1953 Willys Station Wagon 4X4

Deluxe SUV

Ford Flathead V-8 - 24 Stud

Manual

453-FA2 15822

Clear

Gasoline

Very cool 1953 Willys Station Wagon that was sold new at Sun Valley Motors in Ketchum, Idaho 60 years ago. At some point (probably in the 1960's), a prior owner swapped in a 1948-1953 24 Stud (actually 24 Bolt) 239CID Ford Flathead V-8. The firewall was untouched but the transmission tunnel was lightly modified (see pics). Other than that, this baby is totally, completely 100% stock and original. Willys Super Hurricane Six cylinder flatheads are common so the swap could be easily reversed. And I suspect there is substantial additional value in it's current V-8. Something to think about. Of course, there is no reason you couldn't enjoy it as it is and celebrate its uniqueness. The exterior is in really good condition. It still has the original paint (how rare is that?) and 60 years of beautiful patina only Mother Nature could create. Rear quarters have some typical rust but it's definitely not major (see pics). Tailgate has a little rust at the base. Doors and tailgate open and close properly; windows roll up and down. Glass is all flat which makes for easy replacement; several windows are cracked (see pics). All the hard-to-find trim is still on the vehicle except for the hood. I may have some hood trim available separately if you are interested. Front bumper is missing. The interior is complete except for the headliner but the bows are still in place. All the buttons, switches and knobs are there minus one. The dash is uncut and unbutchered and looks beautiful. The AM radio is either a factory or dealer installed option; the original vintage speaker comes with (see pics). The passenger compartment is excellent. The floor board is solid and the wood is still in great shape. And it still has the backseats, armrests, and ash trays which are usually lost to the ages. The drivers compartment floor boards have fared less well, which is very common (see pics). Willys used very water-retentive insulation below the front rubber mat and above the steel floor board. I removed the brittle rubber mat and insulation for the first time in 60 years. Below was the rust as expected. I removed all the rusty metal and what you see is what remains. There is plenty of metal left to work with. The body cross members (sheet metal C channels spot welded underneath the floor boards for rigidity) survived very well. I've seen MUCH worse. And since the metal is all flat, the fix is very easy. I've seen a lot of Willys swaps (I've had my personal Willys since 1976 so I'm a major fan) but never a Ford Flathead V-8 swap. And it's a very sturdy conversion that has been time tested. It was last licensed in 1990 and has sat in south central Utah (dry climate) until recently. Oil is dirty but has zero moisture in it and the engine spins properly. I don't think it would take much to get her started (12 volt conversion has already been done). And the vintage dual exhaust is still in good shape. All the running gear is factory original. Tranny is stock (T-90 I believe) and transfer case is a Spicer Model 18. Both shift as they should. Differentials are factory Dana/Spicer units front and rear. It steers well but brakes don't work. Wheels are factory 15 inchers all around. I also have a set of factory 16 inchers available separately. I've gone through tons of Willys over the years and this one is special. It's all original except for the engine and has never been subject to ugly, short-term, band-aid, bodywork, repairs, etc. Even the engine swap is vintage. The entire rig looks and feels like it emerged from a time warp. It's an awesome basis for a restoration or more appropriately, to get it running, fix the brakes and floorboards and preserve her originality. A rig like this can be restored over and over, but is only original once. Just my two cents. My name is Chris and I would be happy to answer your questions. Please call me at 435-669-1470. I also have tons of additional pics that show every nook and cranny. Send me your email address and I'll get them out to you. This barn-find beauty is located in the dry, desert community of Hurricane, Utah (a little over 100 miles north of Las Vegas). Good luck and good bidding.