Odd Body Research Archives

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1943 Modified GPW Bozeman, MT **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

Thanks to Roger Martin for sharing this unusual vehicle. The buy-it-now price on this highly modified GPW/truck is $14,995. I’m not clear how the seller arrived at the price, but the vehicle itself is a whimsical item that seems to need some work.

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“This is a very special vehicle I found a few months ago that came from a ranch in eastern Montana. Perhaps some handy rancher wanted a Jeep pickup before Jeep ever offered one. Perhaps he could not afford or justify the cost of one and decided to build one from a WW II Jeep, an extra WW II Jeep frame, an early Dodge pickup cab and the front of an as of yet unknown early steel pickup box.

This truck appears to have a chassis made out of a pair of WW II Jeep chassis that were cut off and butt welded together in the center to make a chassis that has a wheelbase just over 2 feet longer at 105-1/2”. That is 25-1/2″ longer than the stock WW II Jeep chassis that has an 80″ wheelbase. Someone then added a cab from a 1933 to early 1935 Dodge pickup or 1-1/2 ton truck so they would have some weather protection from the sometimes wild weather here in Montana.

What really impressed me about this truck the moment I first saw it is the amount of work some reasonably skilled craftsman went to to build a 4 wheel drive pickup out a tiny WW II Jeep. I have seen literally hundreds of WW II and later Jeeps in my life so far that have had cabs added to the original Jeep body but I have never seen one that had a pickup or truck cab installed on it like this truck has. Add to that the fact that the cab on this truck has the very attrractive backward opening “suicide” doors from the early 1930’s and one has a very special vehicle.

Not only was a completely different cab installed on this “stretched” Jeep chassis, but that cab was subjected to some very interesting modifications. The most obvious modification is the very special rounded cowl that adapted the cowl of the Dodge cab to the back of the flat Jeep cowl right bvehind the Jeep hood. I am very sure that that cowl adapter was not hand formed but I have not yet figured out what that specially formed piece of sheet metal may have been used on originally.

Please also notice the very significant fact that the as of yet unknown Jeep builder adapted a “V” windshield to the front of the Dodge cab that originally came with a flat whidshield. I have yet to figure out what vehicle that “V” windshield originally came in. Please help me here if you possibly can. Another modification to the Dodge truck cab would be the fact that it has a steel insert in the top of the roof rather than the original fabric roof that it came with when new. I have seen hundreds of Model A Ford and other similar vehicles from the 20’s and 30’s that had similar steel roofs installed when the original fabrick roofs went bad.
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1946 CJ-2A Lewistown, MT $3150

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

UPDATE: Still Available.

(03/17/2019) A 3B hood has been added to the 2A and a funky grille mod was installed to make it work. This looks to have a rare aluminum Worman hardtop.

https://montana.craigslist.org/cto/d/willys-jeep-cj2a-1946/6908876078.html

“1946 CJ2A Willys Jeep. Good running order. Has Studebaker Champion 6 cyl. flat head engine and full metal cab. Also have spare transmission and transfer case.”

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Year? CJ-2A Vail, AZ Make Offer

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

Here’s an odd one..

https://tucson.craigslist.org/pts/d/vail-1942-willeys-army-jeep/6887556898.html

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“One of those super projects I never got to. Moving out of country and getting rid of all worldly possessions. Help finance my journey to enlightenment. Complete jeep but rear half body modified. Drivetrain complete, chassis has rust and 4 cylinder engine turns free two years ago. It is a valuable resource for parts when restoring another similar jeep. Take time and part out part out making $$$. Lost interest when I realized it would be half the value when done because not stock. Make me an offer I can’t refuse. Hint: north of $500. Paid $1500 to transport from NY. Contact for additional info”

 

 
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Jeep w/Top in Europe

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

The writing on this photo indicates this jeep with a wood top was located in Europe. It was odd enough I thought I’d buy the photo, which was on eBay.

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1950 Wagon/Tender Grand Rapids, MI **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $25,900.

(03/12/2017) Cool build. It’s by far the nicest “Tender” build I’ve seen.

 

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For most of us the classic car world is about standing out with some attitude, and it doesn’t get more custom or unique than this. After all a 1950 Willys Jeep Pickup is already going to draw a crowd, but when it has been fully custom built with a new V8, overdrive transmission, upgraded suspension, custom interior, A/C, and much more, then you will always be the coolest custom everywhere you go.

The handsome, upright body says Jeep as loudly as any CJ, and it’s a familiar face the world over. But this icon is also instantly recognizable as a fully built classic. After all, a rare unibody pickup with an extended cab is a cool sight. Plus, it’s the purple and beige gives this nearly 70-year-old steel a healthy dose of modern luster and shine. The gloss does a great job of highlighting all the ribbed details that came in the panel stamping (they were originally for strength, but now just increase the cool factor.) The old and new world styles blend on the brightwork where the grille, trim, and bumpers combine nicely with the 15-inch Boyds alloy wheels and bright exhaust tips. Plus, the rear bed has both form and function with the color-matched tonneau, marine-grade carpet underneath, and bright LED taillights. In total, you can tell someone spent extra time and effort creating this cool Willys.

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CJ-2A Custom Body Clay, NY $1200

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

Maybe this project will interest someone.

https://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/d/clay-willys-jeep-cj2a-project/6889912340.html

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“CJ2A custom frame, boxed, sandblasted and in primer. Gear box moved forward, radiator repositioned, new springs, gas tank relocated under rear. Custom Stainless box, widened cowl and dash taking offers”

 

 
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Sportif-looking JeepRod Sand Canyon, TX **Status Unknown**

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

UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $2500.

(11/29/2018) This oddity reminded me of the Willys Sportif prototype (seen at bottom).

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Photo before paint:

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“This is a Rat Rod, bucket, vintage, or What every you want to call it, this is what it is.
This is a one of a kind never will you see this again.
It was built in 86 so I am to believe but I think it was built earlier as it appears to have pre- mig welder welds that look cool.
This was a full custom job when it was done and someone left it for dead.
This is a 41 Willy’s chassis.
(Registered as a 41) Continue reading

 
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1952 Custom Truck Amity, OR $6000

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

I’m pretty sure we’ve seen this one for sale in the past. It might be a fun rig.

https://salem.craigslist.org/cto/d/amity-1952-willys/6878593716.html

“I have a willys thats sitting on a wagon frame it has a 260v8. It runs drives good. Text for more details”

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1952 CJ-3A? Stockton, CA $2000

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

Not sure what this is supposed to look like when finished.

https://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/d/stockton-1952-jeep-willy/6875249898.html

“I have 1952 Jeep Willy 2×4 350 engine whait 3 speed transmission manual engine and trans no good I have different engine and Trany I no have time to work in no paperwork”

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A Couple Extended Jeeps

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

Roger Martin spotted both of these jeeps on Facebook.

The first one was describe by Jim Burrill as a British Jeep during Operation Veritable.

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The second jeep was posted by Norberto Boddy and was extended in the middle (CJ-2L-like). I tried to hunt down “Crescent Poultry Products”, but didn’t have any luck. The phone number seems strange, as it include an “L” in it; anyone recognize that phone number construction?

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1953 Stainless Flattie Biggs, CA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: stainless/jewels • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5000.

This is 2WD currently.

“All stainless Willys 5.3 vortec with mild cam, 4l60 2wd tranny with valve bodies. Have a stack og receipts for the engine swap. In it’s current shape its 2wd on drag slicks, perfect platform to make a one of a kind crawler”

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Photo of Lengthened WWII Jeep on eBay

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

This MB has been lengthened.

View all the information on eBay

“Offered is an original WWII time period photograph. The picture measures approximately 2″ x 2.25″. It belonged to a GI who served as a medic with the 1st BN Aid Station attached to the 1306th Engineer General Service Regiment under the 3rd Army.”

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1948 CJ-2A Latham, MO $2500

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

Looks like the 3B hood was added to allow room for the F-head. I suppose that’s one way to tackle the problem.

https://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/d/latham-1948-willys-jeep-project/6853427281.html

“Complete jeep with title. As is, hasn’t run in a few years .
2500$ OBO
It is located at the Latham Market.”

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1948 Popular Homecraft’s Wander Wagon Junior

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

UPDATE: The complete set of plans for the Wander Wagon is shown below. Previously, I’d only had the first part of the build scanned.

In 1948 Popular Homecraft Magazine did a two article series on the construction of a home built Jeep Station Wagon. The name for the custom wagon was the Wander Wagon Junior. The project was shared with readers over two issues, the 1948 Jan-Feb issue and the 1948 Mar-Apr issue. I was finally able to locate a copy of the Mar-Apr issue, so now the full build is shown below.

PART I: January-February 1948 issue:

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Year? CJ-2A Montrose, CO $12,500

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

UPDATE: Price dropped to $12,500.

(02/26/2018) The driver and passenger sides have been modified.

https://westslope.craigslist.org/cto/d/montrose-1946-willys-jeep/6850779882.html

“For sale: 1946 CJ2 Willys Jeep. Excellent hunting jeep Fully restored from frame up with approx 500mi usage. Has many extras for towing and hunting. 10″ brakes, lockout hubs both front and rear for towing and 4wd, roll bar, gun racks, HD winch, 12 volt system, drop down game rack in rear. Excellent ranch jeep. Garage kept..”

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1955 CJ-5 Sunapee, NH $6950

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

Travis shared this one. I’d guess, based on the large gas inlet, that this is an M-38 rear body melded to a CJ-5 cowl and front clip.

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/d/guild-1955-jeep-willys/6847226626.html

“New OEM tires(5). Engine runs great. Body solid, no rust, a few wear holes in floor.”

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1946 CJ-2A Wyoming, MI $2000

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

That body sure has some odd things going on.

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/d/wyoming-1946-willys-jeep-cj-2a/6845478402.html

“The Jeep is a 4 cylinder flat head with a 3 speed transmission. It is 4WD with high/low range. The engine runs pretty good the transmission, transfer case, and clutch all work. I have a couple of videos showing things running and working. It has newer front brakes and lines but they don’t seem to work. The rear brakes work. It has new spark plugs, battery, rebuilt carburetor, and an oil change. The frame seems to be actually quite good, it has great rims and tires and even a set of military ish rims and tires. I was hoping to make a military clone, but because of some body customization, it’s really not what I’m looking for. That said, it’s pretty darn cool. It will need a little more work to drive it on the street.”

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1952? CJ-5 Bellingham, WA $4000

• CATEGORIES: CJ5, M-38A1 • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still Available.

(09/26/2017) A factory bed conversion for a CJ-5? Anyone ever run across that? It’s listed as a 1952, but it has CJ-5 grille and body at the very least. Looks like a ventilating windshield, too (thanks Dave).

https://bellingham.craigslist.org/cto/d/bellingham-1952-jeep-willys/6837671885.html

“1952 Jeep Willys
Factory flatbed conversion in 1957
Professionally refurbished engine
Runs good”

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Wally Cohn — Jeep King?

• CATEGORIES: Features, Magazine, Old Images, Other 4x4s, Sedan-jeep, Unusual • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE 3: There are some broken links, so I’ll need to spend some time and clean up this post.

UPDATE 2: Daniel Strohl over at Hemmings provided a solid background update about Wally Cohn.

“Born in 1924 in Germany, his father and stepmother sent him to the Chicago area in 1937 both to live with family and to escape the increasingly anti-Semitic mood in Germany. After Kristallnacht, his older brother Herman, his father Siegfried, and his stepmother joined him in Chicago. Walter flew 30 missions for the U.S. Army Air Corps as a bombardier during the war, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Bronze Star and rising at least to the rank of Sergeant. After the war, he served as a member of the chief justice’s staff during the war crimes trials in Nuremberg, then returned to the United States and founded W&W Foreign Auto Parts in Blue Island, Illinois.”

UPDATE:  A reader named Clint just determined what type of vehicle Wally was using — A 1936-1940 Opel Olympia.  Here are two links to images:  Link 1 & Link 2. Thanks Clint!

ORIGINAL POST published in 2010:  I ran across the images shown below and others.  I didn’t think much of them until I looked more closely.  It appears the builder, who I assume is Wally Cohn, has merged a 1936-1940 Opel Olympia with a MB to create, arguably, the first Jeepster-like vehicle, except it is four wheel drive. The ‘Wally’ appears to use the entire jeep drive train.  If you look in back, you’ll even see this car can tow a trailer!

Who is Wally Cohn? I have no idea. I can’t seem to find anything about him, other than his name was Wally Cohn and he was nicknamed the Jeep King by photographer Walter Sanders.

Photographer Walter (Wally) Sanders worked for Life Magazine from 1944 to 1961. After growing up and leaving Germany for the US in 1937, he returned in early 1946 and lived the rest of his life in Europe, mostly in Munich. You can learn more about his biography here.

Because Walter was in Europe during December of 1946, and because these photos were snapped during that month, and because of Wally’s uniform (which Bob noted is an Army Airforce Uniform), I have concluded that Wally Cohn was a member of the armed services trying to merge cars and jeeps into a Wally vehicle of some kind (note the name Wally is displayed prominently on the dash in one of the pics).

This would be a great collector’s item — and a cool jeep too!

 
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1951 Franken-jeep Leeds, NY $1700

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

UPDATE: Still Available.

(01/18/2019) Runs.

https://catskills.craigslist.org/cto/d/leeds-1951-willys-jeep/6822523068.html

“51 Willy’s,4w drive, rat rod, custom built,could do more! Must see, runs great, clutch slips a little, needs attention, generator not included, could use a new battery,”

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1946 CJ-2A Auburn, CA $2900

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2900.

(02/14/2019) Looks rough. Interesting top.

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“1946 willy’s jeep with aluminum hardtop doors, sides & back. swapped out a 4 banger setup for a chevy v8. was fired up then stored from 91 until I bought it in 2017. I have not tried to start it up as I got other projects (37 chevy p/u’s). has lots of parts, top bows, grill, hood, tailgate, radiator & housing, new never installed gas tank, lots of misc. floor tin, windshield &2 frames, 2 dash’s, wow just to much to list”

 

 
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1960 Wagon Four Door Dayton, VA **Status Unknown**

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

UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was on ebay

(last listed on ebay in Jan 2015) “This is a custom, one-off Willy’s Jeep. It was made for Henry Kaiser, when he retired to Hawaii and became involved in tourism and land development. He had the custom pink long-wheelbase Willys wagon built for exploring the island. Kaiser’s wife loved pink and all of his construction equipment was painted pink, so that seems to be where the pink color for the Jeep came from. This can all be seen on the following web page, along with a photo (which is the black and white photo provided in the photos of the vehicle) of the Jeep in Hawaii : http://cj3b.info/Siblings/SurreyHawaii.html

We also have documentation from the Kaiser Jeep Corporation stating that this Jeep is an authentic one of a kind Jeep. Please only serious inquiries only and please do not try to convince us that we are wrong about it being a one of a kind, this is most definitely not a railroad Jeep. We know what we have and are willing to answer questions of those with serious inquiries about this vehicle.”

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The seller claims to have documentation to prove that this is the only four door limo-like wagon made. to Willys Country this wagon was once used as a limo for an airport. Whether there was only one built or remains an undocumented issue at this point. Is the wagon above the same one that’s in the photo below? Hard to say for sure.

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1950 CJ-3A? Aberdeen, WA $2000

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

I’m not sure what this is or was.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/d/hoquiam-willies-jeep-1950/6806355235.html

“1950 Willie’s Jeep serious inquiry only $2000 firm”

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1947 CJ-2A/Ford Bolivar, MO $2500

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

Roger shared this odd looking Jeep/Ford combo.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/910784532321724/permalink/2162978273769004/?sale_post_id=2162978273769004&ref=messenger_share

“Clear title. 3 ccy. Standard hasn’t ran in. 5 years. 4×4. Very very cool all original but top somone put a ford. Top it which. Makes it nice at times. Either way it’s. Cool old project. And. Don’t see any like this. ONLY TRADES be. Old muscle cars which means 74 or older”

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1953 CJ-3A Swamp Buggy Glades County, FL **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2500.

I’m digging this oddity.

“’53 Willys Jeep buggy is a 4 cylinder 4 speed manual transmission. Price is $2,500.”

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