Unusual Research Archives

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1952 Modified Truck Flanders, NJ $25,000

• CATEGORIES: Unusual, Willys Trucks • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s an unusual build.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/605328924848200

“1952 Jeep Willys, 350ci Chevy small block with automatic transmission, 2-4 barrel carburetors, Completely Done, Ready to Run.”

1952-truck-proctor-wv5 1952-truck-proctor-wv7 1952-truck-proctor-wv8 1952-truck-proctor-wv9

 
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1955 Truck El Campo, TX $8000

• CATEGORIES: Unusual, Willys Trucks • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Price dropped to $8000.

(12/10/2023) This is an interesting build, but the pics don’t show all the aspects. It’s possibly now a convertible (or just soft top) and has a tower blind attached to the bed.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1412983369570905

“It’s a 1955 Willis jeep , 4wd ,motor is a 226 super hurricane , 80,128 miles on it. Comes with high rack, feeder, and winch. Also have another extra motor for it. Must pick up.”

1955-truck-elcampo-tx6 1955-truck-elcampo-tx7 1955-truck-elcampo-tx8 1955-truck-elcampo-tx9

 
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Various Photos

• CATEGORIES: Features, GPA (SEEP), Old Images, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
  1. Blaine shared this photo of a Bell Telephone engineer working in Europe during WWII.
    bell-telephone-magazine-1922-14752827651-f273eb-1024
  2. Blaine also shared these links for the teardrop Mustang, developed in the late 1940s. While many of us have seen these pics, what I didn’t realize was that the Mustang utilized some jeep steering parts. As this MotorBiscuit article notes, “McCarty wanted to build his car with existing components adapted to his unique vision. He decided that the steering from a Willys Jeep, a Continental or Hercules engine, and Spicer rear axles would be the basis for his car.”
    1949-Mustang-22Whale22-07 1949-Mustang-22Whale22-02
  3. This photo of a customized GPA was posted to g503 by Morihisa Ochi:
    gpa-modified-g503
  4. Grant Howe shared images of his customized jeep on Facebook, built for bird hunting:
    modified-cj3a-rear-fb2
 
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1952 Custom Wagon Fortuna, CA $14,500

• CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual, Willys Wagons • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: As far as I know, this was last listed in 2014.

(04/12/2013) It reminds me of the San Juan Scenic Jeep Tour wagons.

“Willys 2 door wagon converted to Surry. 4cyl. F engine 4×4 converted to12v. 3 speed overdrive new tires needs nothing. Also comes with rear enclosure for back that matches top. Very fun always garaged. Price is O.B.O. will accept best cash offer. if its posted its for sake no b.s. no tirekickers”

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/275285585513826/

1952-wagon-covertible-fortuna-ca1 1952-wagon-covertible-fortuna-ca2 1952-wagon-covertible-fortuna-ca3 1952-wagon-covertible-fortuna-ca4 1952-wagon-covertible-fortuna-ca5

 
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1968 “CJ-5” Palmyra, NY $1000

• CATEGORIES: CJ5, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: The price is now $1000 (previously no price).

(08/16/2023) If you are looking for something a little different…

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/6873966055959873

“Open to trades, don’t need to get rid of it just seeing what’s out there. Runs and drives”

1968-cj5-palmyra-ny1 1968-cj5-palmyra-ny2 1968-cj5-palmyra-ny3

 
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1954? Truck and Camper Durango, CO $5000

• CATEGORIES: Camping, Features, Unusual, Willys Trucks • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Mike shared this unusual camper. The shape of it reminds me of the late 1940s Book mobiles (or see below post). The box on this truck appears a little taller than the book mobile boxes, so this truck and the book mobiles may be unrelated.

The truck is listed as a 1954, but the grille suggests it is earlier. It’s unclear whether the camper on back is original to the truck (special order for example) or whether someone added the camper later. That said, the interior faux wood and carpet screams 60s or 70s to me. The “Jeep” radio would have also been added at a later date. Note the Warn hubs are IH branded hubs.

The jeep sports a “Rednor & Raine” Jeep sticker from Trenton, NJ, which as of 1965, was a jeep only dealer.  This also has a Princeton Theological Seminary parking permit, which is still an active institution.

https://westslope.craigslist.org/cto/d/durango-1954-jeep-willys-purpose-built/7659761315.html

1954-truck-camper-durango-co4 1954-truck-camper-durango-co5 1954-truck-camper-durango-co6 1954-truck-camper-durango-co7 1954-truck-camper-durango-co8

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Odd Flatfender Creation/Art

• CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Features, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Darin Rolf posted these two photos to Facebook. It is an oddity for sure! It appears to be somewhere in Colorado.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/247270289549336/permalink/1320563978886623/

odd-jeep-creation-art-fb1 odd-jeep-creation-art-fb2

 
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1981? DJ-5/Truck JeepRod Clyde, NC $9800

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This sure is an unusual build. I doubt there will ever be another ….

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/273752948479396

1981-dj5-jeeprod-nc46 1981-dj5-jeeprod-nc47 1981-dj5-jeeprod-nc48 1981-dj5-jeeprod-nc4

“All Clemson fans take notice!!! This is a custom built truck. This truck was used years ago with the football team as well as others. This truck has been in many parades and tailgate events. I discovered this truck a couple years ago and had to have it. This truck is built from 5 different vehicles. The list is as follows: Titled as 1981 Jeep J-10 truck 4×4 chassis, 1946 Ford car front, 1970’s Mail Jeep cab, 1955 International bed that has hydraulic lift, 1951 Ford truck grill. She has an in-line 4.0 Jeep 6 cylinder engine. Power brakes and steering. Runs quit like a Singer sewing machine. Travels straight as an arrow at 70 mph. One of a kind and wins shows everywhere she’s entered. Be prepared for many questions if you’re the lucky person to be the next owner. Build cost was estimated at over $20k and I believe it. Great fab work done! Message me only if interested in buying please! Title in hand”

 
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Year? Custom Widened Flatfender Slinger, WI $4000

• CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s an unusual rig. Note the three windshield wipers.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1891993391157338

year-cj3b-widened-slinger-wi6 year-cj3b-widened-slinger-wi7 year-cj3b-widened-slinger-wi8 year-cj3b-widened-slinger-wi9

“EXTREME MONSTER>>>>ONE OF A KIND…. CUSTOM JEEP This Heavy Duty glass jeep was professionally cut in half and stretched 12” to fit on to a modified J10- ½ Ton Frame. IT IS NOW A MONSTER JEEP!!! WIDE like a HUMMER and lifted. All of the hard work is done BUT now I have to make room for a different interest in my garage. I have ALL of the custom made parts to complete the rest of the build already created. So with a little finishing up this BAD BOY is ready to take on anything. STREET LEGAL rock climber. All vehicle DOT inspections have been done. ( In a DOT inspection center ) I have a CLEAN Wisconsin title with no hidden BS about the build.>>>> Transfer Ready to Your Name It has the best of everything….
V8
4 speed Dana
Warn
Petronic Ignition
New Radiator
New Carb
Headers
HIGH END GLASS BODY…..VERY SOLID no cracks….
nice paint, good interior.
Additional custom made stainless steel and aluminum parts to complete build. Jeep will need some TLC before it is ready to roll…Has been street and highway test driven only. You can OWN THE ONLY ONE AROUND. VERY WIDE JEEP”

 
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Unusual Customized CJ-3A(?)

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

David Adams posted this oddity on Facebook. He was hoping to learn more about it. The jeep appears to be a CJ-3A that’s been modified for some purpose that’s not clear.  The side looks kind of like a Willys Quad; was that a coincidence?

Here’s one of his posts (there were several posts and I got several IMs about it).

unusual-cj3a-david-adams-5 unusual-cj3a-david-adams-6 unusual-cj3a-david-adams-7 unusual-cj3a-david-adams-8 unusual-cj3a-david-adams-9

 

 

 
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1945 Photo of Jeep w/ Custom Cargo Bed

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This photo was posted back in 2011 by Bill Grist. I can’t tell if the rear portion is a connected via pivot point (aka trailer) or if it is one solid six-wheeler. It’s a unique setup for sure.

 
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1967? Wagon JeepRod Sylmar, CA $1500

• CATEGORIES: Jeep Rods, Unusual, Willys Wagons • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Price dropped to $1500.

(01/11/2023) This is an odd one. It’s listed as a 1967, but looks to be early 50s.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/522959189819291

“1967 Jeep Willys Dragon. Great for someone who likes projects. I do not have more pictures and I am unable to get them due to not having immediate access.. if you want to see it you can make an appointment and my husband can meet you. Bought it as a project but I don’t have the time or money to put into it. Does not have an engine in it.. no title only bill of sale. I also bought an Diesel engine that has the transmission which I was going to adapt to the Jeep. But ended up not doing it. Selling separately Jeep selling for $3,500 Engine with transmission selling for $2,500”

1967-wagon-jeeprod-sylmar-ca6 1967-wagon-jeeprod-sylmar-ca7 1967-wagon-jeeprod-sylmar-ca8 1967-wagon-jeeprod-sylmar-ca9

 
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Modified Late Model CJ-6(?) 6×6 on Walker Texas Ranger

• CATEGORIES: CJ-6, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Blaine spotted this modified jeep on Walker Texas Ranger, season 4 episode 18. My guess would be that it is a 1971 or later CJ-6, but the pic isn’t too clear. Blaine mentioned that the jeep does appear in other scenes, but the only pic he could find was on IMCDB: https://www.imcdb.org/v001243512.html

walker-texas-ranger-ep4-18

 
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Odd MB Shared on FB

• CATEGORIES: Features, MB, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Roger Martin spotted this unusual 3B on Facebook. There are only two images included, so there is limited info about it. That said, I’m leaning towards this being a home-brew rather than a prototype.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=6613665795327673&set=pcb.1838648579838287

mb-odd-body-1 mb-odd-body-2

 
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Modified Truck on FB

• CATEGORIES: Features, Jeep Rods, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Dwayne posted some more pics of his truck on Facebook. You can see them below:

This image was posted a few days ago by Dwayne Brown. I am guessing the the back bed is a modified wagon back? It reminds me a little of the “Tender” wagons. Looks like a great rig!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2382510764/permalink/10159262655025765

modifed-truck-fb-dwyane-brown-5 modifed-truck-fb-dwyane-brown-7 modifed-truck-fb-dwyane-brown-8

modifed-truck-fb-dwyane-brown-9modifed-truck-fb-dwyane-brown-6

 
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1950 Modified Wagon Sun Valley, NV Make Offer

• CATEGORIES: Jeep Rods, Unusual, Willys Wagons, Wood bodies • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: This was sold out of NV in 2021. Now for sale (make offer) in Cali.

(04/03/2021) This is different. The price seems reasonable.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/501492705205201/

“Full custom 1950 Willy’s wagon completed 900 miles ago. Frame off, everything new, built 350/350 with tubbed Dana rear end, custom rumble seat, seats 8, custom sound system and led lighting. Looking for trades or make offer!”

1950-wagon-sunvalley-nv1 1950-wagon-sunvalley-nv2 1950-wagon-sunvalley-nv3 1950-wagon-sunvalley-nv4

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1949 Modified CJ-3A Lincolnton, NC $9450

• CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE II: **Status Unknown** Was priced at $9450. 

“1949 Cj3a fire truck one of a kind built by factory for fire protection then used by ambulance service runs and drives some work done”

1949-cj3a-oh3 1949-cj3a-oh4

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1942? GPW? Bend, OR $3000

• CATEGORIES: GPW (Ford MB), Unusual • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still Available.

(09/05/2022) This oddity is supposed to be built atop a 1942 GPW chassis.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/448469127216690/

“Willys Jeep rolling chassis with custom built aluminum body unique vehicle one of a kind just don’t got time to finish it. No motor, trans, or title. Great condition for being from ww2 would make great frame to restore a gpw or finish it as it is.”

1942-gpw-custom-bend-ore8 1942-gpw-custom-bend-ore9

 
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1946 CJ-2A Brillion, WI $14,000

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still Available.

(11/23/2021) Unusual build.

https://appleton.craigslist.org/bar/d/brillion-46-willys-jeep-wrangler/7516960660.html

“rat rod hot rod steet rod willys 355 that made 455 hp and 350 auto with a 3200 stall converter all sway bars have road race it works very good very fun like a big go cart has a dana 44 rear axle with 308 gears so can drive down the highway will go 80 all day long will sale out right chevy 67 to 73 camaro 64 to 72chevelle 62 to 72 nova 64to 72 el camino wrangler or corvette will sale out right will sale with out motor and trans 14000 for complete 9000 with out motor and trans”

1946-cj2a-brillion-wi1 1946-cj2a-brillion-wi2 1946-cj2a-brillion-wi3 1946-cj2a-brillion-wi4

 
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1982 DJ-5 w/ Replacement Body Rosedale, MD **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2500.

Merlin shared this DJ-5 with an unusual fiberglass replacement body on Facebook. One person thinks the body is a “Bum-Vee” body, but I couldn’t confirm that. Anyone recognize this body? It reminds me of the Parmley body.

“Trades only classic car fire arms Runs and drives4 cyl runs and drives”

1982-dj5-suncruiser-md1 1982-dj5-suncruiser-md2 1982-dj5-suncruiser-md3

 
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1970 J-20 Saratoga Springs, NY $2500

• CATEGORIES: Features, Other 4x4s, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still Available.

(10/28/2022) This former race-horse-track jeep has an unusual mod. Might make an unusual restoration. No description provided.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/747155419912323

1970-j20-saratogasprings-ny1 1970-j20-saratogasprings-ny2

 
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1942 MB-Jalopy Twenty Nine Palms, CA $2200

• CATEGORIES: MB, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is unusual! You can see the MB/GPW dash, so it does have at least some jeep DNA.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/658029439262195/

“1942 willys jeep dune buggy project. 1993 jeep grand cherokee frame and 4.0 engine. It Runs, drives and stops and the 4×4 works. Still needs some work before taking her out though. Could also be a sweet rat rod project. I was gonna rebuild it but some things have come up and I could use the money. Price is $2200 obo. Price will go up as I continue to work on it. ”

1942-mb-jalopy-29palms-ca7 1942-mb-jalopy-29palms-ca8 1942-mb-jalopy-29palms-ca9

 
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Jeep Duriez Ads

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, International, Unusual, Wood bodies • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: The latest issue of the Europe-based 4X4 Story Magazine has images of a rare surviving Duriez jeep (see ads for the various Duriez models here).

https://www.4x4story.fr/index.php/2022/10/20/jeep-willys-de-1944-carrosserie-duriez/ 

There is also a video of the jeep here (in French): https://www.facebook.com/jeepvillage/videos/1170152156865967

Here are some additional pics:

Duriez-1

duriez-jeep-village Duriez-2

 

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Originally posted Dec 14, 2014:  Marc found these vintage Duriez Ads from France. Duriez used the jeep platform (and other vehicles) to create more transportation options.

duriez-jeep-ads2-woodie-jeep

duriez-jeep-ads1

3. View all the information on eBay

duriez-jeep-ads2-woodie-jeep2

duriez-jeep-ads2

 
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Year? CJ-3A? Laurel, MT $3500

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3A, Features, Unusual • TAGS: , , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Jerry’s father is selling this jeep he found in Wyoming (contact Jerry via FB — https://www.facebook.com/groups/18657808157/permalink/10160120357838158).

Jerry was told this was one of about a hundred that were built by an unknown company. I looked through my archives, but could not find anything exactly like this one. Anyone ever seen one like this?

For all the work that was done to create it, it seems possible that more were made. Jerry indicates that the body is galvanized. The entire top is custom, along with the fenders, and it looks like the work is reasonably good. The doors are suicide doors. The hood looks like an original part. The cowl and dash may be original, but the dash has been modified. The fan shroud is galvanized with an old electric fan.

If forced to guess, I’d say if several hundred were built, that they were older jeeps that were stripped and rebuilt. If all like this one, they were designed for colder and wetter climates (permanent hood, perm dash, and a perm heater blower), so I could imagine these would have been constructed out of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, or Northern Idaho.

Another theory is that if several hundred built, maybe they weren’t all built the same? Maybe some were more custom than others or more creative than others? That might explain some of the odd designs that we’ve seen over the years out of the northern Intermountain West? My assumption had been these were all home built, but perhaps not?

year-cj3a-custom-jeep-laurel-mt5 year-cj3a-custom-jeep-laurel-mt6

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year-cj3a-custom-jeep-laurel-mt8 year-cj3a-custom-jeep-laurel-mt9year-cj3a-custom-jeep-laurel-mt7

year-cj3a-custom-jeep-laurel-mt2 year-cj3a-custom-jeep-laurel-mt3

 
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1942? MB? Aguilar, CO $2800

• CATEGORIES: MB, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Price dropped to $2800.

(07/03/2022) I feel like we’ve seen this one before? It certainly has unique mods.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/603880324702074

“Awesome restoration project rare jeep .tires gas and battery and will drive.”

1942-mb-aguilar-co1 1942-mb-aguilar-co2 1942-mb-aguilar-co3 1942-mb-aguilar-co4