048: Ralph Sellers’ 1961 Willys Wagon
I am a Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealer in Gonzales, LA, a suburb of Baton Rouge. This is the result of a three year restoration, customization, of a 1961 Willys we took on trade on a new Jeep Commander. 
I spared no expense, trying to make this vehicle my daily driver. I wanted it to drive like a new vehicle, with the wonderful looks of the old Sport Wagon. I think I succeeded!
-Ralph Sellers
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I have a 1951 jeep willy wagon will like to know how much would
it be to customize it the way you did thanks
Hallo Ralph Sellers,
the others have already said it. I am blown away by the wood-grain, and it has a nice mirror to.
Congratulation and good luck.
Marry Christmas from Peter Queensland Au
Thank you all for the kind words. I have owned many restored, antique and tricked out cars, but this has truly been my favorite project. The Willys is actually on a ’04 TJ Unlimited chassis that was totally restored, with a new 5.7L Hemi installed. It actually drives as good as it looks. It is awesome to share with a group of enthusiasts that can appreciate the work and labor of love that go into creating this sort of project. A sincere thanks for the compliments.
WOW I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL IN 1962 WHEN THESE WERE NEW.
OUGHT TO GET THE STAMPING DIES OUT AND START BUILDING THEM AGAIN
THEY ARE MORE UNIQUE THAN SOME OF THE NEWER MODELS. I REMEMBER
MY DAD TAKING A NEW ONE OUT IN 1961 FOR A TEST DRIVE .
THE DEALERS NAME AT TIME WAS SWENKE MOTORS.
WILLYS HAD A PLANT HERE IN ELMIRA NEW YORK BACK IN TWENTIES.
MY DAD WORKED THERE IN PLANT . IT WAS CALLED THE MARROW PLANT ..
IN FACT THERE IS A STREET HERE NAMED WILLYS STREET WHERE THE PLANT WAS.
THE SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL IS NOW LOCATED ON THE SPOT …
I was in the paint business for many years and have not seen an equal to the woodgrain work on this great Willys —–what a great vehicle to show off your talent—-Marvin
What a beauty!!! You have created a master piece.
I am picking up a 61 Willy truck this weekend that has been sitting in my brother-in-laws back yard for 18 years and my grandson and I plan to restoring it. Can you give me some tips on where to get parts and what kind of a budget I should plan on.
I want to get a 327 or 350 engine with an auto trans and lots of chrome like yours. I would like to install bucket seats and a console similar to yours also.
Beautiful Job. You’ve done what I’ve only thought about. My 1960 Wagon is all original & has merit as such but I wonder what would it be to have a modern system under such a Historic body. Great to see your photos, I only wish I could hear the vehicle as it approaches & drives by.
What is a clean machine as Mr. Pitts has stated above, you’ve created the dream machine:The contemporary Willys Wagon. I own a 1960 e y m and I struggle about upgrading. Thanks for the photos what a project congratulations
.
It is great to see a rolling work of art like your Wagon. I would like to know the details of the build , chassis , and power choice. Thanks
Perfect, it is great to see a dream come true.
GREAT LOOKING JEEP I STARTING REBUILDING A 47 JEEP TRUCK ANY INFORMATION YOU WOULD SHARE WOULD BE GREAT.
Ralph,
Congratulations on an awesome job! It looks great. I in the middle of a fairly dramatic mod on a 1953 willys wagon. I trying to decide if I want to do work gain work (paint) on it. Yours looks great….could you tell me who did the work grain paint job? I’m in North Carolina, but maybe your painter can give me some info.
Thanks.
excelente trabajo es algo maravilloso ver el esmero y la dedicación con que han trabajado en el vehiculo
Ralph,
Yours is truly a fantastic resto-mod creation, thanks for sharing the photos! I am in the mid stage of rebuilding a 1958 Willys Wagon 4X4 as a daily driver (using some improvements and upgrades, chassis is close to done) and yours gives me something to aspire to. I can’t afford to “spare no expense” but the amount I am spending makes my friends and family think I’m a little crazy. I would love to get more information from you on parts / materials used and how it was all put together.
Beautiful job!!
This vehicle is exceptional. One fact to support my opinion is the vehicle chosen to spend the time and money is rare for such show of talent and interest. How many times have we spent money and time to make our imagination vehicle come to life and when it arrived we were disappointed because it was different than our dream. It is healthy to dream and create show like this one. It is especially good for old sore eyes of us older generation who don’t have the energy to spend any time soon on such projects but we would like to just dream and after looking at this one I can imagine. Just let me go. Thanks for the show and the feeling I received from your work. fp.
Ralph:
Simply beautiful especially the thin tailights look great..
And yes you did suceed big time how you say it. STUPINDOUS