The Story Behind the Original Jeep Wagoneer Design

When we acquired the original black-and-white design album for the Jeep Wagoneer, Wagoneer Delivery Wagon, and JTruck — commissioned by Kaiser/Willys and crafted by the Brooks Stevens Design Group — we knew it was something special. But verifying its authenticity required calling someone who truly knew the story: David Nutting.

David and I had spoken a few times before, and in 2014, I reached out to his home in Green Valley, Arizona. A passionate storyteller, he shared the inside scoop on the design team tasked with a once-in-a-lifetime challenge:

Design a station wagon that could compete with the popular Ford and Chevrolet wagons of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The Willys Station Wagon, originally designed by Brooks Stevens and manufactured by Kaiser/Willys starting in 1947, had served well after WWII but was starting to look dated — a boxy, 1940s-style Jeep that couldn’t match Detroit’s latest family cars. The company needed a fresh, modern design.

Two Design Paths, One Legendary Vehicle

As David recounted, the Brooks Stevens team returned home and immediately began sketching. Nutting, a bit of a loner, worked independently while the rest of the team collaborated. When Brooks Stevens checked on their progress, he found two distinct design directions:

The “A Team” sketches leaned toward a low-slung Ford-style wagon with a unique Jeep grille.

Nutting’s concept blended a pickup and wagon style, featuring a completely new grille and proportions.

After considering both approaches, Stevens instructed the team to finish their designs and present both to Mr. Kaiser. The decision was made: Nutting’s design became the iconic Jeep Wagoneer, debuting for the 1963 model year.

— As told to Chip Miller, Wagonmaster, 2012

Remembering David Judd Nutting

David Judd Nutting passed away on September 23, 2020, in Green Valley, Arizona. Born December 26, 1930, in River Forest, Illinois, he graduated from Pratt Institute School of Design and served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers before joining Brooks Stevens Associates.

David’s career spanned multiple industries:

Designer of Evinrude Outboard Motors, 3M products, Enstrom Helicopters, and the first SUV, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

Founder of Nutting Industries, creating coin-operated amusement games and pioneering microprocessor pinball and video game systems. Famous titles included Gunfight, Ms. Pac-Man, Gorf, Tron, and Baby Pac-Man.

Inventor, engineer, author, and lifelong tinkerer, with interests in quantum physics, aviation, cars, and machines.

In his personal life, David loved the outdoors, spent time snowmobiling and riding dirt bikes in Colorado, and frequently took family and friends on Jeep excursions. Known for his quiet intelligence, love of pranks, and gin martinis, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

David’s legacy lives on not only in his inventions but also in the Jeep Wagoneer, an enduring symbol of innovation and style in automotive history.