1956 Manual

Description

Its manufacturer may have referred to it as a "station wagon", but at first glance you can see this is no ordinary errand-runner. Well-restored to an impressive condition both mechanically and aesthetically, this 1956 Willys Station Wagon is both great looking and sturdily reliable - equally at home providing formidable competition at local car shows as it would be plying its trade as an off-road vehicle during spirited use. Some 60-plus years after it began its service, this influential vehicle has been refurbished with a very sharp and era-appropriate beige paint job that retains great shine and clarity. Willys was actually credited with building the original Jeep (a phonetic pronunciation of the abbreviation for "general purpose") some 15 years earlier and was eventually awarded the trademark. You can see the functional legacy of their work in this '56. It's a vintage vehicle that exudes nostalgic charm, but at the same time, it's also a capable looking truck in every respect- clad in sturdy steel that was actually the industry standard when this venerable SUV forefather first saw the light of day, and featuring wheel clearance appropriate for actual off-road conditions. There are some nice finishing touches on display here, including extensive chrome trim that's straight and level, and clear glass on all four sides - no less than 13 panels of it! Look in the back and you'll see a convenient two door tailgate configuration with a horizontal split for easy access inside that mirrors what we now have come to expect in modern SUVs. The beige interior, an inspired combination of cloth and vinyl, is in great shape. The split bench seat in front and pair of buckets residing close together in back are very well refurbished, with ample padding to make them plenty comfortable for long excursions. As befits a vehicle with as storied a history as this one, the restored dash area is almost entirely in its original configuration, with a modern audio system the only variation as it takes its place alongside a single dial instrument cluster housing a speedometer, and temperature and fuel gauges behind a crystal-clear lens, and an assortment of control knobs that all look great covered in unspotted chrome. The cargo area in back is lined with fresh-looking wood on the floor and liftgate, with a full-sized spare securely mounted to the side. With no shifting loads having taken their toll, the beige surfaces of the sides and wheel appear unmarked and carry no dings from any such mishaps. The Willys theme of dependable sturdiness extends into the engine bay, where a 226-cubic inch inline 6, manufactured by Continental Motors and dubbed the "Super Hurricane", sits under the hood. Willys was still working double duty to manufacture vehicles for both military and civilian use in the mid-'50s, so a high premium was placed on reliability, as there was no place for temperamental vehicles in potentially dangerous circumstances. In that spirit, the engine starts right up and - equipped with a manual choke - transitions into a nice, smooth idle. It's connected to a 3-speed manual transmission that's been rebuilt to provide nice, secure shifting and combines with four-wheel drive capability to provide off-road sure-footedness. This well-restored classic sits on a set of stock 15" Willys wheels painted red to perfectly complement the beige exterior, outfitted with Coker Classic bias ply tires. If you're in the market for a truly unique vintage vehicle that ably bridges the gap between nostalgic charm and undeniable functionality, you have to check out this 1956 Willys Station Wagon. Call today!