UPDATE: **SOLD**
Perhaps they are more common than I realized, but I rarely see hitches for sale.
“These are off of a 1949 Willys Jeep cj2 ( I think) Bumper, 2 trailer hitch and under motor skid plate”
UPDATE: **SOLD**
Perhaps they are more common than I realized, but I rarely see hitches for sale.
“These are off of a 1949 Willys Jeep cj2 ( I think) Bumper, 2 trailer hitch and under motor skid plate”
UPDATE: **SOLD** $5000. Now here.
Looks like a solid GPW with one major modification: the steering box. Though the steering looks unusual, on the plus side it’s got a thick (half-inch??) support plate coming off the frame; also, it seems to have held up well (given, I imagine, this was an older mod). An additional plus is that the builder didn’t cut the front cross member when updating the steering (or so it appears), so I imagine someone could restore the original steering if they wished relatively easily. I think it would make a good entry level GPW for the right person.
“1942 Ford WW2 GPW. New cooling system, ignition system, fuel system, electrical wiring front to back, seats, rear brakes, etc. Has an engine from a cj2a. The engine overheated at some point and cracked. Will need a new block. I’m reluctantly selling it. I’ve spent alot of money and time on this Jeep. It is the perfect restoration project for someone who wants to disassemble it and restore it from frame up. Most of the parts are already there. It needs a proper restoration. I’m asking $6000 and it has a clear title. The price is in consideration of the engine work needed.”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(10/17/2019) This is an electric powered jeep that’s listed as a 1942 GPW. It’s actually on a 3A chassis. The tub has MB tool lids, but it has the other hallmarks of a GPW body (square indentation for the tool box lock button and the GPW rear seat setup).
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/d/auburn-1942-ford-gpw-electric-jeep/6997663746.html
“This jeep is a real original 1942 gpw ford military tub hood and fenders On real original civilian cj3a frame and running gear.
I just regd it. It is fully street legal but just like the original its not a freeway veh.
It has a brand new ELECTRIC Motor.
And brand new duracel batterys.
The motor puts out 77hs power.
The Orig motor only had 60hs power.
It Runs great. It’ll do about 35 And it doesnt like hills but It can be tweaked to do higher rpms or have higher torque. I just started messing with that but im slow at it because of a condition with my hands. I will change this paragraph when i have it dialed in right.
It Wheels good and does great on flat ground. I have a wheelin test hill here i can show u on. extreme hills use lower gears and it does good . It’ll do it but u have to Know your gears to get the most out of it. It takes a little getting used to.
I’ve never seen a PTO bar bent/positioned like that. The trailer is pretty odd too, as it has an ‘exhaust'(?) on it.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/443293836294553/
“Price negotiable…not running…needs work…starter needs work or needs replaced and needs new tires…trailer not included but negotiable or could sell separately…located 10 minutes from town you haul”
Unusal trailer:
It’s a big project.
https://westslope.craigslist.org/pts/d/montrose-48-willys-flatty-project/7006209870.html
“48 Willys Project
-Ford 5.0 engine, AODE transmission, NP205 transfer case
-Dana 60 front axle, 14 bolt rear axle
-Chevy Astro steering gear tapped for hydro assist, PSC hydro assist ram, RuffStuff 7/8″ heim kit with 3/4″ grade 8 bolts
-Fully boxed frame with engine crossmember mount
-Front and Rear Triangulated Radius Arm Suspension
-Aluminum Fuel Cell
-112inch wheelbase
-Removable BellySkid to drop transmission, BoatSide Sliders”
Not sure how much value is here.
https://ocala.craigslist.org/pts/d/moultrie-willys-jeep-cj2a/7006049419.html
“I HAVE BEEN RESTORING JEEPS FOR YEARS, ITS TIME TO QUIT, THIS JEEP HAS BEEN AT MY SHOP AS A DISPLAY FOR YEARS. IT WILL MAKE A COOL YARD ART DISPLAY. (NO MOTOR, NO TRANS,) FRAME IS IN BAD CONDITION, NOT A TRUE MILITARY JEEP, SOLD AS PARTS ONLY. NO TITLE, NO VIN. I WILL GIVE YOU A PARTS ONLY BILL OF SALE. ( I MAY CONSIDER DELIVERY (PAYED FOR JEEP) IN GA, FLA, FOR $350 PER LOADED MILE.”
Richard’s got a crankshaft pulley. He’s going to be selling it, but in trying to determine a fair price, there are a couple questions we could not answer. So, we are hoping someone can educate us.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
A strike grounded these jeeps before they could be loaded onto ships.
“1952 Press Photo U.S. Army Jeeps at Caven Point pier in Newark, New Jersey. This is an original press photo. Trucks – United State. Newark, New Jersey. Walkout yesterday of longshoreman on Jersey City waterfront brought loading of these jeeps at Army-leased pier at nearby Caven Point to standstill. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-13-1952.”
UPDATE: Still Available. The caption and date are slightly different between this current pic on eBay and its predecessor from 2013 (at bottom).
View all the information on eBay
“1942 Press Photo U.S. Army Soldiers ride down London street in Military Jeep. .This is an original press photo. Four American doughboys ride down a London street in a peculiarly American vehicle, one of Uncle Sammy’s jeeps. Note how they are overshadowed by the familiar London double-deck bus. U.S. Army in London Photo measures 6.25 x 9.5 inches. Photo is dated 03-15-1942.”
This version of the photo was auctioned in 2013 on eBay. It has the date of March 13, 1942. The caption includes the verbiage, “A ‘Jeep’ comes to London Town”.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $9000
(10/15/2017) “all rebuilt, ready to go sand or street or show what ever you wish, the power plant is a chevy 2 four cyl. 300 hp. muncie 4 speed warren overdrive, 538 gears .let me show you some picturs.”
UPDATE **SOLD** Was $10,000.
Lots of updates include SOA.
“late 40s willys jeep tons of upgrades too.many to list 6 cylinder new soft top roll cage 4×4 efi installed msd ignition 35 inch tires fox suspension on board air compressor solid floor pan tow package”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $400.
Dave shared this PTO powered saw mill. It even includes a guard … almost looks safe!
“Older yankee pro portable sawmill”
UPDATE: Price dropped to $6000.
(07/17/2019) Unclear why seller doesn’t think it does well around town.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2292400450843246/
“Very good jeep for the hills. Not something you want to drive around town.
Fresh paint
8274 warn winch with fresh motor
Rebuilt Buick engine
Locker in the rear
Posi up front
Tires are about 70 percent”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2000.
Sure seems like there could be value here if the body is as solid as it appears.
“Needs a starter, engine and transmission rebuild will be needed”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5600.
This might be a CJ-3A rather than a CJ-2A.
“1946 Willys. New seats , new tires , new brakes, new carburetor”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6500.
Could be a 2A Chassis with M-38 body parts.
“Military M38 Jeep Originally ground up restoration Documentation available regarding what was done”
Steve shared these projects. There’s definitely some rust, but I can’t tell how bad it is. My guess is that the seller doesn’t know a lot about them, as he labels one a ‘truck’.
https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/d/brooklyn-pair-of-1967-willys-jeeps/6996686903.html
“Pair of phenomenal 1967 Willys Jeep Projects. Perfect for the collector. One is a pick up truck, one is a Jeep Commando. Sold individually ($3,000) or as a pair ($6,000 for both). These go for $15,000 to $25,000 once restored. Pick up truck needs less restoration, covered Commando needs all. Not running. Take one or both cars. Pick up has title. Commando does not.”
This looks to be a no-glove box body, so it might be an early slat grille MB. If so this won’t last long at this price. It may have a civvy engine (at least the head). If might also be a reconditioned jeep, as there is a small data plate on the dash.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/551103595639066/
“1943 Army Jeep very good condition for its age. Original early 1940s Willy’s Jeep. Mechanically it is very solid. Engine, transmission, transfer case, and high/low range, wheel hubs all work as they are supposed to. I drive this jeep around every now and then to just keep things moving. 6v original system works well. Lights and everything work as well. Call or text. If I don’t answer leave me a voicemail and I’ll get back to you. In southern Utah but make frequent trips to Logan Utah and might be able to deliver.”
As often is the case with these company bios, I rarely know the full story, so this is a working draft. (note, I have seen Bestop as BesTop and BESTOP, but I feel Bestop is easier to read for our purposes). If you have other interpretations, thoughts, or corrections, don’t hesitate to comment below.
Bestop Launches:
In the early 1950s, Tom Bradley ran an auto upholstery shop in Boulder, Colorado. After some customers came to him wanting repairs to their soft jeep tops, Tom decided he could build a better top, so he launched Bestop on a part-time basis in 1954. According to the Bestop website, “Working out of an old brick schoolhouse with seven employees, Bestop quickly developed a reputation for quality and the word spread.” And, from 4wd.com, “To [Tom’s] surprise, the Jeep replacement tops began making more profit than the upholstery projects. It wasn’t long before Bradley decided to sell his upholstery business and focus on designing and manufacturing tops.”
Here’s a look at some early brochures. Note the “Vinalette” top, an attempt at branding that didn’t last very long. These brochures are likely mid to late 1950s (these pics came from this eBay auction):
The Bestop site notes that the business continued to grow for ten years under Tom. At that point, the story on the company’s website advances to the mid-eighties, but skips additional history in the process.
Bestop Expands Product Line:
The only evidence I could find that Bestop expanded it’s produced line under Tom was this 1961 brochure introducing rear seats. The seats have a flat, simple design.
The Stengel’s Obtain Control:
In September of 1966, forty-year-old James (Jim) Joseph Stengel filed a patent for a plastic tab that, when placed on the front edge of a soft top, allowed it to hook into the down-facing channel that is attached to most vintage 1/4 ton jeep windshields. This improved the speed at which a top could be mounted to a jeep. What Jim’s relationship to Bestop was at that point isn’t clear to me yet.
As of the 1966 patent filing, there was no assignment to any company, just to Jim himself. In the meantime, at some point between 1964 and 1968, Jim and his wife Marj acquired Bestop (from Tom?) and began operating it, as her obituary notes “Marj and Jim ran their business, Bestop Mfg., which grew to be a leading manufacturer of cloth “tops” for Jeeps and other recreational vehicles”.
One bit of evidence that the Stengels were connected to Bestop by 1966 was that Jim filed the above 1966 patent under the address “P.O. Box 318, Boulder, Colorado”, the same address that appears in this May 1968 brochure published by Bestop.
Two years later, in 1968, Bestop Manufacturing filed for a Trademark on the name Bestop, again under the same PO Box 318 address :
Now, this is where it becomes a little confusing. At some point in 1968, Bestop acquired or expanded into several lines of additional products and, around the same time period, Husky Products appears to have dropped a similar type of products.
Below is a visual comparison of a 1966 Husky brochure and the 1968 Bestop brochure. The first three pages of the Bestop brochure kind of look like reworked versions of the 1966 Husky brochure (it’s this comparison that started my dive into this topic). And, yes, I realize the tops are somewhat different, especially at the back (Husky continued to advertise the full top into the 1970s, but dropped advertising for the half tops, the multiple doors, and other items).
Not many photos (that I have seen) of M-38A1s coming off of a transport ship.
View all the information on eBay
“1960 Press Photo United States Army Transportation Corps Jeep and Carrier. This is an original press photo. United States Army Transportation Corps Jeep and Carrier. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 08-25-1960.”
Maury shared this unusual can featured the rear of a jeep. I’m guessing the beer has been consumed?
View all the information on eBay
“HERE ARE 2 BRAND NEW, CRAFT BREWERY BEER CANS FROM THE CRAFT BREWERY IN NANTUCKET MASSACHUSETTS. GETAWAY IPA WITH A COOL JEEP CJ-5 ON THE BEACH LOGO AND CRAN-TUCKET WITH A CRANBERRY FARMER. COOL PAINTED LABEL CANS. BOTH IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.”
Has a variety of updates.
https://saginaw.craigslist.org/cto/d/bay-city-1950-willys-jeepster/7002903710.html
“350 chevy engine, automatic trans. front disc brakes, Edlebrock manifold and carb. Headers, dual exhaust. Will trade for 60’s to 80’s wagon, daily driver. Cash is best. Come look at, make me an offer. No scammers or people wanting to sell me a report on it.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** “Was $12,000.
Looks in good shape, though the bottom isn’t quite as clean as the topside.
“1957 Jeep Willys CJ5. Runs great!! Just got it NYS inspected. Hardly any rust on it. All original, not restored. This was a mint barn find from original owner. Only 33,000 miles on it. In great condition for an original 57 Jeep. Only reason I’m selling it is because it’s in such great condition I’m afraid of using it to go off road. I don’t want to damage it, I’d rather sell this to someone who can appreciate the historical value. Like I said, runs great I’ve been driving it around for a couple months now. I just put new brake lines, hose, pads, wheel cylinders and master brake cylinders on it. Along with a new carb.”
Listed as a 1947, it appears to have a VEC CJ-2A body.
https://winchester.craigslist.org/cto/d/toms-brook-1947-willys-jeep-cj2a/6996245128.html
“47 willys jeep cj2a. Fresh rebuilt engine transmission an transfer case runs an drives little to no rust. New tires/ shocks/ master cylinder/ carburetor /oil pump/ fuel pump/ new wiring /wipers/ seats/ gauges/seatbelts/aluminum radiator/ new soft top and door/ heat. Has new cluch an presure plate/ fly wheel ringan strarter bedix Also have a few extra parts. Call for details thank for looking..”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $14,500.
Looks like this refurbed 2A may have some Clary Flanges on the front hubs.
“Must See. Completely Restored 1947 Jeep Willys.
New Body, Hood, Tailgate – Rhino Lined Interior – Bestop Seats – New Wheels with Military Style Tires – New Fabricated Front bumper with Winch plate and rear bumper with 2 inch receiver – 4WD fully serviced. Over $18K invested to include new brake system – lighting – air filter assembly – fuel tank – battery – alternator – tailgate and gauges.”