Yahoo Autos This 1960 Willys Jeep Gala Runabout Is Your Ticket to Paradise
If Jeeps are known for one thing, it's utility. Back in the early '60s, the Willys-Overland brand belonged to Kaiser Motors, and it produced work trucks built for practicality and usability. But after Henry Kaiser, the firm's owner, retired to Hawaii to run a hotel, he needed something cheap to transport guests and supplies around the island. Enter the Gala Runabout.
The Gala Runabout, offered from 1959 to 1964, was an appearance package based on the flat-fender DJ-3A Jeep Dispatcher. This truck, used mainly as a basic postal vehicle back in the mainland, was spruced up and offered to Hawaiian tourists looking to explore the island in style.
As you can see, it fit in perfectly.
According to expert Jeep site KaiserWillys.com, three color schemes were offered for the Gala Runabout: Tropical Mist, Cerulean Blue, and Jade Tint Green. Each color had a contrasting grille, bumper apron, windshield frame, and inner front fenders in Glacier white. Additionally, the seat upholstery, spare tire cover, and cloth roof are done in matching stripes, keeping up with the two-tone design.
Eventually the Gala package was offered domestically as the Surrey. It was also sold to more tropical places like the Caribbean and Mexico for people to enjoy on any terrain. Through its five-year production run, just a little more than 1000 Gala Runabouts were sold, making them a rare find over half a century later.
This Gala Runabout, offered by RM Sotheby's in its upcoming Arizona auction, has been fully restored top to bottom. It's expected to pull in $25,000 to $35,000, and is included with no reserve.
So for the price of a well-appointed 2017 Cherokee, which would you rather have? You already know our answer.
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