Bebert

◊ 2006-07-23 09:08

sixcyl

◊ 2006-07-23 09:47

pilou

◊ 2006-07-24 16:28

4x4peru

◊ 2006-10-30 06:30

SAK510

◊ 2007-10-29 08:13

That is not a 1958 Wagon. It is not a Maverick Station Wagon. The trim on the wagon in the picture was not offered in 1958. The Maverick did use that trim, and, no, the Maverick did not, and never had, a long spear down the side. The one piece windshield was introduced on the Willys Maverick and the Harlequin in mid 1959. It was not offered before May of 1959. The other models of Willys Station Wagons did not have a one piece windshield in 1959. The Maverick was introduced on May 7, 1959 as a special 2WD model introducing a number of improvements (serial number prefix 58147). The Maverick was a special model ONLY made for a few months in 1959. This new model was introduced as the Maverick Special on the Maverick TV show. Many commerials were made introducing it. It was only offered with a 4 cyl motor and 2 wheel drive introducing a reverse Elliot I beam axle. The new suspension and frame (basically the 4 wheel drive frame) were a big improvement over the Planadyne independent front suspension offered into 1959. Please note that Willys dropped the Maverick name for the 1960 model, and NEVER used it again. The 1960 Station Wagon used the same "upside-down check mark trim as the Maverick, but two tone paint became optional and the 226 CID flathead was offered as an option.

This trim was used as the Utility Wagon trim through at least 1963. This trim was also used on a rare model called the Traveller. It had facing rear benches mounted to the side walls and doors on the back, instead of the tailgate. All models of the wagon recieved the one piece curved front windshield in 1960.

A one piece rear window replaced the two small panes in 1961 on all models.

A new trim style looking like a bottle nosed bullet or Nike missile was introduced on the 1961 model "deluxe" Station Wagon. At this time, the upside-down checkmark trim of the "Maverick" style was relegated to the Utility Wagon and the Traveller.

Only 197 (or less) true 1959 Willys Maverick wagons were produced, but at least 2200 more 2wd wagons with this trim (but different in other ways) were made in 1960. The production of the 4WD model shown above was much higher, with almost 60,000 4WD Wagons made between circa 1958-1965. In comparison, only about 6000 2WD wagons of all variations were made between 1959 and 1965. (No wagons were actually made in 1965. Production supposedly stopped in late 1964.)

There has been horrible misinformation on late model Willys wagons written over the past 20+ years. There have even been two books which have serious errors due to poor serial number tracing and a lack of use of company documents and literature. One of the authors was supposed to contact me for information, didn't, then admitted he was supposed to after I saw the book and contacted him. He reported to me that he thought all Willys literature and company documents were incorrect, so he ignored them, as he did the serial numbers on the vehicles. As of the last time I checked, he still hasn't corrected his book, or his website.

I have original company brochures, and introduction information on the late model wagons, and have owned and restored several of them. Many years ago, I saw the original Willys Maverick Special commercials on 16mm film with the Maverick TV show. I have did extensive serial number tracing and interviewed an old Willys dealer owner back in the 1980's. I even checked the manufacturing dates of dated parts on the cars, such as the interior panels. All the field research I did confirmed the accuracy of the Willys documents and literature.

Richard of C

◊ 2007-12-03 17:08

ewillys

◊ 2011-04-25 22:59