David wrote to me today to tell me about his first wagon project. He got a great deal on it, especially for an eastern wagon, and has a restoration plan in place.
He writes, “My rough plan is sort of a rolling resto on a budget at first. Specifically, get motor running first…then brakes. Next will be things that need to be done for safe driving (signals, lights, windows fixed, emergency brake etc.).
After that I’d like to sand/blast to metal the worst of the unprotected areas (hood, roof paint pretty much gone) and epoxy paint and primer them, then gradually work on other issues. But first things first, have to get running and driveable cuz the wife is not gonna be very tolerant of it taking space in the garage if I can’t move it easily, lol.
On down the road I’d like to do a frame off. I’m not one of those chop em up and put a v-8 in it kinda guys, but not opposed to some mods like a brake upgrade or electric wipers to improve driveability. My overall goal of restoration will be to keep it as original as possible but I plan to use and drive it, not restore to mint or show condition (but who knows what the future will hold? I don’t plan to change anything that couldn’t be changed back to 100% original easily)”
Best of luck David!
Great…another Willys Wagon being saved! Join us Wagon and Pick-up nuts on…oldwillysforum.com
Kevin .. I forgot to mention that he found eWillys through oldwillysforum :-).
It does not appear seriously rotted – whereabouts was this?
Steel, Missouri
Good on you, David. Keep it original !! There are too many that can’t be restored to original, so I don’t mind if those get re-powered. I noticed that it has a ribbed roof (’60-’62.) It wouldn’t by chance be a rare ’62 with an OHC 6-230, would it? Of all the Willys models, I prefer the usefulness of a Willys Wagon. Good choice, you will have fun running it, and restoring it. **Steve E.**