10 Comments on “1961 ‘Jeep’ Audiovisual Unit Demonstration Video”

1. John May 13, 2020 at 12:18 pm

   Probably one of my favorite videos posted recently

   And I’m sure everyone can agree, what I wouldn’t give to have that Wagon! Love those exterior steps to get to the roof rack, the aux. gas tank, and the sliding hood prop. Good stuff!
2. David Eilers Post authorMay 13, 2020 at 1:45 pm

   John, Agreed.

   However, these days I think I can pretty much do everything that wagon can do with my phone, a mini-projector, and a screen!

   – Dave
3. Steak Body May 13, 2020 at 2:48 pm

   HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN ONE OF THESE UNITS ?? — I DIDNT THINK SO — THESE WERE CATALOG ITEMS THAT NEVER SOLD — I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE — EVER — IN 55 YEARS OF JEEPING — NADA — ZILCH — ZERO
4. Ted Jordan May 13, 2020 at 3:06 pm

   Yup I’m with John on this one , what I’d give to have that roof rack, and those steps are awesome as well. Cool Wagon for sure and video!
5. Mike May 14, 2020 at 2:23 am

   Any mention of how many of these specialty vehicles were actually sold? Kaiser must of had some sort of marketing deal with a Audio visual equipment manufacturer, any guesses as to who, Dumont?
6. David Eilers Post authorMay 14, 2020 at 6:43 am

   Mike … good question. Doing some research …. So, it seems probable that they sold some, as Voice of America owned and used them. Based on these serial numbers here https://www.kaiserwillys.com/willys_jeep_serial_numbers#10, in 1959 there’s a line item for a 6-226 4×4 AVA serial number 54068-09 serial numbers 10021-10060. 40 wagons were sold out of that category. In 1960, 51 were sold. In 1961 56 were sold. If in fact “AVA” was code for this vehicle, then 166 were likely sold.
7. Mike May 14, 2020 at 12:53 pm

   Dave, It never ceases to amaze me how you always take the time and effort to answers, thank you. Above & beyond the call of duty!
   What I’ve always liked about Kaiser Willys was the fact, that they were always looking to expand their market share in so called “niche markets”. left no stone un-turned to increase sales, innovative thinking. In more ways than one, way ahead of their time.
8. David Eilers Post authorMay 14, 2020 at 1:59 pm

   Thanks Mike, but I often learn from the questions asked, so I appreciate them!
9. Jeff Rowsam November 2, 2024 at 9:07 am

   More about the AV trucks. We own and display a 1967 version of the Army Jeep AV Truck. The 1967 Army J100 Panel Delivery has many of the same features as the earlier Willys AV truck. This film answers many questions that would also apply to the trucks built in 1967. Rare vehicles indeed. My research confirms that the US Army used the early Willys AV trucks in South East Asia in the early days in Vietnam. They were supplemented with the 1967 Panel Delivery AV model later. The military units were Psychological Warfare Battalions. PsyOps used them in various special winning “Hearts and Minds” operations. After 1968 the Army replaced them with standard Dodge M37 4X4 trucks with AV equipment in a special box shelter. Stateside Psyops units (mostly Army Reserve units) retained some of the 1967 AV trucks until the late 1970’s.
10. David Eilers Post authorNovember 2, 2024 at 5:18 pm

    Hi Jeff,
    Thanks for the additional info! Very helpful!

    – Dave
    eWillys.com