‘Behind the Metal’: 1959 Jeep FC-150 Is Pure Eye-Candy
You rarely see any forward-control Jeep FC-150 pickups as nice as this one. But maybe there’s a good reason for that.
Among the various automotive models produced over the course of history, the Jeep FC-150 was among the most unique. Willys and Kaiser Jeep produced the FC-150 from 1957 to 1965, both domestically and internationally. Their calling card was the unmistakable cab-over (forward-control) design. The trucks came standard with a regular pickup bed, but customers could also opt for a number of specialized bodies from external suppliers. Today, many of the 16,251 Jeep FC-150s that were produced are in pretty bad shape. And that’s what makes this stunning Jeep FC-150, part of Omix-ADA‘s “Jeep Collection,” quite the find.
Omix-ADA is not only a renowned maker/seller of Jeep parts, but also an important member of the Jeep community. The idea behind the company’s Jeep Collection is to help preserve the brand’s heritage and have easy access to vehicles for product development. Over time, the collection has grown to include a number of rare and otherwise significant Jeeps. We recently had the pleasure of speaking with the Omix-ADA Jeep Collection’s curator (and expert off-road instructor), Dave Logan, about these unique and interesting vehicles.
This is the first story in JK Forum‘s new 10-part series, “Behind the Metal,” which takes a look at the fascinating stories behind some of the most impressive builds from the Omix-ADA Jeep Collection. From a 1942 Ford GPA Seep, which is a super-rare slice of military history, to a misunderstood 1983 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler, our weekly discussions reveal exactly what it takes to transform a vehicle into a legend.
JK Forum: What is it about this particular Jeep FC-150 that makes it so special?
Dave Logan: This is an odd vehicle. They’re not particularly rare, but there’s a lot of them out there in rough condition. Many could be restored but haven’t been yet. Part of the challenge is parts. Because they’re not a CJ or a vehicle that was built in high numbers, the aftermarket has not gone out and reproduced parts for it.
The drivetrain parts are common, as they were shared between many vehicles. Engine, transmission, axles, they’re all standard CJ stuff from that time. Windshields and different things like interior parts are very difficult to find.
What condition was the truck in when you found it?
We found it in Pennsylvania in pretty rough shape. These vehicles are kind of a love it or hate it type of vehicle. This guy loved it, so he drug it home and spent lord knows how much time bringing it back to life. It’s got fresh paint, interior, and so forth.
Are there any interesting features worth noting?
The bed is hydraulic, so if you pull the right levers and push the right knobs, the whole thing tips and tilts up. I don’t know if it was actually ever used for hauling rock or hay or whatever, but it’s in very nice condition.
‘These vehicles are kind of a love it or hate it type of vehicle. This guy loved it, so he drug it home and spent lord knows how much time bringing it back to life.’
What was it about the forward cab design that made it so unique?
The whole idea of the forward cab was to create a longer bed and more usable bed space. So the fenders are on the outside of the frame. The bed itself has no wheel wells, really. The engine is between the seats and the radiator is in the back, in the rear wall underneath the rear window. You see a grille up front, but there’s no air flow to the engine from there.
What’s it like to drive this truck? We imagine it would be very different from your average vehicle.
It’s very unusual to drive. Ralph Nader would have considered it unsafe at any speed. Your butt is sitting on top of the tire, your feet are under the headlights, and you’re always the first to arrive at any accident!
Many thanks to Dave Logan for taking the time to speak with us about this fascinating piece of Jeep history. To see more of the incredible Jeep Collection, head over here!
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