5k: Surf Mobile: 1959 Willys Wagon
The Willys Jeep Station Wagon was arguably one the world’s first sports utility vehicles, as it took a heavy duty truck chassis and added a family sized cabin with seating for the kids and their friends (the Chevrolet Suburban predates it by a few decades however). Find this 1959 Willys Wagon for sale in Pacoima, CA currently bidding on ebay for $5,772 with a few hours to go.
The Willys Jeep Station Wagon won’t ever be confused with a fast car or be called sporty, but it has an undeniable street presence and will be welcome whereever it goes. Just be sure to bring enough fuel for the return trip home.
The original inline-6 “Super Hurricane” engine has been replaced with a Chevy 283 V8 for more power and less weight (always a good thing!). Equipped as such it should be able to keep up with modern traffic.
This Willys would work equally well as an occasional off road fun truck, a daily driver, Sunday cruiser or a working ranch vehicle. The wheel offset looks a bit too negative and the tires a bit too stretched on the rims, but that’s nothing a quick rolling stock swap couldn’t fix.
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~ i am not sure the present drive train would be capable of modern highway travel. to determine the standard final gear ratio you have to know if it came new with 4 or 6 cyl. motor. either way the rear is super low. With the 4-cylinder engines, a 5.38:1 gear ratio was standard, with 4.88:1 and 6.17:1 optional. With the 6-cylinder engines, 4.88:1 was standard with 5.38:1 optional. i had a nearly identical build close to 40 years ago. a '58 GM small block but retaining the Borg-Warner manual w/ hi-lo transfer case. it would pull anything, anywhere but wound tighter than a $2 drum over 55-60 mph. the TH350 may forgive some of the revs but this unit will be best used as a ranch/farm companion.