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Hemi Hurricane RestorationHemi Hurricane Restoration by Tony Bobo Saturday, February 1, 2003
After 20 years the Hemi Hurricane, 1940 Willys A/GS dragster, is literally drug out of the barn where it has been stored. It was covered in dust, the rear brakes were locked up, and with both slicks being flat and weather cracked. Amazingly I (Tony Bobo) was able to air the slicks up and they held.
My dad (Lamar Bunky Bobo), the driver of this very successful Hot Rod in the 1960s, backed his pickup to the Willys and I hooked a chain to both vehicles. With the 3rd generation Bobo (Josey) at the wheel, Bunky pulled the Hurricane out of the barn and we winched it on to the trailer. It will now be towed to our shop at ADVANCE AUTO PARTS where we will begin restoration.
These pics were taken by Josey Bobo and developed and stored in my computer by my son TJ Bobo. We will be keeping a running file throughout the total restoration from start to finish. When finished we plan to show this dragster at auto meets and cruise-ins throughout the southeast where Bunky burned the drag strips down!
February 3, 2003
Bunky and Tony unloaded the HURRICANE at our salvage yard (Advance Auto Parts). First on the agenda is a trip to the steam cleaner for a thorough bath! As you can see, it made a world of difference.
You may notice the small block engine. We installed that about twenty years ago to play on the street. It's a 1970 Challenger T/A 340 c.i. Six Pack engine and 727 Torque Flight Trans with a 650 two barrel carb, and a 538 rear chunk. It was really fun to bust through 2nd gear!
Once we get it running again and get the brakes unlocked we plan on giving TJ and Josey a taste of this feeling before the HEMI goes back in.
February 14, 2003
Whew, some very hard work done today. We finally got the brakes unstuck and wheel cylinders rebuilt. As you can see from the pics they were in terrible shape. We also replaced the fuel pump because it was pouring gasoline. In the picture you can see we just threw the old one out!
The next step is to rebuild the carburetor, but we are definitely getting closer to play time! The Bobo boys can't wait to bust the Hemi-Hurricane.
Ohhh what a feeling it will be!
See Georgia Perspective on the National Hot Rod Reunion, Bowling Green, Kentucky, 2005 for more on the Hemi Hurricane. For additional photos of this restoration, see the photos uploaded into the Hemi Hurricane Restoration photo album. (Sorry, photo album is no longer available.) (Also, see Lamar Bunky Bobo in our Photo Gallery.)
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