Now she wants a Willys

Wombat

Wombat

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 18, 2018
Messages
333
Location
Melbourne VIC, Australia
I was at my Jeep specialists workshop the other day and I had the other half with me, the moment she laid eyes on that Willys it was like no one could get her out of it. Now any red blooded Jeep owner who would not buy a Willys for their partner who wanted one is just not a true Jeep owner, right?

As much and all as I like the thought of my baby appreciating the history and legend but there is a big problem, I love her way too much to let her drive a Jeep that would likely mame or kill her in a minor accident. Where we live drivers have little patience and even less care when it comes to respecting other road users so with a heavy heart I said NO!

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Party Pooper


But I agree as far as safety goes, tooooooo many F'ing idiots out on the road that their only concern is themselves. Good Call Dad




:unsure: How much were they asking :)
 
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Plumber1 said:
Party Pooper
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lol

She's my wife of thirty years and I'm a very lucky man. We met in our twenties, over fifty now and she still weighs in under 50Kg and looks like she should be my daughter - the willys wouldent even know she was there.

I'm not sure how much his asking but I've seen a few round in good nick for just under 20G AU (14 US)
 
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She might be fine. It’s a real head turner. Love the windshield hinge and flat fenders
 
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If you think about it, our TJs aren't really safe when compared to today's modern vehicles, but you have to live life. You can spend your whole life being careful only to die and never get to enjoy it, no sense it that. I drive 100 miles a day to and from work, most of it at highway speeds with crazy people all over the place. I've driven that route with my TJ many times, but for the most part I take my daily driver, and use the TJ for weekend fun around town. You could do the same with a Willy's. It's not like you would want to use a Willy's as a daily driver anyway.
 
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jeepguy03 said:
If you think about it, our TJs aren't really safe when compared to today's modern vehicles, but you have to live life. You can spend your whole life being careful only to die and never get to enjoy it, no sense it that. I drive 100 miles a day to and from work, most of it at highway speeds with crazy people all over the place. I've driven that route with my TJ many times, but for the most part I take my daily driver, and use the TJ for weekend fun around town. You could do the same with a Willy's. It's not like you would want to use a Willy's as a daily driver anyway.
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I like to say "life is too short to drive a boring car." My LJ is my daily driver, and my XJ before that, and a lowered '94 Caprice wagon ("The Boat") before that. Drive something fun!
 
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Wombat said:
lol

She's my wife of thirty years and I'm a very lucky man. We met in our twenties, over fifty now and she still weighs in under 50Kg and looks like she should be my daughter - the willys wouldent even know she was there.

I'm not sure how much his asking but I've seen a few round in good nick for just under 20G AU (14 US)
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I sure hope I look as good as your wife when I'm in my 50s. Damn! I'm pretty sure I look like I'm older than her now and I'm not even 30 yet hahaha.
 
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TWiG01 said:
Not very convincing 😂
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It’s a matter of personal risk one is willing to take. I would have no problem with my wife driving a Willys. She does several more dangerous things.
 
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Thanks for all the great comments...

Zorba said:
Now THAT is a real jeep! I'd love to own one, but am not dedicated enough for the project it would become.
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I'd just pop on a set of AT's and call it done.

JMT said:
She might be fine. It’s a real head turner. Love the windshield hinge and flat fenders
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Yeah I keep thinking it would be ok as she would only be driving it a couple of miles or so when I cant drive her where she needs to go but for the same price I can buy a safe, economical and practical car - one impractical vehicle is enough and I could never forgive myself if something happened.

jeepguy03 said:
If you think about it, our TJs aren't really safe when compared to today's modern vehicles, but you have to live life. You can spend your whole life being careful only to die and never get to enjoy it, no sense it that. I drive 100 miles a day to and from work, most of it at highway speeds with crazy people all over the place. I've driven that route with my TJ many times, but for the most part I take my daily driver, and use the TJ for weekend fun around town. You could do the same with a Willy's. It's not like you would want to use a Willy's as a daily driver anyway.
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True! And why I still drive a TJ as I'm prepared to take some risk but moreover it's about mitigating that risk and driving accordingly, it sound good but you cant control others or their actions.

anarce said:
I like to say "life is too short to drive a boring car." My LJ is my daily driver, and my XJ before that, and a lowered '94 Caprice wagon ("The Boat") before that. Drive something fun!
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Reminds me of these lyrics from U2;
"I'm not afraid to die I'm not afraid to live And when I'm flat on my back I hope to feel like I did" but I still come back to the words my late father would say; "have fun son, experience all you can but try not to tempt fate along the way".

Zorba said:
Only in America...
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And in Australia, we are alike in so many ways.

Elyse8743 said:
I sure hope I look as good as your wife when I'm in my 50s. Damn! I'm pretty sure I look like I'm older than her now and I'm not even 30 yet hahaha.
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We have it pretty easy down here, she's been involved in fitness since five and sport at a world level since she was fourteen

reservoir dog said:
I thought I wanted a willys a few years ago until I drove one. Maybe in a parade or just a lap around town. 30 mph and 1/2 a round of play in the steering wheel.
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Yep! you've driven one.

Apparition said:
Give her the willy
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I try but these days it's anniversaries, new year's and when I buy an expensive present, like a Willys ;) Just quietly I've inquired about the price.
 
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jeepguy03 said:
If you think about it, our TJs aren't really safe when compared to today's modern vehicles,
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Not quite... I personally saw the insurance actuarial tables on the TJ and they had conclusions and data that may surprise some. First, our TJs have a really hefty strong steel frame and an equally heavy and strong steel tub. They weigh considerably more than the average unibody designed car. The actuarial tables went on to say that on average, those involved in accidents while riding in TJs were less likely to be seriously injured than in the average car, and far less likely die in an an accident. On top of that costs to repair a TJ were on average substantially less than the average unibody car. All this is why TJs are less costly to insure than similarly priced unibody cars.

I just wish that page of data was still up and available, it rolled off due to age. I have searched but can't even find a mirrored copy of it. I could kick myself for not copying it but at the time it was just interesting information.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
Not quite... I personally saw the insurance actuarial tables on the TJ and they had conclusions and data that may surprise some. First, our TJs have a really hefty strong steel frame and an equally heavy and strong steel tub. They weigh considerably more than the average unibody designed car. The actuarial tables went on to say that on average, those involved in accidents while riding in TJs were less likely to be seriously injured than in the average car, and far less likely die in an an accident. On top of that costs to repair a TJ were on average substantially less than the average unibody car. All this is why TJs are less costly to insure than similarly priced unibody cars.

I just wish that page of data was still up and available, it rolled off due to age. I have searched but can't even find a mirrored copy of it. I could kick myself for not copying it but at the time it was just interesting information.
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Thanks for that info, it's consistent with my own insurance and experience in a few relatively minor collisions, the TJ always come out with little damage and the other party is close to a write off.
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Not quite... I personally saw the insurance actuarial tables on the TJ and they had conclusions and data that may surprise some. First, our TJs have a really hefty strong steel frame and an equally heavy and strong steel tub. They weigh considerably more than the average unibody designed car. The actuarial tables went on to say that on average, those involved in accidents while riding in TJs were less likely to be seriously injured than in the average car, and far less likely die in an an accident. On top of that costs to repair a TJ were on average substantially less than the average unibody car. All this is why TJs are less costly to insure than similarly priced unibody cars.

I just wish that page of data was still up and available, it rolled off due to age. I have searched but can't even find a mirrored copy of it. I could kick myself for not copying it but at the time it was just interesting information.
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For it's day the TJ was fairly safe, but I would not want to be in a crash in one at higher speeds especially if a modern SUV was on the other end. There is just no comparison. The frame and strong steel tub are excellent for low speed crash durability, but anything above ~35 mph and modern crumple zone vehicles are superior because they absorb the impact. Obviously I'd want to be in a TJ over a Toyota Yaris. This certainly won't keep me from driving mine, you have to live life, and life is too short to drive boring vehicles. :cool:

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Jeep/wrangler-2-door-suv/1998
Above all, wear your seat belt. When I was an insurance adjuster I saw way too many deaths that could've been prevented with just a belt on.
 
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