A parking lot is a parking lot is a parking lot—unless it’s the Summit Racing parking lot. On any given day or time, the lot outside a Summit Racing store can turn into an impromptu mini car show, depending on who’s stopped by the store. On Wednesdays, we’ll share our parking lot find of the week—another benefit of being Powered by Summit Racing Equipment.

The second World War helped create the Willys “Americar” — or at least the name.

The war also took it away.

In keeping with patriotic trends of World War II-era America, Willys-Overland Motor Co. opted to call its 1941 and 1942 models “Americar.” After the United States actively joined the war in late-1941, civilian automobile production was halted to assist the military. During this time, the Willys Americar was put on hiatus; however, Willys was awarded the contract to produce a military vehicle eventually known as the Jeep. The civilian version of the Jeep proved to be extremely popular with Americans after the war. Its high sales numbers all but forced Willys to abandon the Americar and focus on the Jeep CJ.

During its short life span, there were about 29,000 Willys Americars produced. The 1941 Willys coupe morphed into a popular Gasser-style hot rod on America’s dragstrips. Willys coupes and sedans can still be seen regularly at classic car shows.

We spotted this 1941 Willys 2-door sedan at Summit Racing in Akron, OH.

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