Looks like a later model dash with the early model round gauges in it . Must be an early model 39 . Between the model 38 and 39 , they made a model 48 . Confusing to say the least . According to the Willys Master Parts List , they made 2,625 , model 48's . Check the serial plate under the hood and see if the number starts out with a 39 . The 40 drip rail is designed to channel the water directly into the trunk . That way it rust out the trunk better !!!
My '39 factory brochure shows the belt line tail lights throughout the model's shown, but in real life I have seen the down low tail lights on cars with the shark nose '39 front ends. As has been stated before, Willys was well known for using up all their left over parts from previous model years (guages, tail lights, etc), so anything is possible. The belt line tail lights were a neat improvement (easier to see), but apparently ahead of its time, as they went back to the down low style in '40 (minus the lttle pedestal from 37-38 model year) and kept them there in 41-42 with a different design for the sedans. g-willys
The pics i have seen of the model 61 sedans that have the belt line lights also have the lower units. 37,38 and 39 model 48 all have a 4.1:1 final drive and the model 39/61 Overland has 4.2 -4.55:1 rear. Im not 100% sure but the 39 model 48 also had the licence plat in the middle of the trunk lid as is the model 39/61, I have only seen one model 48 here in NZ. JW
Willys cars made in your part of the globe, might be a whole different ball game. I have heard all sorts of versions of what and why. With the body companies making all sorts of versions, some had rear opera windows added (US version of that were only in 41-42), some had suicide doors, some were rumble seat cars, some had custom coach built with slightly different body line reveals. I had heard that Willys shipped parts as well as cars, and the body companies put them together. We had few if any factory converts, but I have seen some neat roadster pick ups from Australia in the early cars (33-36) and the 37 on up. I have never seen a "61 sedan", but it doesn't mean they aren't around. I had heard that the model 48 was put out in '39, because the hydraulic brake set up as well as the unique '39 front sheet metal put Willys behind the time line for new '39's, and dealers were in need of new cars to sell that 39 model year, so the model 48 took up the slack. . No proof of that...just speculation. Have also seen 39's with the holes for both sets of tail lights. Same old story...anything was possible with Willys. One more thing...have been told that no '39 pickups came with the shark nose sheet metal from the factory, only the '38 style...so that would indicate that pickups with the shark nose front clip were put on at a later time, perhaps by the owner. Brochure that I have did not show pickups from '39. G-willys
Aussie had there own bodies and new Zealand only got the USA items, all 33-41 Willys new to NZ came from America unless they came in privately imported. JW
1939 Willys sales brochure . Shows the Overland Speedway 2-door sedan . No belt line tail lights , no hood ornament , only drivers side windshield wiper . Seen some pictures of Aussie Willys . Looks like they have a longer cowl , with a section of cowl between the hood and the door .
All good and im still learning, ive only had Willys cars for the last 38 years. took my 37 sedan out to our local Vintage Harvest Festival today,now that was fun !!! A couple of years back New Zealand Hot Rod Mag did an article on Willys In New Zealand and I found nine mistakes in two pages, very few people seem to know what they have or what they are looking at, very SAD !! JW My 37.
Hey JW , THANKS for the info . Been collecting Willys info for years . And still have NO ideal , what , why and when they did things . Seams like they were building cars as fast as they could , to meet demand . I keep looking for answers in the 1937 to 1942 Willys Master Parts list catalog . It is 254 pages of confusing , hair pulling , screaming out load , diagrams and part numbers . Always looking for more info . Any ideal how many cars were exported to New Zealand ? Later , Scotty
Cheers Scotty and its not that confusing really. How many people have a Willys coupe with a 41 front clip with the wipers above the windshield and call it a 41 ? JW
not a 2 door but i like it, this is my 4 door now in scotland was found in south africa and rodded by wayne streams in england, nice one wayne.
Hello Yes i am the proud owner of a factory 1938 2 Dr sedan it is on it way to becoming a Gasser stock front axle, boxed frame, 9 inch Ford, Small block 283, many goodies inside, tunnel ram, 4 speed, ladder bars, All steel car. When it says Willys i feel all good down under. LOL Keep building them Guys their part of American History!!! Thank You
Hey guys picture will be coming in the near future. with the forum being down i haven't had the change to load the picture's, but i will as soon as i get a chance. Thanks for the interest in my project.
Well there are a couple of the same guess i'm not real good at the pic thing yet but will post some more later.
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