
Christmas of 1997 I picked up this 1951 Willys Wagon with a sweet Ford Cobra 289 engine. The rest of the driveline was stock (now there's disaster waiting to happen!), but with glass packs the engine sounded awesome. The previous owner, a great old guy, had it for the last ten or so years and replaced all the rusted out panels and painted it. The rims were previously on my '78 CJ-7. While I did a few things to this wagon and had great plans to make it into a daily driver, after a few years I had to admit I had too many projects and just wouldn't get to it for a long time. November of 1999 I sold the Willys, but at least it went to a great lady in southern Oregon who still has it and loves it to death.
My dream is to get a four door wagon and hotrod it. Willys Wagons just aren't that popular and I don't understand why. I think they are one of the best looking vehicles ever made. Most guys who have them want to keep them stock. I want to cherry it out. Black paint, blacked out windows, high-end interior (custom bucket seats, power everything, killer stereo, and all the good stuff), and something like a 383 cid engine and all-new powertrain with disc brakes and 4WD to move it down the road.
Four Door Willys Wagons

Don't believe Willys Wagons ever came with four doors? Then check this out! Judging by the five-bar grille, it is a 1950-1953. They were made for the railroad and were called Hy-rail and titled by Fairmont.
Mitsubishi Jeeps
You can also get a four door wagon manufactured under the Mitsubishi brand, but with right hand drive and, well, you'll probably have to import it from Japan as precious few are in the US. They were manufactured through 1998 (with the flat late 40's CJ3B style frontend), had the vertical rear doors like the panel delivery wagon (definitely what I prefer), and mostly had diesel engines. From what I can tell, these are called the J3x series. So far I've come up with J30, J36, J37, and J38 but haven't been able to figure out what years those represent so far. Seems to have more to do with engine configuration than year of manufacturer. Would probably help if I could read Japanese. Later models (I believe 1981 and later) had three windshield wiper blades which looks pretty cool. This is the direction I'll probably go when I get back on the project (although I'd replace the flat CJ3B style front end with a pointed five-bar grill, 1950-1953). If you've got a Mitsubishi wagon for sale, give me a shout.
4-Door Willys Wagon Links
Here's the good links on 4-door Willys Wagons that I've dug up so far:
Purchase or Import Links
Hy-Rail Fairmont Vehicles
There are three Hy-rails in existance that I've personally been able to find.
If you know of another one, let me know and I'll add it to this list.
1978 CJ-7

From '88 to '98 I drove my beloved 1978 CJ-7 as my primary transportation (and most of that time as my only transportation). It had a 304 and went through numerous iterations of tops (soft and hard), multiple wheels (the mags on the 51 Willys came from the Jeep), etc. Yes, I'm here as prove that if you're willing to make the door strikes work (take the frame support with striker from a later model and cut/weld it in), you can fit Wrangler doors on a CJ-7 - contrary to what my Jeep dealer told me.
2007 Willys America Open House
I finally made it to a West Coast Willys event. There were lots of great Willys vehicles there. We caravanned to the event, hung out, and were provided a barbeque. Fun stuff.
More pictures on the caravan to Willys America at Jim Russell's blog and Bill Brennan's site.

Willys Links
West Coast Willys Club - A great, active club. Informative newsletter. If you like Willys vehicles, you should join.
Willys America - One of the best and most knowledgeable sources on Willys you can find
Spring/Fall Midwest Willys Reunion - Pics of Willys
Extra nice & practical wagon build - Now here is one I'd die to buy!
Informative Willys Wagon site with lots of pics - Nice guy, good information, lots of people submit pics, will answer questions
Overland Design has Willys merchandise
Willys for sale, some nice vehicles on this site
Willys Online - nice site on the whole range of Willys vehicles
WillysTech - Pictures and on-line classifieds
Willys Tech Registry - One of the best collections of owner submitted pics
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