18 Comments on “Paul’s Maverick”

1. Mitch April 8, 2014 at 1:16 pm

   I like it but have never heard of a Maverick?
2. deilers Post authorApril 8, 2014 at 7:11 pm

   Mitch: http://www.ewillys.com/?s=maverick

   Example of the brochure: http://www.ewillys.com/2012/03/08/jamaica-willys-wagon-brochure/

   Wikipedia: In 1958 a new Maverick model was introduced, a comparatively more luxurious version of the two-wheel drive wagon. It could be had with only with the four-cylinder engine. The main upgrades were in the introduction of 2 tone paint with matching interior in 2 tones and the standard AM radio. The easiest way to identify a Maverick is by the extra (stainless steel)trim ring under the windows. The Maverick tag came from the TV show of the same name, of which Willys was a sponsor.

   Hope that helps,

   – Dave
3. scramboleer April 8, 2014 at 7:38 pm

   Nice Maverick. Those chrome birds on the side are especially rare. That’s a sweet wagon; it looks like 4wd and a floor shift have been added to the original 2wd. Great find!
4. magari23 April 8, 2014 at 10:49 pm

   My wife, my little boy and our German Shepherd went around the block today the first time together. Fun!

   Yes, you are right scrambler, it has the floor shift and is a 4wd. I’m not sure if the hood including the hood ornament with the “6” are from this 59 Maverick. I asked Mike from Kaiser Willys Auto Supply and he mentioned that the ones with the 6 was an option but it is rare. They did it on a few vehicles. If anybody has more info around this that would be very helpful!

   Dave, you are right, it has the extra (stainless steel) trim ring under the windows. Unfortunately, the one on the tailgate is missing …so, I’m on the hunt to get that one hopefully somewhere soon a s well as the Am Radio 🙂 Also, I definitely want to replace the tires and rims with the original factory ones very soon.
5. Bill Norris April 9, 2014 at 3:15 pm

   If this was really a Maverick, the serial number would start with 5814. They only came in 2WD. Looking at this wagon, I would say its about a 1956 4WD with 1958 Maverick chrome added to it. Those Kaiser emblems on the doors are really hard to find and are amazing to see on this wagon.

   Bill
6. magari23 April 9, 2014 at 5:14 pm

   Hey Bill,

   Thanks for the info. I wanted to contact you anyway since you seem to know a lot about Maverick which is great. I did read your comment about the Maverick sitting in San Diego which also has those rare chrome side emblems. Or I think Dave was so nice to forward me the info. I can’t remember…

   The serial number of this one here starts with 5814. The original color was blue. Somebody probably put the Maverick body on a 4WD chassis?

   Paul
7. Bill Norris April 10, 2014 at 12:19 pm

   Hi Paul,

   Wow, that is really interesting about the serial number. What are the rest of the digits?

   Thanks,
   Bill
8. magari23 April 10, 2014 at 4:17 pm

   Hey Bill,
   It is: 5814710016
9. Bill Norris April 10, 2014 at 6:24 pm

   Paul,

   Well, it looks like you have the body of the 16th Maverick ever built! It is a 1958 model- the first year they were built.

   That said, I agree, I think someone took that body and put in on a 4WD chassis. It should be a Hurricane 4 banger in there and 2WD. It also looks like they enhanced the amount of chrome on the sides of the hood. That looks like it came from a ’58 4WD wagon. The 6 emblem on the grill is also from an earlier wagon.

   Very interesting set of wheels you picked up there.
   Bill
10. magari23 April 10, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    Hi Bill,
    Thanks for looking into this. I very much appreciate that. I agree ..It’s a combo deal 🙂
    It runs very well…I checked the amount of chrome and how it is attached. It all looks very stock to me. But need to look more into it.

    I found some more info around that particular serial number on this website:
    http://www.public.asu.edu/~grover/willys/serial.html

    Paul
11. magari23 April 10, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    Hey Bill,
    On this one I just bought the typical Maverick chrome trim right under the windows is missing on the tailgate. Would love to get it somewhere… probably very hard to find given the fact that the Mavericks are rare. If you know where I could have a chance to find it please let me know.

    Anyhow, I would love hear which one you are driving?
    Or is it probably more than one given the fact that you know a lot about those Wagons which is great?
12. Bill Norris April 11, 2014 at 4:22 am

    Paul,

    That chrome was used on all Mavericks up to 1964, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find. If you were missing those Kaiser emblems on the side- that would be a whole different story. Only the first 100 Mavericks had them.

    I don’t own a Maverick. I am a CJ2A guy. I am currently writing an identification and restoration guide for Willys wagons, pickups, deliveries and Jeepsters with Paul Barry of Willys America. I just finished the Maverick chapter about two weeks ago!

    Bill
13. scramboleer April 11, 2014 at 5:32 am

    Bill,

    Your guide sounds fantastic. Sign me up. Any guesses when it might be available for purchase? Also, is this an update on the current Willys America guide or something entirely different?

    Cheers!
14. magari23 April 11, 2014 at 5:35 am

    Awesome! I can’t wait to order the guide.
    Thanks, Bill!

    paul
15. Bill Norris April 11, 2014 at 8:05 am

    Guys,

    I appreciate your interest! Glad to see somebody will want it!

    I hate to say it, but life keeps getting in the way and I don’t have a date when it will be done. I am hoping in the next year or two. I would like to think it will be worth the wait. We will cover exterior/interior colors, options, identifiying features etc. We are also including actual photographs to make it easier to find weird stuff like a VIN tag on the inside firewall of a Jeepster.

    This will not be an update to Paul’s catalog. This will be an entirely different book with 10 times the detail and information. We also have histories of the development of the vehicles and have pics of the prototypes. I don’t think some of them have been seen in years.

    This has been quite an effort because Willys was not really good about logging information i.e. color commbinations etc. We have sifted through service bulletins, distributor bulletins, factory newsletters etc to compile it all. That’s a big reason why its taking so long! Not like the big three that have archives you can just ask. It has been a ton of fun putting together though.

    In the meantime, if you have a question, let me know and I’ll try to answer it. I have learned alot about them and might be able to help.

    Bill
16. deilers Post authorApril 11, 2014 at 10:47 am

    Bill. Sign me up for a copy of that. I’ve been wanting to do that exact project, because it has been info I’ve needed. (now happy I don’t have to do it!). I’ll be happy to help get out the word on it, too.

    – Dave
17. Bill Norris April 11, 2014 at 10:56 am

    Dave,

    I know alot of people could use this info. It was Paul’s idea. He thought it would really help the hobby.

    You can help me out by working my real job for me so that I can focus on the book. Thanks in advance.

    Bill
18. deilers Post authorApril 11, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    Bill, I wouldn’t be any help. I don’t know how to do a real job anymore 🙂