The tables presented here are an attempt to determine just how many Forward Controls were built. They are not all inclusive. The first table presents information found in the Illustrated Jeep Buyer's Guide^tm by Peter C. Sessler. These figures were provided to Mr. Sessler by the (now defunct) Willys Club. Unfortunately, no figures were available for 1962 or later.

I make no claim regarding the accuracy of any information on this page. I have placed this information here in the hope that some idea can be had as to how many Forward Controls were built.

The following tables are derived from information found at Derek Redmond's CJ-3B page. The information is taken from handwritten notes compiled from 1959 to 1961 by a Mr. Norton Young, an employee in the Willys-Overland engineering department. These figures are currently being transcribed by Charlie Weaver of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and can be seen in raw form at the CJ-3B site. (All credit for this information goes to Charlie Weaver and Derek Redmond.)

14,983 FC-150s built from 1957 to 1961.

12,820 FC-170s built from 1957 to 1961.

Jim Allen (Author of "Jeep" (2001, MBI publishing) and "Illustrated Buyers * Guide Jeep" (1999, MBI publishing) came across the following FC-170 production information for the years 1962 to 1965 from a card in an AMC Jeep history booklet. Jim informed me that the cards for FC-150 production were missing from the book. FC-170 Model 9300 (civilian) 1962 1486 units produced 1963 702 units produced 1964 1119 units produced 1965 5 units produced Special Note: In 1963, there is a listing of OHC-230 powered FC-170s - 685 units. Special Note: In 1963, there is a special listing for Cerlist diesel powered FC-170s - 17 units. I find these notes confusing as 685 + 17 = 702. Now I haven't yet come across a civilian 1963 FC-170 with either of these engines. Card lists total production 1957-1965 as - 16,585 units. This number seems consistant as the table above indicates 12,820 FC-170s built from 1957 to 1961. 3,312 units were built from 1962 to 1965 according to Jim Allen's information bringing the total to 16,132 units, not far from the number 16,585 (453 units short). Does anyone else have information on FC production during the 1960s? Thanks very much to Jim Allen.

Some new information provided to the Forward Control Willys Jeep Association by Andrew Harvey of Clarion, PA indicates the serial numbering for 1965 Forward Controls. Kaiser Jeep Sales Corporation, CONFIDENTIAL TRADE BULLETIN No. W-65 dated August 17, 1964 states the following:
"All 'Jeep' vehicles shipped from the factory on or after August 17, 1964, will be designated as 1965 models."
"Also, all new, unused, and unlicensed 'Jeep' vehicles, of the following models, with serial numbers beginning with those indicated below, in your inventory or in transit as of August 17, 1964, and delivered to a retail purchaser on and after that date, may, for registration purposes only, be considered as 1965 models."
The Forward Control models affected by this bulletin are:

From this bulletin we find at least verification of the fact that vehicles built in and for one model year could be subsequently reassigned as the following model year. Additionally, note that regarding those vehicles already on a dealer's lot, those not sold as of a particular date are retitled so it is possible for a higher serial number to be a 1964 model while a lower serial number could be a 1965 model assuming both were on the lot on August 16th and the later serial number sold that day while the earlier serial number didn't sell until the 18th.

We also find that Kaiser changed the 5 digit Willys prefix to a 4 digit Kaiser prefix (probably in 1964 at the time when Willys Motors became Kaiser Jeep) though I don't think that vehicles on the lots had new serial number plates made up. Also, the 5 digit sequencial suffix continued right along in order regardless of the prefix.

Finally note that the FC-170 DRW prefix changed from 61568-13 to 9325. This raises the question of the prefix 61568-15 (DRW w/4-speed) and what it became. Notice that Kaiser no longer distinguishes Willys FC prefixes other that 61568 and 65548. Dan Longacre's FC-170 DRW is prefix 9325 but has a 4-speed. Was the distinction between 3 and 4 speed DRWs also removed with the Kaiser prefix? Also Ted Parshall claims that his 1964 FC-170 has the prefix 9326 rather than 9309. So the mystery continues.

If anyone has additional information or can help to fill in the missing pieces, please email me.

A picture is starting to form regarding production of Forward Controls, based on the above information as well as other Willys source material and owner's vehicles which have been submitted to the Forward Control Web Site. The first table below shows FC-150 production while the second table shows FC-170 production.

*The FC-150 with 57" axle is first mentioned in Service Bulletin 391 dated May 23, 1958.