Custom 1/8-Scale ’41 Willys [READER’S RIDE]

Henry Martinez is a hardcore Chevy guy going back decades — he currently owns a ’57 Nomad and a ’68 El Camino SS396 that he’s done full frame-off restorations on. He says he can’t do as much building and restoring of the full-scale stuff as he’d like anymore, so he’s focused his talents on building scale hot rods instead. The results are jaw-dropping. This ’41 Willys sports a scratchbuilt frame with functional custom rack and pinion steering. He scratch-built the independent rear suspension as well using custom billet aluminum. He did the grille, headlights, wheels and most of the trim out of billet aluminum too. He made his own stainless steel gas tank. The interiors are all handmade custom work too. The engine is a 1/6-scale diecast replica of a 392 Hemi from GMP — check out the removable valve covers with detailed valvetrain parts beneath! Henry estimates he has 2 years and $4500 in creating this masterpiece. All we can say is “WOW!”

A buddy of Henry’s was so impressed with his workmanship that he made a YouTube video about his cars. Check it out:

Want to see your machine here? Send photos and a description to readersrides@airage.com. Be sure to send the full-size photos. If that bogs your email, use WeTransfer–it’s easy and free.  

For tips on photographing your car, watch the video at the bottom of the page:

Click to enlarge