UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $8500
Nice early rare 1946 Willys Jeep CJ2A. First year civilian model. Hard to find Numbers matching, original engine, has all the original frame and body data tags still in place. Restored by previous owner who was Jeep enthusiast. Was a very rust free Jeep before resto. Previous owner sold due to illness. He owned it for many many years. He did great work and most of the restoration work was done by himself and fellow Jeep enthusiasts.
It was restored to be a driver! So its Not show vehicle, but was done very well, looks very good and is well sorted. Underside is pretty clean and undercoated as well. Mostly all original parts used. Original matching engine and drivetrain all rebuilt. Original 3 speed trans.
Very straight body. New Paint is slightly a shade off the original green color. It Has rare optional rear tow hitch. Some non-original changes include conversion to 12 volt, key start ignition instead of foot button start, and a couple of updates instruments (in stock holes). Rear / side tire mount was removed, (which was a poor design to start with); was done very well with no evidence of metal work. Original 46′ wheels were blasted and powder coated and NOS bi-directional military style tires with less than 20 miles on them. This jeep starts right up and runs like a sewing machine. I have only driven it a few times, but it get lots of attention and conversation. Overall, a very straight forward nicely redone early CJ2A. Good Early jeeps are getting hard to find and values are climbing. Have title. Priced to sell. $8,500. “
O.k., I’m not suggesting that it is (cuz I know enough to know that I don’t know enough 😉 ), but-
When looking at a restored driver such as this, at what point should the lack of side bow holders, windshield bow washers, spare carrier, wipers and a keyed ignition in the right spot(?) at #52710, and all the data plates installed with screws start me thinking repro body parts?
Were data plates riveted at the factory, or were screws a possibility?
And what would one typically look for in aftermarket tubs, windshields, etc…
And isn’t the spoked wheel earlier than 52710?
This could either be an original body/windshield that’s been restored or a new body/windshield combo. I really can’t tell for sure based on these pics (maybe someone else can?).
The data plates should be installed with screws and the ones used in the jeep above appear correct.
You are correct about the spoke wheel. It shouldn’t be there, but is. I would have missed that one, as I forget to check the steering wheels 🙂
The bow holders are tricky. Some folks removed them from their 2A bodies. I also believe that some original bodies were produced without them. How many were produced that way I don’t know. Perhaps a 2A could be ordered without them??
Because reproduction bodies changed over time, it can be hard at times to pinpoint a reproduction from a real body based on photos. I don’t have an easy answer for comparing real and repro. Such an answer needs a much longer explanation.
Despite the inconsistencies (great observations, mbullism), this is uniquely photographed really well (IMHO). It’s pretty eye catching shown this way. Nice jeep in many ways 🙂