UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4500. Relisted in NY here.
(07/03/2013) Apparently, Ward Canaday owned this jeep. It’s got some body rust issues.
“1951 cj3a. This Jeep was owned by Ward Canaday who was president of Willys Overland and also considered father of the Jeep. It was used on his Ottawa Hills estate as a maintenance vehicle.
That said, its in pretty decent shape for being 60 years old.
The jeep had been sitting for 25 years or so and the engine was stuck. Replaced all exhaust valves, and ground intakes. Pulled pistons and cleaned. Replaced cyl head. Rebuilt carb. New master and all wheel cyls. Runs good. Odometer shows under 2000 miles, but speedo cable was broke. True miles unknown, but I doubt it has a whole lot.
Windshield is cracked, gas gauge doesn’t work, steering box is kind of sloppy, body does have some rust.
I have done the repair work on this jeep and am listing it for the owner. I can answer any questions and show the vehicle. It does have a title and also owner has a copy of old title showing it belonging to Canaday’s estate.”
I guess this one somehow “fell off” at the end of the Toledo assembly line and found its way to Ward’s estate. Rank has its priviliges…
It’s not really in all that bad a shape. Does anyone else wonder what that small body colored thing by the driver’s side windshield hinge is?
Maybe it is the vacuum hose coming out of the body, with a loop and an shadow makes it look like there is an unusual piece of body work there.