1947CircleW
Gear Grinder
- Nov 23, 2009
- 24
- Willys Model
- Willys Year:
Hi, from Lethbridge Alberta, I purchased a 47 wagon off ebay a couple months ago, some of you may recognize it from the pics if you were browsing ebay at that time. Unlike most of you I am not a die hard willys fanatic,I guesse I am more of a hot rodder. At the time I was shopping for a pickup to build into a ratrod so I could have a daily driver for the summer (I already have a shiny hot rod in the garage) I don't care for the really ratty look but wanted something with original paint with a nice looking patina, then I spotted the willys on ebay PERFECT, to me it looked so COOL, just the right amount of bumps and bruises, lots of character. The previous owner had it for a couple of years but never got it on the road and couldn't tell me a lot of history on it either. As near as I can tell its always been a Canadian vehicle and was driven regularly until 1972 then was stored in a barn until 2004 when it was sold by the estate, it changed hands again in 2007 before I got it.[attachment=2:108v7tue]Willys1.jpg[/attachment:108v7tue][attachment=1:108v7tue]willys5.jpg[/attachment:108v7tue][attachment=0:108v7tue]willys9.jpg[/attachment:108v7tue]
I had a dozen other pictures but the program would only let me attach three.
so far I am very happy with the purchase for buying sight unseen, I have had a few pleasant surprizes like finding the original spare tire cover in the back in very good condition. The wagon also has the third jump seat in the back as well. The only dissapointment is with the headliner, the mice chewed a few holes in it while it was stored in the barn, I am planning on removing it and throwing it in the wash machine, if it doesn't disintegrate I will patch it and reinstall (remember it is just a rat rod) Sunvisors look almost new, body is 99% rust free.
After fixing a bunch of leaks in the fuel system we were able to get the engine fired up (many thanks to my friend Herb) Surprisingly it is quite sound, that is my dilema now, at one time I was planning on pulling the driveline and upgrading everything including the suspension, but the vehicle is quite complete and original so I hate to start cutting it up. I am also impressed with the quality, better built vehicle than my old chevy.I grew up learning to drive 3 on the tree with armstrong steering and drum brakes so I think I will leave it that way for the first summer and see how it goes, but I still keep visualizing the willys with the nose down in the weeds a bit of thunder under the hood, well you know how it goes. Enough of me rambling on, I will post more pics later on.
Hopefully I can figure how to post this I am not very good with this technical stuff, have enjoyed viewing all of you guys and gals posts.
Regards, Dwain
I had a dozen other pictures but the program would only let me attach three.
so far I am very happy with the purchase for buying sight unseen, I have had a few pleasant surprizes like finding the original spare tire cover in the back in very good condition. The wagon also has the third jump seat in the back as well. The only dissapointment is with the headliner, the mice chewed a few holes in it while it was stored in the barn, I am planning on removing it and throwing it in the wash machine, if it doesn't disintegrate I will patch it and reinstall (remember it is just a rat rod) Sunvisors look almost new, body is 99% rust free.
After fixing a bunch of leaks in the fuel system we were able to get the engine fired up (many thanks to my friend Herb) Surprisingly it is quite sound, that is my dilema now, at one time I was planning on pulling the driveline and upgrading everything including the suspension, but the vehicle is quite complete and original so I hate to start cutting it up. I am also impressed with the quality, better built vehicle than my old chevy.I grew up learning to drive 3 on the tree with armstrong steering and drum brakes so I think I will leave it that way for the first summer and see how it goes, but I still keep visualizing the willys with the nose down in the weeds a bit of thunder under the hood, well you know how it goes. Enough of me rambling on, I will post more pics later on.
Hopefully I can figure how to post this I am not very good with this technical stuff, have enjoyed viewing all of you guys and gals posts.
Regards, Dwain
