UPDATE: Turns out we discussed this back in early 2016. http://www.ewillys.com/2016/03/13/1954-wagon-tender-garner-nc-ebay/

Very cool, but not an original 1954 truck (it is listed at Barrett Jackson as a 1954, though the text suggests it was a 1955 model).

Scott Gilbert alerted me to this upcoming truck to be auctioned at Barrett Jackson.

Over the years, following a discussion with an Israeli jeep fan named Or, I’ve applied the designation of “Tender” to this style of truck. At the time, he’d sent me a copy of brochure and translated the model as a “Tender”.

Since then, I’ve been searching for an original US version of the Tender, but have not found one. So, while not beyond the realm of possibility, I highly doubt this is an original 1954 Tender for the following reasons.

The seller of this truck is describing it as a 1954 Truck and the serial number is claimed to be 55168 10001. However, as of 1954, the serial number system used was the 654 XX2 prefix system (the “X”s standing for various letters) to describe 4WD Willys trucks. It wasn’t until 1955 that Willys Motors adopted the 55168 system, but that year that prefix started with 55168 5001. At some point, there was a 55168 10001 produced, but that would have been late into the1955 year.

Consistent with a 1955 build, the 1955 55168 trucks model was defined as a cab only version of the Willys truck accompanied by the Super Hurricane engine, same as the truck herein. The “bed” of the truck could have been built from a wagon, so that might be consistent, too.

However, the speedo shown wasn’t produced until late 1956ish. The Willys emblem used on the hood and on the glove box looks more like an Aero emblem than a jeep emblem. The hockey-stick styling of the external chrome didn’t appear until 1960(?). Meanwhile, the two piece windshield was discontinued in 1960. So, there are major inconsistencies.

I’m sure there are other issues that folks can add to this list.

Here’s the listing: https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1954-JEEP-WILLYS-4X4-PICKUP-225070

Here’s the Tender’s description:

“This 1954 Willys was built as a 1955 model and is Serial #0001. A piece of Willys Jeep history, this example has 2,122 original miles and is equipped with 4-wheel drive. It’s powered by a Super Hurricane 226ci 6-cylinder engine backed by a T90 3-speed manual transmission and Dana 18 transfer case. The exterior was repainted in its correct shade of tan.”

On Sunday Ann and I went to visit Rich and the “Tender” jeep wagon/truck he has for sale. The truck is in pretty rough shape, but the shell of it could be re used. However, there are lots of bees. The bees limited my ability to take pics, especially of the inside.  Yet, it was the inside of the truck that demonstrated the vehicle was definitely not a factory jeep.

My theory is that someone saw one of these Tenders in Israel. Inspired, when they returned to the states they built a few of these, hence the reason several look the same. They must have had some skills, because the top looks great on the top. It’s only on the underside of the ceiling that you can see the seam near the back. Moreover, it looks like a flat fender hood channel is used along the underside of the ceiling to provide support.

On the outside of the back of the top, there’s a crack in what appears to be some bondo. The quality of the work is again good and matches the other side.

It looks like the top of the sides of the former wagon has been capped. There appears to be cracks forming along the metal (see pic above … note crack about an inch below the top of the rear of the bed).

Other pics and notes:

The tailgate was not finished. The lip on the top of the tailgate was left as it was. The area underneath the tailgate window at the back of the cab looks like it might have been blocked with wood. I did not look too closely. This “Tender” was modified with a spring over axle, but the original spring perches were left.

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