For Sale: The Legendary "Dirty" Ernie Hamon Real-Steel 1941 Willys Coupe Gasser

Period-Correct 1963 Spec | Blown 392 Hemi | Built for 9s @ 140 mph

If you know West Coast nostalgia drag racing, you know this car. Featured in Hot Rod Deluxe magazine, this is not a modern fiberglass replica—it is a highly coveted, real-deal steel '41 Willys coupe.

This finished powerhouse was purchased by the current owner out of Southern California for the sole purpose of putting it on display in a private classic car and motorcycle museum in the Midwest, serving as a tribute to honor Ernie and the golden era of drag racing. It has been stored indoors and showcased as a premier piece of motorsport history.

When Ernie built this car from a "real rough" body shell, he gave himself a strict challenge: Use only parts that were available in 1963 or earlier.

"That's not easy to do," Ernie said of the build. "I had to look, and look, and look for parts. But I knew what I wanted and did it the way I wanted it."

The result is an incredible build—a brutally authentic AA/Gas powerhouse built with the setup to run 9s at 140 mph.

🚀 Mechanical Specifications (Strictly 1963 & Earlier Spec)

The Powerplant: Blown 392 Chrysler Hemi

• Engine: Vintage First-Gen Chrysler 392 "FirePower" Hemi V8, built to period-correct, high-strength specifications.

• Supercharger: Vintage-spec 8-71 Mooneyham Roots-style blower secured with SFI-approved safety straps.

• Induction: Classic Hilborn mechanical fuel injection scoop/hat set up to run methanol.

• Valvetrain & Accessories: Era-authentic ribbed aluminum valve covers, vintage-style magneto ignition, and a heavy-duty front-mount radiator setup.

• Exhaust: Earth-shaking, raw open-header fenderwell headers.

Drivetrain & Chassis

• Transmission: Period-correct B&M 4-speed Hydramatic racing transmission built to handle the blown Hemi's power and launch the steel coupe.

• Rear End: Heavy-duty '57 Pontiac rear end with 4.56 gears and a spool for locked, straight-line traction.

• Suspension: Classic nose-high straight axle riding on parallel leaf springs up front; vintage-style ladder bars in the rear.

• Wheels & Tires: Spindle-mounted lightweight front runners with deep-dish wheels wrapping tall drag slicks in the rear.

📦 Valuable Extras Included in the Sale

This listing comes with highly sought-after spare parts:

• Extra Front Clip: An additional front clip featuring really nice steel fenders (an incredibly rare and hard-to-find spare!).

• Extra Wheel & Tire Setup: A backup set of rear drag slicks mounted on classic Center Line wheels.

🏁 Condition & Interior

• Body: Original real-steel 1941 Willys coupe. Distinctive flat orange paint ("It's paint, not primer") with classic "Dirty Ernie" hand-painted door lettering.

• Cockpit: Race-ready interior featuring upholstered seats, custom hand-fabricated steering column, stock dashboard layout, mechanical gauges, floor shifter, and an NHRA-spec roll cage.

📞 Rare Collector & Racing Opportunity

This is a rare candidate to own a magazine-featured '41 Willys with unmatched drag pedigree. Because the vehicle has been stored indoors and currently remains on display, it will require a standard mechanical check-over and fluid service before making track passes. The vehicle comes with a clear title.

Whether it heads back to the strip after a mechanical refresh or continues to be the crown jewel of a high-end private collection, it stands as a stunning tribute to motorsport history.

• Location: Kansas City, MO

• Price: $95,000

• Contact: Contact Shawn at Classic Chasers to schedule a viewing or request further details: (816) 308-0351