I have been restoring this 1951 Willys Wagon. I decided on doing it as a Korean War Theater Ambulance vehicle. I was a medic in Vietnam and was born in 1951 so when I found this 1951 Willys it made sense. I took ideas from the Deluxe Willys Wagon Ambulances, the Korean era Willys Litter Carriers, the WWII U S Army Dodge ETO Ambulances, and my own experience. The mechanic has her purring (strangely it has a Go-Devil) and the final paint, interior and decals and stencils will take another month to 6 weeks, I’m guessing. The previous owner restored it as a painted “Woody” in 2003, new 12 volt wiring, brakes and oddly, a Go-Devil. Rust under all the padding decided for me that since the military style has none and I was a medic in Vietnam so the Korean War style US Army Ambulance parade vehicle was the way to go. Apparently 100 Willys Wagons were obtained by the US Army to “test” as Litter Carrier/Ambulances. Since I was in the Army, to me it made sense to honor the Korean War Veterans with a US Army style Korean War type Ambulance. Psy-Ops used Willys Wagons in Vietnam but they were not decked out in regulation type markings. I wanted a parade vehicle for the 4th of July, Veteran’s day and Memorial Day and the Wagon should look the part.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Jeff Smith
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Beautiful vehicle. I am a Vietnam Veteran. I never saw anything like your Willys. My M38A1 will be in the Military Appreciation Day at the local Class A baseball game this weekend. There is also a softball game with amputees from Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans appreciate these military vehicles. Combat medics of all wars have my admiration and respect
Gene
Lexington, KY
Beautiful vehicle. I am a Vietnam Veteran. I never saw anything like your Willys. My M38A1 will be in the Military Appreciation Day at the local Class A baseball game this weekend. There is also a softball game with amputees from Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans appreciate these military vehicles. Combat medics of all wars have my admiration and respect
Gene
Lexington, KY
Looking GOOD!!
Looking GOOD!!
Gene in Kentucky ,
Psy-Ops used the Willy’s Wagon in Vietnam but were painted very differently.
This is a hybrid style.
Even if you take your sister to the Prom
she needs to look the part.
Jeff
Gene in Kentucky ,
Psy-Ops used the Willy’s Wagon in Vietnam but were painted very differently.
This is a hybrid style.
Even if you take your sister to the Prom
she needs to look the part.
Jeff
Actually, I believe there were 1,000 “family” station wagons in the test case. Mine was sent to Camp Atterbury, Indiana. There it was used by the 388 EVAC Hospital. Near the end of the Korean War, the motor pool removed the standard 4 cylinder and replaced it with the 6 cylinder Super Hurricane engine. The camp closed before they completed the rebuild and it was sold at auction. I was the 2nd civilian owner. I like the “hood” over the window. My son gave me a siren with red light and I added that. Before it only had 2 spotlights with red lenses. I traded it a couple of years ago for a 1991 Chevy 1 1/4 Army pickup. But I still miss it. Top speed was 35 mph, and that was a strain. It had rock climbing read end. A picture of it appeared in the “Military Vehicle” magazine and that is where I found the 1,000 mentioned. Good Job ! Jim West
Actually, I believe there were 1,000 “family” station wagons in the test case. Mine was sent to Camp Atterbury, Indiana. There it was used by the 388 EVAC Hospital. Near the end of the Korean War, the motor pool removed the standard 4 cylinder and replaced it with the 6 cylinder Super Hurricane engine. The camp closed before they completed the rebuild and it was sold at auction. I was the 2nd civilian owner. I like the “hood” over the window. My son gave me a siren with red light and I added that. Before it only had 2 spotlights with red lenses. I traded it a couple of years ago for a 1991 Chevy 1 1/4 Army pickup. But I still miss it. Top speed was 35 mph, and that was a strain. It had rock climbing read end. A picture of it appeared in the “Military Vehicle” magazine and that is where I found the 1,000 mentioned. Good Job ! Jim West
Jim,
That’s a typo by me putting 100 instead of 1000.
I will check the magazine. Final stencils look much better now as does a larger hood number.
I can cruise well at 30 mph and can push her to almost 45 but that’s about maximum also limited by
handling. I attribute some of that to the NDCC tires. I am going to suspend the stretcher by overhead hooks as seen in on line searches. Cargo or “Barn Doors” are present on some configurations.
Inside I put a period fire extinguisher, litter, aid kit, mock oxygen cylinder and other medical equipment.
Thank you.
Jeff Smith
Seattle
P.S.
I am a trivia nut and would like to share a bit I was recently given.
What does it mean and why does NDCC tire design matter?
Answer: The ND stands for “Non Directional” so that when “In Theater” the “enemy” comes across your
tire tracks it is difficult to tell which way you were going. “ND” leaves the same track forward or backward.
JS
Jim,
That’s a typo by me putting 100 instead of 1000.
I will check the magazine. Final stencils look much better now as does a larger hood number.
I can cruise well at 30 mph and can push her to almost 45 but that’s about maximum also limited by
handling. I attribute some of that to the NDCC tires. I am going to suspend the stretcher by overhead hooks as seen in on line searches. Cargo or “Barn Doors” are present on some configurations.
Inside I put a period fire extinguisher, litter, aid kit, mock oxygen cylinder and other medical equipment.
Thank you.
Jeff Smith
Seattle
P.S.
I am a trivia nut and would like to share a bit I was recently given.
What does it mean and why does NDCC tire design matter?
Answer: The ND stands for “Non Directional” so that when “In Theater” the “enemy” comes across your
tire tracks it is difficult to tell which way you were going. “ND” leaves the same track forward or backward.
JS
Congratulations. Here in Brazil, the name of this vehicle is Rural and you did a beautiful job.
Congratulations. Here in Brazil, the name of this vehicle is Rural and you did a beautiful job.
To: Jeff Smith
Can I get your contact info to give donation to MIAmerica
To: Jeff Smith
Can I get your contact info to give donation to MIAmerica
I just got a 1951 willys wagon and would love to have the wood on the sides as depicted on the red wagon. Any ideas where to acquire a kit or patterns?
I just got a 1951 willys wagon and would love to have the wood on the sides as depicted on the red wagon. Any ideas where to acquire a kit or patterns?
As a country physician, my Dad bought at 1951 Willys wagon to make house calls in until his death in 1995. He bought it because he was a Medical Collecting Officer in WWII and drove a Willys during the war. It was my first vehicle for high school and dating, etc. I have restored it to its original status except it has a 350 small block V8. The appearance of this particular vehicle makes me think of my Dad. Thanks for sharing!
As a country physician, my Dad bought at 1951 Willys wagon to make house calls in until his death in 1995. He bought it because he was a Medical Collecting Officer in WWII and drove a Willys during the war. It was my first vehicle for high school and dating, etc. I have restored it to its original status except it has a 350 small block V8. The appearance of this particular vehicle makes me think of my Dad. Thanks for sharing!
Looks great, having also been in Vietnam, cannot recall seeing any Willys. You have done an outstanding job. I have a 51 Willys Jeepster that I am restoring once again, having had it since 1960.
Looks great, having also been in Vietnam, cannot recall seeing any Willys. You have done an outstanding job. I have a 51 Willys Jeepster that I am restoring once again, having had it since 1960.
I know this is an old post, and I don’t know if the vehicle owner and former medic in Vietnam will see my comment. An infantry platoon or company medic was the toughest job in Vietnam, From a platoon leader.
I know this is an old post, and I don’t know if the vehicle owner and former medic in Vietnam will see my comment. An infantry platoon or company medic was the toughest job in Vietnam, From a platoon leader.
Wanna sell the front bumper you took off.im restoring a 1950 wagon and it’s missing…
Wanna sell the front bumper you took off.im restoring a 1950 wagon and it’s missing…
Great job restoring the 1951 Dodge. Thanks for you service Vietnam brothers. Was there 1968-1969 in the Army as a Aviation Maintenance Officer in a direct support company.
Jack Coyle
LTC Army Ret.
Great job restoring the 1951 Dodge. Thanks for you service Vietnam brothers. Was there 1968-1969 in the Army as a Aviation Maintenance Officer in a direct support company.
Jack Coyle
LTC Army Ret.
Looks great, you did a great on her and she should look great on the 4th of July also ????thanks D Cuppy , Colorado
Looks great, you did a great on her and she should look great on the 4th of July also ????thanks D Cuppy , Colorado
Awesome project. So cool to see. Bet the vets dig on it too.
Related, do you (or anyone) have any info on the other Willys Wagons used by Psy-Ops in Vietnam? Thanks in advance.
Awesome project. So cool to see. Bet the vets dig on it too.
Related, do you (or anyone) have any info on the other Willys Wagons used by Psy-Ops in Vietnam? Thanks in advance.