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15/04/2013 2:41 pm
The neighbors have gathered to see the new car, just as I did after today's mail. (pic)
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All the way from Brazil! Well, that would have been the 1:1; this one came from China. It was offered on eBay at a low price with no box; the base has no company name, but another dealer called it an IXO. Hence the "?."
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Willys-Overland do Brasil S.A. dates from about 1954, as Kaiser started closing in the USA and moved Kaiser production to Argentina. Willys was partially moved to Brazil and the entire Willys line was gradually produced there. The station wagon, called the Rural, was redesigned, starting production about 1960 in its new style. A similar pickup was also built. The styling came from the US studio of noted industrial designer Brooks Stevens, who had worked with Willys since the 1940's. Here's a little comparison with the original:
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The Willys Rural was manufactured with a growing percentage of Brazilian-made parts. Ford bought Willys-Overland do Brasil in 1967 and the Willys Rural became the Ford Rural soon after. Production continued until the early 1980's.
It's an interesting model. The basic body is die cast, the roof and base are plastic, and it is neatly painted and assembled. I enjoy seeing it with my other Willys models.
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15/04/2013 3:45 pm
David, those are great illustrations and incredibly interesting information.
The comparison between the '52 U.S. Willys wagon and the '68 Rural is fascinating. The neighbors must be wondering what that front end is on a Jeep Station wagon! I wonder and even hope that IXO might make this model readily available here as I would love to have one. I see you also have a pink Surry. Cool. Thanks for posting all that good stuff.
David Knight
Richmond, Virginia. USA
16/04/2013 5:23 am
Now all you need is the Argentine IKA Willys Estanciera!
16/04/2013 6:03 am
neighbors and the new car
Interesting history. It does remind me of the days in the fifties when neighbors would gather to view the new neighborhood car.
16/04/2013 8:48 am
Yup, I remember those days when new cars in the neighborhood created excitement because each year there was something toward which to look forward and the cars didn't all look alike. I remember the Beers' '56 Olds Holiday hardtop in two tone green, for example. Very exciting. Then there were Herricks who bought a new Chevrolet Two-Ten, or Brookwood, or whatever the mid range was that year, wagon every June. I remember the colors of each one. When my dad bought our first Willys station in '52, it created quite some interest. Then across the street came Mrs. Vand Lund's '56 Plymouth Plaza wagon in Gunmetal Blue with push buttons. I Remember her telling everybody how much she loved those push buttons. The next year, Mr. Van Lund bought a '57 red and white Dodge convertible for his car. Then there were the Gagnons who bought a '57 Ford base model four door in medium blue. They thought it was too plain when it arrived at the dealership, so they had the top and rear quarter painted white, a factory option but done at the dealership, Troy's Garage in West Stockbridge, MA, now long out of bisiness but the sign with the Ford blue oval is still visible behind the trees. Such excitement for my little mind to take in at a young age. And then there were the. . . well, you get the drift. Thems were the days.
David Knight
Richmond, Virginia. USA