Casting Numbers and Serial Numbers

[OldBub007]

I am trying to identify a Willys wagon by serial number.  It was said to be a 1949, 4X 463 SW, which is the first year for the 4WD.  The serial number sequence for that year is 10001-14472.  My body s/n is 151119, which as you can see is higher than the last 1949 made.  Well, I thought it may be a 1950.  But the 50 s/n picks up where the 49 left off, and goes to 17559. Only thing is mine has the flat grill and the 1950 is the year that the pointed grill came out.  So. I ruled that out and am asking for help figuring this thing out. I anyone up to the task???

[Haines Garage]

I'm out... No nuthin of Willis Wagons.

[Deleted]

I'm more familiar with pickups, but I'm pretty sure they did have some 50's with the flat grill. '48 had the ash tray below the wiper knob, and '49 had the new style ash tray up by the windshield with the wiper knob now below it. '50 still had the square insrument panel and '51 went to the round seperate speedo. Hopefully someone didn't change your data plate with a later one. All it takes is 4 screws. Go to EWillys.com and look at photos of wagons and years. Oilly

[Deleted]

007...be careful...you might have just inherited the pedestal of resident wagon expert! Evidently none of us have ventured into this category.

[jeffwho]

OlBub I know a guy with two Willys wagons - he's never been on the HG forum far as I know. I don't know how much he knows about wagons, but I will ask him.

[jeffwho]

Hey OlBub, got a reply:

"I agree that the tell tale feature like flat grill versus pointed would be the main factor to go on. There’s always the possibility the front end was put on a later model vehicle, too, adding to the confusion. www.public.asu.edu/~grover/willys/serial.html

This is a listing of some compiled data, but it doesn’t have as many digits as the guy has on his. www.public.asu.edu/~grover/willys/id.html

This second page talks about some of the challenges in deciphering the information, since Willys kept poor records. With there being a lot of Willys sitting on car lots, new, for sale for years before being sold, the dealers would go to the DMV in their state and “re-title” the new vehicles as the next year model. It was common practice in the old days and helped lead to the many confusions now.

Hope that helps him!"

[oldbub007]

thanks, everyone. very helpful info.

[Deleted]

There's also the "Old Willys Forum". There is a clickable link to the forum at the bottom of the "CJ3B Bulletin Board". they are specialists on trucks and wagons!

[Deleted]

I can add nothing to this, but, if you come up with some interesting facts we can certainly add it to the data here for others