2 Comments on “1951 CJ-3A Sunland, CA **SOLD**”

1. Chuck June 10, 2019 at 1:07 pm

   Dave,

   Thought I’d post an update on this rig; seeing how I know little bit about it since I drove three hours to look at it and flat towed it home 5 hours last friday! Hahaha. I was innocently looking for TJ parts online when I stumbled on to your site (ewillys.com). I told you; you were going to cost me some $$!

   I think I lost my mind: Always when buying a used vehicle, I check the inside of the exhaust pipe with my finger, look at and smell the engine oil and check for nice clean antifreeze. But when the owner started up that odd fire V6 and let it idle, well…at that point it was all over; inside I was giggling like a little girl.

   The test drive sealed it; The hot air coming up through the holes in the floorboard smelling of hot oil and unburnt fuel, the whirling and winding rowing through the gears, and the pop pop pop exhaust sounds on deceleration brought back highschool memories of my similarly built 46 CJ2A. At this point I still could of said “No” telling myself; “don’t romanticize this”, and then it happened…. the owner says; ‘you seem to know about and appreciate all the old school modifications. Most who have looked at it have been clueless, just wanting to know; “how fast does it go”. I think you’re the right guy for this Jeep,’ then drops the price another $1000.

   I stood there completely aware the body of this Jeep is totally rusted out, patched together with welded plates and gallons of bondo, but mentally calculating the cost of the mechanical components and adapters to build it and the time to source all the parts even without a body and figured $5000 dollars was a fair price. I paid the man and became the new owner.

   *A note to the ‘Purists’:
   Before you flame me for paying too much and who knows, maybe you’re right. The thing is I could never really enjoy dragging a pristine Willys specimen over rocks logs and through bushes. I already have a 1972 Bronco that just sits under a tarp because I don’t want to bounce it off rocks and trees. I don’t need another sitter, I need a user. This thing is mechanically built to use and new body parts for this Jeep come in pint, quart and gallon cans and are an off the shelf item! At my age; time is starting to become more valuable than money, living life more valuable than collecting cool things. The owner was right; this IS the Willys for me.

   Thanks again for your site Dave! I’ll be watching it for some particular parts and who knows, maybe a new tub.
2. David Eilers Post authorJune 10, 2019 at 8:18 pm

   Chuck,

   That’s great. Based on the prices I’ve been seeing it sounds like this one was a fair price. Now go have some fun!