Restored 1951 Willys Station Wagon
While the truck market is growing in popularity, and Jeeps are always desired, this 1951 Willys Station Wagon is a best of both worlds scenario. Currently at the starting bid price of $10,000, with a reserve, or a buy it now for $21,000, you can take this 4×4 home from Bremerton, Washington. It is said to be an original, one family owned vehicle and the mileage is at 51,680 miles. You can view more on eBay.
Under the small hood and behind the old, classic, wise looking grille, sits an engine as powerful as a hurricane. Well…not quite, but this 72 horsepower four-cylinder is designated as the F 4-134 Hurricane was available for the 1950 and 51 model years. It is connected to a 3-speed manual transmission. The listing goes over many different engine and mechanical components that have been rebuilt or replaced.
The interior of this beige beast is a nice, deep red splitting bench seat in both the front and rear. According to the listing, there are new seat covers and a headliner. Black aftermarket floor mats cover the floor in the front, but the rear cargo area is left bare. A new radio and antenna have been installed, but are not hooked up and the listing states that it needs speakers. It has a six-volt electrical system.
Underneath, this Willys is rust free. There are a few photos showing the undercarriage and some suspension components. What is difficult to understand in the listing is figuring out what they mean when they list an original item and put replaced in parentheses, so it can’t really be original then. It is a beautiful vehicle but might be a tough sell at the buy it now price.
Auctions Ending Soon
1965 Ford Falcon Station WagonBid Now2 days$2,300
2002 Jaguar XK8 ConvertibleBid Now3 days$5,250
1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28Bid Now4 days$4,500
1960 Dodge D300Bid Now4 days$300
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now6 days$100
Comments
The “survivor class” angle seems pretty weak when so much has been replaced. It seems like an attempt to justify the BIN price (along with the “celebrated history” mention.) And was “Grand Canyon” really a Willys paint color? This Jeep may have good bones so just cut the B.S. and perhaps present it as a “nicely refurbished” example.
I don’t see a front spindle 4×4, most of these had pull out arms that you turned around and pushed back into their slot, these spindle hubs look like 2 wheel drive hubs. Also I widened the photo of the shifter area, I must of missed the 4×4 shifter. I have a friend with a 2 wheel drive willys and it’s got the 3 on the tree. I didn’t see a shot of the front end, that’s why when I seen the 2 wheel drive spindles, and how low it sits in the front, I don’t feel like it’s a 4×4.
Ok I seen the shifter for the 4×4 and for the P T O.
Even though I like many of the vehicles shown here most of them really don’t interest me enough to consider wanting them. This 1 however is different and if it was closer would certainly be worth a look.
Good eye Charles, you can see the “three stick” shifters for the transmission,
transfer case high/neutral/low range and in/out of four wheel drive. But there are no locking front hubs. I had a ’55 in high school (1969-1971) and I bailed out at a stop light to engage the hubs at least 100 times. 47 years later I still remember what those hubs looked like, and there’s nothing like that on this one. I said “Hold my beer, I gott’a engage the hubs” more than a few times. That era Willys was really weak on cup holders, but I had friends to do that.
The only thing I can imagine is locking front hubs might have been an option. Whoever bought this didn’t go for the “Big” 232″ six, so it might be possible that they didn’t spend the money on locking hubs. All hubs do is save gas and wear and tear on the front drive parts, but gas was $.27/gallon when I drove mine, so I can see somebody not buying a $30 option to save gas at that time.
It’s a nice truck and I’d like to have it, but I have too much stuff and I couldn’t live with the “Go Devil” four cylinder. The 232″ Super Hurricane six in the one I had in high school was bad enough. It would be a shame to change the motor, I like stock stuff, but I couldn’t live with the 4 cylinder and the extra drag with no
locking front hubs.
I was at Barrett Jackson/Palm Beach last year looking at John Staluppi’s SBC powered Willys wagon. I was interested in it when the bidding paused at $18K, but it ended up at $55K. I was just there to watch the circus anyway.
A friend of mine had a Jeep Wrangler ‘Blue Jean’ series with a Chev small block & 4-speed manual trans in it, and it was a true gas off-the-line through 1st gear up to around 50 mph into 2nd. I agree that Jeeps need high perf small blocks with extra HP.
There is absolutely no traction with just rear wheel drive off-the-line though.
Bob
It’s just an old worn out car with lots of superficial appearance things done cheaply, quickly and badly in an attempt to seduce the naieve and gullible. The black sprayed underside certainly shows that as bad as the interior. I don’t find any of the seller’s write up credible.
I had a ’50 like this with a 307 Chevy motor. I believe lock out hubs were an option, so everything spinning slowing it down more. This is a very nice truck, but just optioned out all wrong for today. I think these had 4:88 gears, so 45 is about it. Not many will want it as equipped, and certainly not for $20g’s. Can’t even get a bid at $10. 1 test drive in this will either get you hooked, or will make you run. Most will run. Gas heater? Whale oil? I don’t even have to drive it to know the steering is unpredictably funky. Got to give the seller credit, but the market just isn’t there.
Whale oil? The Ishmael side of me thinks its snake oil. Nice rig though, gotta agree with Howard on the market not being there. Probably not even at the opening bid. Oh, if you are going to have a flashlight holder on the column, find one that fits the era. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Vintage-1950s-RayOVac-Metal-Flash-Light/264107469825?hash=item3d7e082c01:g:SQ0AAOSwfgZbpFoB:rk:37:pf:0
What does “Original (replaced)” mean?
Love Willys, but the description and pictures of this one leave me scratching my head. Agree with what’s posted above; there are enough items in the ad that give me pause.
Caveat emptor and check everything on this one multiple times.
My 55 wagon had the “big” six cylinder and 5.13:1 gears. It was good for 55 MPH tops. We did clock it at 61 MPH once but that was down a long steep hill with the clutch in and a tail wind.
The steering probably wasn’t great when they were new, mine had close to 200,000 miles on it so you had to herd it down the road. Bias ply snow tires on the front didn’t help it either.
With the four cylinder and no free wheeling hubs I’d guess that 45 MPH top speed is about right. It might be OK to drive a couple miles to a show, but anything more that that wouldn’t be fun.
You guys are a tough crowd. I was just getting ready to list one sold new to Abraham Lincoln, but you guys would probably write that I made that up. So I’ll just put it back in the garage next to Hillary’s Miss America trophy.
lol!
We don’t do politics here.
To me, this Willys is restored but with original paint. It’s nice for what it is but I can’t see that’s it’s worth $21,000. 45 mph top speed? No thanks. I drive faster than that in my driveway.
A listing that touts the importance of originality in valuation, then lists all the stuff that isn’t original? An American classic…wearing Hankook tires??? This has to be some small time used car lot guy trying to cash in by subjecting a classic to the ol’ used car flip routine.
This particular Willys Wagon was on Bring a Trailer earlier this month, and bidding topped out at $10,500.00 (RNM).
RNM earlier this month at $10.5
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1951-willys-station-wagon/
Ended: Jan 04, 2019 , 4:20PM
Current bid:US $15,100.00
Reserve not met
[ 4 bids ]
Price:US $21,000.00