http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/4160886857.htmlThis is a 1954 Willys (pronounced will-is) Aero Eagle Custom Hardtop, One of the last 4 known to exist. It has 23,527 miles on it, believed to be actual. It is very solid, nearly rust-free, having spent the most of it's time on the salt-free roads of California, last licensed in 1965, and since 2005, in climate controlled storage in Wisconsin, ready for restoration. This car was in isolated storage in a sealed off garage for nearly 40 years until discovered in 2003 by a man in La Hambra, CA. Due to the low mileage, it may very well be that you all you would have to do is replace all the gaskets in the engine and transmission, and that could get it running again, as it does not run at this point.
The car is unique and very rare. It has a clear Wisconsin title that states "previously titled in CA". The car is an early unibody design and has a very different suspension and steering system from most cars of it's day. The Hardtop styling was to give the appearance of a convertible when all 4 windows were rolled down. This car is lower than most of it's day and had excellent ride and handling as well as 61 inches of seating width. The engine is a 226 Cu. In., Kaiser Based, "Super Hurricane" Continental that is rated at 115 hp, and it has a 4-speed dual range hydramatic transmission. These cars were equipped with a heater, radio, deluxe carpeting, special two tone yellow and red paint, full color-keyed wheel covers with an embossed "W", white-wall tires, custom chrome, and stainless trim, a deluxe hood ornament, custom steering wheel trim, bumper guards, and a Continental Spare tire mounted on the back.
You can research the car's rarity and it's exclusive history at the
http://clubs.hemmings.com/willysaero/ . Rick Kamen is one of the most foremost authorities on these cars, and has a lot of statistical data on his website.
The history of the car is as follows: The dealers' son who contacted me relayed to me the story that the dealers back in 1954 were offered the 1954 "Special" as a promotional vehicle with exclusive access to be able to get them into their showrooms. The car was the featured car on the front of the sales brochure for that year. They could sell them or offer the customers the opportunity to order a car identical to them. The MC2 was, however, exclusive, and there are only 2, or possibly 3 viable cars yet around today that still exist. I actually found one in Northern Wisconsin, that a salvage dealer had kept back when he sold his salvage yard, and went into farming. However, the car was a "basket case", as it has been sitting in a marshy area for over 20 years, and only various parts were intact enough to still be usable-the body was too rusted out to save.
Cars 2 and 3 are owned by us and a guy from North central Illinois. It is rumored that there may be a 4th car still remaining down south in the Alabama-Georgia area. These cars have not been appraised or given a value because they've never come up for sale due to their rarity.
One very unique fact about this car is that the interior code of "40" is evident in no other Willys cars, or known factory supplied information. It was unique to that one car.
We began to collect parts for it over 15 years ago, and have a collection of NOS and used body, trim, glass, mechanical, brake, suspension, exhaust parts, and paint, as well as manuals, service bulletins, sales brochures, and other literature, go along with the car. (Being worth about $12,000 if you could even find them) We have a lot of used parts and professionally tinted base coat, and red and yellow paint in more than enough quantity to refinish the entire car. The paint is worth over $1500. The seats themselves have been redone, and some work has been started on the car.
I hope to sell with the car, as the car is in good restorable condition, and the parts and other various items for $12,500.
The car and parts are being sold as is where is with no guarantees or warranties of any kind. Additional photos, Q&A, and a parts list are available by request. 1st $12,500.00 takes the car, and the various parts I am including with it. If you want more parts from me, you can make an offer on them.
The price is FIRM and non-negotiable, although we are willing to take more from the first one who makes a bid.
We welcome any questions and will do our best to answer them promptly and accurately.
My cell phone # is 608-617-0113. New owner must make arrangements for transport/shipping. New owner must remove car and all parts within 45 days of purchase. PURCHASE BY CASH ONLY - NO REFUNDS. PAYMENT DUE UPON PICKUP
Some of the NOS parts we are including with the car include:
NOS front park lamps
NOS grille emblem chrome "W"
NOS grille bar
NOS bumper guards
NOS windshield
NOS original mohair carpets and inserts
NOS heater core
NOS heater blower motor
NOS dash knobs
NOS 1 piece rear glass
NOS tailights
AND lots and lots more of NOS parts
AND many NORS parts
AND used parts
