Found a '53 Willys Aero brochure on line! http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/jeep/53w/53w.html Doesn't look like there was much in the way of options - 75 hp flathead 6 in the lower-line models, and a 90 hp (partial) OHV 6 in the top of the line, like this 'Eagle' 2-door. Brochure doesn't even mention an automatic trans being available. Interesting though - it's unitized construction - in 1953.
Those look like the exact same block and displacement. Ninety horses isn't bad for a low-compression 161 cube F-head six. The overhead intake valves make a 15 horsepower difference. Would be interesting to see how much more can be squeezed out, through side-draft multiple carburetion, a hotter cam profile, higher compression and headers
This one only got 20 more horses : https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-willys-f-head-engine.999157/
