I discovered recently that an eWillys’ reader named Bob has created an ongoing photo essay on junked cars from America’s past called Broken Down Heroes. For me, the black and while photos capture a sadness, a silence of vehicles trapped and forgotten as trees, bushes and grass slowly overtake and swallow them whole. Great work! Here’s a couple photos.
Builds: Chris’ Great Grandfather’s Jeep
Chris is a 15 year old who wrote to me last week about a wiring question. Since then, he and I have been working through some wiring and brake drum issues. Here’s a little bit about his jeep and some pics.
Chris writes, “It’s a 1947 cj2a mostly stock, with a few mods. It’s got the stock engine and 6 volt wiring (I want to update it to 12 volt). I got it last summer from my grandpa down in oregon. He had picked it up in a field in Idaho (I think Emmet). Thats supposedly where my great grandapa had parked it after he used it on his cattle ranch since it was new. It sat there for about 20 to 25 years. At some point somebody took all of the brake lines, the master cylinder, and the brake pedal (but my grandpa found me a new pedal). The picture of the engine is when i dropped the transmission to put in a new cluch fork (you can see the old one on the radiator).”
Website: Classic Military Automotive
Here’s a recently launched website that focuses on military vehicles called Classic Military Automotive. The site also has a classified section.
According to the website, “Classic Military Automotive specializes in the sales, restoration and maintenance of 1941 to 1954 military jeeps and light weight trucks. We are located in the Sonoma County Wine Country of the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Our customer base is primarily in California though we have sold vehicles to customers from all over the USA and abroad. We are experienced in complete frame-off restoration down to minor maintenance. If you have any questions, or other needs, don’t hesitate to e-mail us at gpajeep@yahoo.com or call Terry at (707) 542-4353.”
1943 GPW Santa Rosa, CA **SOLD**
“Fully restored Ford GPW Jeep. Delivery date 2-11-43 from original data plates. New Motor with 63 miles on it. Everything rebuilt. Reproduction body tub with many F-marked (Ford) parts. 7.00 x 16 tires on CJ rims. Parade/combat ready. $20,500 or best reasonable offer. “
Very unusual Flat Fender Ottawa, Ontario, Canada **Status Unknown**
UPDATE: The status of this is unknown.
This is an extremely unusual flattie. The seller provides a great deal of info about it. It’s been featured in various magazines.
“1946 “Willys” Jeep CJ-2. The “Jeepilac” as it is known (Jeep with a Cadillac engine) was professionally built by Johnson Welding Works. They are a local shop and are very well known in the area for building high quality street rods using top quality parts with attention to detail and safety. It has 2,700 miles since the build …. ”
This vehicle was also featured in the movie “Smash Cut“.
1945 MB Phoenix, Az $3000
UPDATE: Price increased to $3000
It almost looks like it has a tailgate. I can’t quite tell.
“Original 1945 Willys jeep with new battery,Ignition switch,Rear Gears,Roll bar and original front and back seats! Clean Arizona Title,Street legal,Updated motor but runs like th original and 3 gear tranny 4×4, Pictures are of the actual jeep call or email me anytime (520)518-2122”
1947 CJ-2A Littleton, CO **SOLD**
Robert found this jeep for sale. Someone’s put a great deal of time and money into this rig.
“1947 Willys Jeep CJ2A – Completely Restored. Upgrades include: Rebuilt L-Head motor -500 miles, Dana 44 rear & Dana 30 front axles, both with Detroit Lockers & 5.38 gears, disk brakes in front, 11” drums in rear. Rancho suspension leaf springs & shocks, Stewart Warner gauges, 12 volt electrical system, Custom roll cage & rear bumper with swing away spare tire carrier. Everything new.”
1948 CJ-2A Penacook, NH **SOLD**
UPDATE: Last listed price was $3950
Except for missing a tail light, this jeep looks pretty darn original.
“I have a 1948 willys cj2a in real good shape for the year, 6 volt system starts and runs great and everything works.”
Year Specific MB & GPW Sites
I found a website called 1943MB.com the other day and thought that it had some useful information. I didn’t realize it until now, but there’s a list of similar sites. While they look similar, they appear to have at least some different information (I didn’t investigate too closely). For example, the 1941MB.com site has a link to a slat grille rebuild.
- http://www.1941mb.com
- http://www.1942MB.com
- http://www.1943MB.com
- http://www.1944MB.com
- http://www.1945MB.com
- http://www.1942GPW.com
- http://www.1943GPW.com
- http://www.1944GPW.com
- http://www.1945GPW.com
One cool feature is the Napa Online Website Link for parts. Here’s a snapshot of it below.
1954 CJ-3B Missoula, MT **SOLD**
This appears in good shape.
“The Universal Jeep CJ3B was introduced as a 1953 Model by Willys-Overland, the company which had produced some 360,000 Jeeps during World War 2, and almost as many civilian Jeeps (CJ”s) in the seven years since the war. This particular one is a 1954 Model in very good original condition with the original F-head “Hurricane” 4 cylinder engine. …. This Jeep in all original except for the roll bar and wheels. It has never been modified, still has 6 volt system, original seats etc. and is very solid, no rust holes of any size. Runs and drives great with new tune up, new battery, new rebuilt brake master cylinder and new windshield.. This is a very desirable collectors item that is an easy restoration or usable as it is in original condition. Jeep was dark green from factory but was painted white years ago. Jeep is being sold with clear Montana title. Other Jeeps and cars for sale alpinemotors.org ”
1958 FC-170 Portland, Or $2500
This FC includes a second FC-170 parts vehicle.
“In good shape for being 50 years old! Straight 6 226 engine with 3 speed transmission – it starts and runs but smokes a little. The body is fairly straight, small rust in passenger side corners. An intake scoop was added south of the border to get more cooling at one point in its life. New tires (zero miles on them) and powder coated stock wheels (two spare wheels also). Have another parts rig, a 1958 FC170 that has no bed – this goes along with this one. Also have 2 extra engines and a spare transmission or two for the package. Drop me an email for more information. This rig has a cool Oregon history.”
1965 CJ-3B Uvalde, TX **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
The trailer and winch come with the jeep ….. I saw this ad and immediately knew this was from Texas. Can you name the tell-tale sign it’s from Texas? I’m just fascinated that I’ve only seen jeeps for sale with the back seat mod in Texas. I guess I need to spend some time down there to see exactly what people are looking at from up there.
“I have owned this Jeep since 1994 and have taken good care of it, keeping the oil changed and keeping it greased and tuned up. Has good AT tires, fairly new paint and the Jeep comes with an 8 foot hunting high rack, rack can be easily removed. Comes with a cable remote control Warn Electric Winch. Manual lockout 4×4 wheels, the head lights and horn works. It is not street legal, was legal about 5 years ago. The seat covers needs to be replaced. I have had the Jeep up in the high hills of the Texas Hill Country, no rust and not used a lot over the last few years because of less demand for 4 wheel drive on the ranch we were on. We run a game hunting operation and need room for 4 or 5 hunters at a time to be put out for hunts. Not much wrong with the Jeep, just don’t need it that much anymore. Couple hundred bucks and a lot of work could make this one street legal again. This one is fun to drive and very dependable….”
1944 MB Cairo, Fl **SOLD**
Looks good.
“THIS 1944 WILLYS HAS BEEN OWNED BY AN 80 YEAR OLD MAN FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS. HAS BEEN CRANKED & RUN ON REGULAR BASES. LIKE NEW TIRES, CANVAS TOP & SEAT CUSHIONS, COMBAT RIMS. NEEDS MONEY AND WILL LET IT GO FOR $13800 FIRM!!!
1948 CJ-2A Cambridge, OH **SOLD**
The body’s been cleaned up and looks good.
“this is a real nice cj2a, everything has been gone through and replaced or rebuilt. body is all steel, rebuilt l-head and transmission. basically everything is new.”
Life Magazine Photo — Oops
“I kept telling Larry, take the stairs, take the stairs! But no, he had to show off!”
I just love these old pics!
Life Magazine Photos — Scotch Tape
Ever gotten stuck? Who needs a chain when you got Scotch Tape! There’s plenty more photos from this very obvious photo op.
1950 CJ-3A Kansas City, Mo $2500
This looks like it might be a good deal. The body and parts look in good shape.
“this is a 1950 willys fiber glass body with 4 cly flat head willys motor it is a three speed very low geard will climb and pull hard its a fun toy to have call phill at 785 217 5077 or 785 597 5100 thanks”
1948 CJ-2A Menifee, CA **SOLD**
It looks like a strong cage. I think the front looks lengthened.
“1948 WILLY’S JEEP. V-6 MOTOR, NEEDS A LITTLE WORK $2,500 OBO “
1948 CJ-2A Blackhawk, Ca $1000
1951 CJ-3A New Hartford, Ct $3000
There’s been some unusual customizations to this body.
“This is my 1951 cj3a jeep. im looking for 3000 or best offer. email me and ill tell you all about it and send you pictures. or you can call me at 866-6018”
1947 CJ-2A Corvallis, Or $7000
UPDATE: Still Available. It’s been for sale since January.
It looks pretty good, though I would say it was restored to original condition.
“1947 jeep willys flatfender frame off restoration with only 550 miles on it 541-754-5150”
Year? GPW Santa Rosa, CA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1000
“I’m selling my Willys Jeep. my grandpa gave it to me and i was going to fix it but i dont have time and i need the money for school. the motor is apart right now….i could it back together if u want but i figured i was saving u time so u dont have to take it apart again. i replaced a cracked valve and a cracked piston but one of the bearings was lost while putting the pistons back in so thats all u need. it has a ford tub and a willys frame i have seats out a blazer to put in it and i have tires to put in it so its easier to move but they arent in the pics. askin $1000 obo”
1946 CJ-2A Roseville, Ca $2800
UPDATE: Price dropped to $2800.
I would swear that body is fiberglass. If not, it’s been modified a bit. I think those fenders are also fiberglass.
“1946 Willys CJ2A, Chevy 350, 3 speed with overdrive, tires and rims have less than 2000 miles on them. $3200 OBO ”
1976 Lawnmower Onalaska, WA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3900
Blaine writes, “I think he said it was production built in 1976 in Illinois”
A large number of Jeep Brochures
Jim sent this my direction. Theres a number of varying Willys and Jeep brochures from early years up to today.
Some examples below