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Welcome to eWillys.com, a website for vintage jeep enthusiasts. I update this website nearly every day with jeep deals, jeep history, interesting reader projects, jeep related info, and more.
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Importantly, the allure of buying a project jeep can be romantic. The reality of restoring a jeep can be quite different, expensive and overwhelming without the right tools and resources. So, tread carefully when purchasing a "project". If you have any concerns about buying a vintage jeep, or run across a scam, feel free to contact me for help, comments or concerns .
Chris spotted this wonderful video showing the capabilities of ‘Jeep’ Audiovisual unit. There are lots of great details, including how to use the PTO to power the generator which operates the equipment. So cool! Thanks to Indiana University for preserving this unique film!
If for some reason the video doesn’t work correctly, go here: https://media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/1r66j7359
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!
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
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
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!
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?
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.
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.
Thanks Mike, but I often learn from the questions asked, so I appreciate them!
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.