Real Wheels: 1952 Willys 4 x 4 Pickup
May 7—LIMA — Tom Golden of Lima purchased this 1952 Willys 4 x 4 Pickup more than seven years ago. He bought it from a guy living south of Ottawa.
"I saw it sitting by a barn. I made the call, the guy answered and we made a deal. That was in early spring," said Golden. "I took it that June to the Westgate Car Show. A childhood buddy had one. He asked me where I got it, and I told him. He told me he had been calling that number for six months and no one answered."
The Willys Pickup Truck was first produced in 1946 and ended production in 1964. During that time there were more than 200,000 produced. It was manufactured as a 4 x 4 and 4 x 2 truck. Both models had a 118-inch wheelbase and an identical pickup bed. The trucks all had a three-speed, manual transmission. The Willys Pickup was based on the Jeep CJ vehicle.
"It's kind of hard to drive. There is no power steering in it," said Golden.
The engine is a four-cylinder.
Golden's truck came without a pickup bed. He is a welder by trade and came up with his own bed.
He drives the car to car shows. Golden is also part of the VFW Honor detail and will drive the truck during some funerals.
"The only thing I haul is my dog," said Golden.
