David EilersAugust 9, 2019

1961 Parkway Wagon Surrey, BC, Make Offer

Johnny is selling this late model Parkway Conversion wagon project.

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/rds/cto/d/surrey-willys-wagon/6952132445.html

"1961 Willys Wagon Utyility Delivery 4X4. Has rear swing doors and a parkway conversion. This is a project. All parts are there, most in boxes. However a body restoration process has already begun. The new rear quarter panels need to be attached and floors need some new metal. Comes with new quarter panels. Original driver/passenger doors have very little or no rust. Spare... hood, grill, and left/right front fenders, each are very good and straight. Spare driver/passenger doors, in average condition. I have had it stored in my heated garage since 1986. Open to offers."

11 Comments

Dan B.August 9, 2019 at 10:51 AM
Save the Parkways!
ART N GARNERAugust 9, 2019 at 5:59 PM
FOR YOUR INFORMATION --- " PARKWAY " REFERED TO PARKWAY BLVD --- IT RAN IN FRONT OF THE WILLYS OVERLAND PLANT IN TOLEDO , OHIO --- SO THERE YOU GO --- NOTHING LEFT THERE NOW , A FEW RUSTY HUBCAPS AND SOME SCHLITZ BEER CANS ...
TerryAugust 9, 2019 at 9:50 PM
No no no , the parkway conversion was done to panel trucks of all makes so the trucks could drive on parkways . In NY ,CT and NJ we have roads called Parkways which do not allow trucks , and a panel truck , van or sedan delivery without windows is a truck (other states must have similar restrictions ) also some towns have restrictions on truck parking ,windows make it legal .
David EilersAugust 9, 2019 at 10:52 PM
My understanding of why the parkway's were made is the same as Terry's. Here are some of the parkways where driving commercial vehicles is still illegal: https://www.speedlaw.net/commercial-vehicles-parkways-fine-ticket/
TerryAugust 10, 2019 at 12:19 AM
More on Parkway . Page 8-9 of the Willys Industrial Equipment Book circa 1950 for the ''Worman Parkway Conversion ''-'' The conversion is licensable in many communities as a suburban vehicle -permitting use of parkways denied conventional delivery units '' . next page : " Order the Parkway Conversion for your Sedan Delivery before it leaves the factory-'' or'' The Parkway Conversion kit is available for dealer installation '' The term suburban vehicle in the text means a station wagon .
JoeBAugust 10, 2019 at 12:34 AM
Classic parkway motorways radiate the unabashed vibe of a motorsports park. Commercial traffic restrictions; ample curves, rustic guardrails, rolling hills; lovingly manicured tree- and shrub-lined divider and outfield; low, ornate bridges; underpasses; a tunnel or two; daredevil entrance and exit ramps; "authentic" service plazas... Helmets are optional. But be forewarned; there will always be some rookies on the circuit. These thoroughfares should be navigated as they were conceived to be -- for the shear enjoyment of the driving experience. (And even more enjoyable, I imagine, if one could be doing that driving while bootlegging commercial products concealed under a blanket in the cargo area of a stealthy, Toledo-based but dealer-enhanced Willys "Parkway Conversion".) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybu_Qbc1Vrk&t=173s
MikeAugust 10, 2019 at 1:38 PM
Parkway conversions of panel vans were popular in NJ, being the fact that trucks were not allowed on the North - South route of the Garden State Parkway. Go to your local glass shop and have them cut a window in each side, even a small window, you no longer had a problem. It was a nice NJ way of getting around the law. New Jersey was always innovative in it's thinking.
David EilersAugust 16, 2019 at 1:35 AM
Regarding the Parkway Name: So, Vernon looked at his WILLYS AMERICA RESTORATION GUIDE, by PAUL BARRY, and noted the book claims that ”THIS MODEL WAS NAMED AFTER THE PARKWAY PLANT AT WILLYS OVERLAND , OHIO". So, he's got some pretty good evidence there. However, I emailed Paul. He mentioned that the Parkway conversion was done at the Parkway plant, but doesn't have specific evidence that indicates whether the conversion was named for 1) the plant, 2) for the Parkway outside the plant, or 3) for parkways in general. He does mention that Laurel C. Worman was aggressively marketing the conversions, but I never ran across any information from him regarding the origin of the Parkway name. Moreover, I tried to find out when other non-jeep parkway conversions were first done (were the first ones prior to W-O?). I could not determine an answer to that, mostly because my searches kept returning garbage or newer vehicles. Therefore, to me, it's not clear yet how Willys-Overland arrived at the name "Parkway conversion".
Dan B.August 16, 2019 at 4:34 AM
See the details in two ads here (pages 8-9 and 8-10): http://www.ewillys.com/2017/10/05/laurel-worman-and-the-worman-products-for-early-jeeps/comment-page-1/ Sounds like Parkway Conversion means converted to be able to drive on the parkways.
David EilersAugust 16, 2019 at 3:13 PM
Dan, I agree the brochure makes the purpose of the Parkway is clear: To enable the delivery sedan to legally drive parkways (and, as I wrote previously, this is how I thought the name came into being). But, to me, it still is possible the name could have originated from the plant or from the Parkway outside the plant. I'm really splicing hairs here and, in the history of the earth, none of this matters. Still, I am trying to keep an open mind and am open to alternatives like Vernon has raised until more evidence arrives. It feels like a box that I can't quite close and put away, so it's sitting on the floor, nearly full; it's in my way and it's bugging me ....
Dan B.August 16, 2019 at 9:05 PM
Love it.