105: Ben Neil’s 1955 Willys Utility Wagon
This is my 1955 Willys Utility Wagon – 1955 body swapped onto a 1978 Cherokee Chief chassis. 360 amc v8, T18 4spd with 6.34 lo, D20 transfer case with 3.15 tera-lo, D44 axles with 4.10 gears detroit locker and limited slip, Power steering and breaks, Vintage Air A/C and Heat, delivery door conversion. I have owned this since 1989. 
First restored to 99% original and drove it as such for many years. During that time I added an O.D. and the delivery rear doors because most of the mechanicals had worn during this time. About 1997 I decided to modernize the chassis and a full body swap seemed the most practical. It’s been more than 10 years since and has been working well. Day long trips and 65 MPH speeds are no problem. It’s been very reliable and comfortable.
-Ben Neil
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Hello, Ben Neil,
A sweet vehicle with nice photos.
QUESTION: Would you have any photos to share of your Willys Utility Wagon on a high country shelf road? It could with a group with other 4-wheel vehicles (preferably other vintage vehicles). I’m designing a group of interpretive kiosks for the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway in central Colorado and need a photo of early 4-wheel vehicles of WWII vintage (or pretty soon afterwards) out “jeeping” in the mountains. The kiosk panel talks about how 4-wheeling grew in popularity after WWII using repurposed military jeeps. I’m having a tough time finding a photo to illustrate the role that Willys played in the history of off-road recreation.
Thanks, Kathy McC
Hello, Ben Neil,
A sweet vehicle with nice photos.
QUESTION: Would you have any photos to share of your Willys Utility Wagon on a high country shelf road? It could with a group with other 4-wheel vehicles (preferably other vintage vehicles). I’m designing a group of interpretive kiosks for the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway in central Colorado and need a photo of early 4-wheel vehicles of WWII vintage (or pretty soon afterwards) out “jeeping” in the mountains. The kiosk panel talks about how 4-wheeling grew in popularity after WWII using repurposed military jeeps. I’m having a tough time finding a photo to illustrate the role that Willys played in the history of off-road recreation.
Thanks, Kathy McC
I’d love to pick your brain on the chassis swap. Nice job.
I’d love to pick your brain on the chassis swap. Nice job.
Saw this wagon listed for sale last summer @ jeepsforsale.com and other places and then marked as sold. Is this the new owner or old?
Saw this wagon listed for sale last summer @ jeepsforsale.com and other places and then marked as sold. Is this the new owner or old?
Ben, That really is a nice looking Willys. I hope you get to enjoy it for many more years to come.
Kaiser Willys, would you send my email to Kathy McCoy, the poster above? I have lots of photos of old Willys Jeeps in the Colorado Mountains near her project area. I would be happy to share them with her.
Thanks.
-m38mike-
Hi Mike, we have sent Kathy your email. Thanks for sharing your pictures with her!! Have a great week!
Ben, That really is a nice looking Willys. I hope you get to enjoy it for many more years to come.
Kaiser Willys, would you send my email to Kathy McCoy, the poster above? I have lots of photos of old Willys Jeeps in the Colorado Mountains near her project area. I would be happy to share them with her.
Thanks.
-m38mike-
Hi Mike, we have sent Kathy your email. Thanks for sharing your pictures with her!! Have a great week!