1954 Willys Cars Described

1954 WILLYS CARS DESCRIBED

GENERAL: 1954 Willys Aero models appeared to be the same as the 1953 models - with larger taillights and revised interiors. All models of the Aero line included new bumper guards; aluminum scuff plates; taillight assemblies and chrome wheel covers. Some 1954 models were equipped with the General Motors Hydra-Matic transmission. An interesting feature of the Aero models were aircraft type, push-pull dashboard control levers.

In March, 1954, the company made the 226 CID F-head six-cylinder engine available as an option for the Ace and standard on the Eagle model. Motor Trend magazine road tested a Willys Aero Ace equipped with the 226 CID Kaiser engine in its July, 1954 issue. This car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 17.2 seconds and covered the quarter mile in 20.3 seconds @ 65 miles per hour. It delivered 17.7 miles per gallon.

As an experiment, a few cars were fitted with the 140 horsepower, Kaiser Manhattan engine that featured a Paxton centrifugal supercharger. With the supercharged engine, acceleration was comparable to that of a contemporary V-8 engine.

The 1954 Aero models handled much better than before, with the introduction of a new front suspension. It utilized threaded trunnions, which were adjustable for wear. The kingpins and coil springs were longer, shock absorbers and A-arms were stronger and the steering idler arm was lengthened. A cross member connected left and right front suspension components to eliminate lateral torque and reduce toe-in variations.

WILLYS - LARK - SERIES KA3 & KB – SIX - The Lark Series was the base trim level Aero model for 1954 and included rubber moldings around the windshield and rear window, standard headlight trim and the six-cylinder F-head engine.

WILLYS - ACE - SERIES -MA1, MA2, MB1 and MB2 – SIX - The Ace was the mid-level trim of the Aero models and included all Lark trim, plus hooded headlight bezels; chrome windshield moldings; chrome rear window moldings; chrome trim around the top of the grille and the six-cylinder L-head engine.

WILLYS - EAGLE - SERIES MC1 MC 2 and MC3 – SIX - The top of the line Eagle series hardtop featured all the Ace trim plus 'W' medallions mounted on stainless steel rear window moldings. The Custom models include a Continental spare tire mount as standard equipment.as additions to the standard equipment listed in 1953.

WILLYS - STATION WAGONS - SERIES AA 2 & FA2 – FOUR and SIX - The Willys station wagon, with its Jeep-like appearance, was unchanged from the previous year, with different two-tone paint treatments, however. 4 X 4 Wagons received the Kaiser 226 CID I-6.

MODEL/ENGINE I.D. NUMBERS – (ALL STATION WAGON MODELS): Serial Numbers on wagons were located on a plate at the left of the driver's seat on the floor riser. Model 454 station wagon began at 454-FA2-10001 and went up. Model 654 station wagons began at 654- FA2-10001 and went up.

MODEL/ENGINE I.D. NUMBERS – (ALL AERO MODELS): Serial Numbers for the Willys-Aero was located on a plate on the left front door hinge.

 LARK: Two-door Aero Lark models began at 654-KA3-10001 and went up. Four-door Aero Lark models began at 654-KB3-10001 and went up.

 ACE: Two-door Aero Ace models began at 654-MA2-10001 and went up. Four-door Aero Ace models began at 654_MB2-10001 and went up. Two-door Aero Eagle hardtops began at 654-MC3-10001 and went up. Two-door Aero Ace powered by the CID Kaiser engine began at 654-MA1-10001 and went up. Four-door Aero Ace powered by the 226 CID Kaiser engine began at 654- MB1-10001 and went up.

 EAGLE: Eagle hardtop powered by the 226 CID Kaiser engine began at 654- MC1-10001 and went up. Eagle Custom powered by the 226 CID Kaiser engine began at 654-MC2-10001 and went up.

ENGINES -

 134 CID I-4 "Hurricane" - Jeep Wagon Model 454: Inline F-head four-cylinder. Cast iron block. Exhaust valves in engine block and intake valves in the cylinder head. Displacement: 134.2 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.13 x 4.38 inches. Compression ratio: 6.48:1. Horsepower: 72 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 114 ft. lbs. @ 2000 RPM. Solid valve lifters. Three main bearings. Carburetion: Carter WA1-613S single barrel.

 161 CID I-6 "Hurricane Six" - Jeep Wagon Model 654: Inline F-head six-cylinder. . Cast iron block. Displacement: 161.1 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.13 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 7.6:1. Horsepower: 90 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 135 ft. lbs. @ 2000 RPM. Four main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetion: Carter YF-924S single-barrel.

 226 CID "Super Hurricane I-6 (Jeep 4x4 Wagon & All Aero) - Inline L-head six-cylinder. Cast iron block. Displacement: 226.2 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.3125 x 4.375 inches. Compression ratio: 7.3:1. Horsepower: 115 @ 3650 RPM. Torque: 190 ft. lbs. @ 1800. Four main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetion: Carter WBD two-barrel.

CHASSIS:

 WILLYS WAGON: Wheelbase: (654 four-wheel drive station wagon) 104.5 inches; (other models) 104 inches. Overall length: (654 four-wheel drive station wagon) 178 inches; (other models) 176.3 inches. Tires: (four-wheel drive station wagons) 7.00 x 15; (other models) 6.70 x 15 tube-type blackwall.

 WILLYS-AERO: Wheelbase: 108 inches. Overall length: (Eagle Custom) 189.8 inches; (other models) 180.8 inches. Tires: (Eagles) 5.90 x 15 tube-type blackwall; (other models) 6.50 x 15 tube-type blackwall.

OPTIONS:

 Cigar lighter.  Electric clock.  Heater ($63).  Hydra-Matic automatic transmission ($179).  Overdrive ($86).  Power steering.  Radio ($71).  Turn signals.  White sidewall tires, exchange price ($18).  Windshield washers.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Aero Series Willys models were introduced in February, 1954. The Willys Aero Ace DeLuxe, Eagle Custom and the DeLuxe Six station wagon appeared in dealer showrooms March 17, 1954. Registrations for 1954 peaked at just 17,002 units. Calendar year sales of 10,941 vehicles, including 9,344 passenger cars and 1,597 station wagons were recorded. Model year production of passenger car styles was approximately 8,220 units.

On April 14, 1954, Willys workers agreed to take a pay cut to help the firm in its attempt to stay competitive in the market. However, not even drastic steps like closings of the Dowagiac, Michigan and Maywood assembly plants were enough to maintain Willys passenger cars past early 1955.

PRODUCTION

Model No. Body No. Body Type & Seating Price Weight Production

Willys Station Wagon Series

454 FA-2 2-dr Station Wagon-6P $ 2,134 3115 654 AA-2 2-dr Station Wagon-6P $ 1,808 2381 6-226 FA-2 2-dr DeLuxe 4X4 Station Wagon-6P $ 2,223 3278

Total Production Willys Station Wagons 1,597

Willys Aero Lark

654 KB3 4-dr Sedan-5P $ 670 2661 1,370 654 KA3 2-dr Sedan-5P $ 1,590 2623 1,482

Total Production Willys Aero Lark 2,852

Willys Aero Ace

654 MB2 4-dr Sedan-5P $ 1,806 2709 1,195 654 MA2 2-dr Sedan-5P $ 1,735 2682 1,380 6-226 MB1 4-dr Deluxe 226 Sedan-5P $ 1,857 2778 586 6-226 MA1 2-dr Deluxe 226 Sedan-5P $ 1,786 2751 611

Total Production Willys Aero Ace 3,772

Willys Aero Eagle

654 MC3 2-dr Hardtop-5P $ 1,991 2778 84 6-226 MA1 2-dr DeLuxe 226 Hardtop-5P $ 2,042 2847 660 6-226 MC2 2-dr Custom 226 Hardtop-5P $ 217 2904 499

Total Production Willys Aero Ace 1,243

Total All Production 9,464

CAR IMAGES on Next Page

CAR IMAGES

The 1954 Willys Aero Eagle was the Top of the line model in the Willys Brand. The Custom version was equipped with a continental spare tire. 1,243 Aero Eagles were delivered.

The 1954 Willys Aero Ace was the mid-level series and could be had with the 161 CID or 226 CID Six. 3,772 were produced.

The 1954 Willys Aero Lark was the entry level Aero. It was only available with the 161 CID Six, 2,852 were sold.

Continued -

CAR IMAGES Continued

The 1954 Jeep Station Wagon was now available with 4 or 6-cylinder power. The Kaiser 226 Six was fitted to the 4x4 Wagon. 1,597 were produced.