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Jun 20, 2013, 9:46pm

Vintage Caravans :: Vintage Caravan Tow Cars :: Vintage Caravan Tow Cars :: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.

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Swellwillys
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"SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Thread Started on Aug 22, 2007, 1:21pm »

After some encouragement from Mr Jailbarjuice I am happy to provide some photos of our tow car.

It began life as a 1962 Willys station wagon/utility.

It's been chopped some 7 inches lowered to 6inches and had 1937 Ford front guards, bonnet and 39 Ford rear guards installed.

Power plant is a 2001 Model LM7 Chevy Vortec crate engine with a 4L60E trany and Ford 9inch rear end.

Torana steering column with Magna power steering rack.
Brakes are Ford EA discs front and rear.

It will be completed as a Woody wagon.

Should make for a nice tow car for Bubbles.

You can view build photos on th following link.

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/gavanjooles

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[image]

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pymie2
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #1 on Aug 24, 2007, 3:00pm »

Hi looking good, alway's like to see thinking out side the norm, help's other's to see what is posable . Keep up the great work will look cool, the combo will stand out.Great stuff Pymie

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Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #2 on Aug 28, 2007, 2:54pm »

Hey Pymie2,

Thanks for taking the time in viewing "SWELL"
Your positive comment is very much appreciated.

SWELLWILLYS

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Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #3 on Jun 13, 2009, 8:32pm »

Now that "Bubbles" is NEARLY there we have commenced plans to build "SWELL" .

We carted a large number of parts, new and old, to El Rancho Kustoms over the weekend ( prior to hauling "Bubbles" home)

The plan is to hire a trailer and haul her to Kingaroy on Friday 7th August.
So Brad can commence her reinvention.

It is my intention to have her as an art deco,2 door, station wagon, continuing the Surfing theme.

The headlights on the seats are 39 chev truck. Which will replace the 37 ford units in the
front clip.

I mocked up the drivers side recently with cardboard and good old fashion black race tape.
Thought I'd share the photo with you.

[image]

[image]

Swellwillys

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robbo3
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #4 on Jun 13, 2009, 9:32pm »

Can't wait to see the finished product.

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Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #5 on Aug 11, 2009, 9:43am »

No pictures to post just an update.

Loaded "SWELL" onto a U Haul trailer, Friday 4th August, and towed her to "El Rancho Kustoms" in Kingaroy.

Her transformation is about to commence. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEhAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

I'll be posting pics as the build progresses.

Swellwillys

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kazandadam
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #6 on Aug 11, 2009, 3:35pm »

I know one or two things about cars & this one is going to be one of the most wildest, outragous tow vehicles ever seen in Oz.

Hope its finished by next week so I can see the pics............lol

Adam

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Surf Tragic
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #7 on Aug 11, 2009, 7:15pm »

Hi Swellwillys
I am enthralled with this project you are doing with "SWELL", it's something I would have loved to do in years past but never did to the extent you are doing. I looked thru the photos slowly, twice.
You can be sure I will be visiting your progress report to the end. I would love to have the talent of both yourself & JBJ to work on panels & body, the bit of mechanical modification I have done is totally satisfying..........thanks for the show, I love it

Surf Tragic

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

JBJ
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #8 on Aug 11, 2009, 8:25pm »

Hi gavan & Julie,

Maybe the rodders will make you park your one off alongside my "Holden" Jailbar.

Mate you're getting too radical for the average person to be able to understand it.

I love it, except for the injected Chevy (Too hi tech ). Go hard & get it finished.

JBJ

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melburgorbust
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #9 on Aug 16, 2009, 8:04pm »

fantastic! great to see someone else on here building something as nutty as me

(63ish Simca P60 Aronde wagon with a complete suspension/brakes/driveline from a 2L turbo Holden Piazza)

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I'm supporting the Cancer Council by driving 3500km rally in a Daimler Sovereign in the 2013 Shitbox Rally! Help support us by donating at: http://fundraise.shitboxrally.com.au/suuscruising

Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #10 on Sept 2, 2009, 10:45am »

[image]

August 2009
Blackbutt.
T stop on the way to Kingaroy.

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Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #11 on Sept 30, 2009, 2:01pm »

The front end clip and rear guards are fibreglass - 37 Ford front and 39 Ford rear.
Bought them from "RodzNorth" approx 4 years ago

A change in direction moved me to buy these panels.

Front Clip (I hate those headlight buckets. they'll have to go)
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[image]

Passengers Side Rear Guard.
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Any guesses out there as to what vehicle and year they are from ?
Neatest and correct answer wins a prize !
(Knowing that you guessed it! hehehhe)

Picking them up Saturday from Tivoli.

Should make for a more robust and practical installation than the 37Ford fibreglass parts.
Though I love the thought of fibreglass, it will make for a lot easier fabrication in
splicing ,dicing and chopping the steel than the glass.

Swellwillys

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kaybee
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #12 on Sept 30, 2009, 3:08pm »

Yep....37/8 Willys......

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Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #13 on Oct 1, 2009, 12:39pm »

Kaybee

You win !
Well done !

Swellwillys

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kaybee
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #14 on Oct 1, 2009, 1:08pm »

.....cool.....so where's the prize?

.....to be fair though ,we've owned a few Willys , dating back to black n'white days, so it wasn't a hard question

.....

[image]

....still got the one below......

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[image]

....regards, Col.

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Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #15 on Oct 2, 2009, 6:56am »

What a crazy coincidence !

"Swell" is a station wagon that was actually manufactured in Brisbane and I was the second owner, having bought it from the family who bought it originally .

I was told at the time of purchase that this is number 2 of 6 that rolled off the assembly line in 1962 !

Nice to meet up with a Willys man! Too few of us around mate! The period gasser 40 is WAY SPECIAL !

Thanks for sharing with me.

I have a number of parts that have been removed from the original body and chassis that i will not be using so if you know of anyone who may desire them I'm happy to help out.

Gavan

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kaybee
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #16 on Oct 2, 2009, 5:41pm »

Hiya Gavan , here's another couple of '37 Willys photo's for you

[image]

[image]

....and the same car at Bondi for the start of the '57 Ampol round Australia rally.....

[image]

[image]

cheers, Col.

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Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #17 on Nov 25, 2009, 12:28pm »

The build of "Swell" has recommenced.
Off the trailer.
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Roof removed. Front screen opened up so as not to look like an armored vehicle.
The door ? Well !!!!
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Rust cut out as well. The guttering has been removed and will be replaced by a small bead .
All this work was completed in a day.
[image]

[image]

Also have added a new look with the addition of a 37 Willys front clip and rear guards - not so sure yet as to if I will proceed or continue with the 37 Ford glass clip. Those headlights frighten me!
The great advantages are obviously the Willys clip is steel and allows for a better fit and easier mods. So it may just stay?????
[image]

[image]

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Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #18 on Mar 10, 2010, 7:18am »

Work continues on the roof chop and front screen opening.
[image]

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Passengers side front screen.
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The interior of the Willys has numerous deco molds that will need to be chopped as well.
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Happy with it's head back on.
[image]

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Next process will be to cut approx 50mm from the turret, to further lower the roof, then, resize the interior deco molding strips ( seen laying in the rear of the car in the above photos) chop and resize both doors, affix the roof, then smooth the firewall off with an overlaid panel.

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JBJ
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #19 on Mar 10, 2010, 7:52am »

Hi Gavan,

Come on, admit it, you're really enjoying yourself with this one.

Nothing like being different & not building a fibreglass 32 roadster ( like so many do)

It'll be good to see a profile shot when its all tacked together.

Keep at it

JBJ

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harko
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #20 on Mar 11, 2010, 8:52am »

The roof looks cool swellwilly , lots of cut and weld to get it all into shape , I see thats why you prefer steel because you can manipulate it without fibreglass fibres itching you for days

I must say I prefer the 37 front and I think the sharpness of the peaks in the bonnet headlights and guards will mesh in with the Willys body shape.
But in saying that ,the Willys guards without the headlights look nice and fat with a real nice bulbous shape .
Hmmm I have a thousand questions of how and which way you are going to build it but Im holding out so I can enjoy the ride

Heres a teaser for you

[image]

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Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #21 on Mar 11, 2010, 11:03am »

Thanks for your input Harko ! I value anyones input. TEAM ! Together -Everyone -Achieves -More .

And a big thanks for the photoshop addition. Maybe I can call upon you to do it all over again when the Willys front is cut n fitted to the chassis

?? As I'm still undecided which way I will go at this point of time. The Ford fits great, both front n rear,and also provides the art deco design I am after.
I share your sentiments regards the 37 Ford front v's 37 Willys.

Once the modifications to the roof,doors,tailgate and firewall are completed work on fitting the Willys front clip will commence.
The plan is to fit the hinges to the bonnet, widen it,then fit the guards to the chassis- my (MATE) Brad tells me it's going to be quite a large job. I reckon it i'll only take as long as you did the with the cutn paste n colour on your photoshop software . Hehe !

Regards,
Swellwillys

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harko
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #22 on Mar 11, 2010, 2:17pm »

Sorry mate I see you worked out that I was refering to the Ford 37 .
A mate around the corner had a Willys coupe a few years back that you may remember (burgundy with vinyl stripes then full black and baby moons) but I was under the assumption it was a 39 untill I just researched it ::)

::)

So the Willys is also a 37 , arrrhuh

and the Ford is too .

Well I reckon the Ford is the go ,Totaly new concept , Willys on Willys mix n matched ....... well Im on the fence .

Whatever you decide is going to be different none the less , cheers

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Swellwillys
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #23 on Mar 18, 2010, 12:28pm »

Traveled to Kingaroy yesterday to view the car and it's progress.

Made a final decision - and the 37 Willy's front end has been selected to take the ride !
The photos do very little justice to the car.
I must say I am very happy with the cars direction .

Inner Firewall, upper section removed. Will be replaced with a smooth surface. The original 37 Willy's hinges have been used- They look great.
[image]

[image]

[image]

[image]

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Hood bolted to hinges guards - rough matched to chassis and the main body structure cut to allow the guards to fit. Next process will be to fabricate chassis and body mounts for the guards.
[image]

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Rear spats rough fitted to the Willy's guards , which are yet to be cut and fitted to the body.
[image]

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A long ways to go before its reeeeeeeal Kool -but progress is being made.

[image]

[image]

Regards,
Swellwillys

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sutcac
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Re: "SWELL" A Woody with a difference.
« Reply #24 on Mar 18, 2010, 1:19pm »

The Ford front would look good

....................the Willys front looks better

...IMO

.............Gav, have you considered pumping the rear guards a little more? ::)

::)

::)

::)

.......
.....to help match the width of the front? ::)

::)

::)

::)

.........will you be using running boards?

...........keep up the good work...........its going to be spectacular.
...........but best of all......Different

Cheers Sutcac.

« Last Edit: Mar 18, 2010, 1:22pm by sutcac »

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