19 Comments on “1956 DJ-3A Troutville, VA **SOLD**”

1. Barney Goodwin March 16, 2020 at 5:38 am

   Dave,
   There’s that small back window you were commenting on. And this is the first one I’ve seen also. My 63 had the large window. 64 was the last year for this.
2. Mike March 16, 2020 at 5:40 am

   How about that, it has the small rear hatch window we were discussing the other day when commenting on the early DJ3a brochure. First one ever that I’ve seen with this feature.
   Cracks me up when they say; RAN WHEN PARKED, from the looks of it. I guess it WAS PARKED in 1956.
   (NJ wise guy humor)
3. Barney Goodwin March 16, 2020 at 5:42 am

   Side, rear windows look fabricated. Hurts the value of this which otherwise looks pretty good. Typical CL post though with limited pics.
4. David Eilers Post authorMarch 16, 2020 at 8:16 am

   Mike, good eye! I think we just learned something new thanks to you. See below …

   Barney, I agree with the you on the side windows, but there was a discussion about the rear window the other day related to this post http://www.ewillys.com/2020/03/15/1956-dj-3a-brochure-on-ebay-2/ … it sure does look like the window on the back of this DJ-3A is very similar to the one shown on the back of the DJ-3A in the middle of the 1956 brochure. If the jeep above truly is a 1956 DJ-3A, it might have an early top. Perhaps the early tops had a small window, but soon that was switched to a later top.

   As additional evidence, check out this CJ-5 (looks to be an early press photo). This has the CJ-5 version (side windows) of the Koenig-made top, but it also has the small rear window.

   Here is a list of DJ-3As with hardtops gathered on eWillys: http://www.ewillys.com/category/dj3a/?tag=hardtop … I couldn’t find any others with the small window.
5. David Eilers Post authorMarch 16, 2020 at 8:39 am

   And, here’s a second 1956 DJ-3A with the smaller rear window: http://www.ewillys.com/2017/01/05/1956-dj-3a-buffalo-ny-8000-real-ad/
6. Mike March 16, 2020 at 8:57 am

   Wow, surprising, I guess the small window was only in 1956, I learn something new every day. Strange how I never noticed this before in previous for sale posts.
7. Glennstin March 16, 2020 at 12:32 pm

   Just talked to seller. This unit is sold to an Ohio buyer.
   Those Rambler hubcaps will fit on original DJ3A wheels. I have used Rambler (1951-1955) 15″ wheels on DJ3A. They are slightly different but work perfectly. I’m working on getting the S/N.
8. Colin Pesbody March 16, 2020 at 1:11 pm

   The small rear window was also on the early 57s. The one we have had a small rear window.
9. Colin Peabody March 16, 2020 at 1:12 pm

   Side windows are not original.
10. David Eilers Post authorMarch 16, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    Thanks for the info Colin. So, now we know there were at least four different versions of this hard top. Perhaps we’ll learn more, but for now my best guess is:

    1. No side windows, small rear window (found on early DJ-3As)
    2. No side windows, large rear window (found on some 1957 and later DJ-3As).
    3. Side windows, small rear window (found on some(?) early CJ-5s)
    4. Side windows, and large rear window (found on some 1957(?) and later CJ-5s)
11. David Eilers Post authorMarch 16, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    Thanks Glenn for the update and the info about the Rambler hubcaps. I didn’t know about those!
12. SteveK March 16, 2020 at 2:43 pm

    Does anybody know if this was a “factory swinging door” available, or a modification?
    http://www.ewillys.com/2010/06/08/1959-dj-3a-berkeley-springs-wv-ebay/
    I see two others in the list but this one has the best pic of it.
13. Mike March 16, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    Stevak, I can fill you in on this. As I’ve mentioned many times in the past, My PIZZA JEEP stories, I can with out any doubt in my mind, say these DJ3A hardtop Dispatchers came from the factory with both types of doors, swing & sliding. Steve’s Restaurant & Pizza, Elmwood Park, NJ had a fleet of these ordered New from local Dealers over the years with both types of doors. He would usually order 3 or 4 at a time, but the strange part of the story, even within the same order, both swing and sliding doors on different DJ3A’s within the same order. Even some would have 15″wheels, as opposed to 13″ within the same arrival of new DJ3A’s. Go figure, I think the guys on the Willys assembly line just liked to “Screw with our minds”.
14. 1953 AERO-FALCON , AERO-EAGLE March 16, 2020 at 6:37 pm

    hola — my willys aero-cars have 15″ 4 bolt wheels — do these fit dj-3a’s ?
15. David Eilers Post authorMarch 16, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    They would fit, but I’m unsure if the width is the same or not.
16. SteveK March 16, 2020 at 7:43 pm

    Mike, how interesting of a real life storyline DJ history. I totally agree with your statement… I think the guys on the Willys assembly line just liked to “Screw with our minds”. What ever they had readily available seemed to be what was used, and very little documentation available as well. That helps make the DJs that more unique and enjoyable to discuss. I like the swing doors and side windows. Thanks!
17. Mike March 17, 2020 at 4:50 am

    Stevek,
    My interest of PIZZA JEEPS has finally payed off, my life has meaning. I’m serious, I’m glad you could appreciate my story.
18. David Eilers Post authorMarch 17, 2020 at 12:40 pm

    Mike, if I ever own a DJ-3A Pizza Jeep, I’ll emblazon it with “Mike’s Pizza Jeep” on both sides! 🙂
19. Mike March 17, 2020 at 12:57 pm

    Thank you Dave, “Mike’s Pizza Jeep”, my dreams come true, (I’m serious, & bit delirious) and I can do a good ITALIAN accent. Maka you a deal youcanta refuse. Reminds me of: wait, I’ll save that story for another day… HEY VITO, put another slice in the oven…