This coupe was originally built for Dick Applegate. I first met Dick at the Columbus PPG nationals in 2005. I was there with my 1942 Willys coupe and in the Boyd Coddington pick area. It was my first time showing a car at an event this large. Being that my coupe was a fresh build and the fact that the PPG nationals attracts a lot of people I was overwhelmed with the amount of people asking questions and looking at my car. I noticed Dick took a lot of pictures of my car and was really looking at what I did. When there was a break in the action, Dick approached me, introduced himself and proceeded to talk about my car. After a few minutes he told me he too was building a Willys coupe and asked if I had any spare parts. Anyone building a steel Willys knows that parts are difficult to find and sometimes the best way to purchase anything is to talk with folks that have a Willys and hope they have extra pieces. I told Dick I could probably help him out with a few things. Over the coming months and years Dick and I became very good friends. Dick wanted a real steel Willys with as many real parts as possible. I helped him with a lot of the parts he needed and explained the differences in the model years and how to tell the difference between original and repro parts.
Dick commissioned the Hot Rod Garage in Maryland to make his dreams a reality. They began with a steel shell that was an old race car that already had the floor, wheel wells and firewall cut. This was ok because these areas would need extensive modifications anyways. Ray Bartlett at the Hot Rod Garage ordered a custom Art Morrison chassis to help get the Willys down low. Ray Barton was given the task to build the 528 cu in hemi engine that dynoed at 760 hp. Johns Custom Chrome in Grafton, Oh did all the chrome work. The Hot Rod Garage performed the remainder of the work such as sheetmetal fabrication, interior and paint all in house. Aluminum Halibrand wheels are used. The rear wheels and tires are 16X10 with BFG 345 55R16 tires. A Denny’s custom driveshaft, 9″ Ford rear, custom full length 4″exhaust, belly pan and many other features make this a one of a kind build. Dick wanted to build a Willys that had a “day 2” look if Willys built a car with a hemi. No, hemis were not factory. Actually they came with a 4 cyl.
The car was first shown in 2007 at the Detroit Autorama. Each year Dick and I would meet at a few shows and hang out with our significant others. We had so much fun. Dick was at a different point in his life and wanted to enjoy himself and the cars he built. We would do burnouts, rev our engines, street race one another and do stupid things that car guys do. I remember one year at Rienbeck it started to pour down rain. My gasser coupe has Radar slicks and a blower out of the hood. Not the best thing to drive in a down poor rain. When we realized it was not going to stop, Dick knew I was nervous about driving the coupe 10+ miles to the hotel. He said lets take my car and go get your truck and trailer. When we returned I figured he would ride back in my truck. There was enough room for our wives in the crew cab but Dick said nope, I’m driving my coupe back. He would always tease me that he had to drive his car in the rain to get my truck and trailer. Another time, Dick did a hell of a burnout and got pulled over by the local police. They asked why he did it and he said because it has a hemi. They let him go with just a warning. I would have received a ticket but Dick had a way about him.
Throughout the years we became more than just friends. Dick was someone I admired and looked to for advice. One day I called Dick and we were planning what shows we would go to that year. Little did I know it would be the last time we would speak. Dick had a stroke followed by another stroke that took him from us. One of his wishes was that I be given the chance to buy the coupe. The kids honored his request and we made the deal. I’d give up owning the coupe in a heartbeat to have Dick back with us.
I have made a lot of changes to the coupe but most changes nobody will notice. I think Dick would agree with the changes I made. The coupe is no trailer queen and has been driven over 11,000 miles. Yes, it is trailered long distances but once there we have fun. Some people say it’s the Applegate car. That is cool with me. I’m honored to own the car. I’m honored that Dick thought so much of me that he wanted me to be the next caretaker. Everyone wants to have the coolest car or the fastest car or the best paint or the best interior but in the end we all want to enjoy the sport, make friends and create memories. Dick helped me create a lot of memories.
