Guest Eggsnbaconbits Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) I've noticed that people don't seem to know what the Willy's Jeepster is, at least the 48-50's models. Even most other car enthusiasts I've met have asked me just what my car is. When most people hear Willy's they go to the war time jeep and rightfully so it has earned its place in our history. I know early Jeepsters didn't have a high production number but I'd think more people would know about it. I guess what I'm getting at is, Have you heard of the jeepster or even have one? I have a 1948 custom Willy's Jeepster. All the rights to the work done to it belong to my Grandfather I've only inherited it to keep it running show to show like he loved to do. Edited January 19, 2016 by Eggsnbaconbits (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I'm not too sure that you know what it is, either. It never belonged to a guy named Willy. It's not a Willy's, it's a Willys. BTW, it is pronounced "Willis" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I had two, now down to one, both with stock L-head 4-cylinder engines. Willys-Overland Jeepster Club www.jeepsterclub.com has been around a long time. The website is now scant due to a recent change in webmasters. They're a lot of fun if you don't need to go fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 His first post and y'all have busted the guy's chops over a minor typographical mistake. I'm sure you'll have the nerve to be surprised if he vanishes and says the hell with AACA. That would be a shame because even with the mods he has a neat vehicle with family history. And yes E&BB- I know what a Jeepster is. Good friend has one that he stuffed a Pontiac 400/THM into, then painted it pink with a fringed striped top. Personalized license plate? "DEPLANE" Always a hit at cruise nights. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Why no mention of the second generation 1967-'70 Jeepsters? They were the most 'car-like' of any of the pre-AMC Jeeps. And they were more civilized too, with roll-up windows. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) Corrected info is a good thing but we have to be careful as how we present it. I do know about the Jeepsters and a good friend had one. They're neat little cars! Jeep later came out with the Commando versions, we had one at work and it was a lot of fun to drive. Another friend's brother just picked up a '50's Willys pickup truck, another rare car!. I have to admit that I'm not to crazy about "custom" or modified cars, especially when they are rare, but to each his own! Edited January 19, 2016 by jpage (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 The "Willeeees" vs "Willis" has always vexed me. Are we 100% sure on that. Everyone uses the former but I do know that the later is allegedly the right pronunciation. On the Jeepster, that is great you have one of your grandfather's cars. You should keep it forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 In about 1970 I drove a '48 Jeepster as my daily transportation for a Summer. I called it my "phaeton". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 EB&B: I should have mentioned that your modified Jeepster will be very welcome in the Jeepster Club; probably half the cars in the club have been modified to some degree. The AACA serves purists, of which I am one as regards my own cars, but I have great respect for those who do high-quality modifications such as yours seems to have. Restorer32: Willys did call the 1948-50 (those titled as 1951s were left-over 1950s) a 'phaeton' and the Calif registration on my 1949 showed the body style as 'PHA.' I purchased that car from the original owner in 1981 as it just turned 400,000 miles. The original engine had been rebuilt twice but was still strong. I re-did the suspension and steering and had 34 years of fun with it. Couldn't miss the opportunity to get a two-owner 1948 with only 119K on it, and that's what I've kept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 His first post and y'all have busted the guy's chops over a minor typographical mistake.Uhhhhhh..............three times is not a typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Well provenance and titles are all about dotting the t and crossing the eyes so getting the name right is more important than the spelling of "Phaeton". I do remember seeing them the '50s but was immediately into DOHC and disk brakes in my first cars though there was a Facel-Vega HK-500 in the parking lot I always thought about the most beautiful car I ever saw and a 3/4 sized Caddy with dual quads and suicide rear doors was the second. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes-Jeepster-CONVERTABLE-/291663299173?forcerrptr=true&hash=item43e87cc265:g:2BwAAOSwcBhWbC8K&item=291663299173 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Most of us in the old car hobby know about Willys Jeepsters. Very cool cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curti Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes-Jeepster-CONVERTABLE-/291663299173?forcerrptr=true&hash=item43e87cc265:g:2BwAAOSwcBhWbC8K&item=291663299173Wow, there are two of them ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I understand that Willisss may be the correct pronunciation but Willies is much easier to say and far more appealing to the ear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I understand that Willisss may be the correct pronunciation but Willies is much easier to say and far more appealing to the ear.Absolutely. It's much harder to say, "How many Willises were at the show than "How may Willeezes" ?!?! Or is it Willeezuses.Hmmmmm....I'll stick with Willis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Over almost 35 yrs of owning one or more of them, I've learned to say "Willieeeez" at a parts house (surprising how much is available for a stock chassis) to prevent the "huh???" and to say "Willis" among aficionados. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poci1957 Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I've noticed that people don't seem to know what the Willy's Jeepster is, at least the 48-50's models. Even most other car enthusiasts I've met have asked me just what my car is. Don't feel all alone E&BB, for decades Pontiacs were one of the top 5 sellers in America and mine are now a rarity in my area, dismissed by the masses who are only interested in cars like 1957 Chevys/1969 Camaros, etc. as seen on TV. Enjoy having something different, Todd C 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 That looks like a fun little trucklet. I do try to say Willis when I mention these machines, but once in a while my mouth and eyes don't cooperate with my brain and I end up saying Willeez. There's never an apostrophe, but I just read an article written by a major news (new's?) outlet that said "XXX indicates the documentation show's that..." Ugh. Apostrophes get abused. It's a crime akin to jaywalking these days. Have fun with your Willis and honor your grandfather with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry W Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I very vaguely recall a television commercial from around fifty years ago where the announcer pronounced "Willis Motors" with a possible connection to Kaiser Industries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I very vaguely recall a television commercial from around fifty years ago where the announcer pronounced "Willis Motors" with a possible connection to Kaiser Industries.Here it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eggsnbaconbits Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Why no mention of the second generation 1967-'70 Jeepsters? Its nothing against them, I've just never seen any of them in person that was newer then the 53 Jeepster to have this experience with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eggsnbaconbits Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 On the Jeepster, that is great you have one of your grandfather's cars. You should keep it forever.I definitely will be. It's never leaving the family under my watch. I just wish I could have gotten more of his cars. He had a beautiful purple 53 F-100 I really wished I had gotten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBulldogMiller55Buick Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I'm not too sure that you know what it is, either. It never belonged to a guy named Willy. It's not a Willy's, it's a Willys. BTW, it is pronounced "Willis"those new fangled rectangle lights gave me the willies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Wurke Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I think it's time to cut out the chatter and go to Wikipedia and search John North Willys. You will be amazed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick8086 Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) Edited January 20, 2016 by nick8086 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudsy Wudsy Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 My tiny contribution to this is that" Willys" is the same Irish surname as "Willis", just spelled differently. As for how it's pronounced, ask Bruce Willis, or is it Bruce Willys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 As for how it's pronounced, ask Bruce Willis, or is it Bruce Willys?Well.... that's no way to decide. The pronunciation of a name is really a personal decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Pronounced like Phyllis Diller's name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudsy Wudsy Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) "Willer"? Nah, that can't be right. Edited January 20, 2016 by Hudsy Wudsy (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 They made great drag cars. Friend had one with an Olds engine and LaSalle tranny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudsy Wudsy Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Seriously, though, "willis" is the correct way pronounce Willys. "Wiliez" is the customary way of mispronouncing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 " Jeep is America's only real sports car" Enzo Ferrari Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Not sure Enzo ever drove one. They are unique and a few came with the bigger 6 banger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Interesting. My Jeep has a five-speed, DOHC-6, IFS/IRS, and four wheel disk brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Well.... that's no way to decide. The pronunciation of a name is really a personal decision.My comment meant that the individual has the right to pronounce his own name anyway they like. It's been reported everywhere that John N. Willys preferred "Willis." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pont35cpe Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Nick, that`s the jeepster I remember, to me there is a big difference from the red one.. Different year or what?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudsy Wudsy Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 (edited) My comment meant that the individual has the right to pronounce his own name anyway they like. It's been reported everywhere that John N. Willys preferred "Willis."I understand and agree, West. Willys is one of a family of similar Irish and Scottish names -- Billis, Dillis, Gillis, Hillis, Tillis (like Mell Tillis) and others. How his family ended up with a "Y" in place of a second "I" is anyone's guess. It's that "Y" that throws people off. Not all inaccuracies happened at Ellis Island. When the English outlawed the Irish language many Irish made changes to their own names for various reasons. Some of those alterations were unfortunate. (Sorry about the history lesson). I'm reminded of a case that has some similarities. When someone compounded the words "frigid" and "air" together to make the brand name "Frigidaire", I'm sure that they never imagined that the public would forever pronounce the new word "fri-gi-dare". Any way, the correct way to pronounce a name or a word becomes academic when the public makes up it's mind to go it's own way on the matter. Edited January 21, 2016 by Hudsy Wudsy (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick8086 Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Nick, that`s the jeepster I remember, to me there is a big difference from the red one.. Different year or what??He posted a 1948 custom Willy's Jeepster. I posted a 51 Willy's Jeepster.. It was the only pic I had... You never see them at cars show.. I know they are not cheap if you want one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Not all inaccuracies happened at Ellis Island.The "Ellis Island Name Change" story is a myth that has been repeated so many times, much like Henry's building Model "T"s to run on alcohol, that it has become truth. The fact is that few, if any, names were changed at Ellis. Google, "Ellis Island name change". There are a number of articles on the subject Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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