UPDATE: Price dropped to $2950.
Kevin’s selling his CJ-3A that he got from his father. It has an f-head that may be frozen, but the body is supposed to be in excellent shape. You can contact him at 602 809 6666 or via email at karo @ kds.phxcoxmail.com (remove the spaces around the “@”).
“1951 Willys CJ-3A. I am the fourth owner. My Dad owned it for nearly 40 years. It has never been anywhere but Arizona. VIN 451-GB1 43997 was purchased by AiResearch Manufacturing Company in June, 1951 and used to tow a heavy welding generator around the plant. It was used by AiResearch until 1975 when my father, an AiResearch employee bought it from his company. He owned it until his death in 2015.
My brother and I sold the Jeep to a fellow AiResearch employee, but I bought it back from him in March of this year and intended to honor my Dad by restoring it, keeping it in the family, and passing it down to my son. There’s no rust on the Jeep except a little minor surface rust in the bed area.
After rebuilding and installing the starter, I discovered that the F-head engine is frozen up. I was intent on putting the correct engine, a rebuilt L-head in it. I’m told that a number of parts on the F-head are interchangeable with and could be installed on a good or rebuilt L-head. I don’t know if the rebuilt F-head starter interchanges with an L-head.
Stock 6-volt electrical. 40,010 miles on the odometer, which could be has likely turned once. It wasn’t driven hard by my Dad, who took good care of it. The man I bought it from told me he had driven it about 35 miles in almost 7 years, running his grandchildren around on his large ranch property. It’s essentially complete and original, except for the F-head engine.
Original frame and tub, original mechanicals. It hasn’t been butchered the way some Jeeps rare. The body is in surprisingly good condition. Everyone who has seen it has told me that the body is in very good shape, especially compared to what most restorers start with. I believe the transmission, transfer case, clutch, axles, brakes, radiator, fuel tank and original Warn hubs are in decent shape, although I remember my Dad telling me at least eighteen years ago that he thought there might be “something going on” with one of the gears in the transmission. I believe the suspension, springs and shocks are in good shape. Recent lubrication of entire chassis. Steering box will have to rebuilt or replaced.
AiResearch discarded the rear bumper assembly, welded a “tail” on the Jeep and attached a pintle hook. I bought a stock bumper plus hardware and it’s ready to be installed when the tail is removed. Battery purchased last September is strong and I’ve been keeping it charged. Needs new tailgate and new hood once the right engine is installed. Number of holes to be filled and body and paint work needed. AiResearch put the wrong taillights on the Jeep. It was originally a dark green color, and at one time was a pale yellow.
I have concluded that unfortunately I don’t have the ability to take it from where it is now to where it should be and must let it go to someone who can restore it properly. I want it to go to someone who will restore it to original condition and treasure it, as my family and I would have done. It’s worth that. Clean AZ title. $2950 or will take best offer.”
