1936 Willys Model 77 Pickup

Description

The 1936 Willys Model 77 was part of Willys-Overland’s effort to survive the Great Depression. Introduced in 1933 as the smallest and most affordable American automobile — and available in six body styles — the Model 77 featured a 100-inch wheelbase and a 134-cubic-inch four-cylinder engine producing 48 horsepower.

By 1936, the pickup variant shared the streamlined styling of the series, including a raised hood line and improved rubber engine mounts. Known for its economy and low price (starting around $395), the Willys 77 appealed to budget-conscious buyers. Despite its practicality, production was limited due to Willys’ bankruptcy, with total output for all body styles from 1933–1936 reaching about 67,500 units.

This 1936 Willys Model 77 Pickup underwent a restoration (completed in 2002) that included a rebuilt engine, a repaint in Foam Green with black fenders and black vinyl top, reupholstered black vinyl bench seat, door trim, and headliner, and new aftermarket speedometer with fuel/coolant and oil/amp gauges. It has been driven only 69 miles since.

The truck is offered with a clean California title in the seller’s name.

Highlights

• Older restoration completed in 2002, driven only 69 miles since then

• Original engine and transmission

Factory Equipment

• 134-cubic-inch L-head four-cylinder engine rated at 48 hp

• Three-speed manual transmission

• Vacuum ignition control (introduced in 1936)

• Semi-elliptic leaf springs suspension

• Worm & sector steering

• Non-opening windshield (unlike earlier years)

• Mechanical brakes

• Steel wheels with chrome Willys hubcaps

• Running boards

• The chassis number (7753809) decodes as:

  • 77 – Model 77

  • 53809 – Sequential production number; falls within the range of a 1936 Model 77 (between 37,701 and 68,526)

Modifications

• Restoration in 2002 included:

  • Rebuilt engine

  • Repainted in Foam Green with black fenders and black vinyl top

  • Reupholstered black vinyl bench seat, door trim, and headliner

  • New aftermarket 100-mph speedometer with fuel/coolant and oil/amp gauges

  • New tailgate safety chains

• “Cross Country” cooling fan mounted on steering column (aftermarket accessory available in the 1930s and ’40s)

Servicing

• Firestone Deluxe Champion 5.25/5.50-17 tires

Known Imperfections

• Paint chips and scratches, most notably on nose and rear of cab on driver’s side, and imperfections/bumps from the original paint

• Rock chips on grille

• Transmission pan has a leak

Ownership History

The seller of this 1936 Willys Model 77 Pickup inherited it in 2021.

Included Items

• Spare tire (mounted under bed)

• Original carburetor

• Keys

Additional Information

The seller says, “This rare 1936 Willys 77 pickup truck was rebuilt to original condition by the previous owner, my father-in-law. There are only 69 miles on the rebuilt motor. I replaced the carburetor in 2023. The truck has minor scratches and some small paint chips, and the transmission pan has a small leak and needs to be resealed