatively short wheelbase cars, tight cabins, good size blind spots to the quarter view, and not always the most comfortable depending on what you expect. There are solutions that not all builders have learned/figured out yet to some of those problems, but who knows if they would apply to you.

You're doing a good thing with questions to learn before taking the plunge, just need to take it to the next level. Hands on is a better teacher than "bench racing" .

Personally if your going that route I'd go for the Willy's. There are so many '32's of every description that it seems you see them coming and going:)


I'd do a old Gassers style, straight axle, sb w/blower(streetable), there are several mfg's that make decent repros out there and the rollers seem reasonable....but that is my opinion

Do the Willy's !! Hemi and all !!!

My theory on this is basic... what car have you always wanted... that first car that made you take notice... In my case it was a T-bucket when I was just 16, I saw that car and just walked around it over and over... 40+ years later, that was the car I built...

True !! 25T has a great point

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Originally Posted by ts307

thanks guys i posted a quick reply but do not see it on screen.

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Check google images for 1939-41 Studebaker the Champions looks a lot like the Willys,it would be fun to keep 'em guessing.:whacked: