Wood bodies Research Archives

Generally, jeeps with wood bodies usually mean they are patched. However, wood was used in some fiberglass bodies for strength. But, there are a few exceptions to that rule.

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Photo of Unusual Hardtop for Radio Station Jeep on eBay

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

Marc spotted this odd hard top. I looked up the radio station and WXCG now broadcasts in New York State. I can’t tell where the photo was taken.

“Amateur photo negative. This is no print, just the negative.. The negative measures 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches.. I do great combined shipping !”

View all the information on ebay

odd-hardtop-wood-radio-station-mb

 
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V-7 Body Works out of Chicago

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

UPDATE II: I’ve added these two very rare photos from FB posted by Martin Sturm showing his grandmother next to a CJ-2A equipped with a V-7 Bodyworks hardtop.

v7-bodyworks-hardtop-photo1 v7-bodyworks-hardtop-photo2

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UPDATE: Thanks to Jennifer, the granddaughter of the creator Sam Sevin of the V-7 hardtops, we now know who created them. There are newspaper clippings that indicate the company operated for a short time, roughly from 1948-1949. The company was formed by Sam and his brother Sol Sevin. Unfortunately, it appears the company didn’t not get the orders they’d hoped and was forced out of business.

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Originally Posted April 28, 2013: V-7 Body Works in Chicago offered these two different woody tops, a half-top and a wagon model, for CJ-2As in 1948. I tired to find out more information the company, but had no luck.

1948-v7-bodyworks-halftops-brochure1
1948-v7-bodyworks-tops-brochure1

 
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Photo of WW2 Jeep with Wood Hardtop on eBay

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

Here’s an interesting photo. That looks like a home wooden hardtop. I can’t tell what the letters on the front of the windshield spell.

“Photo size is 4.5×2.75″ inches”

View all the information on eBay

3-people-vintage-jeep-wood-hardtop

 
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Wood Jeep on VW Chassis? Humboldt, TN **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Unusual, VEEP (VW Jeep), Scamp, Others, Wood bodies • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2500.

It runs, but is an odd duck.

“Looks like old army jeep vw engine trade for 4wheeler or something else maybe a small enclosed trailer .

custom-vw-jeep-humboldt-tn

 
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1949 Burleigh Woodie Wagon AD on eBay

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

Here’s another unusual London woodie. Note it is an improved model, suggesting Burleigh made others.

View all the information on eBay

1949-burleigh-woodie-wagon-london-ad

 
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Home Craft’s “Town & Country” Conversion

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

Robin just posted pictures from the June 1950 Issue of Home Craft’s “Town & Country” Jeep Conversion.  This was a two issue project.

He posted high resolution versions of this transformation on FLICKR.

Here are some of the images:

1950-06-homecraft-jeepster-conversion1-lores

1950-06-homecraft-jeepster-conversion2-lores

1950-06-homecraft-jeepster-conversion3-lores

 
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Feb 1948 Home Craft Magazine Wood Topped Jeep

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

I spotted the cover of the February 1948 issue of Home Craft Magazine here.  I’d like to find an issue to more closely examine the article and the plans.  I haven’t found an issue for sale yet.

1948-01-homecraft-wooden-top

 
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1943 “Woodie” Wagon Goldalming, Surrey, UK **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: This has been rebuilt. See this post.

Vince spotted this unique bit of jeep history. It is beautiful! For us history nuts the seller has included some helpful information, too.

“1943 Willys Jeep “Woodie” Stationwagon. Purchased by Willenhall Coachcraft in 1947 from Military surplus sale. Converted to current condition and sold to the Earl of Shewsbury in June 1948.

It was sold in 1961 to Victoria Garage in Stoke on Trent, who then sold it to a Harry Hughs of the same town and then it later changed hands to an AD Broom of Norwich, where it laid in a shed which then became derelict.

In late 2004, the jeep was finally discovered by Fred Smith, a very prominent and recognised Jeep collector, who sold it to the current owner for restoration in 2005.

It has undergone a very thorough restoration, including complete remanufacture of all woodwork, back to the exact specification matching the original condition it left Willenhall Coachcraft in 1948.

There were 95 conversions of this type carried out by Willenhall, and this is the last known example, making it extremely rare indeed.

All woodwork, engine, chassis and fabrication was carried out by the current owner. Paintwork by Andy House Body Repairs of Liphook, Hampshire. Chrome by SilvaBronz of Alton, Hampshire. Trim by Jeff Mussell and Son, Godalming, Surrey.

The jeep is being sold as new since being restored by myself. V5 present, taxed, MOT’d. Registered with the plate now on 125 YUP.

Included in the sale of this vehicle is as follows:
· Photographic history of restoration
· Buff logbook (dating back to first registration)
· Photography of original vehicle and Willenhall Coachcraft History by Archie Templeton-Dick, Historian.
More photos of the jeep and the restoration can be found on Universal Jeep Supplies’ facebook page.

The number plate, NRF 9 is not included with the sale but im offering this for £10,000 separately.”

 

 
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Unusual Wagon – Flattie Photograph

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

UPDATE: Was on eBay. **SOLD**

How about this unusual rig. It looks like it is part woody and part MB. There was no caption included.

 
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1959 Wagon Roanoke, VA **Status Unknown**

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

UPDATE: **Status unknown** Was $22,500.

(05/08/2012) I’d like a closer look at the dash and gauges.  Maybe the air ride doubles as an emergency/parking brake?

“0ne of a kind 1959 Jeep Willys wagon woodie rat rod / street rod. This is a show stopper. Gets A LOT of attention. May take partial trade with a lot of cash. Also would like to trade for nice pull behind camper 25-31 foot and cash. Here is a list of mods.

Top chopped 7 in.
Sectioned 6 in.
Wheelwells moved back 6 in.
rear of body widened 3 in at wheelwells
Channeled 7 in. with custom floor
Windshield lowered into cowl 3 in.
Modified factory grill shell
Body was custom painted to give that patina/weathered look.
Pinstriped by HIVOLTS out of Roanoke
sitting on air ride 1982 s-10 chassis
350 engine
12 gallon fuel cell
Flowmaster duel exhaust
Custom wood headliner
WWII style Bomber seats with 350 rivots per seat
Custom dash with s10 gauges
tilt wheels, Pioneer cd stereo”

 
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Letter about Woodie Tops by Station Wagons, Inc

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay

Here’s a rare letter that advertises woodie kits from Station Wagons, Inc, for CJ-2A and MB/GPW models.  This 2 page letter shows both a full and a half cab.  Below the two page letter is an example of an ad that appeared in Popular Mechanics.

Popular Mechanics Ad from the January 1948 issue of Popular Mechanics, pg 266.  This ad appeared in the February 1948 issue as well. I haven’t done a full accounting to determine how many other issues had the ad.

1948-february-popular-mechanics-wood-tops

 
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Alaskan WWII Hardtops

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

Here are four different custom hardtops built during WWII and used in Alaska:

1. From “Attu WWII Photos” comes this unusually designed hardtop.  I don’t think I’ve featured this previously (at least, if I did, I couldn’t find it).  (It turns out this and some other photos are at the CJ-3B ATTU Hardtop Page)

http://www.hlswilliwaw.com/aleutians/attu/html/attu-wwii-pg3.htm

2. From Flickr and www.throughtheireyes2.co.uk comes this odd hardtop.  The author of the throughtheireyes website collects photo albums from soldiers and publishes the photos.  He has some very good photos there.

3. Here’s one more hardtop from a 1944 expedition.

4.  Jimmy Stephens and his jeep with hardtop in Adak, Alaska.

http://stanstark.blogspot.com/2011/08/war-in-alaska-pieces-of-puzzle-fit.html

 
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Posters of CJ-2A with Wooden Top on eBay

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

Each of these posters is purchased separately from three separate eBay ads.  This unique top is not something I remember seeing.  Anyone know anything about it?

Poster 1 Side view ebay link

Poster 2 Front view ebay link

Poster 3 Rear view ebay link

 
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Wooden Jeep Project @ Woodworking.com

• CATEGORIES: Features, toys, Wood bodies This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s a ‘from scratch’ wooden jeep beautifully assembled.  Lots of nice detail work.

http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f13/wwii-military-jeep-trailer-35310/

 
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Wood Jeep from Etsy $375

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

UPDATE: I was a bit off on the price. The real price is $375 and shipping is $30 in the US.

I jumped onto Etsy today and did a ‘Willys’ search.  One of the things I spotted was this neat little jeep.

“Handmade Willy’s WWII Jeep. Made from Walnut, Cherry, and Maple wood. Lovingly hand cut, carved, and sanded with great attention to detail. Length – 10″ Height – 5 1/2″ Width – 5”

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90638154/jeep-willys-wwii-handmade-woodwork

 
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Wooden Jeep in Chateau in Europe (France I think)

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

I spotted this on Flickr.  I thought it was the same wooden jeep that was spotted in France here, but I think this is a different one (the jeep below only had 8 slots, while the one in the link above has 9 slots).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7430965@N05/4961130135/#DiscussPhoto

According to the photographer Spottedlaurel, “There was a ruined Chateau just outside the village near where we stayed, and in one of the beautifully refurbished buildings there was a museum full of life-size things made from wood. F1 car, tractor, motorbikes, all sorts of things. The bonnet lifted up on this to show a wooden engine inside.”

 
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WILLYS JEEP CJ-3A home made WOODY, flat fender, old car photo 4″ x 6″

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

Bidding starts at $1.99.

“Beautiful new professional print (4″ X 6”) from a old 35 mm slide (KODACHROME TRANSPARENCY, no date imprinted) of a WILLYS JEEP CJ-3A (I think) with a HOMEMADE WOODIE BODY . Neat looking Willys Jeep with a wooden enclosure over the driver/occupant compartment. Don’t know the year for sure. No idea where or when the picture was taken. Written on the slide is, “Feb 1952”. Much better than scan, crisp and clear. Any distortion or glare is from my digital camera. Ruler does not show up on actual photo.

Please note, my prints are not made from a home computer, as some have questioned, they are printed by “Denver Digital Imaging Center” a division of “The Slideprinter” in Denver, Colorado U.S.A. From their web site: “For 33 years The Slideprinter has set the standard in making prints from transparencies… We are still the experts at making beautiful prints from slides…”

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250975538622+

 
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Wooden Jeep on display in France

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

Alex forwarded this amazing wooden jeep replica from France.

 

 

 
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1948 CJ-2A Alberton, Mt **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1200.

It runs! The wood paneling is … different.

“1948 Willys Jeep for sale. Runs and drives good, but it does need some work. Comes with 4 new leaf springs and spare windsheild that does not have a wiper. Sold with bill of sale only, no title. $1200.00 OBO.”

 
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Unusual MB found on Flickr

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

Here’s an unusual MB that I spotted on Flickr. I don’t remember seeing it anywhere else (but sometimes my memory isn’t all that good!).

 
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More on this unusual CJ-?A/MB Wagon in Bali

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, International, Unusual, Willys Wagons, Wood bodies • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  Rudolf sent some additional pics of this rig. Steve gives a good analysis within the comments section.

Rudolf forwarded me this unusual CJ-?A/MB wagon.  Rudolf reports that this is titled a 1944 and was used for public transit in Bali.  Given the full floating rear end, the rearend might have been from a MB.  It reminded me of another vehicle with a similar wood rear end that is located in France  (see the red image below).

From France (CJ-3B Page, Offroadaction.ca)

 
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Really Cool Wooden Top from Iceland

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

Here’s a great shot of an unusual wooden hardtop for a CJ-2A.  The wood appears knotless, too.

And here is a link to the CJ-3B that sits right new to it.

 
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1948 CJ-2A Yakima, WA **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4200.

Can’t say I’ve seen anything quite like this mod.

“Classic 1948 Jeep CJ3A. Mostly original, including motor. 12V conversion, saginaw steering. Always garaged. 42,000 original miles. 3rd owner. No rust, never wrecked. You won’t find a cleaner original 1948 jeep.”

 
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Wooden Car

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

Tommy emailed me this unusual build (note it is a car and not a jeep or 4×4).  After a little searching, I found this on ebay as well. If you haven’t seen some of the wooden jeeps featured over the years on ewillys, check them out.  For a really fast wooden car, check out this supercar.

According to the email, it is a wooden body built in 2009.  “This custom wooden car rides on a 1986 Toyota truck frame and gets power from a Chrysler 318 engine.  It is driven by an automatic transmission and has merely 1,800 miles on its speedometer. The whole body is made of cedar and its interior is just as over-the-top as the exterior.”
You can see many more pics of this on ebay

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1946? CJ-2A Millsboro, De **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

(06/29/2010) The serial number of 130476 suggests this is a 1947 rather than a 1946.

“This is a ONE OF A KIND Vehicle.  Its a 1946 CJ-2A Willy Jeep.  It is tagged In Delaware as an antique vehicle.  The body is handmade wood.  It is the perfect vehicle for the beach.  V-6 with extra transfer case and extra transmission.  Tow bar so it can be towed behind your RV.  In and out Locking Hubs.  Sucicde Doors .  Clear Title.  Also log book of all work done and dates from original owner.  Selling for a friend.  Seller has the right to refuse sale and end auction at any time sitting for sale out side of residence.  This is One of a Kind vehicle.”

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