NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals Winner to Appear at NEC Classic Motor Show!
With the NEC Classic Motor Show just around the corner, we caught up with the owner of one of this year’s standout cars. Steve Roberts, with his 1940 ‘Flatpack 40’ Willys Coupe, was the proud recipient of the ClassicLine Insurance trophy pick at the 2024 NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals. But it is not the first time that Steve has taken home a trophy…
This car has been out and about for a few years now, winning NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals Participants’ Choice at its debut event in 2022. The vibrant Lamborghini orange paint glistens, and the small block Mopar stirs the senses for what you are about to experience, making this ‘Flatpack 40’ a real head turner.
From a young age, Steve has had an interest in custom and modified cars. As a 15 year old teenager reading Custom Car, he was inspired to build his own car. “I was truanting from school and saw a 1959 Ford 300E Thames van down the side of a house. So, I knocked and asked if it was for sale and purchased it for £23!”. Known as ‘Bodgit & Scarper’, the van has been re-built a couple of times in its history, initially in 1993, and then again in 2008 as a collaboration between Steve and his good friend Chris Hay. Using all new old stock panels, ‘Bodgit & Scarper’ was assembled just four days before the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals in 2017. The icing on the cake was driving home with the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals Participants’ Choice trophy on the passenger seat!
Project ‘Flatpack 40’ began some 14 years ago. Steve had always wanted a steel Willys Coupe but couldn’t afford the real thing, so he decided to build one instead. The car had been imported from South Africa and subsequently purchased from renown street rod builder, Wayne Streams. Originally a 4-door Sedan, Steve set his incredible fabrication skills to work converting the Sedan into a Coupe.
The ’40 was stripped out completely, with new panels purchased from Lee at Kay’s Kustom Metalwork in California. Chris Hay also helped with the build, which took 12 years on and off, as during this time the pair were busy re-building the ‘Bodgit & Scarper’ 300E Thames Van and Chris’ seriously cool Fiat 500.
Under the bonnet, the 318 Chrysler engine was added, paired to a TorqueFlite 727 gearbox and Volvo 240 back axle. The original suspension was converted to disc brakes and rack and pinion steering. The interior was also stripped out, the interior panels painted in Lamborghini Orange body colour, and 1970 Trans Am Firebirds seats fitted.
The car was then sign written and named the ‘Flatpack 40’. “The car was initially going to be painted blue. And when the panels arrived from America, someone commented it was like a flat pack and joked about me getting sponsorship from IKEA. The name was born!” says Steve.
One of its early voyages was to the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals in 2022, a mere 500-mile round trip from Steve’s home in Wales. As well as the NSRA awards, the Flatpack 40 has also won Best in Show at the Unit 13 car show in Anglesey. But it’s not really about the trophies; “when cars pass me on the road, people smile and wave” says Steve. That’s what it’s really about.
Willys was founded in 1908 and manufactured vehicles until 1953 in the USA. Now a defunct marque, Willys is often better known for its Jeeps, military, and commercial vehicles. But Willys Coupes, Sedans, and Pickups have a strong following amongst the hotrodding scene in the UK. This year, these vehicles will be represented at the classic motoring mecca, the NEC Classic Motor Show.
The NEC Classic Motor Show is the annual gathering of the UK classic and cherished vehicle scene, featuring marque specific clubs and an array of multi-vehicle clubs and enthusiasts’ groups.
One of these groups exhibiting is Willys Wars, whose stand will feature the ‘Flatpack 40’. What started as a personal interest, has led to a social group with over 1,700 Facebook members and a dedicated drag racing class at Dragstalgia. Willys Wars was formed in 2013, with the first race meeting in 2014, by ClassicLine client and former NSRA Committee member Pike Murray with the help of good friends Richard and Rachael Warburton and Guy Davenport. The group caters for all Willys Coupes, Sedans, and Pickups from 1933 through to 1942, and if there is a Willys hiding in the UK, Pike will know about it. What about the racing? Well, it’s match racing at its finest. Heads up, no brackets, no dial ins, no eliminations. It’s all for bragging rights and the pure joy of taking part. To date, 74 race numbers have been allocated, with Steve Roberts proudly displaying WW73.
You can catch Steve Roberts’ 1940 Willys Coupe and the Willys Wars stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show on the 8th -10th November 2024. Joining Steve’s ’40 will be Simon Daniels ’41 Willys and the ‘Grey Vegas’ Willys owned by Kim Bishop. The ClassicLine team will be heading along too and look forward to checking out this stand and the selection of vehicles on display across the exhibition halls.
About ClassicLine Insurance
After almost 40 years in business, ClassicLine Insurance is proud to offer a personal and reliable service to hot rod and custom car owners. If you want your hotrod, street rod, or custom car insurance to include UK & EU breakdown cover, be the best policy for your needs and usage selected from a range of highly rated insurers, and be able to choose how many miles you’ll need to enjoy your car to the maximum, contact ClassicLine for a quote today.
Policies are also available for laid-up and project vehicles. This invaluable cover will protect your unused vehicle, its spare parts, and accessories whilst they are kept in a locked garage or building.
