Willie's Willys: Biodiesel Collectors' Pickup
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI 
on 02.21.06
I say "biodiesel" you say "Volkswagen Bus" right? Not if you're Daryl Hannah - she's cruisin' in a veggie-fueled 1983 El Camino - and not if you are one of the future owners of the recently released "Willie's Willys," a biodiesel fueled collectors' car modeled after the 1941 Willys pickup truck. The pickup was unveiled in a surprise honor to Willie Nelson at the 2006 National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego. Running a 700-horsepower engine, the truck also boasts a body made of a soy-based resin. Makers will break the mold after the last of the 500 limited edition trucks is produced; which may be awhile given the $97,000.00 price tag. But let me tell you, I'd be one of the first in line if I had the cash - these old trucks have always had a special place in my heart…
Via Autoblog and San Diego Union Tribune (lead photo credit - Sandy Huffaker).
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Seven Hundred horsepower!?!? Holy Schneikes! Is this thing 4WD? It's not really possible to safely put down that much power through two wheels (especially if it's a typical truck suspension), is it? Somehow I just thought that anyone promoting biodiesel would also promote reasonable consumption. I guess that's what I get for thinkin'.
Ouch, 97,000 clams?
given the limited production, however, I'm sure that they'll have no problem selling all of them!
Drag racing cars (lighter than a pickup) regularly drop 1000+ HP to the rear wheels. You just need fatty slicks. Besides, making it 4wd would just make it less efficient.
Sounds like they shoehorned in the engine from a Mack truck.
I'm currently writing an article on hippiecrytes for an independent publication. Does anyone out there have any comments on either someone they find to be a hippiecryte, (define it as you will), or anything pertaining to the topic. I welcome any comments on the subject and would love to hear from any and everyone.