Dave Willis

Dave Willis is a prominent figure in the hot rod community. He hails from Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, and has been an active member of the car enthusiast community since the mid-20th century. This photo shows Dave and his girlfriend Sandra McLean in 1963, a year before they were married. Photo by Peter Sukalac, courtesy of Dave Willis.

Dave Willis' 1933 Ford 3-Window Coupe. Originally built by Gary Stermer of Vancouver in the 1950s, Dave purchased the coupe circa 1960. Dave spent two years of spare time turning the coupe into a showstopper.

Dave Willis is a prominent figure in the hot rod community. He hails from Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, and has been an active member of the car enthusiast community since the mid-20th century.

Early Involvement

In the early 1960s, Dave purchased a 1933 Ford 3-Window Coupe from Neil Mandryk, a local street racer. The car was originally built by Gary Stermer, a tile layer from Vancouver, British Columbia. Willis acquired the coupe for $1,600, a substantial sum at the time, but he was captivated by the car's beauty and potential.

Transformation into a Show Car

Willis devoted considerable effort to transforming the coupe into a show car. He repainted it in 1958 Ford Burgundy and made numerous subtle modifications, including a filled, hammer-welded top, rounded corners on the rumble seat lid and doors, a filled cowl vent, and a new firewall. The car featured a 1956 Oldsmobile motor, a 1937 LaSalle transmission, and a 1934 Ford rear end. The modifications were performed with the assistance of Ross Long, a master bodyman.

The car's custom features and meticulous craftsmanship earned it several accolades at various shows. In 1962, Willis won first place in the "Pre-War Coupe and Sedan" class at the Vancouver Autorama. The following year, he secured another first place in the "Street Rod Coupe" class at the Vancouver Pacific International Motorama. The car was also featured in Car Craft September 1963.

Car Club Involvement

Dave has been deeply involved in the car club scene throughout his life. He was a founding member of the Alberni Valley Rod and Custom Association in 1955. However, as the association began to focus more on stock car racing and sports cars, Willis and some friends decided to form a new club. They established the Cut-Outs of Port Alberni car club, which focused on hot rods and custom cars, reflecting Willis's passion for car customization and the hot rod culture.

Later Years

In 1964, Willis traded the '33 Ford for a new Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS, as the coupe was impractical for daily driving. The car changed hands several times and eventually made its way to Atlanta, Georgia, where it was owned by Dutch Young. Young made further modifications, including chopping the top, installing a 350 Chevy engine and automatic transmission, and adding modern amenities.

Dave Willis' Cars

Dave Willis' 1933 Ford 3-Window Coupe