Wild-Style 1962 Willys Wagon Is Perfect for Summer Cruising

By Arison Knapp - June 28, 2016

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A rejuvenating retouching of most the major areas brought life and character back to this 1962 Willys Wagon, which was recently auctioned by Russo & Steele. Seldom do you find a car this age with only three-owners, garaged most its life, with not a lick of rust, and an original 35,000 miles. Sure, we all like to see classics built for dirt trails using long-travel suspension and big tires, but it’s nice to see one like this kept for cruising around the flatlands.

It’s plain to see most of the updates went to the cosmetics, while adding a splash of body reinforcing and speed componentry. This pretty piece of history received a frame-off powder coat and new body mounts before it went through a two-stage paint job. The two-tone paint fits the design like it was from the factory, then sprayed with four coats of clear to make it pop hard. The cabin received just as much attention while undergoing updated bits everywhere. The seat and window frames were powder coated to match the exterior. And new seating fabric plus refinished oak floor runners were added to warm up the cabin better than most wood inlays can offer in today’s cars.

This baby wasn’t driven between 2005 and 2015 because of a blown engine, which was replaced with an exact, fully rebuilt 226 Super Hurricane straight six-cylinder engine. Helping plant power for the re-tuned mill is a set of new springs and shocks along with tailoring the front for a pair of disc brakes.