Aero Ace. Beaver, PA
1952 Willys Aero Ace Pro Street custom.
After world war II, Willys dealers were selling Jeeps, trucks, an all-steel station wagon, and America's last phaeton, the Jeepster, but they still wanted a real car. Willys of Toledo, Ohio, turned to Clyde Paton, a well-respected automotive engineer, and Phil Wright, an equally respected designer, to create its new passenger car. In 1952, the Aero-Willys was introduced. Or is it Willys Aero?
Arriving with a wheelbase of 108 inches, the Aero's passenger compartment sat between the axles, giving the car a true six-passenger interior in a relatively low-profile compact body. Unitized construction added sturdiness and reduced weight.
Kaiser bought Willys in 1954. The Aero name was gone for 1955 when all that remained were the Willys Custom four-door and Willys Bermuda two-door hardtop. Both featured Z-line two-toning on the sides. A new grille and busier taillamps distinguished them from the Aero. The big news under the hood was the Kaiser 226-cu.in. flathead six, originally designed by Continental. The 115hp six-cylinder made these last of the Willys American passenger cars quite fast. Prices were also lowered, but little more than 2,000 made it into American car ports.
Aero Ace. Beaver, PA
1952 Willys Aero Ace Pro Street custom.
After world war II, Willys dealers were selling Jeeps, trucks, an all-steel station wagon, and America's last phaeton, the Jeepster, but they still wanted a real car. Willys of Toledo, Ohio, turned to Clyde Paton, a well-respected automotive engineer, and Phil Wright, an equally respected designer, to create its new passenger car. In 1952, the Aero-Willys was introduced. Or is it Willys Aero?
Arriving with a wheelbase of 108 inches, the Aero's passenger compartment sat between the axles, giving the car a true six-passenger interior in a relatively low-profile compact body. Unitized construction added sturdiness and reduced weight.
Kaiser bought Willys in 1954. The Aero name was gone for 1955 when all that remained were the Willys Custom four-door and Willys Bermuda two-door hardtop. Both featured Z-line two-toning on the sides. A new grille and busier taillamps distinguished them from the Aero. The big news under the hood was the Kaiser 226-cu.in. flathead six, originally designed by Continental. The 115hp six-cylinder made these last of the Willys American passenger cars quite fast. Prices were also lowered, but little more than 2,000 made it into American car ports.