This oddball is back on Craigslist.
“this costume 52 willys has a lot of work done to it rebuilt 327 chevy 300hp 328fbl torc dino test edlebrock 4 barrel carb and intake bell housing to 79 toy. landcruser trans , transfer case and axels new hydro clutch ,flywheel new disc brake conversion new leaf springs all spring over conversion new pain less wiring harness off frame restoration all new floorin primer needs to be finished radiator gas tank exhaust some wiring hook up brake lines paint”
http://rochester.craigslist.org/pts/4879815184.html
I remember seeing one like this up close back in the 1960’s; a local Willys Jeep dealer in Paterson, NJ took it in on a trade. I had never seen another one like it till now. I was only a teenager at the time, but after close examination, I concluded that some one did a very neat job of “cloning” a wagon truck nose to a older CJ tub. Back then, doing back yard body work was an acquired art that was under valued. If only I were a rich man, I’d add this Willys to my collection. ( Maybe Frank Malatesta is interested)
Bidding “ended” at $1050. Does that mean it sold for that? I didn’t see anything about a reserve not being met.
Mike, so you think there were more than one of these?
Joe: It must have had a reserve, as no one won the auction. I don’t remember for sure.
Definitely more than one; The Willys I remember sat on the Dealers lot for a long time before it was sold. A local Esso (Exxon) gas station bought it and used it as a service vehicle for many years. I always liked these Odd Ball Willys. Again, if I were a rich man, I’d like to have an ODD BALL WILLYS MUSEUM. A Willys believe or not.
I’m right there with you Mike :-). I will watch out for other examples.
I think it’d be fun to have a collection of oddball stuff too, like Tender trucks. Some of these cretions are kind of interesting.