Willys Jeep Restoration | The Original SUV

The roots of the iconic Jeep brand go way back to 1908 when it was known as Willys. In this episode we look at a complete restomod of a 1959 Willys wagon. This was the original SUV and is the grandfather of todays Jeep Grand Cherokee. See the history of Jeep and how it evolved over the years. Then see how Jellybean AutoCrafters has brought this vehicle back to life.
Links:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep
www.autoweek.com/car-life/a18...
www.jeep.com/history.html
www.caranddriver.com/features...
jellybeanautocrafters.com/
Sites:
Website
www.centerlane.net
Center Lane on Social Media:
Like Us on Facebook: / lovemycarvids
Follow Me on Instagram: / ctr_lane

[@timothymulholland7905]

I grew up in ineof these in the 1950s. Great memories.

[@CENTERLANE]

Lots of great stories about these trucks. Thanks for watching.

[@loganshotrod4x464]

These old wagons have skyrocketed in popularity. Beautiful build! 🤘😎👍

[@robertrobert7924]

I remember looking at the old large JEEP Cherokee wagons which only got 8 mpg. Then the new smaller size Cherokee which got 24 mpg, which was the 1st JEEP I bought. When that one wore out, I got a second one. I did a lot of camping in the mountains and they served me well.

[@CENTERLANE]

They have a great history. Thanks for sharing.

[@leeadams5941]

Those guys really know what they are doing...very nice job

[@CENTERLANE]

Jellybean is awesome. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@craighapp4777]

Great history lesson, and a beautiful rig. I own a 61 Wagon, to go along with my Grand Cherokee and Wrangler.

[@gill.henryshaw7673]

I had a 1954 ex South African Willy's Wagoneer. As such it was right hand drive. I acquired it in 1964 from a London car dealer and drove it home to Scarborough in Yorkshire. It had the Hurricane F head 4 cylinder engine and three speed transmission. I did it up as the Woody Wagon. It was a very rare vehicle in the UK😂 loved the Wagoneer, but eventually I had to scrap it due to parts difficulty. Henry Shaw.😅

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@bruceklassen8261]

Spectacular build

[@Blend-24]

What happened to the CJ2a? CJ3a? CJ3b? All before the CJ5. Also the Willys wagon and truck were intro’d in 1946 but did NOT have 4wd until 1949. The Chevrolet Suburban was intro’d in 1933 well before the Willys-Overland wagon. The Willys was the first all steel wagon

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for the added info. Thanks for watching.

[@-oiiio-3993]

All correct and accurate.

[@sajeevs1206]

Very nice video and very nice presentation 👌👋👋👋👋 I am the one of the owner 1957 model Willys Station Wagon in India .Very nice and original condition i am keeping my willys station wagon.

[@CENTERLANE]

Thank you. These cars are pretty rare now but they are very cool. Thanks for watching!!

[@rajindersinghsaran9294]

Excellent review of the origin of Jeep And fabulous restoration and upgrade

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks Rajinder for the feedback and thanks for watching!

[@DavidD6969]

Beautiful job

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching

[@ajaysinghsankhla6179]

Beautiful restoration

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching. It truly is gorgeous.

[@jellybeanhotrods]

This is another great video Bruce. Well done

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks guys. I appreciate it! You guys always have the best stories.

[@bigears4014]

They were also a 6 cyl , but if this was a 4 the radiator panel is set further back , but they have tons of room for a eight

[@theleafsprungjeeper]

I have always wondered how an AMC242 would fit mated with an AX15 on this Willys

[@sumarudha]

Described the history very well 👏

[@CENTERLANE]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@fredmacdonald9339]

beautiful build had a 63 with the ohc 6

[@-oiiio-3993]

John North Willys pronounced his name _Will - iss,_ not "Will - eez." Ford's GP was _Government, 80" wheelbase_ (P was internal Ford code for 80" wheelbase), not 'Pygmy'. Chrysler is now Stellantis North America. The vehicle featured has been beautifully modified, very tastefully done. I imagine it cost a bit.

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for the info.

[@timothymulholland7905]

Ery nice. That sort of thing.

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching.

[@martinsreliquias1614]

❤ WILLYS

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching!

[@whitebuffalo4641]

Very nice!

[@CENTERLANE]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!!

[@unwoke1652]

SUV doesn't sit on a ladder frame chassis, but has unibody construction. A 4x4 with body-on-frame therefore is a 4x4, not a SUV. Yes, Jeep Wagoneer initiated the concept yet their first actual SUV came much later.

[@waltercastricone8541]

I have a 51 4x4.

[@CENTERLANE]

Cool. They are pretty rare. Thanks for watching.

[@CORSU2A126]

C du grand bonheur pour les yeux....🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@marcelorobertopai5224]

Um espetáculo, uma jóia rara.

[@CENTERLANE]

Estou feliz por ter gostado. Obrigado por assistir.

[@captain7265]

Other than 500 modifications, it’s all stock. It is nice, though.

[@Mexxx65]

800th Willys Like!

[@SanjaySharma-nj4ri]

Good I like Willy jeep

[@CENTERLANE]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jimfacinelli2585]

I just finished my 24th Willys build. Nice informative video. One comment: Its pronounced " Will us" Not "Will hes".

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching. I saw an old TV ad today where they pronounced it as you say but I had already recorded it. I heard it both ways but figured someone would call me out on it. Glad you liked it.

[@curtaustin8119]

@@CENTERLANE That's a gracious reply! Thank you. In some other channel's video, I once objected to someone's mispronunciation of Porsche - common but wrong, like Willys - and the guy responded with a rant against elitism in his next video, that his mispronunciation was purposeful. I responded by asking "you're worried about sounding elitist in a video about Porsche?" He semi-graciously agreed on that point.

[@CORSU2A126]

Mais le vrai bonheur serait que ce TRÉSOR soit dans mon garage......😁

[@CENTERLANE]

Ce serait un bon véhicule à avoir. Merci d'avoir regardé.

[@sw651]

Great job on this Willys. Im jealous of tbe owner. Lol

[@CENTERLANE]

It is very gorgeous. Thanks for watching.

[@jorgetoro3573]

Here, in Argentina, the Willys Station Wagon, was built to Industrias Kaiser Argentina under the brand Kaiser Estanciera fron 1957 until 1970.

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for sharing. Glad you liked the video.

[@richardpedersen9189]

My Dad had a '53 when I was growing up! Very capable, just not fast 👍🤣

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching

[@michaelreilly1310esq]

My Mom and Dad had a ‘51. What a great car it was growing up

[@theleafsprungjeeper]

Awesome work! Very well crafted! I just have three questions: What are the options chosen for the spare tire? What was the arrangement for track bars and sway bars? What are the specs for the gearbox/ transfer case/ axles?

[@asingh5482]

I have travelled a lot by the JEEP station wagons in India. The last time a travelled was in 1981.

[@bobbates6642]

Good job. I would have rigged so the hitch could be moved from front to back easily if needed

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching. It is a really nice build and one that gets used. It's not kept as a garage queen which is nice to see.

[@diecastcollector8]

What an incredible beauty you've created!! I even have it's scale model on my channel. I have subscribed your channel 🙏

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for subscribing. I’m glad you enjoyed the video.

[@diecastcollector8]

@@CENTERLANE you're doing absolutely incredible work 🙏

[@kobusdutoitbosman6240]

Great vehicle, fantastic memories Think your outcome a top draw one especially nice since the whole job is original style and design sensitive So, the vehicle remained classic Well done❗️ 🪖

[@CENTERLANE]

It's a really nice build. Thanks for your comments and thanks for watching.

[@clackerd]

I had an all-original 1961 station wagon and had a lot of fun rebuilding the mechanical overdrive with my dad. One thing I noticed - I have read 'Willys' is pronounced 'Will-is' not 'Will-ees' - can someone set me straight? :)

[@CENTERLANE]

You are correct. It is pronounced Will-is. I did not know that when I shot this episode but found out while editing. I actually found an original tv ad where that is how they pronounced it. Thanks for watching.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@CENTERLANE Quite right.

[@tanyamewherter-covington1873]

I have an original 64 same vehicle, one owner, my grandma , my dad then me then will be my son's. How many $$$$$ to restore, same way no rust on shell, floor boards need redone. Body sides all good

[@CENTERLANE]

That's really cool it's been in your family for so long. This one will have had hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in it. It takes the right owner who wants that special car!

[@krishnankutty121]

​@@CENTERLANE🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@krishnankutty121]

​👌👌👌👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹

[@calhill2044]

Beautiful job on the wagon. Could you tell me what the front and rear axles were from originally? Thanks, really enjoyed the video!

[@CENTERLANE]

I'm not sure. I can check with Jellybean and see what they put in it.

[@PlaneManHehehe]

His name was John Willis the Y is pronounced like a short I

[@CENTERLANE]

Yes, I realized this while producing this episode but it was too late to change. Thanks for watching.

[@michaels.5990]

I enjoyed the history part of your video and what a nice rig. Is that an original willys color… what color was it painted?

[@CENTERLANE]

I'm not sure what colour it is but it sure looks good. I had a great time shooting this one and seeing all the work done to this vehicle. What an amazing transformation.

[@tanyamewherter-covington1873]

Did put a smaller steering wheel 🤔, it hurts your fingers sometimes, lol

[@brianyoung9014]

I hate to tell you that Land Rover built there long wheel base wagon years before willys .

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for the info.

[@jorgeluisclemente2114]

Donde puedo conseguir piezas y accesorios para jeep willys pick up? Gracias y excelente video

[@CENTERLANE]

Me alegro de que te guste el vídeo. No estoy seguro de dónde puedes conseguir las piezas. Probablemente haya algunos foros de Willy en Facebook donde la gente sabrá dónde encontrar repuestos. Gracias por ver.

[@mso602]

How much did it cost ? I have Willie’s wagon want to know what I be getting in too?

[@healthyamerican]

i saw the new ford bronco commercial and they claimed the 1965 bronco was the worlds first suv. i dont know how they are not called out for being such liars. not to mention the new bronco copies jeep in many ways.. removable roof, removable doors, four door convertible, roll cage, drain plugs in the floor boards, and side door cutouts that were a jeep concept.

[@CENTERLANE]

Ford probably thinks they created the Jeep with the GP. A lot of Fords ideas were incorporated into the Willys MA when it went into production but that Willys wagon didn’t really have a competitor back in the 50s so Ford really is stretching the truth by saying the Bronco is the original SUV.

[@mikelovin7]

Actually with a little research the first SUV was made in 1935, long before either of those brands.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@CENTERLANE The IHC Scout, introduced in 1961, also predated Ford's Bronco. The first prototype of what would become 'Jeep' was designed, engineered, and built by American Bantam. Bantam had been working on the concept with the U.S. Army before the 1940 bid was issued by Ordnance. Bantam and Willys Overland responded to the bid, Ford was arm twisted by Ordnance to join in. Bantam was the only respondent to provide a prototype on time and was closest to specifications. Willys presented theirs soon afterward, Ford trailed along third. Ordnance declared all designs and blueprints submitted to be government property and promptly shared them among the three competitors for revisions and short runs of 'pre standard' vehicles were contracted for testing and evaluation. These were: Bantam BRC (Bantam Reconnaissance Car) Willys MA (Military, first contract) Ford GP (Government, 80" wheelbase) After beating them severely (testing and evaluation), the contract to build _Truck, 1/4 Ton, 4X4, G503_ was awarded to Willys, primarily due to superiority of the Willys 'Go Devil' engine, with Ford as subcontractor. Standard WW2 'Jeeps' (G503) were: Willys MB (Military, second contract) Ford GPW (Government, 80" w/b, Willys pattern)

[@yatselchil8348]

Cómo puedo comprar uno , mi abuelo tenía uno en cuba y tengo muy bonitos recuerdos de ese auto

[@CENTERLANE]

Todavía hay algunos a la venta en EE. UU. A veces los veo aparecer en algunos de los sitios web.

[@yatselchil8348]

Gracias

[@yatselchil8348]

Que página puedo visitar

[@michaelreilly1310esq]

Where’s the spare? It originally was inside on passenger side

[@my2cents945]

AMC was the beginning of the end, and it's been all down hill ever since.

[@jackaustin3576]

willys doesn't end with a Z ....

[@janettesoto606]

What king of engine does this Willy’s presently have?

[@CENTERLANE]

It’s a 5.7l Hemi

[@miguelsastoque326]

Cómo traducir a español

[@mikelovin7]

Jeep was great until the Chrysler buy out, they're just over priced JUNK now.

[@raymndstannski3947]

Sorry but ? The original SUV's Were International "Scouts"

[@Mercury4468]

Those didn't come out until the 60's, long after the wagon.

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

NO! CHEVROLET SUBURBAN is the ORIGINAL SUV, not the Willis.

[@longrider188]

If you know so much about Willys, why do you continue to mispronounce the name?

[@CENTERLANE]

Yes. I know I pronounced it wrong but didn’t know that until after I had shot the episode. I hope you still got something out of it. Thanks for watching.

[@bluesriot2]

then they spelled it wrong in 1912 lol

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@bluesriot2 It is the name of John North Willys. Pronunciation is _Will - iss._

[@vintageappliguy]

You mispronounced the name Willys, it is pronounced WILL-IS

[@CENTERLANE]

Yes I know. Didn’t figure out to proper pronounciation until I was almost done the video. Thanks for watching.

[@PlaneManHehehe]

You're pronouncing Willy's wrong it's actually pronounced Willis

[@CENTERLANE]

I found that out after shooting the episode. Thanks for watching.

[@frankporfidio9813]

Your history part is WAY off on a LOT of info . You glaze over a LOT of info .

[@CheapSunglasses0]

Everyone loves a hemi, but its not original.. where is the 262 Hurricane? that thing had a mountain of torque. Extended the frame 6 inches just killed the original design... The thing is worthless to a collector.

[@danvanhoose6783]

Lose the music!!!

[@marciaaberle3655]

jeeps arent called cars..enough with that!