Enrique Marco
Jeep and Land Rover can boast of being the most prestigious SUV brands in the world. For the Spanish enthusiast, in both cases we are proud to have had long periods of national manufacturing: the “Andalusian” Land Rover Santana and the “Aragonese” Jeep.
We recently enjoyed driving a Land Rover 88 Series 3 from 1978, and now we put a 3 Willys Viasa MB CJ-1961B to the test. It is one of the first Jeeps manufactured in Zaragoza by Vehículos Industriales y Agrícolas SA (VIASA). It is not the first time that in Escudería we got on one of these vehicles, because almost ten years ago we already tested one of the last units manufactured, in 1981 and with diesel engine
We are not going to focus this article on the original model, the American Willys of which between 1941 and 1945 more than 350.000 units were produced. These were wartime, and these military vehicles were mass-produced in the United States. This SUV forged its good reputation during World War II, and at the end of the war, the Americans proposed a complete civilian range, as well as its global expansion.
THE CREATION OF VIASA
From its headquarters, in the state of Ohio, manufacturing licenses were agreed with various countries. Specifically, in Spain, said license was granted to the Aragonese company Material Móvil y Construcciones Antiguos Talleres Carde y Escoriaza SA This would create a subsidiary for this purpose with the initials VIASA (Industrial and Agricultural Vehicles SA).
In the spring of 1960, The Zaragoza factory was already assembling the first prototypes of the Willys-Overland Jeep. In October of that same year, the official inauguration of the plant took place, in which up to 1.400 workers would come to work. At that time, it was announced that around 1.000 Jeeps per year would be assembled at the Viasa factory.
It must be remembered that, at that time, Globally, more than 1,5 million Willys were already in circulation, including those for military and civilian use, from 21 factories established on five continents. The license of “Willys Overland Inc.” for Spain was granted to Viasa, with facilities in the capital of Ebro that, from the start, they employed 108 people. In addition, they occupied warehouses that totaled 7.000 square meters.
Until this moment of national manufacture, the Spanish army already had a fleet of around a thousand imported Jeep Willys. To these we had to add a few hundred in the hands of individuals, figures that logically would multiply in the following years.
THE FIRST WILLYS-VIASA CJ-3B
The first Jeep units, marketed as Willys-Viasa, They were assembled in Zaragoza with parts from Toledo (Ohio). The original model assembled here was the imported gasoline-powered, short-wheelbase Jeep CJ-3B for both military and civilian use. Logically, these first CJ-3Bs from Zaragoza obtained important contracts for the Spanish army.
After the first units assembled with parts from abroad, the Ministry of Industry, consistent with the protectionist regulations of that time, agreed that for a first period the imported parts did not exceed 41,7% of the value of the vehicle. It was normal at the time, so very soon the Jeep became more and more Spanish.
Already in the early 60s, thinking about the needs of civil use (commercial, agricultural, etc.) to the CJ-3B it was fitted with a 3,1 liter Perkins diesel engine displacement and 62 CV of power. In addition, being of Spanish manufacture, it helped him to comply with the regulations.
MORE VERSIONS
After our protagonist a second model was released, the CJ-6, which was basically the long version of the first one. It became an exclusively Spanish Jeep, since it was not manufactured in its homeland (USA) with this type of bodywork. After this, production increased and the range was extended to models for commercial use like the revolutionary jeep commando, which began to be manufactured in Zaragoza in 1968. This is another story, which, by the way, was developed with great success and lasted until 1983.
At that time, the Comando was already being produced by Motor Ibérica and, as the multinational Nissan had been bought by the company, the production of "Jeep hands" ceased. HE bet heavily on the much more modern Nissan Patrol, manufactured in the free zone of Barcelona.
OUR PROTAGONIST
We are now going to focus on the model that you can see in the photos and that represents the first model of the Jeep brand that was manufactured in Spain. It is a Willys Viasa MB CJ-3B short wheelbase and with a raised hood, which was mounted that way to accommodate the Hurricane engine.
In any case, in Spain only the Go Devil 2.2 gasoline engine was mounted which developed a good 60 CV. It is estimated that about 800 units of this version were manufactured between 1960 and 1962.
As a curious fact, it should be noted that, at the time to which the protagonist belongs, the exclusive distributor for Spain was Autrotrade SA (Villanueva, 24. Madrid). On the other hand, in the area of its production, the concessionaire was Finanzauto SA (Plaza del Pilar 16, Zaragoza).
THE TEST OF THE WILLYS VIASA MB CJ-3B
Driving one of these cars, with more than 60 years behind it, is a real joy. Yes indeed, it is more pleasant to do it on roads or highways with hardly any traffic through which to travel at not very high speeds, since the feeling of security in this car is quite low, since it does not have doors, nor a roof, nor seat belts...
However, the handling of the three-speed manual gearbox and the response of the 2,2 liter Go Devil engine and powered by a 32 carburettor (both the Carters and the Solex were mounted) it was a very pleasant surprise. The basses it has are outstanding, in such a way that provides delicious throttle pedal response. And this unit was well set up, as both idling maintenance and starting the march showed great finesse.
Also spectacular is the very short travel of the gear lever, with a first speed that enters backwards. What to say about the traction, which goes to the front axle, is connectable and has a reduction gear. And in case you don't remember what the gearing procedure is, there is a plaque on the dashboard that reads: "It is convenient not to engage the front axle on hard, dry terrain." As well as “Attention! To use the reduction gears, engage the front axle”.
Another appreciation of the test carried out is the unstable and imprecise steering, guided through that fine-rimmed, large-diameter steering wheel. Of course, it does not have assistance, something logical in a car designed in 1941 for military use.
RECORD
Regarding the history of this unit, our friend Arturo has had it in his possession since 1985. It was really his father who bought five units at auction, precisely vehicles that, after nearly 25 years in the service of the Spanish army, were already reaching his retirement to be replaced by more modern ones. He has only kept one unit, from the other four he was detached and ended up in the hands of enthusiasts of this model. Some of the buyers preferred to transform it towards the specifications of the "American MB".
Now, already registered as historical, enjoy it in some sporadic outings and he intends to keep it, as a great exponent of the history of the car that is this model, both worldwide for what this Jeep Willys meant, and nationally for the period of manufacture by Viasa.
Photographs by Enrique Marco
PHOTO GALLERY OF THE WILLYS VIASA MB CJ-3B TEST
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WILLYS-VIASA MB CJ3B |
|
| Motor | Longitudinal front |
| Displacement | 2,2 liters |
| Cylinders | 4 in line |
| Diameter x stroke | 79,37 x 111,12 mm |
| Maximum power | 60 CV to 3.600 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 142 Nm |
| Food | 32 Carter or Solex inverted type carburetor |
| Compression ratio | 6,48:1 |
| Distribution | side camshaft |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Traction | Front, 4×4 connectable with reducer |
| Gearbox | Three-speed manual + ma |
| Clutch | dry single disc |
| Chassis | Stringers and crossbars |
| Bodywork | Convertible SUV |
| Front suspension | Hypoid, floating, motor at will and directrix |
| Rear suspension | hypoid, floating and motor |
| Direction | Zipper |
| Brakes | Drums, hydraulic |
| Length/width/height | 3,29/1,78/1,36 m |
| Ways | 1,24m |
| Battle | 2.032 mm |
| Weight : | 995 kg |
| Tires | 16 " |
| Tires | 600 x 16 |
| Deposit | 40 liters |
| Consumer goods | 12-14 l/km |
| Maximum speed | 95 km/h |
| Weight / power ratio | 16,58 kg / CV |
| year of presentation | 1960 |
| years of production | 1960 – 1962 (with this engine) |
| year unit tested | 1961 |
| Units produced | 800 approx. (with this engine) |
