Willys was founded in 1908, and for a brief shining moment, it was the second-largest automobile producer in the US after Ford Motor Company. That sturdy berth was achieved via the purchase of the Overland Company, which was trickling out a few cars a month. John Willys was able to make much of this small company in short order, raising production substantially. Alas, overly ambitious expansion plans ushered Willys into financial disrepair, a condition that became familiar to the company as its missteps accrued. Here on facebook Marketplace is a 1938 Willys pickup, ready for your vision; pick it up from Siloam Springs, Arkansas. The price is steep at $20,000, but this is an unusual find, so let’s spend five minutes with it. Thanks to Zappenduster for the tip!
According to the seller, this Willys shelters a 1941 Jeep engine underhood; that would have been a 134 cc flathead four, dressed with a single downdraft Carter carb, good for about 55 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque. Nicknamed the “Go Devil”, this little workhorse powered countless vehicles ovcr a couple of decades. The seller notes that his pickup runs from a small gas tank under the hood, which means the new owner will have to sort the fuel system at the very least. The engine is mated to a manual transmission, but we’re not told what type. Typical would have been a three-speed manual. Top speed will hover around 55 mph.
No photos of the interior are provided, but this underside view is straight, if slightly rusty and crusty. The 1938 Willys came with solid front and rear axles accompanied by semi-elliptical springs – just a notch above a horse cart. Of course, countless Willys pickups have been reformed into resto-mods, with modern suspension components and much more powerful engines.
Though historical records are inconsistent, it’s said that Amos Northrup designed the Willys pickup. Unsung in the annals of automotive design, Northrup worked for Graham Paige, Will Sainte Claire, REO, Hupmobile, and others during the 1920s. He pioneered design elements including the rear-slanted radiator and enclosed rear fenders – features that were incorporated in countless vehicles for decades after. This handsome Willys is a great platform for a resto-mod build, but its price is a hindrance to its next chapter. What would you pay for this Willys pickup?
Another truck? Everybody,,,for she’s the jolly good fellow,,,,no wait, I don’t like that “fellow” thing, jolly good lady, that’s better, that nobody can deny. I always wondered what was meant by “Go Devil”? Goes like the devil? AI says it was a euphemism for “Goes like Hell”. This is practically an unheard of find, in this day and age. I’m astounded I’m even looking at one, and an ORIGINAL one, to boot. While these had little drag racing appeal, like its brethren coupe, they were incredibly popular with the 2wd pulling scene. My friends brother raced a ’38 Willys pull truck long before I knew him. Ford powered, he did remarkably well. If my plea falls on any ears, keep this truck original. It’s certainly unique, and we have enough resto-mods, but not many of these. It’s an amazing find, and once again, a tip of the hat to Ms. Rand. We all know, as the author does too, this is way too much for anyone that wants to restore it, but again, not to focus on that, what a great find. Makes you wonder just what IS in those garages and barns across this great land.
Drinking my morning cup of coffee on a “vacation day” I took. I’m very thoroughly enjoying this old Willys pickup write up from Michelle. I’d like to second what Howard said. You just don’t see these very often in stock condition. And it really makes you wonder, just whats in some of those old barns and garages across the country? This one looks very complete ( wonder where that headlight is?) And very solid and a great restoration candidate. I’m with Howard, keep it original. I’m thinking those colors are original and if they are, please keep them. I like it. Once again, thank you Michelle for a great write up and research too.
The headlight might be where the missing water pump hose is, maybe before buying new ones and ended up as ‘differed maintenance’.
‘Original’ would require the 38 engine. With the 41 engine, it’s mostly original, in particular, the body. With no interior pictures, it could have bucket seats from an Eldorado for all we know. :-). Of course, they might be too heavy for the engine to pull. As to the price, the song ‘Beautiful Dreamer’ comes to mind.
Pretty sure this has been flipped…..been seeing it posted for less months ago.
Restomod? What you talkin’ ’bout, Willys?
That’s just funny, Rex Kahrs! At a car show years ago I was once corrected: “sir, it’s Will-is not Willieees”..
The family pronounced it Will-is, as did their
first TV commercials. But the “public” thought it should be pronounced the other way.
While I agree it’s a neat old truck in reasonable condition someone please tell me how it’s worth 20K.
When the seller was doing their research to price this they confused it with an equivalent 2dr coupe.
Steve R
I don’t think unrestored coupes – 1938-1941 – are commanding that kind of moolah either. A coupe in similar condition to this truck may bring $10-15k but only if complete and original.
Any low production number truck that is all there will command a good figure!! And there is a big difference between asking and settling prices. At least it is located in the middle of the country so transportation costs are less than if it was on either coast.
Yeah, in it’s current condition, 20K is quite optimistic.
Restored? On something as uncommon this? NEVER EVER!
I am thinking a 1960’s (Mopar, Ford or Chevy) big block stuffed under this thing would make a fun street and strip rod. A fast way to also get to a cars and coffee Saturday morning too.
FYI: Please no chopping or channeling this truck as leaving the outside shell alone would make it super cool… A new frame with updated suspension would stay pretty much hidden….
Good Luck with sale…
This is one heck of a find! You wouldn’t likely find another one at the local show-n-shine. Even though I’m not much of a small truck fan this one has always caught my attention. I sure wouldn’t kick it off my driveway.
Just make it work and use it as intended. Nice old thing.
I sure wouldn’t take this down the same road as so many Willys products have done in the past. There weren’t a lot of them built and one of these in original condition will always catch the attention.
I read, in 1938, Willys sold 23,999 vehicles, and while there was no breakdown on models, it’s estimated less than 10% were pickups. They had a cost of $530 new, which was $60 cheaper than a Ford, Dodge or Chevy, yet,,,hundreds of thousands of those sold. Probably the 4 cylinder here held it back.
$20K for a truck that needs a complete restoration or restomod! $1,000 big money for this rust bucket…
Old trucks get good money these days. Especially unmolested ones. Yes, 20K is high. It’s pretty solid. Doesn’t look like a rust bucket, to me. Even underneath, mostly surface rust.
Great find. You dont see these very often. I’d keep the body updates original and try and find a compatible modern drive train, better brakes and suspension. Its got custom build written all over it.But with this asking price for just the body, it’d cost you a small fortune.
Very unique front end and fenders. Yet, it would be nicer with same era Chevy Torpedo rear fenders. All those fenders would cover some modern concept wide aluminum rims and rubber very nicely. Kinda like in need of a little upgrade to look totally as is Could-of- Should of. We have all seen some VERY nice trucks using the era correct sheet metal shapes– just slightly ballooned out a bit to make an even bolder statement. This one is already halfway there! Pretty darn RARE!
20k??
Cool truck but what? Rebuild budget to any degree is blown just putting together the buy-in.
Cool truck.
i have never seen 1 till now. pics are a bit poor but looks solid. would be cool redone but the 20k to play is a bit hard. then resto cost on top. you would be in deep.
The shark nose Willys use to be the bottom rung. They later graduated to the so ugly they look good category. Drag racing in the 60’s you rarely saw a Willys PU. It would be a tough call on which direction to go on this one.
Do it for love, gents. You ain’t never going to recover any restoration costs and hopefully it would come to you at a more reasonable price. The result might be the most charming pickup on the road.
The story of Amos Northrop is a tragic one. He stepped out on a February morning to buy a newspaper. Slipped on a patch of ice and hit his head on the ground. He died from the injury two days later at the age of 47. His design brilliance lived on long after his passing.
Michelle, Congratulations on finding us another RARE truck. Using Howard’s figures that means only 2300 were built, and I think that is a high number. I do not remember ever seeing one in the 23+ years I have been going to both national and local truck shows. Not knowing what Willys used for engines in 1938, that 4 cylinder “Go Devil” is an excellent repower. This truck is all there, so $20k may be a little on the high side for a starter project, BUT It looks like it could be made into a nice show truck without a full frame off restoration??
KEEP IT AS ORIGINAL AS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!
Definitely worth keeping original, and worth much more in the long run than some hot rod/restomod crap that someone will spend $75k on to ruin it.
Yes, $20k is steep for a project, but that’s what they’re asking . . . who knows what it’ll actually bring.
I know the odds are low but I hope the new owner restores it. Most of these have been severly modified. I love the way these things look.
That would be a 2.2 liter (~2200 cc) L-134 engine… 134 cc would be a little small – even for a push mower. ;-)
Considering that after restoration you would only drive it locally to shows, parades and from the trailer to your show parking spot that “puny” little 4 cylinder is the perfect engine for this truck…
To each their own. If I were buying it I’d do it how I wanted. But too much money for just the body.
In my dreams, I’d leave the body alone and repaint it with OEM colors, ditch the Puny 4 banger, replace it with Ford Flattie V8, manual trans, and updated brakes, and enjoy.
I you could get a 40-41 Willys front end to fit on that it would look much better in my opinion.
Willys America of Cazadero, CA restored one of these that was a couple years newer. From the firewall back it’s the same as this but the nose is different. Check it out here: https://www.willysamerica.com/restorations/trucks/index.html