In 1963, Willys became known as the Kaiser-Jeep Corporation and pushed forward with its recently introduced SJ Wagoneer, a well-known design that ultimately replaced the former Willys Jeep wagon like our 1963 example. This old-school 4X4 is located in San Diego, California and is available here on eBay for a current bid of $7,657 with fourteen bids tendered so far.
It’s not stated if this Willys is a California native but it has a certain beach-dude persona about it. The SoCal sun has taken its toll on the faded blue finish and there appears to be some patched rust-through in the lower passenger side fender. The body, however, is nice and straight and the prominent, distinctive Jeep grille looks to be unmarred. It’s not stated if the two-tone blue and silver finish is original, the silver accent, in particular, looks added. Its exterior presence isn’t the best but it’s adequate for just knocking around if patina is the next owner’s thing. The aftermarket chrome wheels and flip-up glass sunroof provide a late ’70s/early ’80s vibe to this old Jeep.
Research indicates that this vintage Willys wagon should be powered by a 140 gross HP, 230 CI, inline, six-cylinder engine but that’s no longer the case. A warmed-over Buick V6, replete with a Holley four-barrel carburetor, is now taking up residence in the engine room. The seller adds, “Runs, needs some carburetor adjustments“. A brief video of the Jeep running will give you an idea of how it sounds. A new water pump has been installed and one of the images shows the exhaust system exiting in front of the rear wheels, ala NASCAR style. Other operational features include a four-speed manual transmission with an attached transfer case for 4X4 operation along with new brakes, wheel bearings, and tires.
The interior is as one would expect, austere. But it has been treated to reupholstered seats and door cards and then finished off with a new carpet – it all looks great. The backseat and cargo area is another matter, however, there appears to be a bench loaded in sideways which is not exactly what one would expect to find. Interesting to note is the radio, it’s missing, which isn’t so unusual, but it’s left of the steering column allowing the driver, alone, to hog the airwaves.
When I think of a Jeep wagon, this is what immediately comes to mind in spite of the 58 years passage of time. Could it be further apart from a 2022 Jeep Wagoneer? I’m a bit torn with that comparison too as the new Jeep is almost obscene with its comfort features and outsized price, but this old Jeep would probably start to seem like a buckboard after an extended run. Do the vehicles change because we change or do we change (as in getting coddled) because the vehicles change? I don’t know with certainty, both old and new have their purpose in life, wouldn’t you agree?
Interesting rig. Also interesting is the fact we turned the rear seat 90 degrees and mounted it on the left of our ’72 Blazer so we had room for cargo. Cargo was usually camping gear or race tires, or both as we camped inside of it at the race tracks. Wouldn’t surprise me if the price of the Jeep went pretty high as it’s a nice piece and somewhat rare. Do like the engine swap.
Why not just get the carb work done to make this a more attractive offering?
The original in line six would have been the OHC Tornado. Early Wagoneers used it as well, but it proved to be problematic
Once upon a time, cars and trucks changed as the companies tried to figure out what sold and what didn’t. Simple, right? The operative word was “more”, kind of the Binford mantra.
But, as the 1960s unfolded, the federal government began forcing safety upon the manufacturers. Safety didn’t sell, but it had become obviously necessary.
Environmental issues began to assert influence as well…car makers introduced a smog-fighting tool called Positive Crankcase Ventilation and a few years later GM gave us the Air Injection Reactor system.
Customers wanted creature comforts like air conditioning and power everything, and the manufacturers were more than willing to provide. The feds started requiring vehicles to meet crashworthiness standards and ever-more stringent exhaust emissions and fuel mileage standards.
Today the list of things this Jeep doesn’t have is longer than the list of what it does have. Things that we take for granted, or at least standard equipment.
I can compare it to my 2016 Patriot, but there’s really no comparison.
Couldn’t agree more as I sit in my 2020 Ram 1500
Enjoying a/c. Power everything, cruise control, etc etc.
also multiple airbags and multiple safety features. 400+HP motor with 20+ MPG.
Yes, I love the classics, am constantly impressed by the classics featured here and the wealth of knowledge of the readers. I would love to own one some day, but to compare them to a new vehicle is unfair, and unnecessary. It’s like apples and oranges.
As Bob C said, original engine would have bern the new OHC Tornado 6, and if it were still in the car, would be immensely more valuable. The Tornado had a few bugs that were later fully solved and any rebuilt Tornado today is sweet. Too bad on this one. I’ve been seeking a Tornado powered pickup for a few years.
“Maverick”,,,a popular TV show that Jeep was a sponsor, featured a 2wd model like this named for the show. Having had a very similar truck, only with a V8, I can say without reservation, the V6 is a much better way to go. While the OHC 6 was superior,( good luck finding one, I suggest a military auction) many buyers were leery of the OHC, possibly contributing to it’s decline. Anyone that was interested in these wagons to begin with, were flathead followers anyway. Turns out, that OHC motor was probably the best in line 6 made.
Can’t hide the fact, these were,,,um,,,challenging vehicles to drive, and by the 60’s, were getting old. The others had caught up with Jeeps, and nicer trucks could be had. Don’t see many here in 4×4 land, I know of one(1) panel Willys that I saw driving once( running on 5 cylinders), and people would rather buy a Razor, or whatever, and to think, it was this vehicle that started it all. Great find.
Is this item still for sale?