UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $11,800.
I thought this might be a late Parkway Conversion, but it turns out to be part of a special sales order. See the comments for more information.
Data Plates including a Special Sales Plate:
“Watch this video in a new window: http://vimeo.com/116792913
View the FULL gallery in a new window: https://www.flickr.com/photos/donvintage/sets/72157649876374098/
Gus is a 1965 Willys originally from the south west, which means NO RUST. A retired man with a history in restoring military Jeeps saved Gus from the cutting torch. A few misguided teenagers concocted a plan to cut Gus’ fenders and make him into a “rock crawler”. Our retired friend couldn’t let that happen, and decided restoring and upgrading Gus would be a great retirement project.
$11,800 – We are open to trades, prefer interesting/older cars.
Drivetrain:
– AMC 258 c.i. inline 6. Fully rebuilt by Portland Engine Rebuilders (portlandenginerebuilders.com)
– AMC 727 transmission. Fully rebuilt by Woody’s 4×4 (woodys4x4.com)
– Dana Spicer Model 300 Transfer Case. Fully rebuilt by R&P 4WD (rp4wd.com)
– Dana 27A front axle with 410 gears. Fully rebuilt by R&P 4WD (rp4wd.com)
– Dana 44 rear axel with 409 gears. Fully rebuilt by R&P 4WD (rp4wd.com)
– Holbrook Specialties 3″ Longleaf lift. (holbrookspecialties.com)
– New Warn manual front locking hubs
– Vintage Wagoneer powder coated wheels
– Newer Goodyear Wranglers LT 235/85R 16 mud and snow tires
Interior:
– Front bench seat 2/3-1/3 split. Passengers seat folds forward for access to back.
– New rubber flooring mat in the front.
– NO head liner, it DOES have the ribs for one.
$11,800 – We are open to trades, prefer interesting/older cars.”
I’m really interested – is it still available? Thanks Steve
Is this really a Parkway Conversion or a wagon with rear panel Doors? A parkway conversion would have the solid panel type sides with non opening cut in flush mounted windows. I know, I know, I’m being technical but this is one of the many things I do best.
Then again, this is listed as a 1965, and this was at the very end of production for the Willys “Cracker Box” wagons. At this point in time, the production line was using up what left over parts were hanging around before model production was ended.
Some of you may have never heard the term “Willys Cracker Box Wagons”, this description was common in NY NJ. Was it common in other parts of the country? I always wondered about that.
Steve: Yes, just click on this link to contact seller: http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/4866753837.html
Mike: Please, be technical! I am told there’s a definitive wagon book being written, but until that time, I’m only guessing on wagons like this. Did Kaiser Jeep stop doing conversions at some point? Were the doors easily swappable?
Never heard the term “Willys Cracker Box Wagons”.
Mike is right in that the Parkways I’ve seen were flat sided with windows cut in, but Willys may have just made what they wanted. Bill Norris seems to be an authority on these so he might have some input.
I love the Parkway Conversions and Travellers and while looking for one, I stumbled across a yellow one in Oregon that was similar to this one: basically a “regular” wagon with the rear doors of the Delivery/Parkway/Traveller. A true Parkway would have the rounded rear fenders of the Delivery on which it is based. In taking to Paul Barry at Willys America, he personally had seen the yellow one and as far as he could tell, it was factory. Chalk that one up to a fleet special order. That said, there was also the “use the parts on-hand” idea toward the end of the run (1964/1965).
This one definitely is a mid-1962 or newer due to the factory enlarged doghouse in the firewall to allow for the installation of the 230 OHC.
But don’t take my word on it. I just love these things. Bill Norris does actual research and knows far far more. He loves ’em too.
Thanks for posting this Dave. Hope it goes to a good home.
Just to add to this discussion, I can remember going back to the late 60’s maybe 67-68 and seeing a brand new Willys Traveler being off loaded at the dealer’s lot in Paterson, NJ. It had the spare tire mounted on the roof. I was amazed and asked the shop head honcho “Old Lonesome Al”, He shrugged his shoulders and told me it WAS in fact a special order made from parts left over in the factory. Again, this is well after production ended.
I’d like to know who this Bill Norris Guy is and get him involved in this discussion.
Mike, I’ll email Bill with a link to this.
I have a ’64 4×4 Traveller, unfortunately “restored” about 20 years ago. They stripped the interior as well as the external pieces (roof spare tire rack and rear diamond plate step), but does have the optional second gas tank.
Scramboleer, Cool, If we could get “Mr. Bill” to help us work on this “Mystery without any clues”
( was a Willys Traveler what Bob Seger was singing about) It would be what we are all looking for.
Dave, Thanks for providing us with the ability to discuss these “important issues of life,” well they are to us anyway and you Dave make it all possible.
Slightly off topic, but not too far afield…
On the subject of little known wagon variations, check this out:
http://restorecarsclassifieds.com/wiki/search.php?action=articles_simple&phrase=el+gaucho&search_kind=and
Once on that Web page, click either of the links, titled “Page #1152” and “Page #1382.”
In the resulting PDF, look under “Model Identification” in the first column. A utility model called “El Gaucho” is listed.
…”El Gaucho”?!
Incidentally, those NSD archives have terrific service information in them. Tedious to navigate, though.
Geez, I didn’t realize I was such a celebrity… I appreciate the flattery though.
I agree, the side windows don’t look right. It might just be the angle of the picture, but they don’t look as flush as a Parkway should be. Usually, the weather striping around the glass is very pronounced, I don’t see that here. As for them not being sliders as Mike pointed out, according to the parts manual, they could be ordered as fixed or sliding.
It shouldn’t have chrome on the sides either, but that may have been added later.
I believe the orange parking lamps are indicative of very late production.
Another interesting thing about it is the two gauges on either side of the speedometer. That is the third truck I have seen like that. The other two were Traveller’s with no windows.
Bill
Bill, are the two added gauges really indicative of anything specifically? From what I’ve seen that’s a pretty common upgrade since the original cluster only has an idiot light for amps and oil, gauges are generally added for those two functions. Like scramboleer has mentioned, what about the square wheelwells? Were some Conversions round some square?
Roc,
You are probably right about the gauges. The other two trucks the owners that restored them claimed that they were part of the original wiring harness. I have never been able to dig up anything that proves they were an option though. These are obviously aftermarket.
As for the wheelwells, I have an ad from 1963 with a delivery with squared wheelwells. I have seen ’63s with rounded ones too. I would chaulk this up to depleting the stock.
Bill
It would be interesting to know what the serial number is on this one. I didn’t see it in the ad. See if it comes up as a wagon or delivery.
Hi, I don’t know if I can clarify any of the questions above or simply add more, but I am the seller of Gus.
I have photos of three brass plates, the “Serial Number plate” that is riveted to the body at the back edge of the driver’s door, a “Special Order Number” plate, that is riveted to the body between the hinges of the driver’s door and a plate which, basically, says “Registered” in Spanish and French, which was riveted to the inner fender well.
I don’t see how to post photos on this page or I would. In leu of that, the numbers are: Serial No. 6512 16182. Special Sales Order No. D-3419
I don’t believe it is a Parkland model because the body wraps around the windows like a station wagon rather than being set into a flat panel like the Parklands.
I was told by the seller that this Willys was a US Government order and was used to service radar installations. I don’t know what he was basing that on other than photos from a friend of his showing a very similar Willys which he had driven to service radar stations in the late 60s and early 70s. They had no way of verifying that this was the same rig but they look a lot alike.
Interest has been high for this rig but I got called out of town to help my aging mother. I have a list of interested parties who begin arriving at noon today. We’ll see where their allegiance really lies, being so close to Seattle and today being the Superbowl!
Thanks, in advance, for any more information you can offer.
Thanks Steve. Good luck with your sale. According to this http://wx4.org/to/wagons/usefulstuff/vin/vin.html, it is indeed a wagon (6512). I wish I knew more about Special Sales. Anyone?
Steve,
I can add additional photos on the post. If you have the time, feel free to email me any photos you think might help to d@ewillys.com .
Thanks,
– Dave
A picture of the Special Order Number plate would be much appreciated.
I have yet to find someone that can crack the SSO numbers. Basically, if there was a vehicle that had a special package, they would get this tag glued to the firewall. I have seen these on Surreys, a CJ5 Service Station Special and Hurst Jeepsters. I believe Kaiser started using these tags in the early 1960s through the AMC takeover.
I think with the odd configuration of this one, it makes sense that it has an SSO plate. The government probably did order a batch of this particular configuration.
Interesting vehicle.
Bill
Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that this is a fun ride and it went to a good home. When i saw the add i could not believe it was only 15 minutes from my house. I plan on using it to travel around the country in my spare time. On a different note, You guys seem to know your stuff. I also have a 1956 willys truck with a metal canopy that i have been trying to figure out what it might have been used for during its beginning years. If any of you might be able to help let me know and ill shoot you some photos .
Congrats Ryan!
If you want to send me pics of your truck and canopy at d@ewillys.com we’ll see if we can help you out.
Thanks,
– Dave
Hi Ryan,
Congrats on your new wagon. That’s outstanding. You might want to check out oldwillysforum.com too. I’m sure the folks over there would love to see your new ride.
Cheers!
Ryan:
Any interest in turning a quick buck on this Willy’s? I spoke w/ the owners and unfortunately I’m located in NY and couldn’t get in line fast enough.
Reason I’m so interested: it’s EXACTLY what we were looking for to use with our business… the colors even perfectly matches the office (don’t worry – I’m a Jeep guy not some corporate yo-yo).
I’m willing to pay a pretty good premium over what you bought it for.
Thanks!
Dan
daniel.hurley737@gmail.com