A hand-built Willys with modern muscle and show-car finish.
Conceived by Hardline Customs and featured in Toyo's Treadpass at
SEMA 2022, this wagon also earned Top 10 (Off-Road) in SEMA Battle
of the Builders. Since completion it's seen only shakedown
miles-about 500 miles indicated-and presents fresh from top to
bottom.
Quick Highlights
All-steel 1950 Willys body on a shortened JK chassis (approx. 102"
wheelbase)
LQ9 6.0L LS V8 with Holley Terminator X-Max, TBSS intake & 92-mm
TB, cammed & tuned
4L80E HD automatic w/ ~2800-stall converter, Novak-adapted NP231
transfer case (4:1 low)
Dana 44 front (Eaton E-Locker) / Dana 60 rear (Detroit TruTrac),
4.88 gears, big-brake discs
3-link front / triangulated 4-link rear, MetalCloak 3.5" coils, Fox
2.0 shocks, Currie AntiRock sway bars F/R
Detroit Steel Wheels Delray 18�9 on Toyo Open Country R/T Trail
37�12.50R18 tires
Show-quality deep black-plum paint (reads black indoors, purple
flake in sun)
Chopped roof (�2" front / 1.75" rear) with raised & lengthened
wheel openings and hand-made flares
Custom wood-slat floor from tailgate through cargo and under seats;
hidden fuel fill behind RR tail lamp
Meticulous undercarriage: boxed/modified JK rails, braced
crossmembers, tidy stainless exhaust, fan-cooled trans cooler
Exterior & Body
Finished in a rich black-plum that flips in sunlight, the wagon's
stance and proportions are dialed. The chop (�2" front, 1.75" rear)
gives a subtle rake; front fenders are raised & stretched ~4",
while the rear arches are raised ~3" and lengthened ~2" with
hand-formed flares so the 37s fit and cycle cleanly. Hood and inner
fenders are smoothed; the lower 2/3 firewall is hand-fabricated.
The classic five-bar Willys grille is crisp with re-chromed upper
and high-quality lower bars; the front bumper is shortened and
re-chromed to tuck tight to the nose. Lighting is modern but
period-correct in look: Holley RetroBright 7" headlights up front,
with stealth LED cowl pods hidden under the pop-up center hood
panel for trail illumination.
Chassis, Suspension & Driveline
Underneath is a shortened Jeep JK frame-boxed, braced, and
purpose-built-for vintage looks with modern capability. Suspension
is 3-link front and triangulated 4-link rear with MetalCloak 3.5"
coils, Fox 2.0 shocks, and Currie AntiRock sway bars front and
rear. Steering uses the JK box; brakes are large disc/disc with a
Corvette-style master cylinder and braided lines.
Power goes through a fully rebuilt 4L80E automatic with an HD shift
calibration and ~2800-stall converter into a Novak-adapted NP231
transfer case featuring a 4:1 low-range kit. Tom Woods heavy-duty
driveshafts (1350 rear/1330 front) move torque to an ECGS-built
Dana 44 front with Eaton E-Locker and an ECGS Dana 60 rear with
Detroit TruTrac, both stuffed with 4.88 gears and upgraded
big-brake disc packages. The stance rides on 18�9 Detroit Steel
Delrays wearing 37�12.50R18 Toyo Open Country R/T Trails-quiet
enough around town, aggressive enough for the rough stuff.
Cooling and durability are addressed everywhere: an aluminum
radiator with electric fan up front, and a frame-mounted,
fan-cooled transmission cooler mid-ship to keep the 4L80E happy in
heat and low-speed crawl.
Engine & Exhaust
A cleanly installed LQ9 6.0L LS V8 sits in the smoothed bay,
managed by Holley Terminator X-Max. The combo features a TBSS
intake, 92-mm throttle body, performance cam, upgraded valve
springs/trunnions, and headers feeding a 3" stainless system with
crossover and Holley Blackheart muffler. Expect strong, reliable
power with a healthy idle lope-exactly what you want in a
streetable off-road hot rod.
Interior
The cabin blends utility with tailored craftsmanship. Hand-stitched
brown leather covers reshaped bucket seats up front and a matching
folding rear bench. Door and quarter panels echo the exterior's
ribbed side stamping. A GM tilt column with column shifter and a
wood-rim wheel face a tidy painted dash with a period-look
Willys/CJ combo gauge. Hidden in a re-worked CJ center console is a
pop-out 7" Holley display for live EFI data, vitals, and tuning
access when needed. Floors are finished with marine-grade mats
edged in leather, and the wood-slat theme flows from the cargo area
through the tailgate and even beneath the front seats. Fuel fill is
cleverly concealed behind the passenger-side tail light.
Undercarriage
The underside shows the quality of the fabrication: boxed rails,
gusseted link mounts, braced crossmembers, fresh hardware,
stainless exhaust routing, anti-wrap geometry, and clean
plumbing/wiring. The ECGS differential covers, large rotors, Fox
dampers, and sway-bar arms are all visible-this isn't rattle-can
undercoat; it's a purpose-built chassis you'll be proud to
display.
Driving Impressions
Turn the key and the cammed LS settles into a confident burble. The
converter/4L80E combo makes it friendly in traffic; dip into the
throttle and it pulls hard. The link suspension, AntiRock bars, and
quality damping deliver controlled on-road manners for a lifted
4�4, while the 4.88s, front E-Locker, rear TruTrac, and 4:1 low
range let it creep and climb with ease off-pavement. The Toyo R/T
Trails remain civil on the street yet bite when the surface turns
loose.
Show Pedigree
Featured at Toyo Tires Treadpass - SEMA 2022
SEMA Battle of the Builders - Top 10 Off-Road
Cars & Coffee and regional events exposure since, with only ~500
miles added
Why this Willys?
Because it nails the look and the capability: an all-steel classic
with a tasteful chop, perfect wheel openings around 37s, a sorted
JK-based chassis, locked/limited axles, an LS/4L80E that just
works, and a cabin that's both durable and beautifully trimmed.
It's equally at home rolling onto a show field or pointing its nose
at a trailhead.
Ready for its next adventure-and your garage.
Vehicle Details
1950 Willys Utility Wagon
Listing ID:CC-2020190
Price:$204,900
Location:Marietta, Georgia
Year:1950
Make:Willys
Model:Utility Wagon
Exterior Color:Purple Metallic
Interior Color:Brown
Odometer:502
Stock Number:1237C
VIN:P20601
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