Jim spotted this nice looking CJ-5.
“This Jeep is a complete frame off restoration!
No rust anywhere! Frame sandblasted and painted. Both sides of every body panel soda blasted to bare metal. All body panels are original.
Has seat belts and all lights, turn & brake lights work. Temp gauge is the only thing that does not work.
New brakes, lines, wheel cylinders, clutch, gas tank, tires and fuel pump. Carb professionally rebuilt- runs perfect!
This Jeep is Parade or show ready!!”
View all the information on eBay
After passing on another CJ-5 of a similar year, I’m really liking the look of this one. Obviously restored, but looks very clean and well done, or at least to the untrained eye. Just wanted to throw out the question to the experts – what do you think about this Jeep?
I’ve seen some of the restored similar looking Jeep’s listed in the 20k range (listed not sold, I know), but what makes one worth so much more than another? This one is listed for a buy it now price of $12,500 on eBay. All I’ve noticed from he photos is that one of the wiper is missing on the windshield. I must admit after getting to the final phase of buying the last one, and pulling out of a bad deal, I’m getting anxious to start cruising one of these around town. And I’m starting to think these updated ones that have been gone through might be a better bet for me since I don’t know a ton about these Jeeps at the moment mechanically.
I would prefer a tuxedo park for the extra trim and rarity of the Jeep, I actually really liked the green, but it seems like those don’t come along very often and the red is sharp.
~Mike
Mike,
The wild variation in prices generally often reflects the unrealistic expectations of some sellers. It can also reflect the hope of a seller who paid too much for a jeep and then invested another $10k to restore it in the hope of doing slightly better than breaking even. Finally, it also reflects the accuracy of a restoration or whether it is restored at all. The details can make a big difference in price. Just look at this example of a 1962 CJ-5 from a press photo http://www.automobile-catalog.com/photo/1962/1295690/3984.html. Note the hubcaps, the windshield wipers, and the seats. These little details are important.
Based on what I’ve seen, you should be able to get a real nice, 99% stock, early CJ-5 for between $8,000 – $12,000 depending on how quickly the seller must sell and what features it has. Some may be worth more if they come with guarantees, have an interesting story, have unusual additional items, or some other attributes.
A CJ-5 at the $8,000 – $12,000 ought to run and stop well. In my opinion, everything on it should work. In the case of the CJ-5 above, it has a non-working gauge that ought to have been replaced. It ought to have two wipers. It ought to have a side mirror. I would prefer a top with it at that price, but others may disagree. Overall, it looks like a very nice jeep, a thoughtful restoration and, based on the pics, it should drive well.
– Dave
Mike,
Having done a few frame off restorations of this era CJ-5, I can offer a few comments.
First, a frame-off it is a serious amount of work – to take the whole thing apart and put it back together. Many pieces of hardware, bolts, washers, nuts, shims, pads, boots, grommets, trim rings, hoses, brake lines and wiring to replace (if done right). It looks like this was 99% taken apart, evidenced by some hardware being painted over in place. No big deal. With the time needed to locate, purchase and install all the bits and pieces, the $12,500 price does not bother me as long as the mechanicals are decent. Dave is correct,at this price you should have a dependable daily/weekend driver. If my lovely wife was not monitoring my garage contents, I would buy this Jeep, just knowing how much time it takes to do all the frame-off work.
I like that this Jeep was soda-blasted. Look to see the primer and paint is adhering well. I can assume the body and frame had some rust scaling to justify the blasting. My Jeeps were in South Florida, so rust was more common than not. In looking at the Ebay pics, I would not call this a concours paint/body job but fairly decent for a utility vehicle. The transmission cover plates look rough around the inside edges (minor issue). The front bumper is wrinkled, probably bent on top when a chain hook was used to pull something. The speedo trim ring has some scaling (it looks like a typical good repro gauge). Assuming the 16K miles, I guess this was restored a few/several years ago, so some wear on the paint and finishes would be expected.
One wiper… I am guilty of the same. Looks like a decent repro windshield frame. While the seats may be somewhat stock looking, I would get something more comfortable and with more style (bucket high back). Looks like no roll-bar has been attempted so the body is not cut up.
The ad makes no mention of an engine rebuild, but it looks good as far as oil-breather air filter, hoses, wiring, etc. Also has a heater… well as much as you can heat an open metal can. Check the leaf springs for cracks. One of the photos leads me to believe these are the original, yet soda blasted and painted springs. I would have replaced all four springs when it was apart. Replacements are inexpensive. See kaiserwillys.com Check the steering gear. If the wheel/steering is loose and the tie rod ends have been replaced, a steering stabilizer will not fix it. Again, a frame-off restorer would have replaced all the worn steering pieces. The parts don’t cost much but much easier to replace when all apart.
A few things to know if you are getting a Jeep like this for the first time. It WILL be lots of fun cruising around. For some reason, average folks will call it an army jeep. It will not go much over 55 mph. Don’t worry about getting rained on, just dry out any water in the foot wells. A few well placed and small and paint trimmed holes will help. It will drip oil from one of the many transmission/engine shafts and rods. The gas tank will seep fuel vapor from its crimped seams. The wipers are not much help because the rain will blow around inside the window or it will fog up if you get a top (use a towel to defog). The jeep can get quite hot in the Summer and cold in the Winter (uninsulated metal can). Other drivers will be jealous of your free spirit!
Good luck!
Guy