1954
Willys
Ace
Deluxe
Sedan
The
father
of
the
Aero
was
Clyde
Paton,
former
engineer
for
Packard
Motor
Car
Company.
1954
was
the
most
involved
year
when
it
came
to
models:
Only
the
Lark,
Ace
and
Eagle
survived.
There
were
some
of
each
model
that
were
re-serialed
1953s
with
1954
trim
hung
on
them
and
then
there
was
the
regular
run
in
which
some
of
the
Aces
and
Eagles
received
the
Kaiser
Super-Hurricane
engine.
On
the
regular
run,
all
Aeros
received
wraparound
one-piece
windshields
and
rear
windows
and
a
new
instrument
panel,
even
the
Lark.
All
1954s
received
larger
taillights,
\"hooded\"
headlight
and
parking
light
bezels,
and
different
bumper
guards.
Nameplates
were
shuffled
slightly
on
the
regular
run
cars.
For
consignment,
a
right
hand
drive
Willys
Ace
from
1954.
Our
consignor
purchased
the
car
in
South
Africa
and
had
it
shipped
to
the
US.
He
was
keen
on
the
car
due
to
his
father
owning
a
Willys
dealership
during
the
1950s
in
New
Ulm,
Minnesota.
The
car
has
been
completely
torn
down
to
the
frame
and
meticulously
restored.
During
this
process
the
body
shop
was
quoted
as
saying
that
it
was
amazing
the
car
had
no
rust,
most
likely
due
to
the
dry
climate
in
South
Africa.
Exterior
Very
straight
rust-free
steel
panels
with
well
minded
gaps
adorn
all
aspects
of
this
4
door
Ace.
Having
been
totally
removed
from
the
frame,
all
surfaces
were
sanded
then
repainted
the
miles
deep
maroon
you
see
on
this
car
now.
A
simple
front
grille
with
a
horizontal
bar
supporting
a
W
in
the
grille
opening,
and
a
bumper
with
vertical
guards
below
along
with
the
stylized
jet
hood
ornament
lead
the
way.
On
either
side
is
a
shiny
trim
spear
and
all
window
surrounds
are
chromed
and
have
new
rubber
seals.
On
the
back
2
\"bump
ups'
are
on
top
of
the
rear
quarters
and
on
the
corners
are
the
stacked
taillights
within
shiny
bezels.
Another
W
badge
is
on
the
center
of
the
trunk
lid,
and
below
a
near
perfect
bumper
with
more
vertical
pushers
is
attached.
Body
matching
maroon
steel
wheels
with
a
W
badged
moon
cap
in
the
center
are
wrapped
by
wide
white
wall
tires
all
around.
Interior
Also
completely
restored
we
see
gray
vinyl
panels
with
maroon
metal
framing
and
shiny
knobs
and
actuators
for
the
door
panels.
A
long
solid
red
vinyl
bench
with
wide
tuck
and
roll
stitching
is
in
front,
and
another
bench
is
the
same
pattern
and
material
in
back.
These
benches
are
near
perfect
in
their
presentation.
Upfront
a
shiny
maroon
metal
dash
has
an
oval
insert
in
front
of
the
right-hand
driver.
This
has
a
like
new
round
speedometer
and
Willys
borrowing
from
the
aircraft
industry,
utilized
lots
of
pulls
and
shiny
buttons
for
all
the
controls.
A
large
round
black
bakelite
steering
wheel
with
a
chromed
horn
ring
and
another
W
badge
in
its
center
fronts
this
dash.
The
3-speed
manual
shifter
is
on
the
left
side
of
the
column.
Clean
like
new
gray
carpeting
covers
the
floors.
Above
a
tight
paneled
gray
headliner
just
like
the
doors.
Also,
a
note
to
the
trunk
which
has
a
new
gray
checkered
vinyl
liner
and
a
sticker
tire
along
with
the
jack
and
lug
wrench.
All
in
excellent
condition.
Drivetrain
More
perfection
under
the
hood
in
the
form
of
a
226ci
L
Head
inline
6-cylinder
engine.
It
is
painted
battleship
gray
and
has
a
2-barrel
carburetor
on
top.
A
3-speed
manual
transmission
is
on
back
with
a
3.54
rear
axle.
This
engine
has
been
completely
rebuilt
by
a
machine
shop
and
definitely
looks
the
part.
Undercarriage
As
one
would
expect
from
a
frame
off
restoration
all
we
see
is
nicely
undercoated
rust-free
surfaces,
and
not
even
any
road
dirt.
A
new
fuel
tank,
new
brakes
and
fully
functioning
independent
front
and
leaf
spring
rear
suspension
are
on.
Drum
braking
all
mourned
and
a
shiny
single
exhaust
works
its
way
to
the
back
through
the
perfect
black
metal
field.
Drive-Ability
It
takes
a
bit
of
getting
accustomed
to
as
it
is
a
right
hand
driver.
It
started
right
up
with
just
a
bit
of
manual
choke
and
after
a
brief
warmup
we
were
off
to
the
test
track.
Here
it
ran
very
nicely,
although
the
transmission
was
a
bit
finicky
when
going
from
first
to
second
gear.
All
other
functions
are
working
as
they
should.
An
AACA
Jr
award
winner
from
2010,
and
a
perfect
two-year
restoration
covering
all
the
bases
and
we
now
have
a
very
fine
example
from
1954.
Let's
call
it
an
Ace
in
the
hole?!
VIN
DECODE
654MB211079
6-6
Cylinder
54-1954
M-Ace/Eagle
B-4
Door
Sedan
211079-Sequential
Unit
Number