Scott’s pre-movie wagon. Note the temporary passenger window.

Scott from Cincinnati shares his experience about the use of his Willys Wagon for a major motion picture. For him it was a positive experience. Thanks to Scott for creating this post!

In early march of this year I was contacted by a production co., showing an interest in pre 1955 vehicles for an upcoming movie to be filmed locally called Carol and starring Kate Blanchett. Apparently Cincinnati’s history and architecture is commonly used as a backdrop to post war NYC. I sent them some pictures and explained that my willys was in running condition and a few days later they called and offered to wrap the vehicle to use it as a prop NYC postal delivery truck.

US Mail Wagon and Dj-5 Mail Jeep

This green color is what they selected.

I sent more pictures and soon had a proof of their final rendering. To my surprise the scenes involving my wagon were less than two weeks away. After not hearing from my contact for a few days, I reached out and was, sadly, informed that the wrap contractor wasn’t able to meet the production schedule.

Somehow the conversation turned to paint as a possibility. Later that evening she found a body shop willing to do the job in less than a week on their dime. Coincidentally the paint color in the rendering was close enough to get them to agree to a very similar Woodstock green to factory.

The following morning I drove the willys there and inspected their facilities and current projects, a berlinetta here, a classics Mercedes there and even a frame off corvair, obviously they were overqualified for the job at hand. Initially the shop was hesitant to take the project on, after they realized how much metal, body and prep would be required. I agreed to furnish all necessary hard parts at my cost and they would provide the paint, as agreed with the production company.

Thanks to Willys Overland for supplying this wagon sheet metal!

So how do you find new sheet metal overnight? After many hours calling the usual suspects, whom all agreed that a driver’s quarter panel was too big for overnight delivery no matter the cost, I finally found an ohio willys parts retailer http://www.willysoverland.com and they promised to have it for pickup in the morning. A buddy agreed to drive to Toledo and pick up the parts and, of course, walcks came through for all of the remaining soft parts and seals needed a few days later, after paint. That Saturday I visited the willys in the paint booth and let’s just say I was speechless. On Monday the production folks were going to the shop to apply their temporary decals and special effects, with filing to occur the next day. 

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