Willys pictures from 2012 Willys America Open House and BBQ

Thanks to Jim Russell for organizing the caravan up to Paul Barry annual open house and BBQ at Willys America in Cazadero, California. Cazadero is about 80 miles northwest of San Francisco near the Russian River and is worlds apart from the Bay Area. It's beautiful country - logging was once big here, in fact Willys America is located in a former lumber mill in downtown historic Cazadero.




Here's a shot of the caravan about five miles from Cazadero:


But let's not get too hasty. The group started off in the South Bay and drove up the San Francisco peninsula to meet the next group at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, notorious in the summer for its thick fog. Saturday proved no exception. Here's the arrival of the group from the South Bay:

If you squint you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and San Francisco in the background.

Just kidding. As a bonus, a Cobra club from Washington state drove south across the Golden Gate Bridge. The sound of two dozen V8s was heavenly. The group then turned around and pulled into the vista point.

We then drove north for the next rendezvous in Petaluma, joined by Willys drivers from the North Bay and Sacramento Valley.

The temperature jumped 25F, and we set off on the freeway (briefly), before turning off on backroads for Cazadero...

(More to come)

Re: Willys pictures from 2012 Willys America Open House and

Highway 116 to Cazadero winds through the wine country of Sonoma County:


The route becomes increasing rural and wooded. Rolling hills and vineyards turn into coniferous forests. Eventually you enter groves of smaller redwood trees, the likes of which once covered the entire coast of northern California:


In the town of Guerneville - a popular summer resort town on the banks of the Russian River - Highway 116 takes a sharp turn to the west and heads out toward the coast:


A few hamlets later, and we all pulled over at a rare straight stretch for the shot of the entire caravan:



The caravan included wagons,



trucks,


Jeepsters and CJs,




And a canine or two:

Re: Willys pictures from 2012 Willys America Open House and

Those are great Pic's I love the Yellow Pickup! :thumbup:

Re: Willys pictures from 2012 Willys America Open House and

Rolling into Cazadero,



your eyes feast on a variety of Willys and related vehicles:

Willys park on the main drag


and there is plenty of additional parking down off the strip for the rest of us.



It's pretty cool to see all of the different trucks, Jeepsters, and wagons.


Some are stock:


Others are not:


Regardless, the attention to detail is amazing:


This year there was even a band, whose music added to the festival-like atmosphere:

Re: Willys pictures from 2012 Willys America Open House and

Willys America seemed to be busy. Inventory, especially of more-or-less complete vehicles, appears to have grown compared to previous years:



Paul's collection is impressive.


He has three four door wagons, including this one:


Old government transporters and delivery trucks:



Fire trucks:


Deliveries:


And Parkway Conversions:


He recently picked up this yellow pickup - nearly all stock and in great shape:



Now let's head off to Paul's workshop, where Willys America's restorations come to life...

Re: Willys pictures from 2012 Willys America Open House and

HOLY WOW! I wanna go there some day! Thats an interesting serial number on that mint green traveler. In fact theres lots of interesting stuff there! Are those his keepers or are they for sale or are they parts vehicles?

Thanks for the pics... Would love to make it in a year or two.

Pete

Re: Willys pictures from 2012 Willys America Open House and

Willys Way - it's my understanding that the more unique vehicles belong to the Willys America "Museum" whereas the standard trucks, wagons, etc. are opportunities for customers to purchase and/or be restored...

Re: Willys pictures from 2012 Willys America Open House and

Paul's shop at Willys America is quite impressive.




He and his team are working on three wagons and two CJs - a CJ2A and a CJ3A:




The black wagon has a long story behind it. The short version is that another shop in another state started, but could not complete, the job.

Paul and his team do impressive work. Chris, one of his key staff, patiently answered numerous questions from all of us attendees. He certainly was both friendly and kind.

I love the art deco speedometer of the 1957 (ish) trucks and wagons like this one:



This insulation jumped out at me. I haven't researched it yet, but seems like a great option:



On every wall, you find a myriad of Willys, Jeep, and automotive/technical history:




Paul, Chris, and the rest the Willys America team do impeccable work. Their attention to detail is quite impressive:



Across from the shop, you'll find the office, able to track down many an obscure part for customers worldwide:



Thanks to Willys America for another great BBQ and open house and to Jim Russell for organizing the caravan... herding the cats. I'm already looking forward to next year.

Re: Willys pictures from 2012 Willys America Open House and

Here is a link to ~180 pictures from the day. Feel free to download/share as you'd like. https://plus.google.com/photos/11364822 ... lpCO8bGDOw

Cheers,


Dan

Re: Willys pictures from 2012 Willys America Open House and

Great pictures and a great report Dan. Thanks.

Definitely makes us East-Coasters drool.

My favorite was this 2wd mint green Traveller:






Such a rarity. This one was in pretty good shape, last registered in 2007, at least according to the license plate. I just love those flip up side seats and flat topped inner wheel wells.



If anyone finds a 4x4 Traveller for sale, please let me know.

The first picture has a black with wood paneling in it. By chance are there any more pictures of this wagon?
Thanks
Justin

Hi Justin,

Here are a few more pics: