For a one-of-a-kind driving experience, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a hot rod like this: Featured on AutoHunter is this 1933 Willys 5-Window Custom Coupe. The car is being sold by a private party in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, and the auction will end Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).
The Willys 77 was an important car for its time, since it was introduced during the height of the Great Depression and was among the least-expensive new cars in the American market. When compared to its competitors, it was relatively compact and fuel-efficient; the standard-issue four-cylinder engine was hardly performance-oriented, as it was rated only about 48 horsepower.
Thankfully, decades later, someone with a big vision gave a restomod version of the Willys coupe some high-power DNA courtesy of a 377ci V8 that puts down a dyno-tested 600 horsepower. The car’s spec sheet also includes dual Holley 600cfm four-barrel carburetors, Crane hydraulic roller cams, Speed Pro pistons, and a Ron Francis wiring harness. Power is transferred to the pavement via a Turbo Hydra-matic 400 four-speed automatic transmission. No wonder there are a parachute and a wheelie bar attached to the rear end—this machine is race-ready.
The Custom Coupe’s curb appeal is as striking as its powertrain. The body itself is a composite unit from Sheffler Enterprises. The entire front clip can be removed, and exterior features include 15-inch Center Line aluminum wheels, side-exit exhaust pipes, and tubular chrome bumpers. The gallery in the listing shows several pages from a photo album that chronicle the car’s evolution in various stages of its restoration.
The car’s interior could best be described as “plush,” complete with cloth upholstery, padded door panels, and even a matching padded dashboard. Features include Stewart-Warner gauges, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, a T-handle shifter, and (of course!) a pair of obligatory fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror.
I think what most impressed me about this Willys is that it’s been turning heads for so long. According to the listing, it was featured in Street Rodder Magazine in 1983. I bet the original builders didn’t anticipate it would still be going strong and looking fresh over four decades later. Hopefully the car’s next owner will continue to preserve and enjoy it for generations to come. He or she better also remember to activate the parachute after dipping into the go-fast pedal.
The auction for this 1933 Willys 5-Window Custom Coupe ends Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
