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Topic starter
22/08/2025 11:13 am
Machinist "Ohio George" Montgomery started racing in 1953 in an era where big money sponsorship was unheard of. In 1956, he bought this 1933 Willys 5 window coupe and constantly upgraded the drive train until 1967 when the last powerplant was this 1000 HP supercharged SOHC Ford 427 as it exists today at the Henry Ford Museum in their American Racing exhibit. It still sports its AA/G class marking. Its awards during its long tenure on the track includes 6 NHRA US Nationals Class Championships in 1959,1960,1961, 1963, 1964 and 1966 as well as Winternationals in '67 and Eliminator Nationals.
22/08/2025 12:26 pm
Great info... ...and so cool! 😎 😎
This Willys was a must have because it reminded me of the 1/25 models I used to see "the bigger kids" build when I was just a little tyke. Precision Miniatures did a great job with these - issuing several liveries and two roof heights - my only gripe is that sealed trunk. 😒
- Many of these (including mine ) now have dried-out & cracked blower belts, otherwise they've held up just fine. I can't rival your next-level-pics, Rich.... but here's mine - I wanted the non-chopped version. 🙂
Marty Johnson and David Green reacted
22/08/2025 1:10 pm
I always thought Ohio George's penchant for using a t-shift handle and boot for a brake pedal was interesting. All 4 of his gassers I have in my collection have the same configuration.
After the Ford sponsorship, someone at Ford asked, "Why is he driving a Willys and not a Ford product?" Ford listened to that question and subsequently forced Ohio George to use a Mustang body for his gasser. Gasser rules require the car to have a frame and not a unibody, so Ohio George used a chassis from an old Willys and mounted a Mustang body on it.
This post was modified 9 months ago by Marty Johnson
Rich Sufficool and Christopher Moroni reacted
22/08/2025 2:12 pm
"Ohio George's penchant for using a t-shift handle and boot for a brake pedal....."
Wow! Shows you what a dumb*** I am - I NEVER noticed that! 🙄 🙄
Marty Johnson and Rich Sufficool reacted