Kaiser Willys Jeep of the Week: 072

072: Jim Hamilton’s 1959 Willys “Tomcat” Truck

This was a Colorado truck I found on the internet one night in 2004. It had been purchased by an antique truck dealer in Redhook NY and we talked several times before I drove out to see it and I made an offer. We agreed that he would deliver it on his flatbed trailer (towed by a Land Rover). This picture shows the nobby tires I found at Coker Tire online; otherwise, except for a faulty fuel pump, the truck ran well with good brakes.

Pretty much original condition interior, the usual hole in the floor and original paint job, but I liked the fact Tomcat hadn’t been messed up with mismatched seats, steering wheel and so forth.  Note the gun rack behind the seat–Tomcat was definitely a Colorado truck and had seen plenty of work and sporting action!

Here’s Tomcat three years later–spiffed up and yet still a truck, making a weekly dump trip and hauling firewood. That’s a splitting maul in the gun rack. The fenders are all original, just straightened, tears evened out and welded and the the fenders have rebar welded on the inside to strengthen them..

I couldn’t resist chroming up the front with chrome replacement pieces for the grill and the original bumper chromed. The grill guard was found at a jeep truck parts junk yard along with a second visor. The interior was reupholstered with matching grey vinyl seats and padded doors and visors. The headliner over the windshield and kick panels were also replaced. What I really like about old jeep trucks is the edginess look of them–straight lines, fenders you can put tools (or a drink on). subtle embossed panels on the doors, simple dashboard, and that classic jeep grill.

I had to send you shot of the old tailgate. Looks like the painter started out OK with his W, but then he must have popped a couple of Coors by the time he got to the “S.”

-Jim Hamilton

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