1926 Willys Artillery Tractor returns to life

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Every now and then, a letter lands in our inbox that perfectly captures what the pre-war hobby is all about: perseverance, ingenuity, and bringing a machine back to life. This time it comes from Paul in northeast Ohio, USA, who has spent the past several months resurrecting an exceptionally rare 1926 Willys Artillery Tractor.

Originally built at the Willys factory in Stockport, Heaton Chapel, England, this quarter-ton artillery tractor was designed to replace a team of four horses, towing light artillery together with a crew of three or four men. As Paul explains, finding parts for one of these early Willys machines is virtually impossible, making the engine rebuild a particularly demanding challenge.

The tractor began its working life under a U.S. military contract during the inter-war years, where it served as an artillery training vehicle. After its military career it found a second life with the North Carolina Civil Defense Department, remaining in service for many years before eventually being sold at an antique engine club auction. That is where Paul's family acquired it—completely dismantled.

For years, it remained nothing more than a dusty collection of parts. Only this February did Paul decide it was time to tackle the restoration. While there is still work to be done, the reward has already come: the Willys is once again running and driving under its own power.

While post-war Willys Jeeps are plentiful and well supported with spare parts, their post-First World War predecessors are a very different story. Restorations like this are therefore not only impressive achievements but also help preserve a little-known chapter of Willys history.

Many thanks to Paul for sharing his remarkable project with us. We look forward to seeing the finished tractor once the final details have been completed.

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