Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1958 Willys Jeep Station Wagon 4×4.
One of the founding fathers of the automotive industry was named John North Willys (pronounced Willis). He was born about 151 years ago, on October 25, 1873. John got his start as an entrepreneur by selling bicycles in Canandaigua, New York and eventually manufactured his own lineup of bicycles. How did he go from bikes to automobiles? More on that later. In the meantime, let us look at one of the unique Jeep creations that rolled off the assembly line in the late 1950s under the Willys /Jeep manufacturing enterprise. This eye-catching Station Wagon was restored in two-tone green and white. It is being offered by a dealer in Gladstone, Oregon, and the auction ends Wednesday.
The Jeep Station Wagon went by a number of names and was manufactured in the United States from 1946 through 1964. In a lot of ways, this was the ancestor of the modern-day sport-utility vehicle: It offered go-anywhere capability, cargo space, and passenger seating that matched what a sedan could offer. Chassis architecture for this vehicle was unique for its time; the Jeep Wagon was the first Willys with an independent front suspension.
The interior of the Station Wagon is best described as “utilitarian,” which is exactly what one would expect from an all-purpose, all-terrain vehicle. The simple cabin layout offers vinyl split-bench seats for both the first and second rows. The front passenger seat section cleverly tilts forward to allow entry into the rear compartment. Cabin features include green vinyl upholstery, manual-crank windows and steering, wooden slats on the floorboards, and a heater. Otherwise, amenities are sparse!
Powering this rig is a rebuilt Willys “Super Hurricane” flathead inline-six called the 6-226. Torque is transferred to all four wheels through a three-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case.
Back to John North Willys’ unique career path: During a trip to Cleveland in the late 1800s, he saw his first automobile and was drawn to the industry. Soon thereafter, he established the Overland Automobile Company in 1903. It became Willys Motors (later Kaiser Jeep) in 1953, and was eventually bought out by American Motors in 1970. At one point, Willys-Overland Motors was the second-largest carmaker in the United States (following Henry Ford!).
Here is your chance to own one of the iconic vehicles produced as a result of Willys’ pioneering innovation.
The auction for this 1958 Willys Jeep Station Wagon 4×4 ends Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 11:15 a.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
How can I try to buy this jeep
@Mike, please click the links in the article or visit autohunter.com for more information!
Worked on quite a few of these and never saw one with independent front suspension the actually used the same front and rear axles as the cj5. Dana 25/27 for the front and Dana 44 in the rear both solid.
A bit unclear, the IFS was on/offered on the 2 wheel drive models. I think it was used on the Jeepster, too.
It’s a clever bit with a lower transverse leaf and upper wishbones/pivot arms. Similar to the AC Ace, only swapped around.
Here’s a short show of it Steve Magnante did a while ago. https://youtu.be/yO2SsX-HcM8?si=FuZxUpOac0SMH3xW
On this vehicle, the dealer’s listing pictures 31 &35 show the usual front drive axle, with the traditional longitudinal leafs.