UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $34,999
Jesse noted that, “It was originally built in the 70s by my friend Gary Jack. He worked for the US Postal Service his whole career. When he retired, the tired FJ3 was also retired, so it went to scrap. At the time the FJ3 Postal FleetVans did not have the approval of the federal DOT and especially they did not have the approval of California DMV, because of the right hand drive and the seated / standing up driver operation. He was able to sneak out the scrapped pieces of the FJ3 that he had driven during his career, and a few others, enough to recreate and build a dream that he had during his career, to build a chopped top race truck. He did that. Gary and the FJ were a regulars at Riverside Raceway for a lot of years. In the 80s to the 90s this same FJ3 became a top NSRA street rod.”
“This is a 1963 Jeep FJ-3A custom mail truck. No expense was spared to take this iconic US Postal Office Fleet van and give it the modern upgrades and conveniences. Featuring a 350 Chevy engine. ”
This is a pretty wild FJ3A, as I have seen it at Jesse’s also. Dave I think the first time you and Anne came to the FC Roundup at Jesse’s, this was there. It would be fun to drive until it got squirrelly!
I saw that one a few years ago at the round up hosted by Doug Mykol in Olympia. I believe it was his.
Hard to see from the one picture but is there any firewall? that would be a little loud.
Actually. It’s a dummy blower.
Only $85k out of my price range. Did Jay Leno pick this up? Sheesh!
I first saw the fj at a shop in Scottsdale. That day I started my hunt for the fj I have now. It’s a 61′ with a chevy 350/700r4 fun to drive. Ill have it at Jesse’s this year.
Great Jay! Looks forward to seeing you.
– Dave
It is a fun car to drive, and it doesn’t seem to be that loud inside.
It really is nicer to look at, than it is in the puctures
So let me understand this correctly; Did anybody ever pay the $100,000 big bucks or did some one just get carried away in the bidding frenzy and then came to his senses ? Seems like a big hit to take, but then again backs up my previous statements about BIG NAME AUCTIONS AND FALSE INFLATED PRICES.
Mike,
Yes, it was bought for $100k and is being sold for $36k. I can’t answer why. If I remember correctly, it was part of a fundraiser, so that may well have played into the $100k price. Now it is being sold for a more realistic price.
– Dave
I remember seeing a pic of this on a car hauler and I thought I remembered a trailer that matched it? this is one of the coolest mail jeep conversions ever done imho.
STILL FOR SALE, NO SURPRISE TO ME…
Wow, price came down quire a bit from 100 thou, still not low enough I guess,
Somewhat of a “White Elephant”, once again, not surprised.
Big dreams and big money doesn’t always translate into a big sale.
Does anyone know if it is still for sale? I am interested.
Luke,
I’m sure it is. I’ll try to track down another link for you.
– Dave
Luke, this FJ-3A has been relisted here:
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/ctd/d/1963-jeep-pro-tourhp-1-of-1/6556296873.html
– Dave
WILL THIS EVER SELL, ALL THESE YEARS FOR SALE. Just goes to show you, one man’s dream that no money at any cost can buy. Other than eye candy, what else can you do with it? Just my humble opinion.
FJ-3A — OLD POST OFFICE VAN — I USED TO SEE THESE IN WRECKING YARDS — THEY COULDNT GIVE EM AWAY — USELESS — RT HAND DRIVE — F-4 134 — AUTO — NO SEAT — NO THANKS
My step dad built this not the guy mentioned. But anyways does anyone know where this is? Trying to find it so we can buy it. Last time I saw it for sale was in Peoria ,AZ . Step dad has all the photos of the build and other one of a kind pictures no one else has.
Michael,
This has been listed on Craigslist every few months or so in the Phoenix area. I expect it will show up again soon. I’ll send you an email when I see it listed again.
– Dave
Micheal R.
was your stepfather named Gary?
It was a postal FJ3 used in Riverside, CA. when my friend Gary retired he built this vehicle, for drag racing, later as a streetrod. I do not think there are any others that have a full chopped top.
My step dad did the chop . His name is Richard Winter. He’s got all the photos from beginning to the end . I’ll ask him tommorrw when I see him about Gary. I know it was sold a few months ago from a dealer in Phoenix some where.
Mike,
By now you have gotten more details, what year did your stepdad complete the truck above?
Jesse
Jesse he finished it around 1996 without paint. Gary Jack owned it my step dad built it for him.My dad knows it’s a stock pinto suspension reversed.
After all these years, and still for sale, as the old saying goes, “money talks, nobody walks”, make him an offer he can’t refuse. Seriously folks, when this Fleetvan sold for $150,000 some years ago, no doubt in my mind that who ever bid that price was out of their mind, and I say that with respect. Time has proven me correct in my assumption. This Fleetvan is now a white elephant.
I like the Fleetvans, always have, the ones that were made for the commercial market with the steering wheel on the left hand side, drove one back in the 60’s on my job, great delivery vehicle, but the collector vehicle value has been grossly overrated. There has to be a tax write off on this Fleetvan, that’s the only was you can justify the expense.
Yes, I know the story behind it, of a former post office employee who built it out of a labor of love, money was not his motivating factor. Enough said, I made my point clear.
I have the Jeep mail truck now and it is for sale I just am not real motivated to sell it ! Call my cell 419-290-6962 – my name is Pat Harrigan and I have a small little lot In perrysburg Ohio a suburb of Toledo Ohio where they have always built the straight 6 wrangler and Cherokee ! I specialize in the straight 6 wranglers and I bought and sold over 200 straight 6 wranglers last year alone ! I do it all myself and they r all clean frames and titles ! I get them from all over the country shipped to me ! I also get some Willy’s and cj’s etc..
I will locate anything anyone wants old or newer at dealer wholesale cost !! Website : Harriganfamilyauto.com cell # 419-290-6962 Pat Harrigan (owner and operator) !!!!
Thanks Patrick. I’ve relisted it multiple times in hopes it would find a home. Best of luck with it!
– Dave
A few months ago I finally tracked it down. It”s in Ohio now. Told my step dad I found it. So he planned a road trip to Perrysburg , Ohio. He’s still driving back , Can’t wait to see it . Thank you Patrick Harrigan. It found it’s home back to the original builder. Won’t be for sale ever again. Thanks for all the help on here. I will have him tell his story on here. If anyone is interested.Thank you all, Mike