By Scotty Lachenauer – Images by the Author
Bob Martin, a lifelong car enthusiast influenced by his family’s racing background, has always dreamed of owning a Willys hot rod. Starting with a used Corvette at 16, Bob’s passion for cars never wavered. Decades later, in 2023, he found his dream car: a 1939 Willys hot rod gasser. After inspecting its immaculate build, he purchased it and made a few upgrades. Despite its challenging handling, Bob enjoys driving the car to various events, declaring it a thrilling addition to his collection, which now feels complete—for the time being. Read full article here.
Tech Check
Owner: Bob & Stella Martin, Liberty, New Jersey
Vehicle: 1939 Chevy Master DeLuxe
Engine
Type: Big-block Chevy
Displacement: 434 ci
Bore: 4.155
Stroke: 4.000
Cylinder Heads: OEM heads ported
Rotating Assembly: Eagle stroker crank, stock rods, Ross pistons
Camshaft: Isky
Induction: Offenhauser 2×4 intake with a pair of Holley 600-cfm carbs
Exhaust: Custom headers, 2½ pipe, Flowmaster mufflers
Assembly: Coleman Brothers
Valve Covers: Offenhauser
Output (at crank): 475 hp
Drivetrain
Transmission: BorgWarner Super T-10
Rear Axle: Ford 9-inch rear, Moser 31-spline axles, and 4:10 gears
Chassis
Front Suspension: Early 1950s Chevy truck axle with 4-inch blocks and stock spindles
Rear Suspension: 1939 Chevy leaf springs with a Panhard bar and 65-inch ladder bars
Brakes: GM dual bowl master with drum brakes front and rear
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Rocket Racing Team Gasser ET 15×4.5 front, ET 15×10 vintage slots rear
Tires: Coker BFGoodrich 6.70-15 front, Hurst pie crust slicks 31×10.50R15 rear
Interior
Upholstery: Vinyl
Installation: Connors Upholstery Workz (Pasadena, MD)
Seats: Front Dodge van
Steering: Moon wheel
Shifter: Hurst
Dash: Custom
Instrumentation: Stewart-Warner
HVAC: None
Entertainment: Loud exhaust
Rollbar: Custom
Exterior
Bodywork and Paint: Chris Barrett (Pasadena, MD)
Paint: PPG Metallic Gold
Front Bumper: None
Rear Bumper: Custom tube
Graphics: Southpaw Graphics (Hanover, MD)
