You won't find more accurate Willys-Overland production information anywhere
else. This production information was transcribed into electronic form by
Charlie Weaver from a hand written a compilation Norton Young did between 1959
and 1961. Norton Young was an employee of Willys/Kaiser at the time and did the
compilations so that executives at Kaiser would have yearly production
information.
There are disparities between this production information and production
information from other sources. Many things could cause these disparities, but
the most likely thing to cause them would be the choice of start and end times.
In the early years Willys-Overland did not have model years like automobile
manufactures do today. In fact, it was common for mid year changes to be made
when ever the engineering department came up with new ideas. Norton Young's
production numbers are based on build date and a regular calendar year.
Titling practices in the 40s and 50s were very relaxed by todays standards.
Many states in the US didn't title cars at all and a sales receipt was
sufficient for proof of ownership. Often, vehicles were titled the year they
were sold or the dealerships would send away to the manufactures for
"fresh" paper work so last years models could be sold as current year
models. If you have an older Jeep, chances are the title is wrong.
It is common to look up a serial number for a Jeep to determine the year the
vehicle was built, because it is common to have an incorrect title or no title
at all for an old vehicle. To make this process easier, the serial numbers have
been organized by model. The original
data compiled by Mr. Young was organized by year.
It is a shame that Norton Young didn't continue to keep production
statistics. Charlie contacted Mr. Young to talk about his work:
In a talk with Norton Young a week or 2 ago, he told me that by 1961, the
folks in the corner offices at K-F had no more interest in these statistics so
he quit keeping them. He also said that he had difficulty getting
"timely" reports from the production people, and often had to go
through the unit sheets himself and try to piece the info together. He
admitted that there may be some errors.
This article is not meant to cover passenger cars, but the information was
available in the original, so it has been included rather than edited out.
The following abbreviation key explains some of the known abbreviations used
in the original. If you have information on the unknown abbreviations, please
email me.
Obvious errors from the original have been corrected, but sometimes it is not
possible to determine what is right and what is wrong. Errors that have been
found have been noted here. Also noted here are some corrections that have been
made that could be questionable.
(1)
Ending serial numbers are based on units by CW. The original only
contained total units for all variations of the 473 HT pickup.
(2)
Original number of 18682 changed to 18706 by NY.
(3)
Original number of 11512 changed to 11537 by NY.
(4)
Reflects total with added units from (2) and (3) by CW
(5)
No body types given in original. Body types shown are surmised from
serial and model numbers.
(6)
No model numbers given in original. Model numbers shown are surmised
from body types and serial numbers.
(7)
Note by NY: Serials 5001-10000 for '53 conversions as
"specials". What Mr. Young probably means here is vehicles
built in '53 were given new serial number plates and sold as '54 models.
(8)
Serial numbers beginning at 5001 are just as shown on NY list. No
explanation of disparity in individual units total.
(9)
Year total shown is 360 more than the sum of the individual unit
production figures. No explanation.
(10)
No type designation given in original. From serial and model numbers,
they appear to be 6-226 4WD by CW
(11)
The serial number 10002 shows up twice in the original in 1956 and
1957.
(12)
Original gives units as 780, which does not compute with serial
numbers. 1958 serial number begins with 12231 indicating 1957 production
figure should be 580. Original yearly total shown as 65617, should be
65417 in light of above.
(13)
The serial number range does not match the number of units produced in
the original.
(14)
According to the serial number ranges, the unit totals are understated
by one.
(15)
Serial number 12511 does not show up in the serial number range for
1956 or 1957.
(16)
No model numbers given in original for 1958 and 1959. The model
numbers shown for these years are surmised from body types and serial
numbers. The serial number ranges have been changed to align with the
units produced.
(17)
The serial number for 17094 is shown for both years and the production
totals for both years include a unit for this serial number.
(18)
Note on original beside "Face Lift" says "Was
Maverick".
(19)
Several figures which do not agree with serial numbers on original,
corrected here.
(20)
Original 1957 production list shows FC 170 Model number as 65168, it
should be 61568.
(21)
The 1961 numbers are the worst for errors. The totals show 6412 more
units produced than the serial numbers indicate on the original sheets
and the corrected numbers are shown. For instance, 6-226 4WD 55268,
shows only 255 units produced, but serial numbers indicate 7747 units.
Based on 1960 figures, 7747 seems to be correct. Also, 475 2WD Maverick
58147 shows only 202 units on original, understated by 1000.
(22)
Original specified 40 units produced, corrected here to 30 units.
Total for 1958 may be overstated by 10.
(23)
In the original, there was no model name given. Currently, there is no
information on what a JT is or what the correct models names are for
these vehicles, but they are passenger cars.
Contributors
Thanks to Norton Young for providing the information and Charlie "SleeveValve"
Weaver for transcribing the information to electronic form. Thanks to Mark
Sailer for sending me that Willys-Overland sign.
Comments and questions from our Readers
Gabe / Boardman, OR, UNITED STATES
Posted Oct 22 2007 11:01PM
I have a 1972 Willys J4000 and i cant seem to find any information on them. I am trying to get the parts I need to complete the front axle and I have found everything but the spindle nuts and lock washer. The inner nut is the standard hex nut but the outer nut is perfectly round with three allen set screws. The nuts are ok but the lock washers are ruined. The person I bought it from didnt know what he was doing and removed the outer nut without backing off the set screws. Now my question is that of if the nuts were stock or part of a hub conversion from full time four wheel drive or am I just cursed with an odd ball. I cant seem to find any way of decoding the VIN in order to find out if it had the quadra trak or not. Please help. Thank you for your time, Gabe Reid
itsastevething / Mishawaka, IN, UNITED STATES
Posted Jun 30 2008 05:43PM
I have a 1950 (per title) Make WIL, Type TK, Model 473, with a MFR's Id number of 10130. I also have title for a 1960 WIL Body Style, JP. I have one car total. Duplicate parts of almost everything. It looks like a coupe of some sort so I am thinking it may be a wagon. It looks like an old milk truck. Does anyone havc any information to help me with any more information?? thanks
hayden / mckinney, TX, UNITED STATES
Posted Nov 15 2008 03:43PM
i have a cj5 willys with the serial number of 57548 134339 , and i am not abke to find it on your list.. the first part matches up with the model number, but none of the rest. could you please help me find what year my jeeep is so i may be able to order some parts for my senior project for highschool.
Pat O'Keefe / Truckee, CA, UNITED STATES
Posted Dec 31 2008 05:43PM
I have what I have been told is a 1962 willys pickup the ser# on the data plate is 55278-11064 I am trying to find out if I have the correct year for my truck as I have had problems getting the correct parts for my truck specificaly when ordering a replacement rubber for the front windshield the part I get is to large for my window frame.
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