1940 to 1969 Jeep

The Jeep Station Wagon and panel delivery models were largely carried over between 1953 and 1955, but one significant addition arrived in 1954: a 115-brake-horsepower six-cylinder engine option for the four-wheel-drive versions. That year also brought minor front-end revisions, including a grille with three horizontal slats instead of five.

The flathead six-cylinder engine was essentially the same unit used by the Kaiser automobile, which was nearing the end of its American production run. Interestingly, the "Jeep" name was being downplayed in marketing materials by this time, even as the Willys name remained prominent. Literature for the Station Wagon made no mention of "Jeep," though the four-wheel-drive version still performed exactly like one.

Contemporary road testers found the four-wheel-drive Wagon remarkably capable. It bounded over the worst ruts that other test vehicles could not even attempt, plowed through soft earth and sand without hesitation, and climbed rain-soaked muddy inclines where competitors spun their wheels and slid backward. One tester reportedly complained that he simply could not get the Jeep stuck, no matter how hard he tried.

Reviewers acknowledged that the Jeep Wagon was not in the running as a quiet, comfortable family car, but they praised its ruggedness and fantastic pulling power. Its truck-like interior made its purpose clear: this was a vehicle for people who needed to get from point A to point B regardless of what lay in between. The cabin was austere, but the mechanical capability more than compensated. From the CJ and Renegade to the Gladiator and Station Wagon, these early Jeeps laid the foundation for an entire industry of sport utility vehicles.

Whether you are restoring a classic CJ or keeping a Gladiator on the road, these vehicles need cooling systems built for tough duty. Griffin Thermal Products builds exact-fit aluminum radiators for 1940s through 1960s Jeep models, delivering the cooling performance these legendary off-roaders deserve.