what is the correct way to pronounce willys, in the south we say willis, like someones name. up north, and out west I hear willies. Does anybody know ?
i read in a jeep book that the name was originally pronounced like "willis", but the general population said "willies" so they ran with that.
well you got me on that one! lol wasnt born here parents were thou. only lived here for 40 yrs.but i do have a twang when i talk.atleast some of my yankee friends say i talk funny.lol
40 years....thats close enough to make you a son of the south. as for the twang..... its called southern drawl in my south, and its a gift. back in the day when i traveled north seeking $$$ at big $$ races. most everywhere we would stop, and eat, or fuel up, the waitresses, and others always wanted to hear us talk with as they would say " that slow southern drawl '' welcome south brother.
On You Tube are several early 50's promotional films for Willys Jeeps and trucks.The commentator says "Willis" one time,all the other 10 times are "Willyies" These are official Willys propaganda so you figure the management approved it....or not?
Honestly, I think both are correct. Just depends in what part of the country your in, But I think we will all agree, Willys Makes a bad*** hotrod. My favorite of all times SWC Swindler A. ( in black ) and with that in mind, I wonder how Tim Wood pronounced it. He was born in Georgetown Ga. and moved to Ca. sometime after wwII. Thanks for all the comments guys, this thread has been fun.