Learning the History of the Willys Jeep for sale, In the Beginning…

For decades the Willys name was synonymous with Jeep. Enthusiasts, collectors and off-roaders alike held it sacred. Today, while Willys no longer manufactures Willys Jeeps for sale, the name is still fresh on the tip of every Jeep enthusiast’s tongue. Much sought after Willys Jeep parts are discussed in off road clubs and forums across the nation. If you are fortunate enough to snag a Willys pickup or one of the coveted Willys wagon for sale as a resto project or custom daily driver, you know you have arrived! A Willys vehicle is a piece of Americana, a rare gem standing out from the rest. When looking for a Willys jeep for sale or Willys wagon for sale, it helps to be as well informed as possible. Let’s take a little trip down Memory Lane and see where it all began.

In the beginning...

As most legends start out, Willys began with one man’s dream. In 1908, John North Willys bought the Overland Automotive Division of the Standard Wheel Company. Willys, pronounced WILL-iss, began his career as a bicycle salesman. Within a few years, he had expanded his business and was manufacturing his own line of bicycles. It seemed he had the Midas touch because in later years he began selling automobiles and eventually moved to automobile production. This is where we pick up the story with his acquisition of Overland and in 1912 Willys-Overland Motor Company came into existence.

A Legend is Born

In 1940, with World War II in full swing, Willys contracted to build military Jeeps and the first Willys Jeep rolled off the assembly line. By the end of the war in 1945, had produced somewhere in the neighborhood of 360,000 vehicles. Thus, a legend was born. The Willys Jeep was the rough and tumble granddaddy of the Jeeps we see on the road today. Bare bones, with no frills or extras, these hardy vehicles bore names such as the Willys Quad and the Willys Ma. These vehicles served their country well and today are coveted items for collectors.

Willys Quad

With Bantam and Ford acting as fierce competitors for a large scale military contract, Willys offered up the Quad – and won. With its 60 horsepower “Go Devil” engine that left Ford and Bantam in the dust, the Quad offered the power and performance that was needed. It did require some modifications, however, in order to conform to the Army’s requirements and was pared down to lighten it up a bit. It is the Quad that serves as the landmark for the beginning of the Willys reign and domination over the industry.

Willys Ma

The Ma came along on the coattails of the Quad in 1941. The Ma was a “new and improved” version of the Quad, with a pared down body style and column shift. Willys was tasked with an order of 1,500 and they delivered the little workhorse 1,553 strong. Today only about 30 are believed to still be around and several have found their way into military and automobile museums.

More Willys Jeep videos in my video section

Willys Goes Civic

With the end of the war in 1945, Willys saw the end of the high volume military contract, causing them to look toward civilian life. Willys-Overland began producing the CJ line of Willys Jeep for sale, the CJ standing for “Civilian Jeep.” The CJ2A model was the first model to hit the streets. Willys trucks, Willys pickups, Willys wagons and the Jeepster were still to come, but the CJ2A started it all.

The CJ2A shared the production line with the Willys MB so it is no wonder that they are very similar vehicles. Like the MB, the CJ2A sported a column shift, tailgate, larger headlights and a side mounted spare tire. There were other features that the CJ shared with the MB such as single piece windshield adjusting arms, and a full floating rear axle. Primarily used for agricultural purposes in the early years, this civilian Jeep was well received and the infatuation only grew from there.

Willys Expands

The first Willys Truck was produced in 1947 and from 1947 to 1965 more than 200,000 rolled off the production line. As Willys pickups, Jeepsters and Willys Wagons expanded the Willys line of vehicles, performance was enhanced and America was bitten by the Jeep bug. Overseas militaries were soon purchasing Jeeps as well.

The Willys Love Affair Phenomenon

The world has fallen in love with the Willys line of vehicles. Whether it is the ever popular Willys Trucks, Willys Pickup or the ever popular Jeep, collectors and enthusiasts avidly seek these gems. There are entire websites and companies devoted to locating Willys Jeep parts and promoting Willys Jeeps for sale. This is no small feat because many of the Willys Jeep parts are rare and quite difficult to locate which can make resto projects a challenge. However, devoted Willys enthusiasts continue to band together and there are several networks that can help Willys Jeep owners find what they need when aftermarket parts just won’t do.

Willys Overland Resources

You can search for a Willys Jeep for sale, Willys Wagon for sale, or Willys pickup for sale right here. While you are here, you can also check out the video seciton for a collection of Willys Jeep & Wagon Vidoes.

So as you seek out your next Willys Jeep for sale, Willys wagon for sale, or Willys Jeep parts for your next resto project, keep in mind the humble beginnings of this legend among automobiles. Because, as the Willys slogan proclaimed, “The Sun Never Sets on the Mighty Jeep.”

Tagged with: jeeps • Willys Jeep • Willys Overland • Willys Wagon

Filed under: Willys Overland

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!