January/February 2022 Vintage Truck
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The January/February 2022 issue of Vintage Truck magazine is available in our gift shop now and will be available on newsstands soon. Our cover story features Dave Black’s FC-170. The article was written by Patrick Foster and photographed by Nick Devost.
JEEP’s Forward Control Trucks
Dave Black’s FC-170 was Willys’ view of the future!
Willys Motors, the new name for Willys-Overland after Henry J. Kaiser bought the company’s assets in 1953, had occupied a unique niche in the United States automotive market since mid-1945. Left without conventional automobile body production tooling or equipment when World War II ended, the company could not reintroduce its prewar cars, and existing body suppliers were too busy filling more lucrative orders from the Big Three. Willys had little choice but to continue producing the military Jeep, albeit in a somewhat more civilized version known as the CJ-2A.
In time, the company was able to add to its product line when it introduced a new series of “senior” vehicles stamped from simpler tooling. These included the Willys Jeep station wagon, pickup, panel delivery, and a box truck. As the only producer of light four-wheel-drive vehicles, Willys faced almost no competition and thus was able to set prices at a profitable level. The company also had an extensive overseas business supplying small regional automakers with knocked-down Jeep kits for local assembly. Its worldwide spare parts business was substantial, as well.
As the years went by, though, the Willys product line grew stagnant. The CJ-2A begat the CJ-3A and CJ-3B, and the CJ-5—all essentially similar, military-derived vehicles that looked like the 1941 model. Sales were good but not good enough; the company also needed to sell a fair number of senior Jeeps. The Willys Jeep pickup, which had seemed so smart-looking in 1946, was rather old-fashioned by 1956. Newer-styled trucks from GM, Ford, IH, Dodge, and Studebaker were attracting customers who might have bought a Jeep pickup if only the Jeep had a larger cargo bed and wider cab. Sales of the two-wheel-drive Jeep trucks had become so minimal that the company stopped selling them in the U.S. to concentrate on the four-wheel-drive versions. Jeep station wagon models were likewise getting long in the tooth.
To read more about the FC-170 pick up a copy of the January/February 2022 issue of Vintage Truck magazine!
Articles in this issue include:
Unimog
The “Universal” Mercedes-Benz truck
Story by Bill SiuruOriginal to a T
Bill Maurits is the fourth-generation owner of this unrestored 1921 Ford Model T truck!
Story by Brad Bowling, Photos by Al RogersJeep’s Forward Control Trucks
Dave Black’s FC-170 was Willys’ view of the future!
Story by Patrick Foster, Photos by Nick DevostOut of Africa
Dave Benson’s rare 1932 International D-1 pickup has right-hand drive!
Story by B. Mitchell Carlson, Photos by Brad BowlingRip Van Winkle Awakens
Mike Hughes’ 1956 Dodge is back from its long slumber with fewer than 14,000 miles!
Story by Loren Hoekema, Photos by Al Rogers
DEPARTMENTSLetter from the Editor
Letters to the Editor
For Ford Fans: 1949 F-1 pickup
Books in the Bed: Reviews by Robert Gabrick
The Road Less Traveled: Graham Brothers under Dodge Brothers, 1921–28
Hey Loren!
Photos from the Attic
Classifieds
Show Guide
Granny Gear: Winter Nights at Stoatshaven
If you can't find Vintage Truck on a newsstand near you, call 800-767-5828 or visit our Gift Shop to order current or back issues. To subscribe, call 888-760-8108 or click here.
