Glenn spotted this rare and restored Mahl Loader and CJ-2A. There are a ton of detail photos at BaT’s auction page. Note that the serial number used for the title is an engine number and not the original serial number. So, a buyer might want to consider that it your state is extra picky.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1948-willys-cj-2a-18/
“This 1948 Willys CJ-2A is powered by a 134ci Go-Devil inline-four paired with a three-speed manual transmission and is fitted with a MAHL Jeep Loader attachment produced by Standard Iron & Wire Works Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The pair was acquired by the seller around 2010 and subsequently refurbished before installation of the loader in 2016. The truck is finished in black over green vinyl and features white-painted 16″ steel wheels, a fold-flat windshield, a dual-range transfer case, a power take-off unit, a Gre-Sen hydraulic pump, and cab-mounted hydraulic controls. This CJ-2A and Jeep Loader are now offered with an award, articles about the project, and a clean Minnesota title in the name of the seller’s company…..
The factory chassis tag has been replaced with a reproduction unit that shows a blank serial number, and the seller is unable to locate the chassis number on the vehicle itself. The last six digits of the VIN on the title—J172095—are consistent with that of a 1948 Willys CJ-2A.”
Here is a video:
More info on the Mahl Loader from the CJ-2A page: https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/topic19682_post526669.html#526669
Here’s an article from the Dispatcher Magazine with more info from the auction:
And here are pics:
This MAHL JEEP LOADER marks the high-point of my 60+ years playin’ with Willys Special Equipment. Ol’ Jack, the used car dealer near Albany NY, came to my Stowe, VT flea market space saying he had a different JEEP SNOWPLOW. In Maine we understand snowplows and couldn’t imagine one we hadn’t seen. A search of “The Willys Special Equipment” book proved something unusual was available. Soon a trip to Jack’s Junkyard yeilded this treasure in the rough, but mostly complete. Once back in the hands of Standard Iron Works, their employees reproduced what you see here, just as it was manufactured in 1948. Along with a long time SIW employee, George, and I showed this for the first time at The Willys Rally in Ohio. We were like proud Daddys. (Search Jim Allen’s article) Let’s hope the high bidder preserves this piece of Willys History. It’s museum quality.
Glenn,
And here I thought the highpoint of your Willys life was meeting me?!?! 🙂 (hahaha) … This really was a cool find for sure!!! Great work.
I hope this finds a good home,
– Dave
Glenn did a great job basically coordinating the purchase of the loader itself by Standard Iron, but helped in locating a suitable CJ2A and his knowledge of how everything went together. Thanks Glenn and we hope the MAHL loader and Jeep find a good home, preferably in a Museum setting.
I’m sure that Glenn meeting up with you and Anne and me at Jesse’s FC Roundup a few years ago was a high point in our lives as well.