Mike Molea creates a Rolling, Racing Work of Art

Race cars today are often purchased turnkey or sourced from catalogs and the internet. Order a chassis, front and rear suspension, all the bells, whistles, brackets and widgets—practically everything you need—including engine (tuned and dynoed) and have it delivered directly to your shop. A little bolting, welding and swearing; a few gallons of paint and manufacturer decals, and a race car is born. Like a microwave meal in a box, you no longer have to be much of a chef to create a decent dinner.

Mike Molea is proprietor of Molea Chassisworks in Grants Pass, Oregon, a full-service vehicle repair business and race car shop. In a community the size of Grants Pass Mike would starve if his sole clientele were racers, so he takes on all things automotive to feed his passion to race and build race cars. In this era of pre-fab racers, he stands apart. Still far from drawing Social Security, Mike’s been turning out quality race cars for more than 40 years.

Following a series tasty fliers, including a VW bug FC, ’55 Chevy, ’67 Nova and a seven-second ’62 ’Vette, in 2002, Mike and wife Shelley became enamored with blown Gassers. The ’Vette was sold and Mike welded up a blown ’37 Chevy, first with a Chevy big-block and later a Walt Austin Hemi. When the mild-steel-chassised flier dipped into the low sevens, Mike was requested to whoa it down.

Lusting for greater performance levels, in 2005 Mike sold the ’37 and began construction on his current ride featured on these pages. Mike’s ’33 Willys is a thing of racing beauty. As with past projects, he’s executed all aspects of construction: double-frame-rail chassis, suspension, tinwork, engine build and paint. Yes, all you see has been hand-crafted by Mike. To fully appreciate his handiwork, though, you need to see it up close and personal.

Mike’s not the only automotive whiz in the family, his wife Shelley has always been actively involved with Mike’s racing ventures. Prior to 2007 Mike’s old-school tuning techniques were employed with great success: reading plugs, bearing and piston wear, etc. But aware of changing times, they entered the computer age with their first Racepak unit, and Shelley took a hands-on interest in the new tuning opportunities the computer provided. She spent hours absorbing information from helpful computer-savvy racers participating in their AA/Supercharged Gasser circuit. No tuning secrets were shared but the basics were thoroughly explored.

As Shelley’s tuning skills progressed, they’d discuss engine set-up: Her computer-generated ideas vs. his old-school techniques, but Mike made the final call. As new programs were employed and a Les Davenport computer was added to the mix, Shelley’s tuning savvy greatly matured. In 2008, she officially assumed the position of crew chief and has excelled as the team’s tune-up artist. The following year, Mike won their AA Supercharged Gasser circuit’s championship, and Shelley was awarded Tuner of the Year honors. Also, the performance numbers don’t lie; the little rocket’s 6.68/208 blasts are a testament to Shelley’s tuning and Mike’s driving abilities.

Mike and Shelley are quick to acknowledge the able assistance their son Justin and friends Heidi and Jayson Seibert provide to the Mad Mike racing operation.

West Coast race fans, if you hear the NBA Gasser organization is racing in your area, make it a point to head to the strip. Seeing Mike’s Willys and his competition in action is well worth the price of admission.

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RACECARINFO

Car: 1933 Willys
Class: NBAGasser
Body: Superior Glass
Tinwork: Mike Molea(Molea Chassisworks)
Chassis: Designedandbuiltby Mike Molea (Molea Chassisworks)
Motor: BAE 451-ci, built by Mike Molea
Transmission: Lenco CS-2 four-speed
Blower: Littlefield 6-71
Injection Hat: Enderle
Sheet Metal Rearend: Mike Molea(Molea Chassisworks)
Struts: Lamb, SPE floater
Paint: Customcolor/paintby Mike Molea (Molea Chassisworks)
Gold Leaf Paint: Rick Evans

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