The FC-150 was introduced to Willys Dealers by closed circuit telecast on November 29, 1956 and a special FC-150 Announcement Issue (Vol. 2, No. 10) of "WILLYS NEWS" was published. The first FC-150s were available in dealer showrooms on December 12, 1956 and also were displayed at the New York Auto Show from December 8-16, 1956. The new FC-150 was "...to set the style pattern for the commercial vehicle industry."

The new truck was powered by the familiar F4-134 Hurricane engine. This is the same engine found in the CJ-3B, CJ-5 and CJ-6. The engine displaced 134.2 cubic inches, developed 75 horsepower at 4000 RPM and 115 Foot Pounds of torque at 2000 RPM. The engine is almost fully accessible from the cab. A small cover in the "doghouse" opens to access the dipstick/oil fill. The doghouse itself can be removed by unclasping four rubber holddowns and lifting off. If additional access is needed for easier generator or starter removal, then removing the two piece skirt which bolts to the floor is a quick job. The only vehicle I had which was as easy or easier to work on was a 1959 International B-series truck with a straight six engine. I could climb under the hood and stand beside the engine in that truck. (Of course I was a bit skinnier in those days too.)

The FC-150 had an overall length of 147.25 inches, a cargo bed length of 74.25 inches (with tailgate up) and 92 inches (with tailgate down) and a wheelbase of 81inches. Furthermore, Willys claimed that their FC-150 had more cargo area per inch of wheelbase than any other truck in its class. At just 24 inches above the ground, the low bed height was convenient for loading. Other features include improved visibility through 2747 square inches of glass (a little less in the standard cab) with 200% better forward visibility over conventional cab trucks and the ability to see objects in the road just six feet in front of the truck. This last feature along with the truck's short overall length made the FC-150 a very popular snow plowing truck. Perhaps no other light commercial truck was more fit for a task than the FC-150 as a small parking lot plow.

In spite of all these impressive numbers, I must concede that the style of the pickup bed was less than practical. The FC-150 bed had a cross-section similar to the CJ-5, a narrow floor set between the wheels with wheelwells running the full length. The floor is only 36" wide so a sheet of 48" plywood can not be loaded flat. Also, provision is made for the spare tire which invades part of the wheelwell space on the right side making it impossible to slide anything wider than 50" onto the wheelwells. It is my opinion that the bed looks quite good but in the end isn't as practical as it could have been. In a sidebar article in "WILLYS NEWS" (Vol. 2, No. 11), dealers from different regions of New York described the cargo capacity in terms such as "18 milk cans" for the ability to carry 18 standard dairy milk cans or 48 crates or 8 farm hands. I suppose it would also be useful to measure the box in terms of cubic feet or cubic yards. In the end, however, a flat 4 foot by 6 foot floor would have been nice though with the 48" tread width of the early FC-150, this would not have been possible.

There are essentially two versions of the FC-150. The original FC-150 was built quite literally on a CJ-5 chassis. This arrangment resulted in a very short vehicle having an 81" wheelbase and only a 48" tread. This gave the vehicle a rather topsy-turvy appearance. Also, the Gross Vehicle Weight of this early FC-150 was set at a rather optimistic 5000 pounds, even though the same setup supported the much lighter CJ-5. On July 3, 1958, beginning with serial number 65548-18206, the model 25 axle (2300 lb capacity) was replaced with the model 44F axle (3000 lb capacity) and tread was increased to 57". This modification included new springs with "outrigger" suspension for improved lateral stability and a more realistic chance of meeting the 5000 pound GVWR. For a comparison of the different tread width's among Forward Controls, click here.

In my research I have come across some things which should be of concern to any who is interested in owning the FC-150, in particular, the early 48" tread version. Apparently, the early FC-150s did have a propensity for tipping. This was particularly true when operating on steep grades or while making turns at high speed (remember AMC's trouble with the CJ-5 a few years ago?). It must be remembered that the early FC-150 is nothing more than a CJ-5 with a taller body mounted forward over the front axle. This arrangement places the driver beside and forward of the engine and directly over the front axle. This is bound to create a stressful situation for the front suspension. The later 57" tread FC-150 had a heavier spring arrangement with the springs mounted outboard of the frame and above, not below, the axle as in the CJ. Surely "Wider Is Better!"

The FC-150 was produced with two slightly different cab designs. The first was produced through serial number 65548-19916 and had a stepped-down tunnel running through the center of the cab. The transfer case lever in this cab extended through the "riser" or vertical surface of the step.
	In 1959, after 65548-19916, an engineering change designed to improve engine cooling resulted in the center tunnel being raised almost level and the transfer case lever extended through the horizontal top surface of the tunnel. In addition, louvres were cut into the front wheelwell side panels to allow cooling air to escape.

Optional seating in the FC-150 included a 1/3 driver seat and a 1/3 passenger seat (part # 698923, 699812, or 818217) or a 2/3 passenger seat (part # 698924, 815006, or 818218). Additionally, the cab was available in two trim levels, Standard and Deluxe.

The FC-150 was available in four configurations with cab & chassis variations capable of supporting a number of different after market bodies.

65148-XXXXX	65348-XXXXX
65X48-XXXXX	65548-XXXXX

In addition to the pickup, Willys offered the FC-150 as a flatbed stake.

See Hubert Cossard's drawings of the FC-150

Finally, a most unusual variation of the FC-150 was a tractor-trailer style rig found here.