21 Comments on “1956 Wagon Williamsburg, VA **Sold**”

1. Steve E. August 23, 2013 at 9:59 am

   Very nice looking Wagon. A friend has one that has the exact same color scheme. But for $10K, you would think he’d replace the broken window and have some keys made.

   **Steve E.**
2. scramboleer August 23, 2013 at 5:01 pm

   Yeah, and how does the 226 handle turning the 33″ tires?
3. Steve E. August 23, 2013 at 10:49 pm

   ……or the brakes stopping those heavy meats. That’s an easy fix. There are plenty of 15″ rims out there to put stock tires back on it. There’s potential for this beauty.

   **Steve E.**
4. Jan K. November 2, 2013 at 10:42 pm

   The speedo doesn’t look right for a “56”. Didn’t they start that larger speedometer separated from the other gauges in 57 or 58?
5. scramboleer November 3, 2013 at 7:01 am

   Jan,

   You’re right that Willys used that larger speedo from 1957 to 1966 on the trucks and wagons. However for most of 1956 they used a unique speedo with Art Deco font also of the larger diameter as seen here. Both of these speedos had the fuel and temp gauges mounted behind the speedo (instead of below it a la ~1951 to ~1955). Oil and amp gauges went away and instead had a warning light in the larger speedo.

   Cheers,

   Scramboleer
6. deilers Post authorNovember 3, 2013 at 10:30 am

   So, this speedometer is a missing link of sorts? From Grover’s site here are photos of different speedometers (but doesn’t include the deco one).

   http://www.public.asu.edu/~grover/willys/speedo.html
7. scramboleer November 3, 2013 at 10:50 am

   Yeah it was just used in 1956 or 1956 1/2. Dunno why.
8. Steve E. November 3, 2013 at 12:24 pm

   About the unusual Dash: I’ve always wanted to know the actual story behind the first generation face plates on the large 5 1/2″ instrument cluster. I have one in a ’61 CJ-5 and it just doesn’t look “Willys” enough for me. It seems like a reproduction or out of another make. I’m so used to the more common number font on the faceplate of my ’57 Sedan Delivery, and others such as FC’s, late production CJ-3B’s, and CJ-5’s. According to the Willys America Restoration Guide, the early faceplate was used from 1956 1/2 to 1957, and are all 6 volt (Just as Scramboleer said). The guide also says that the common faceplate was produced from ’57-1/2 to ’64 and all 12 volt. With Willys, you can’t say never or always. I’ve was told year ago that they used whatever parts that were in stock. My ’57 SD with the common faceplate is 6 volt, contrary to the restoration guide. The U.S. Forest Service nomenclature plate says the date of delivery as 11/56, making it a ’57 model for sure.

   About ’56’s: A friend of mine has an early dash with the small round speedometer on his ’56 Wagon. The most obvious change in any year for Willys Wagons and Pickups is that you can tell a ’56 right away because the center grill bar was moved one position up. So, I’m guessing that the large 5 1/2″ dash was used early in the changeover to the ’57 production year. It is also possible that the early faceplate was what the speedometer supplier has ready for delivery, and the production run used them until the supply ran out.

   Around ’57 was also when they put the heater core inside the engine compartment, and made a screened fresh air intake in the grill. I’m not trying to question the seller about the year of his Wagon, but I think it’s at least a ’57 model. It has a centered 3-bar grill, and it has a screened vent in the grill indicating that the heater core is in the engine compartment, and it has a ’57 instrument cluster.

   Now I’m wondering if a ’56 CJ-5/6 ever came with a speedometer face like the one in this Wagon.

   **Steve E.**
9. Colin Peabody November 3, 2013 at 1:08 pm

   The speedometer on this looks identical to the ones used on the DJ3As when they were introduced up through about 1958. The numerals only go to 8 and the gas and water temp gauges were different than those used on the DJ3As after that. The early DJ3As could be had with either 6 or 12 volt systems, so it is possible this wagon could be one of a transition group using old stock??
10. david wrye November 3, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    would you like the ID#?
11. scramboleer November 3, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    Here are some pictures of speedometers through the years here (post 22 in the thread): http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/showthread.php?901-Pictures-of-dashboards-from-different-years/page3
12. Steve E. November 4, 2013 at 1:15 am

    David, is this your wagon? I’m curious to see the vin number to learn more about the differences.

    Colin, that’s interesting that the DJ numbers only go up to 8. (Kids always ask me if my Willys can 90. LOL. I probably thought the same thing when I was that age. Makes sense…)

    Great collection of Dash photos, Scramboleer!! Now I’m curious about the rectangle dashes. My ’49 Jeepster has a black face plate. I’m partial to that color scheme. A gave a late friend of mine a good silver dash for his ’48 pickup to replace his. (His son has it now.) I don’t care for the silver. I think I was told that the silver was found in pickups, and black was found in Jeepsters. I’m not certain about that.
13. scramboleer November 4, 2013 at 8:23 am

    Hi Steve,

    Is your Jeepster’s dash like post 34 here? http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/showthread.php?901-Pictures-of-dashboards-from-different-years/page4

    Cheers,

    Scramboleer
14. david wrye November 4, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    vin # TWS6L2265105 hope this helps
15. david wrye November 4, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    It Sold Tonight for 8,500
    Thanks everyone for your interest
    Dave Wrye
16. Steve E. November 10, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    Dave W., I’m glad you found a good home for your great looking wagon. The serial number should be a ten digit number located on the floor riser next to the driver’s seat near the tool box door. The VIN number you have must have been assigned by the state you’re in if the serial number was lost or could not be located, or maybe it was transferred from another state. My Panel Delivery Wagon is 54268-11851. The first five digits indicate the model produced, and the second five digits is the sequential number. Your Wagon should start with 54148 if it originally had an F4-134, and 54168 if it originally had an L6-226 engine. The exact year doesn’t matter because only the Vehicle Department cares. But if you have the time to find the manufacturer’s serial number, it would be interesting to look up.

    I hope the buyer found it on e-Willys.

    **Steve E.**
17. david wrye November 11, 2013 at 4:07 pm

    serial off the tag at bottom of drivers door 54168 23989
    Can’t wait to find out
    Dave Wrye
18. Steve E. November 11, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    Dave, that serial number IS a ’56 just as you thought. It originally had the larger engine option, an L6-226. 7,239 4×4 Station Wagons of this configuration were assembled for the ’56 production run. The ’56 4×4 serial numbers fell between 180696 and 25335. So, yours is toward the end of production. Assuming that the grill wasn’t changed over the years, your Wagon must have been one of the first to have a center bar in the middle of the grill, and a screen vent under the right turn signal light to supply fresh air to the later style heater with the core under the hood.

    **Steve E.**
19. Richard Myers November 15, 2013 at 9:26 am

    Still need a title to complete the sale.
20. Richard Myers November 15, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    New York didn’t title cars prior to 1973 so I was able to title and register the truck myself.
21. deilers Post authorNovember 15, 2013 at 12:46 pm

    Good deal Richard!