1952 WILLYS CARS DESCRIBED GENERAL: The big news for 1952 was the introduction of the Aero Willys line of passenger cars. The Aero was a unit-body car styled by designer Phil Wright and engineered by Clyde Paton. Unit body allowed less weight and more body integrity. The Aero was a clean design, which provided good passenger space, comfort and handling. The styling was totally modern and incorporated all the elements of the latest models offered by the Big Three: "pontoon" slab-sided fenders and doors, even a slight raise at the rear suggesting a fin. The hood and trunk were smoothly integrated into the car, and the front grille was mostly unadorned but had a chrome cross bar with a large "W" above it. The bar helped widen the appearance and accentuated the smooth lines of the car. At the rear, the trunk would also feature a "W" and the model name under it. Four separate models were offered in the Aero line: Aero Lark, the entry level model; Aero Wing, offering additional features, Aero Ace, and the Aero Eagle. The Wing, Ace and Eagle hardtop used the Willys designed F-head "Super Hurricane six-cylinder engine, while the Lark used the older "Lightning Six" L-Head I-6. The Willys passenger cars were capable of up to 35 mpg fuel economy. The Aero Ace with the F-head engine took second place among all cars in Motor Trend magazine's 1952 Engineering Achievement Award. WILLYS AERO LARK - The Aero-Lark was the base car of the line and was the least expensive. It used Willys' tried and true "Lightning Six" 161 cubic inch, 75 horsepower six-cylinder flathead engine. It featured rubber windshield moldings around the two-piece windshield and no body side chrome trim. At the rear of the fender, above the beltline appeared "Willys" in script. WILLYS AERO WING - The Aero-Wing used the Willys designed F-head 161 cubic inch six-cylinder engine. It had chrome windshield moldings around the two-piece windshield and a chrome "rub strip" running the length of the car at the beltline, and an upgraded interior. At the rear of the fender, above the beltline appeared "Willys" in script. A hood ornament featuring a stylized bird in flight was fitted. WILLYS AERO ACE - The Aero Ace had all the features of the Wing plus interiors that were less plain. At the rear of the fender, above the beltline appeared "Willys" in script. The interiors were "color matched" to the exterior. The rear window on Aero Ace models was larger than on other styles. It also used the F-head 161 cubic inch six-cylinder engine. WILLYS AERO EAGLE - The Aero Eagle was a 2-door hardtop with a highly-stylized interior that also was "color matched" to the exterior. Eagles contained all the features of the Ace, but were distinct due to their hardtop configuration. The Eagle also used the F-head 161 cubic inch six-cylinder engine. WILLYS STATION WAGON - The first series was a continuation of the 1951 edition. In April, the 475/685 series was introduced. The station wagons continued unchanged for 1952, except for a new chrome trim molding on the sides of the hood. MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA: The Vehicle Identification Number is the same as the serial number. VIN locations: on a plate at the left of the driver's seat on the floor riser. on left door sill. on the frame’s front cross member ahead of front spring hanger. on front frame’s cross member at center. on right side of cowl below hood. on inside of frame on left. Serial numbers took the format 452-M1-10001. First symbol indicates type of engine: 4=four-cylinder. 6=six-cylinder. Second and third symbols indicate model year: 52=1952. Next group of symbols is an alphanumerical code: KA2=Aero Lark. LA1=Aero Wing. MA1=Aero Ace. MC1=Aero Eagle. AA1=first series 4x2 station wagon. FA1=first series 4x4 station wagon. AA2=second series 4x2 station wagon. FA2=second series 4x4 station wagon. The engine number was the same as the serial number and was located on the top of the water pump boss, at the right front upper corner of the engine block. Beginning and ending serial numbers by model were: Series 473 Station Wagon: 452- AA1-10001 to 452-AA1-10920. Series 673 Station Wagon: 652-AA1-10001 to 652-AA1-10652. Series 475 Station Wagon: 452-AA2-10001 to 452-AA2-14277. Series 4x475 Station Wagon: 452-FA2-10001 to 452-FA2- 15683. Series 685 Station Wagon: 652-AA2-10001 to 652-AA2-13709. Aero Lark Series: 652-KA2-1001 to 652- KA2-17561. Aero Wing Series: 652-LA1-1001 to 652-LA1-22820. Aero Ace Series: 652-MA1-1001 to 652-MA1-18706. Aero Eagle Series: 652-MC1-1001 to 652-MC1-11537. ENGINES: Station Wagon Series 473, 4x4 473, 475, and 4x4 475 "Hurricane" Four: 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: 7.5:1. Horsepower: 72 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 115 @ 2000 RPM. Solid valve lifters. Three main bearings. Carburetion: Carter YF-768S single-barrel. Aero Lark Series 675 and Station Wagon Series 673-SW "Lightning Six: Inline L-head six-cylinder. Cast iron block. Displacement: 161 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 6.9:1. Horsepower: 75 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 145 ft. lbs. @ 1800 RPM. Solid valve lifters. Four main bearings. Carburetion: Carter YS-924S single-barrel. Aero Wing, Ace and Eagle Series 685 and Station Wagon Series 685: Inline F-head six-cylinder. Cast iron block. Exhaust valves in the engine block and intake valves in the cylinder head. Displacement: 161.1 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.13 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 7.6:1. Horsepower: 90 at 4200 RPM. Torque: 135 @ 2000 RPM. Solid valve lifters. Four main bearings. Carburetor: Carter YS-924S single-barrel. Continued - Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, All Rights Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail [email protected]. CHASSIS: STATION WAGON: Wheelbase: 104 inches; (4x473/4x475 station wagons) 104.5 inches. Overall length: 176.3 inches; (4x473/4x475 station wagons) 178 inches. Tires: (4x2) 6.70 x 15 tube-type black-wall; (4x4) 7.00 x 15. AERO: Wheelbase: 108 inches. Overall length: 180.8 inches. Tires: 5.90 x 15 tube-type blackwall. STATION WAGON OPTIONS: Three-speed manual overdrive transmission was standard. Cigar lighter in four cylinder cars. Dual wipers on four cylinder cars. Four-cylinder 134.2 CID, 7.8:1 high-compression engine (no charge). Front bumper guards. Front grille guard. Heavy-duty air cleaner was optional at extra cost. Inside rearview mirror. Large wheel discs. License plate frames. Outside rearview mirror. Radio and antenna. Rear bumper guards. Special paint. Wheel trim rings. White sidewall tires. AERO OPTIONS: Back-up lights. Cigar lighter. Continental kit ($149.95). Electric clock. Fender skirts ($24.95). Heater ($67.58). Hood ornament. Locking gas cap. Oil filter ($8.38). Overdrive ($86.08). Radio ($76.54). Turn signals ($16.68). White sidewall tires. Windshield washers. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The 1952 Willys Aero line was announced on Jan. 18, 1952. The Aero Ace was introduced March 5, 1952, and the Aero Lark on March 21, 1952. The 1952 second series Willys station wagons were introduced April 14, 1952. Approximately 36,000 Aero- type passenger cars were built to 1952 model specifications. Willys installed 29,268 optional overdrive transmissions this year. Annual registra- tions peaked at 41,016 units. Calendar year sales totals included 48,845 Aero Ace passenger cars and 12,890 station wagons for the private market. Willys-Overland was ranked as America's 17th largest manufacturer of passenger cars this season. W.M. Canaday was president and board chairman of the firm, while the famed D.G. 'Barney' Roos was first vice-president. PRODUCTION: Model No. Body Type & Seating Price Weight Production First Series Station Wagon Models 473 and 673 473 2-dr Station Wagon-6P $1,631 2818 4X4 473 2-dr 4X4 Station Wagon-6P $2,092 3174 673 2-dr Station Wagon-6P $1,708 2831 Second Series Station Wagon Models 475 and 685 475 2-dr Station Wagon-6P $1,705 2818 4X4 475 2-dr 4X4 Station Wagon-6P $2,134 3174 685 2-dr Station Wagon-6P $1,786 2850 Total Production Station Wagon 12,890 Aero Lark, Wing Ace and Eagle Models 675 Aero Lark 2-dr Deluxe Sedan-5P $1,588 2487 7,474 685 Aero Wing 2-dr Deluxe Sedan-5P $1,825 2570 12,819 685 Aero Ace 2-dr Custom Sedan-5P $1,904 2584 8,706 685 Aero Eagle 2-dr Custom Hardtop-5P $1,979 2575 2,364 Total Production Willys Aero 31,363 Total All Production 44,253 CAR IMAGES on Next Page Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, All Rights Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail [email protected]. CAR IMAGES The 1952 Aero Eagle was the most luxurious of the Aero line, and was exclusively a 2-door hardtop. It sold for $1,979 base, and 2,364 were delivered. The 1952 Aero Ace had many of the Eagle's features and standard equipment, but was a 2-door sedan. It listed for $1,904 and 8,706 were sold. The 1952 Aero Wing was a bit less expensive than the Ace, mostly a result of a more Spartan interior.