(This is an extension of the hubcap post above, but also covers how the angular W was used in other ways)
In 1952, Willys-Overland introduced the Aero line of cars. They sported a new hubcap that featured only the W, along with a W on the front of the car and Willys script along the side.
The hubcap would be used throughout the Aero car line for the next four years.
The 1952 Mechanic’s Manual below shows how the W logo was used on covers.
This page is from a 1952 owner’s manual; it demonstrates that the Willys-Overland Export Company had already been formed by 1952, so it was a pre-Kaiser creation.
Here’s a good shot of the angular W on the grille on they 1952 Aero Ace. Note the Willys script logo along the passenger side fender.
In 1954, I’m sure just to make my life documenting hubcap history more difficult, Willys introduced a new hubcap with a circle around the W on the Willys Aero Ace. What other models may have sported this hubcap I couldn’t say:
Also, in 1954, Willys offered a dual concentric circle hubcap, a design used later on the Surreys (Galas) starting in 1959. However, these were all red. The one below looks like it could have been an aero cap:
In 1955, Willys Motors introduced the Willys Bermuda, which sported a brand new hubcap design:
The Aero cars were discontinued in 1955, with some (or all) tooling eventually shipped to Brazil. The angular W logo would mostly disappear after 1955, but a few ripples remained. For example, the plain W re-appeared on the DJ-3A hub caps starting in 1956,
Sometime after 1959, with the introduction of the DJ-3A Surreys (and Gala’s for export), Willys re-introduced the concentric circle W hubcap design:
I doubt that this is a complete list of Willys-related hubcaps or of the angular W, so I welcome corrections for those that know more about this than I do!
Dave-
The 1955 Willys Bermuda had an even different full size hubcap than the previous Aero sedans. You might check with Glenn to see if he can send you a good photo of the hubcaps that are on his 55 Bermuda The ones I see on the internet don’t blow up well for detail and the photos I have of Glenn’s Bermuda, don’t show the caps well either.
Thanks for the note Colin. You can see an example on this wikipedia page (have to zoom in a bit): https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/1955_Willys_Bermuda.jpg … Is that the one you mean?
The hubcap used on the Surrey’s actually came out first in 1954 and was used on the Willys Aero.
Hi Rudy,
Thanks for the heads up. I will check it out.
– Dave
The one’s used on the 1954 Willys Aero were painted red like the first hubcap in the picture of the three. A red background was not used on any of the Surrey’s.
Thanks Rudy. It took some hunting, but I finally found a couple examples.
– Dave
Interested inseliing these. Hubcaps 913 2380711 Tim
Ty
Hi Tim,
Send me an email to d@deilers.com with a pic. Depending on what you have, I may be able to help you find a buyer.
Thanks,
– Dave
http://www.ewillys.com