"Homely/ Cute" and other observations...

[James P.]

Have any of you bought this DVD yet? If so, what did you think of it? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280062372002&rd=1,1

Also, that Hudson dealership photo that I brought to the attention of this forum recently was listed again. The auction is closed now, but I'm sure it will reappear soon. http://cgi.ebay.com/1950s-HUDSON-AUTO-DEALER-CAR-SALES-PHOTO-JEEP-CRANE-MI_W0QQitemZ140064010875QQihZ004QQcategoryZ418QQrd Z1QQcmdZViewItem
It's a reproduction and not an original, so I'm guessing there will be a steady supply of them for a while. When someone asked before what were the cars in the picture I said that I saw a '50 or '51 Commodore or a '51 Hornet in the left foreground and a Willys Aero beyond it. I realized later that the Hudson must have been a '50 Commodore and not a '51. I may be wrong on this point (as i can't tell if it has a two-piece back window of not from the angle the photo is taken), but do you know what I base that judgement on?
Also, my older brother's first car was a Willys Aero. I don't remember it real well, but I've always thought that they were sort of cute. At least a lot nicer looking than a Jet. Recent discussions on the board have been about the ugliest cars ever made. I think that perhaps there should be a catagory of cars that we think of as "homely/cute".
I think that there would be more Willys in the catagory than many other makes. Certainly all of the '30 and '40s Willys that ever flew down a dragstrip would belong in this catagory. The humble Henry J and the Aero belong there too, but not, alas, the Jet. Speaking of dragstrip cars, the Anglia and the Fiat Toppolino might fit. "Homely/cute" probably best explains the popularity of these bodies. I have to say (and I know that I'm a minority of one on this) but I think that the Toyota Scion might fit here as well. I do find them more amusing than horroible! I'd like to see some artsie painters or some quarter-mile enthusiasts play with a couple them. What do you guys think of "homely/cute" as a concept? Any nominations? (No wives. please)!

[hudsonkid]

Have any of you bought this DVD yet? If so, what did you think of it? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280062372002&rd=1,1

Also, that Hudson dealership photo that I brought to the attention of this forum recently was listed again. The auction is closed now, but I'm sure it will reappear soon. http://cgi.ebay.com/1950s-HUDSON-AUTO-DEALER-CAR-SALES-PHOTO-JEEP-CRANE-MI_W0QQitemZ140064010875QQihZ004QQcategoryZ418QQrd Z1QQcmdZViewItem
It's a reproduction and not an original, so I'm guessing there will be a steady supply of them for a while. When someone asked before what were the cars in the picture I said that I saw a '50 or '51 Commodore or a '51 Hornet in the left foreground and a Willys Aero beyond it. I realized later that the Hudson must have been a '50 Commodore and not a '51. I may be wrong on this point (as i can't tell if it has a two-piece back window of not from the angle the photo is taken), but do you know what I base that judgement on?
Also, my older brother's first car was a Willys Aero. I don't remember it real well, but I've always thought that they were sort of cute. At least a lot nicer looking than a Jet. Recent discussions on the board have been about the ugliest cars ever made. I think that perhaps there should be a catagory of cars that we think of as "homely/cute".
I think that there would be more Willys in the catagory than many other makes. Certainly all of the '30 and '40s Willys that ever flew down a dragstrip would belong in this catagory. The humble Henry J and the Aero belong there too, but not, alas, the Jet. Speaking of dragstrip cars, the Anglia and the Fiat Toppolino might fit. "Homely/cute" probably best explains the popularity of these bodies. I have to say (and I know that I'm a minority of one on this) but I think that the Toyota Scion might fit here as well. I do find them more amusing than horroible! I'd like to see some artsie painters or some quarter-mile enthusiasts play with a couple them. What do you guys think of "homely/cute" as a concept? Any nominations? (No wives. please)!


That hudson is definitely a 50 commodore. Look at the upper rocker trim. a 51 would be triangle shaped (meaning cross section profile) 48-50 have the flat wide trim. The pork chops are 50-51.

[James P.]

That hudson is definitely a 50 commodore. Look at the upper rocker trim. a 51 would be triangle shaped (meaning cross section profile) 48-50 have the flat wide trim. The pork chops are 50-51.
You're more astute than I am. I was judging by the wheel color not being the same as the body. That's the point in my bringing it up. Is '51 the first year that wheel colors matched body colors?

[Uncle Josh]

I think the Willys Wildfire was one of the most fun cars I ever rode in. Had the F-head 6 in it. I should have bought my friend's after he got 'backed into' driving impired. Fiberglas body got busted up a little.

[Fred]

What the heck is a Willy's Wildfire. I worked for a Willy's dealer back in the 50's when they made the F head, but I never heard of a "Wildfire".
Fred

[hudsonkid]

I think this link might answer the question...

got to love google..

see link below..


http://www.americansportscars.com/images/woodill11.jpg

willys wildfire (http://www.americansportscars.com/wildfire.html)

[dermott]

how about the playboy, built in buffalo n.y. 47-49 i think. can some one get/google pic of 1 for me. they are homellllllyyyyyyyyy. rare car, check it out. thanks, dermott.:D

[James P.]

I never knew that Willys made such a car. I think it's gorgeous. Look at that great cowl and windshield. Nothing homely about this one. Any idea how many were made?

[SuperDave]

I think it was called a "Woodill Wildfire" Probably based on a Willys. Don't remember where I put my catalog of cars or i would look it up. I liked the Willys Aero and It had my initials on the hub caps. Now talk about an ugly/cute car... Almost traded my 59 Lark for one..Probably should have

[hudsonkid]

here's a few....

I liked searching for this one....

the first two are 1948's I think...

the third is a 1947, and it really pushes the "cute" envelope...

the fourth is a 1950, side profile


http://ned.ronet.ru/0/1948%20Playboy.jpg

http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B8293.jpg

http://www.roaring-twenties.com/9eb6b900.jpg

http://www.shorey.net/Auto/Miscellaneous%20Pictures/1950%20Playboy%20Convertible%20Coupe.jpg

[hornet53]

That two-tone paint is not flattering!

[dermott]

thanks, hudsonkid. love those pics.:) strange little car, would love to find one though. dermott.:cool:

[Fred]

I'd love to find a Willy's Wildfire. With that f-head six I'd say she really goes. Thanks for posting the picture.
Fred

[mars55]

I think it was called a "Woodill Wildfire" Probably based on a Willys. Don't remember where I put my catalog of cars or i would look it up. I liked the Willys Aero and It had my initials on the hub caps. Now talk about an ugly/cute car... Almost traded my 59 Lark for one..Probably should have

The Wildfire was the brainchild of Blanchard R. "Woody" Woodill, who owned a Willys dealership in Downey a subburb of Los Angeles. The first two Wildfires were build with Willys components, a frame build out of angle iron and a modified fiberglass Glasspar body in 1952. One was sold a custormer. The other was used to publicize his dealership. It prove to be so popular that Willys-Overland was consisting building it like the Nash-Healey, but Willys-Overland was then bought by Kaiser and the Wildfire lost out to the Kaiser-Darrin. Woodill then modified the body to fit a 1939-48 Ford frame and offered it as Kit Car. Woodill sold between 90 and 300 kits plus seven built-up cars from 1953 to 1956. The Kit Cars could and were modified by the custormer and used the engines that were available in the fifties.

[bill a]

great and accurate ino mr mars 55. HET Member Fred Roth of so cal owns a Wildfire amoung his 50 sports cars, which include 2 Hudson Italias no 23 trophied at Pebbler beach this past show and was featured in the wtn, he also owns a Muntz jet and other rare 50s American sports cars BILL ALBRIGHT i HAVE OWNED SEVERAL MID 50S vOLVO p1900*S THAT HAD dEVIN BUILT BODIES

[hudsontech]

I think it was called a "Woodill Wildfire" Probably based on a Willys. Don't remember where I put my catalog of cars or i would look it up. I liked the Willys Aero and It had my initials on the hub caps. Now talk about an ugly/cute car... Almost traded my 59 Lark for one..Probably should have

I was looking at one of my car catalogs - Standard Catalog of Independents - looking to see if there was mention of the Wildfire. I opened the book to the Willys section and what struck me were some pictures of the 1952 Willys Aero Ace cars - the resemblance to the Hudson Jet is eerie.
The Willys cars sort of give one an idea of what the Jet could have looked like with a lower roof line. The car looks lower with the lower roof line.

Hudsonly,
Alex B
MERRY CHRISTMAS everybody

[hudsonkid]

here's some pictures....

http://www.classicalgasstation.com/images/1611b1.jpg

http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B10109.jpg

http://www.bchra.org/CarStuff/Pics/52willys1.jpg

[Mike (WA)]

Even cuter was the "top of the line" model, the Bermuda, I think, that was a 2 door hardtop. We used to drive by one on the way to church, and my sons and I kidded their little sister that Dad was going to get that one for her, as her first car when she turned 16- told her "we're gonna give you the Willys", as it were. I did stop and look it over one time, thinking about a street rod- but they're so lightly built you'd just about have to start from scratch on the frame and suspension, if you put enough power in it to have any fun.

BTW, Hudsonkid, very interesting looking salvage yard- book me for a tour!

[Dave53-7C]

Salvage yard? That's Hudsonkid's backyard. :D

[James P.]

. ... I opened the book to the Willys section and what struck me were some pictures of the 1952 Willys Aero Ace cars - the resemblance to the Hudson Jet is eerie.
The Willys cars sort of give one an idea of what the Jet could have looked like with a lower roof line. The car looks lower with the lower roof line.

Hudsonly,
Alex B
MERRY CHRISTMAS everybody

This all sort of begs the question, "Would the Jet have sold well if it weren't so very ugly?" The answer (IMHO) is a resounding NO! Guys came back from the war with relatively positive feelings for the Willys name. The Jeep was a godsend during the war and a troop favorite. Nevertheless, Willys was never really able to cash in on all of that goodwill. What the guys really came home with was a lust for V8 power and chrome, chrome, chrome! I often wonder if the guys at GM ever really accurately anticipated those trends or if they ultimately just had the right pile of chrome with enough cylinders to move it all around...

[davegnh1]

Guys, the Jet was also "too expensive". I have one, it is a good car. Put yourself in the shoes of a car buyer in 1953, you could get a full size chevy or Ford for less money, what would you do?

[Martin200]

I think it was called a "Woodill Wildfire" Probably based on a Willys. Don't remember where I put my catalog of cars or i would look it up. I liked the Willys Aero and It had my initials on the hub caps. Now talk about an ugly/cute car... Almost traded my 59 Lark for one..Probably should have

Yes, you are absolutely correct; it's called the WOODILL Wildfire and was the precursor to the Kaiser-Darrin, the Corvette and others; it was the first fiberglass-bodied sports car to have any real, if marginal, success. I believe the chassis came from either a Henry J or a Willys Aero and may have been powered by a Willys F-head. I remember it mentioned in Dick Langworth's book "Kaiser-Frazer: The Last Onslaught on Detroit."