y now most of you have seen this ’36 Willys pickup—a Model 77 to be specific. It has taken home major awards, with a significant one in particular, the Al Slonaker Memorial Award from the 2020 Grand National Roadster Show. The Willys is powered by a rare Arias V-6 pumping out 800 hp. Only one of six of these V-6 motors are known to exist.
The pickup is a stablemate to another ’36 Willys, a ’36 Willys four-door sedan (pages 14-18 in this issue); both are owned by Ron and Vicki Ernsberger of Ohio. The two Willys have something else in common. Brian Limberg and his team at The Tin Man’s Garage (TMG) out of Illinois are the talented metalmen/fabricators/builder in charge of both projects.
An Arias V-6 supplies the 800-plus horsepower and torque from 498 ci and is easily recognizable by its hemi heads. In this case, Steve Lanius of Missile Engineered Racing Components assembled the V-6 utilizing an Aeromotive fuel pump pulling from a custom-made Rock Valley tank. Dressing out the top of the motor is a Hilborn intake that’s outfitted with mechanical Hilborn injection with custom velocity stacks that was converted to an EFI system. Other engine accessories include a Meziere electric water pump, SPAL electric cooling fans, C&R racing radiator, and a Jones Racing alternator, Quarter Master starter, and a pair of 6V Optima batteries. The fully polished stainless-fabricated zoomies-style headers are full 2-1/2-inch-diameter tubes. Moving the power rearward is a TREMEC TKO five-speed linked to the rearend.
Well, there you have it. Revisiting an old friend.