This 1960 Willys-Jeep FC170 is a rare find today, especially in decent shape with many original details intact. The seller purchased it as a running project but has not spent much time with it since bringing the cab-over-engine oddball home. The FC-170 was longer and more powerful than the FC-150 it replaced, and it was a home run for farmers and business owners that needed to haul lighter loads on a regular basis. It does have rust in the usual trouble spots, but given it resides in Montana, I suspect it’s still better than most examples that have been sitting outdoors. I wonder if the E21 chassis 3-Series will be for sale soon, too? Find the FC-170 here on eBay with an $8,000 Buy-It-Now and the option to submit a best offer.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ikey H. for the find. The longer bed on the FC-170 was a big improvement over the previous model, especially given one the primary considerations for such a vehicle is its ability to haul. The body on this example isn’t bad, but there’s obviously plenty of surface rust around the bed and rear bumper panel that could become problematic later. Like almost any vehicle that utilizes a cab-over design, there’s rust where the front doors meet the body, and just over the front wheel hump. The colors are attractive, with white bumpers, steel wheels, and bed rails, along with a handy storage chest out back.
The interior features matching cardinal upholstery which looks to be in good order, and would likely present even better with a cleaning. The dash and door panels also look to be in factory-spec, and photos show the floorboards to be in good shape – at least from up above and looking down. The dash is painted to match the exterior and the seats, and none of the various ID plates show any paint bleed over the sides, so perhaps the colors we see here are the original shades. Drivers of the cab-overs report that the center of gravity is laughably far forward, but this paid dividends in the snow as the FC-170s were reportedly outstanding plow trucks.
Like most Willys products, the mechanical bits were ridiculously simple and easy to work on. In the case of this truck, it seems like it will come back to life without too much heavy lifting given the seller was able to drive it with a fresh battery and auxiliary fuel tank, but he hasn’t driven it recently. He does say it isn’t road-worthy as it currently sits, which could be due to something as simple as tires or perhaps needing more extensive work in other critical areas like suspension and steering. The rust I can see in photos isn’t addressed in the listing, so a call with the seller or in-person visit may be warranted.
OK rig for the rural rider. My Utility wagon is better suited for my needs. Interesting spot for the upside down oil gauge? 8K? I would be happy to get 5K for mine running great.
8K seems a little steep but the truck doesn’t seem to be a rusted out pig!! I’ve always liked the cab forward design! I dove a lot of early vans like the first and second generation Fords, the Chevy and Dodge vans!! The best thing was how maneuverable they were!! They could turn on a dime!!
So I tried to answer this question through the almighty and powerful Oz, aka Google, and came up empty. I figure BF readers have more knowledge than Google anyway, so I thought if their this out there… What’s the towing capacity of that inline 6? This seems like a cool rig to pull a trailer with, maybe a 5th wheel. Could this configuration handle that kind of load?
The 226 has only 120 Hp or so. It will be under powered with a trailer of any weight.
@TimM Towing ??? at what speed ????
These are not 65mph Interstate cruisers………… but at my Marina, we towed 25′ boats that weighed 8000 pounds with no problem … locally… meaning I doubt if we maintained 50 mph except on FLAT roads.
That was a 150 model that we had. Plowed snow good, too, with weight in the bed.
Dave @ old school I don’t know what your talking about!!! I never mentioned anything about towing!!! I’ve never had a jeep like this but I have had a Willis overland a couple of cj’s some TJ”s and a four door 2012 wrangler that we just traded for a new Ford!! I hated the 4 door wrangler!! Never towed anything with that either!!
I always liked these. I hope it goes to a home with TLC and indoir storage tbat it deserves.
WARNING… WARNING…WARNING… Those floors look pretty toasty for an $8000 truck! Best to get a good look at this bugger in person. It probably weighs around 3600 pounds so it could pull a ton and a half 45 mph ok. My FC170 Tour Jeep can easily haul 13 adults in it and reach speeds of 60 mph on level ground.
Fc, I’ve been a fan of and wanted one of these since i spotted one in Longbarn CA years ago headed to 4wd trails in my Wrangler, but had no idea the Tour version existed. Very cool!!
This looks like it was someone’s toy, witness the vanity “FC170” license plates. That said, it shouldn’t be too far gone. Look at the cupping wear on the spare tires…probably needs a toe adjustment?
Someone asked about the towing capacity. If I had to guess, this is a 1/2 or maybe 3/4 ton truck and as it sits I wouldn’t tow anything over 5000 pounds without upgrading the brakes. These are geared pretty low but once you get it all moving you have to get it all stopped, hopefully without needing an empty field!
Not unseen, they were very popular for a spell. What makes it rare, is the cab isn’t falling off. Because of their tight turning, they were ideal for plowing snow. Gas stations, municipal depts. all had these. Naturally, they rusted terribly, and after the body did fall off, most mechanicals were used for the much more popular CJ.
To answer Dt’s question, it would make a poor pulling vehicle. They did make a dual rear wheel version, and if you were to do that, a mechanical upgrade would be in order. I believe these had like 5:13 gearing, good for about 50, tops. The reason they made good plow trucks, is the motor put out a lot of torque at lower rpms. That fell off considerable at higher speeds. It just wasn’t made for high rpm applications, like interstate travel.
funny, I’m just the opposite. U say thank goodness its a long one – 4 me the shorter the 4 WD the better (for manuverability). Long ones 4 da road haulin. Anyway, all ways thought the FC too tippy for most trails & gradient work…
In the early days the shorter FC150’s were known to tip on their noses under hard downhill braking. Also the cabover design made the snowplowing tasks much more visible. Unfortunately most of these soldiers spent their lives outside as they were the business workhorses and not pampered like the family commuter. I have 11 FC’s in various stages but these survivors are now given a pampered lifestyle as long as they are in my herd!