Hemmings published this somewhat odd article (https://www.hemmings.com/stories/1958-jeep-maverick-special/) about the 1958 Maverick introduction. I use the term “odd”, because of the history that’s included. Let’s consider a few items:
- The company company formed in 1953 under Kaiser was called Willys Motors, Inc., not Willys Motor Company.
- Yes, W-O produced MBs, then MCs, but I’m pretty sure military production didn’t stop during 1956?? Seems there were some M-170s and M-38A1s produced? And what about the civilian jeeps sold to the military and government?
- Besides the military vehicles, I’m pretty sure there were one or two civilian jeeps produced for consumers prior to the introduction of the Maverick Special in 1958.
- How is there zero mention that there was an active relationship between the Maverick show, Willys Motors, The Kaiser companies, and the Maverick Special wagon (the late 1950s Jeep News issues certain thought it was a big deal)?
- Why was it a slow seller? Was it a lack of 4WD, poor marketing, an underpowered engine, or something else? Why wasn’t the market “ready” for this model?
This kind of feels like it was written by an AI program, then not vetted by an editor. In fact, it kind of feels like a regurgitated version of this news article: http://www.ewillys.com/2016/07/07/the-new-maverick-special/
Hemmings can do better …