Many teams came up with new cars over the course of the "Willys Decade," some even fielding more than one at the same time. This upgrading, possibly even moving up in class, usually meant building a lighter, better handling version of their old car with considerably more horsepower as technology improved and sponsors stepped up. Heck, sometimes it even was their old car, just freshened up and ready to go again. One such team, also one of the most well known, was Stone, Woods, and Cook. The team had several cars, starting with the Olds-powered '41 Willys first chauffeured by Doug "Cookie" Cook at the '61 Nats (Tim Woods had earlier converted to Willys after running a Stude Champion). This, the team's first Willys, the light blue B/GS "Swindler II" car, was my favorite as it ran an R&C Dream Truck-inspired exhaust tubing grille with plastic ends. In 1962 Swindler II got a bigger Olds and moved into A/GS class. This was followed by a lighter "Swindler A" running A/GS (Swindler II remained in the teams racing stable, returning to B/GS). In 1964 the team switched to a Chrysler Hemi, as did others still running "alternative" powerplants. Their black A/GS car, a revamped Swindler A, was also equipped with new lightweight 'glass body components from Cal Automotive. It might be pointed out that the team also ran an Olds-powered '33 Willys coupe, "Dark Horse," in A/GS in 1963, also in blue paint. The "Swindler A" stayed in the heat of competition through 1968 (repainted in blue team colors as black wasn't exactly the most photogenic finish from a magazine photographer's point of view), when it recorded a best of 158 mph in 8.90 seconds in AA/GS class, with Chuck Finders doing the driving. By then, the team was moving into the new Funny Cars, and a new "Dark Horse II" was built in Mustang guise. In 1967 Doug Cook crashed the Funny Car at some 180 mph, bring an end to his driving career.
In closing, just imagine what other popular street rod-building choices there would be today with readily available repop 'glass bodies, chassis, and most everything else available for a complete package if, oh say, Crosley would have had as good a group of public relations spokesmen way back when. So, what ended the reign of Willys as the darling of head-to-head quarter-mile competition? Well, as we all know, nothing lasts forever, give or take a pyramid or two. It wasn't beauty that killed the beast but a combination of rule changes and "alternative," lighter cars with everything from Austins, Anglias, and Opels being tried-some having their own day in the sun as successful race cars as well (and by some of the very men already mentioned). As you know, the '60s was a tumultuous decade, no matter if you're talking war in South East Asia or unrest and the rethinking of social mores on the home front or on the drag strip. Did some good come out of that decade that is remembered by its many survivors in as many different ways? I would certainly hope so. One thing I think we can all agree on is our acceptance of a homely little car that was not only brought to our attention as a drag racer but, afterwards, as a viable alternative for a street rod choice as well.
Following are some images from Don Montgomery's Book No. 4, Supercharged Gas Coupes. So check out these photos of famed Willys drag cars that, even though covering only a decade of manufacture, transcended from skinny to fat fenders, and in several body styles. After reviewing what was done with these cars on drag strips across America 30-some-years ago, it's just possible you may wish to replicate that same look and feel in today's street rod scene.