Willis or Willys ?

[Junker21]

When I bought my Willys I kept saying Willis (as in Bruce)to all involved because I know the history. A quick Google search confirmed it.
The sales. manager actually new what I meant . Also
Snazzberry ? Where did that come from ? Again he says it's from the original version first red color ? That I don't know but it is an awesome color that's on mine . Also called Octane red on other car lines.

Sponsored

 

[DeezJT]

I had a 2014 Willys and pronounced it Willys knowing it is “Willis”Why? Because all the events I ventured to pronounces it the same. I just dropped it from my pronounciation.

 

[Junker21]

I had a 2014 Willys and pronounced it Willys knowing it is “Willis”Why? Because all the events I ventured to pronounces it the same. I just dropped it from my pronounciation.

Yeah, I gave up at the dealership just because.

 

[DeezJT]

Nothing totally wrong with it. Some people pronounce it one way or the other but we all get it. ?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Snazzberry ? Where did that come from ? Again he says it's from the original version first red color ? That I don't know but it is an awesome color that's on mine . Also called Octane red on other car lines.

EASY. Everyone who's dealt with colors over time knows its a "raspberry" color. "raspberry" is often simply pronounced "razzberry".

It's actually 'rasp berry' because of the color resembling raspise wine or perhaps because of the rough surface - rasp or rough berry.............or a similar word for thicket - if you've ever picked them in the wild you can relate to that.

Raspberry->Razzberry->snazzy = snazzberry.

 

[Angus_NTX]

I’m pretty sure it’s a regional deal, however, I wrote the check and pronounce it Willis. Fight me.

 

[Kevin_D]

When I was asking about 2021 colors, my salesman said one of the new colors was snozzleberry, or something like that...

Kevin

 

[Buckeye Gladiator]

J.N. Willys pronounced his name `Willis,' local Jeep historian says

More than 90 years after John North Willys came to Toledo, there is confusion about how to pronounce his name.

“I talked to many people, now deceased, including his private secretary, and all said emphatically that he pronounced it `Willis,' said Ron Szymanski, local Jeep historian. “I can attest to the fact that Willys' relatives all say `Willis.'”

However, Mr. Szymanski acknowledged that many Jeep workers pronounce the name “Willies.”

The Internet has numerous references to both pronunciations, and even a web site devoted to the controversy.

Adding to the confusion is that millions of GIs saw World War II Jeeps stamped WILLYS, and they came home with their own opinions as to the pronunciation.

In 1952, as Willys-Overland Motors was preparing for the 50th anniversary of the first Overland cars, The Blade declared: “It's `Willis.'” A number of reporters and editors at the time had known Mr. Willys personally.

The current owner of the famed Willys automotive nameplate, DaimlerChrysler, is no help - even though the automaker may put the Willys name on some future versions of the Jeep.

“When we came out with the Willys [concept vehicle], we pronounced it `Willis,' like Bruce,” said Sjoerd Dijkstra, a Chrysler spokesman.

“We got a lot of flak, so we changed it to [sound like] `Willies,' even though John North Willys probably did pronounce it `Willis.' We use `Willies' now, the common way, so we don't have to explain how [the auto pioneer] pronounced it.”

John Conde, an auto historian in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (and former Jeep public relation executive), said Mr. Willys “was probably the type who would say, `I don't care how you pronounce it as long as you buy my cars.'”

FEB 2, 2002 7:20 AM - https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2...ocal-Jeep-historian-says/stories/200202030021

 

[Jonny A]

I’m pretty sure it’s a regional deal, however, I wrote the check and pronounce it Willis. Fight me.

What you talkin' bout Willis?

 

[Summitsearcher]

 

[Oilburner]

It's fun to debate how to pronounce it, but I will defer to historical footage:

(1) How To Pronounce Willys Jeep Team G503 - YouTube

 

[Junker21]

When my daughter saw the truck she said " Why does it say Willy ? You should put your name on it. "
(She once had a boyfriend named
Willy .) Ha !

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

It's fun to debate how to pronounce it, but I will defer to historical footage:

(1) How To Pronounce Willys Jeep Team G503 - YouTube

Great, another YT channel I just subscribed to.

 

[Summitsearcher]

So, when you all want to have a get together, do you invite everyone to come out and play with your Willies?

asking for a friend.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Sponsored