Grills

[Craig6]

What year did jeep have a 10 slot grill? Significance?

[gmwillys]

Welcome Craig6!

A little history lesson before we get into the amount of grill slots....

The WWII Willys MB had a 9 slot grille that was initially designed by Ford for their GPW. The ford grill was lighter then the Willys designed steel slat 13 slotted grill. The Ford design was lighter and easier to manufacture. The grill on the post war jeeps were reduced to 7 to enable Willys to trademark the grill design because it was a significate enough of an amount of change from the trademark.

The 7 slot grill was kept up until American Motors came out with the 10 slot grill in '84. No significant reason, AMC just wanted to put their own spin on the norm, much like with most of their products.

[Craig6]

Mine is a 10 slot grill on a 1950 station wagon....?any thoughts?

[5JeepsAz]

Gotta picture?

[bmorgil]

The grill is the most identifiable and attempted copy piece on the Jeeps. As gm is pointing out, a lot of history in the grill including law suites on manufacturers trying to copy it. Take a pic of that grill and post it for gmwillys to look at.

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/did-hummer-steal-jeeps-grille-design/

[gmwillys]

A 10 slot '50 wagon is ponderous. My' 63 wagon has the traditional seven vertical bars. Please post a picture to see exactly what you have.

[Craig6]

7094

I hope the picture works!

[bmorgil]

I don't think we are talking about the same type Willys. Where are you located Craig? Here is a picture of the version I am used to.

[LarrBeard]

Hey guys - this isn't all that big a mystery. Trucks are different

Look at the two grills; the '48 truck and the '50 wagon both have the same 10 slot grill. The tell tale is the flat front - no nose and flat fenders. There have been some holes added or enlarged for the extra lights and something behind the grill- but it looks like the trucks before they made the change to the F-134, the clock instrument panel and the peaked fenders.

The circle/4 hood emblem is new to us - but none of us are surprised about maybe a '49 showing up as a '50 (titles and bills of sale were changed by Willys-Overland back then). 1950 was a transition year - the "new" style was sometimes called the "1950 1/2".

I'd call it an early 1950 or maybe even a '49.

Is there an original serial plate we could check?

Later entry: The metal work joining the fender to the grill is a bit different on the wagon - fender is just one piece on the wagon, added piece on the '48. Same six bolt bumper though.

[Craig6]

I get the jeep tonight. I'll take pics of my own then, thanks guys!

[5JeepsAz]

Great looking truck! apparently though it seems one of those Willy trucks pictured there has a gigantic aftermarket add on. Look at the truck right side front flat fender. What is that thing? Aerodynamics questionable! Lol. I saw a ton of pictures with various grilles. Once we have a serial we could match up the possibles.

[LarrBeard]

At the 2019 Toledo Jeep Fest, there were several Jeep wagons. I remember that one of them was claimed to be a ’46 or ’47; I recall that because it was the only civilian Jeep vehicle older than my ’48 Senior Truck. That particular vehicle had ceased to be a Jeep in anything beyond outer appearance. If I remember correctly; it was on a Ford frame with totally different running gear and it had a highly customized interior.

But, the interesting thing, from the only picture I have of it - is that the grill seems to have five slots! The front fenders have the separate fill piece up against the grille like the ’48 truck, not solid like the ’50 wagon. All three vehicles have bumpers that are the standard 6-bolt bumpers without the added grille guards that were an option at some time.

Willys-Overland was playing around with styling changes that were not immediately apparent to the casual observer, or even noticeable to those of us who look closer than most.

[gmwillys]

I guess I fell into the AMC generation of Jeep enthusiasts, and never paid that close of attention to the amount of slots on an early truck grill. I stand corrected.

Thankyou Senior Chief for clearing up the water!

[LarrBeard]

As we have learned, there is no "standard" or "conventional" with WO. I was surprised when I counted the slots on that grill and I had to look several times to make sure that I wasn't seeing a trick of lighting - and I still would not wager anything precious on my count.

Who knows? Next month we may find a six slot at 45-degree grill?"

[Craig6]

Here are some pics7115
71167117

[bmorgil]

Nice Wagon! Love the color!

[LarrBeard]

4X463 was the 4WD wagon. S/N 14811 puts in the first 15% or so of the 1950 model year.

What does the dash look like; square or clock?

[5JeepsAz]

That's a keeper! I'm still counting the grille slots. Hang on

[Craig6]

71277128

Square with additional guages

[Craig6]

Can anyone id this engine?71297130

[gmwillys]

350 Small block Chevy. Almost the same identical set up as our '63. Points distributor and all.

[LarrBeard]

Thanks. It looks like the '48 and '49 down to the push-button doors and the flatter horn button than on the later wagons and trucks. It also has the two-piece "Come here Dear seat" in the original arrangement.

[mrgrtt123]

Would you mind adding more information about it?