WILLYS

13 entries

American car company founded by John North Willys, best known for the World War II jeep and its civilian versions.

Founded: 1908, when John Willys bought the Overland division
Renamed: Willys–Overland Motor Company, 1912
Known for: Wartime jeeps and the Jeep CJ
Holding company: Willys Corporation, 1917

In 1908 John Willys bought the Overland Automotive Division of the Standard Wheel Company and in 1912 renamed it the Willys–Overland Motor Company. From 1912 to 1918 the firm was the second-largest car producer in the United States, after Ford.

The company is best known for designing and building the military jeeps of the Second World War and for turning the slang word jeep into the Jeep marque. In 1936 it was reorganised as Willys–Overland Motors.

1908John Willys buys the Overland Automotive Division
1912Renamed Willys–Overland Motor Company
1936Reorganised as Willys–Overland Motors

WILLYS Willys Americar: the 1941–42 compact that became a hot-rod favourite
WILLYS Willys-Knight: Willys’ sleeve-valve car
WILLYS Willys M38: the waterproof military Jeep
WILLYS Willys Jeep Truck: the one-ton four-wheel-drive pickup
WILLYS Jeep CJ: the civilian Jeep from 1945 to 1986
WILLYS Willys-Overland: from Overland cars to the Jeep
WILLYS Willys 77: the cheapest American car of the 1930s
WILLYS Willys Jeep Station Wagon: the first all-steel wagon
WILLYS Willys Aero: Willys’ first post-war passenger car
WILLYS Willys-Overland Jeepster: the roadster that missed its market
WILLYS Willys Itamaraty: the Brazilian luxury Aero
WILLYS Willys Interlagos: Brazil’s first sports car
WILLYS Willys MB: the World War II Jeep