UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $16,500
(05/15/2011) This looks in good shape.
“1957 Willys-Overland Motors Kaiser-Jeep Wagon 4×4, 2 door with rear lift hatch and tailgate. This is the ORIGINAL SUV !!! $16,500 O.B.O.
In July of 2011, this vehicle was given an excellent bill of health by the renowned and reputable Zip Auto here in Missoula. The only issue they found was the defrost control rod appeared to be stuck. Very fixable I’m sure. Compression ratio was perfect on all 6 cylinders.
This one is a rare find indeed. You’ll be hard pressed to find another one of these that has been garaged it’s entire life. Yes this was garaged always when not in use. My grandfather purchased this vehicle new and used it for hunting and exploring Montana during the late 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. This Willys Jeep Wagon was used rarely, adult driven it’s entire life and maintained with the utmost attention and care. Since the late 70’s, this vehicle was started nearly every summer, brought to operating temperature and driven around the neighbor hood a bit. I believe it was 1985 that my grandfather had a fair amount of work done on this vehicle. He had the engine pulled, cleaned, new seals everywhere, prepped and painted. The body and interior were completely prepped/repainted and the upholstery was redone that same year. The exhaust system was also replaced around the same time. Every ounce of chrome on this looks like a mirror. The exhaust tip is still nice and chromed. The rubber seals all look near new as well. Basically it looks, sounds, smells like new and doesn’t leak any fluid. Talk about sound, it also has a dual or triple horn that is quite loud. Rear passenger side windows slide back half way.
I’m having the radiator, engine, transmission, transfer case and differentials all serviced this week. Radiator will be flushed, fluids will be replaced. I just put in a new battery last week. The winner of this auction will essentially be getting a near new 1957 Willys Jeep Wagon. Potential buyer will need to be aware that this is still the original 6 volt system. Everything works. Because of the low gear ratio, this SUV tops out around 50-55 on the highway. This isn’t going to be your highway commuter vehicle, these were made for the back country or rural communities.
45,470 Original miles (adult driven). This jeep wasn’t used that often. Body in outstanding show quality shape and repainted in 1985. (two tone green). New upholstery in 1985. New engine seals and engine paint in 1985 “L6-226 Super Hurricane” 226 CID (3.7 L) in-line 6 cylinder, great low RPM torque. Borg-Warner T-90 Manual 3 speed transmission 4×4,Spicer/Dana 18 transfer case, nice two lever action Dana 53 rear, Dana 25 front axel. Low gear ratio, with the 6-cylinder engines, it was 4.88:1 standard or the optional 5.38:1 (not sure which this is, it goes pretty slow). Newer exhaust system (1985), still has a shiny chrome exhaust tip. Sounds nice and quiet. Tires look new.”