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UPDATE II: There are more photos of the DJ-3A “mobile bar” in the February 1962 Jeep News.
This 1966 brochure for the Las Brisas resort included some pics of Surreys.
Here’s a DJ-5 with hubcaps.
We’ve seen this DJ-3A “mobile bar” featured in a photo from another angle.
This is the booklet’s cover. 
The January 1963 issue of Playthings Magazine included this neat Tonka ad. I tried to find a full issue of Playthings Magazine on eBay, but there weren’t any 1960s that I could find. I suspect this is probably a rare ad.
View all the information on eBay
Here’s another Las Brisas Menu from 1966. I have one from August of ’66. This one is from July.
“Date: July 30, 1966.
Restaurant: Las Brisas Hotel.
Location: Acapulco, Mexico.
Size when open: 14 x 23 inches – 3 panel card stock menu.
The World’s Only Hotel With Room Service By Jeep.”
View all the information on ebay
Charles spotted this Surrey-like jeep. It looks to me like an early, basic DJ-3A to which someone added some surrey trimmings. No price or description provided, other than the seller describes it as a “1953”, which would be three years before the first DJ was introduced. Still, it looks like a fun rig to drive around town. It’s for sale the weekend of May 12-14.
https://www.estatesales.net/TX/Valley-View/76272/1501800
UPDATE: Still Available.
(04/11/2017) This DJ-3A is actually a 1962 that sold in 1964. The trim ID indicates that it may have been a Surrey. Though it has an L-134, it’s a former industrial engine. The jeep has a few other modifications, including four wheel drive. Still, looks like a good price.
Re-posting as I was away for 2 weeks , 1964 3A flat-fender 4×4 Jeep last year of production, was used as a hunting Jeep, no rust in the body and well cared for. 134 stock motor , has new water pump, radiator, valve job. 60 amp alternator, 12 volt, starts on the first click ( started on first turn after just sitting two weeks) and runs very well. Has a rebuilt transmission and transfer case. Vintage 5 leaf Rancho 2 inch lift springs , 11″ bendix brake conversion ( stops on a dime) with rear axle parking brakes that work. has factory 3/4 -1/4 front seats, (was originally a column shift) vintage Ramsey PTO winch with front and rear pto output . all electrical and gauges work perfectly, including “gas gauges”, turn signals back up lights spedo and digital tac also , two gas tanks ( came with factory rear tank) is set up to tow and tows perfectly , has a rear tow receiver. Floating rear axle and has 4:88 gears. Roll bar, hubs and bikini top, has factory rear seat. All mechanical parts in great shape. Current registration so “Wild Willy” can be driven away… at 50 mph…ha.. $4,500 B/O Just a real rare stock great running Jeep. In person pickup and cash only.”
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/6081922285.html
Sylvia Porter was a financial guru of some renown in the 1960s. We think this might be an actual Gala from Las Brisas.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $15,000.
You can learn more about them on the CJ-3B Page: https://cj3b.info/Siblings/SurreyPepsi.html
UPDATE: Status Unknown. Was $24,500.
This refurbished surrey doesn’t have all the original surrey-like trimmings, but it does have several Surrey indicators, such as the dry type air filter and the footman loops on the fenders.
“1959 Willy’s DJ3A Surrey/Gala, VIN# – 5633716515, Mileage – 14,680. My guess is that this is the lowest mileage Surrey/Gala in existence. The original owner ordered this Willy’s new directly from the factory. After a long ownership, he passed away and his widow sold the Surrey to her dear friend. It appears that this sale occurred in 1997.
Soon after, The 2nd owner had a cosmetic restoration done to the vehicle including new blue paint and what I believe was an aftermarket seat and top kit sold back then by JC Witney. I still have this top. I first saw this auto online and became very interested after confirming that it was a Surrey/Gala. I purchased it sight unseen, had it shipped to me, and started on its mechanical restoration. I have now owned it for almost 4 years, driving her a couple times a week and,of course, keeping it garaged.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $9845.
(10/17/2013) “1957 Jeep Willys Manual Transmission, Good Upholstery, Excellent Tires, Runs Like a Champion…Don’t Miss it! 52,989Address: View our website: www.springvalleyautosales.net.
This pink surrey-like vehicle looks fun. A blue version of this same vehicle and same year sold for $27,500 at a Barret-Jackson auction.
“Gateway Classic Cars of Tampa is proud to offer this eye-catching 1974 Volkswagen Type 181… aka, the Volkswagen Thing. With looks somewhere between an Army Jeep and a Volkswagen Beetle, the Volkswagen Thing already stands out, but this particular example was built to look like the ultra-rare Acapulco Edition. These cars were built in very low numbers but they are instantly recognizable, and that Caribbean look is transferred to this 1974 Volkswagen Thing Acapulco Edition Tribute with a two-tone pink-and-white paint job, matching interior and the Surrey soft top. If a canvas roof isn’t quite your style, though, this car also comes with a full open-side hard top and removable roll bars. Powering this 1974 Volkswagen Thing is a rear-mounted 1,584-cc horizontally opposed and air-cooled four-cylinder, and this engine is backed by a four-speed manual gearbox. Drop the top, remove the doors and flip down the windshield, and this 1974 Volkswagen Thing is a perfect beach cruiser, parade vehicle or show car!”
View all the information on eBay
UPDATE: Sold for $46,750.
This 1960 DJ-3A Surrey will be auctioned in January of 2017 by Sotheby’s. The jeep is described as a “beautifully presented flawless restoration”. That statement is followed by a series of inaccurate statements regarding the history of DJ-3A, such as the DJ-3A was introduced in 1955 (nope 1956). You can see all the pics and information here:
As Colin pointed out to Sotheby’s, despite some great work on this, there are actually numerous flaws with this restoration:
UPDATE: This is a DJ turned into a Surrey. Still Available.
(07/20/2015) “Pink & White with 2 tops, open surrey and Bestop with doors,heater,original I-134 engine, seat belts,original turn signals.price is firm”
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/5866102923.html
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2200.
This might be the first DJ-5 “surrey” I’ve seen.
“1979 Jeep. Inline 4 cylinder engine with 3 speed automatic transmission. 2 wheel drive, right hand steering vehicle. The top & top frame are removable for a full open top. Tires have plenty of tread. This is a retired postal jeep DJ5, with lots of updates and it is fun to drive. It smokes a little when first started, needs the fuel gauge hooked up, and needs a passenger side seat-belt. Good Texas title. No trades. The price is FIRM at $2200 cash, don’t offer less, I won’t take a penny less than that. If you are not willing to pay that then don’t call.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $10,000.
Thanks to Craig for spotting this one. I don’t see the footman loops on the fenders nor the hubcaps. Otherwise looks good to me.
“1963 Jeep Willys Surrey Gala
Pink — just like the one Elvis had.
Just over 1,000 of this model was produced from 1959 — 1964. They were produced in pink, green, and blue.
2 wheel drive, 3 speed, odometer shows just over 22,000 miles.
Top, sides, and rear canvas and all hardware is present and in remarkable condition considering the age. Fringes on top are dry rotted from age.
Original motor.
Runs & drives.
New tires.
New master cylinder.
$10,000 OBO
Don’t waste my time or yours with low ball offers.”
This undated postcard is for sale on eBay. Note the wagon in the right lower corner. At first I thought that was a Parkway Conversion, but given the setup on the truck behind the wagon (the bend seats) I think this could be a Traveller. I’d have to guess this photo was taken in the early 1960s. It’s only photo I know of that shows a wagon at the Las Brisas Resort in Mexico.
The fact the wagon isn’t quite pink, kind of more purplish, might mean it didn’t belong to the resort, but just ferried visitors to/from it. Hertz Rentals did a similar thing by renting blue colored surrey-looking DJ-3As to visitors (see bottom of post).
View all the information on eBay
Back of card:
Hertz Rental Jeeps in Mexico:
I recently ordered a biography called Brandy: Our Man in Acapulco as part of some research into DJs at the Las Brisas Resort in Acapulco. I was surprised to see the cover included a color photo, one I’ve never seen, of nine DJ-5 surrey/galas in Las Brisas. There’s an entire chapter on Las Brisas, so I’m hoping for some good research information.
I’ve only gone through the book briefly, but the book credits Brandsetter with taking over Las Brisas in 1959 and turning it into the world’s top resort by 1972. They also claim Frank instituted the resort’s no tipping policy, but that policy was actually implemented by founder Juan March and existed for more than a year before Brandsetter entered the picture as evidenced in a Feb. 28, 1958 Milwaukee Sentinel article. There is an entire chapter devoted to Brandy and Las Brisas, so hopefully there will be some interesting tidbits and research vectors.
Article from 1958:
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $8000.
(03/01/2016) No pics provided.
“59 Gala Surrey 2wd Willys Jeep limited editionDJ-3A
a little over 1000 Surrey Gala Packages were produced, until 1965, 3 SPEED
has 24,000 original miles
has been stored for over 10years indoors and will need 160.00 gas tank and fresh fluids to get running properly
The willys has custom tan safari exterior and interior, have all soft window covers and soft panels.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay. $14,999.
Most of the pics are more of these ‘models’ rather than jeep.
“This showroom-fresh Willy’s Beach Car was the center piece of Johnson Jeep & Willy’s in Riverside, California, for many years. The speedometer shows 200 miles since it has been restored.
From the looks of the restoration, it was done by the Jeep Company many years ago, probably in the seventies.
It needed a new parking break cable when I bought it. I’ve installed “Quick Steer” that has made this a joy to drive with 1 finger.
These DJ 3A Willy’s are impossible to find in this condition. From the paperwork, this vehicle looks to have been a Las Brisas hotel Willy’s (Acapulco). I believe that Elvis Presley once owned a Willy’s just like this one, in coral and pink. He certainly drove one in a few of his movies I have seen.
The jeep is missing the top, but I have a re-manufactured original top-style frame for it. And I have located the material and fringe for the Surrey top. This will be the new steward’s job.
The Willy’s stops, starts and rides as it should.
Books and records from the seventies are yours if you are the buyer.
It definitely has some scratches and patina on it. Come see it if you’d like.”
UPDATE: Was $10,000. **Status Unknown**
(11/29/2015) Listed as a 1956, this very well could have been a Surrey, but not in 1956. For example, note the footman loops on the fenders.
“eep is a one of 1100 made it is called a surrey gala willys jeep dj-3a 2wd 3speed it is a 1959 we just got it running after being stored indoors for 13years the jeep is a safari color with the canopy and seats to match the engine does run well just some clean up new fluids and here and theres that are being done unless I sell at moment you can research these jeeps upon the name and the rarity of the 2wd it was shipped from Hawaii from the resorts they were used on vacations for people to drive as rentals or transport clients”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6500.
Looks like this is missing the front bumper and the front frame rails have twisted slightly. Based on the serial number I’d say this is a 1960 (56337 17492) if I am not mistaken.
“1961 surrey jeep original paint #s matching 1100 made I have original rims runs great and drives good . currently non op no rust have clear title there is not vary many of this left. ”
UPDATE: Originally published 12/13/2011
Bruce provided this research on Surreys and found a picture of this very rare Surrey. Of the DJ-5 Surrey he writes, Only 30 were built on what looks like the dj platform. It looks to be 2wd using the full ‘JEEP’ wheel cover, rear spare, steps, 60/40 seats up front & rear seat, daffodil yellow & white interior & candy striped yellow & white top w/fringe.
According to the Saskkatoon Star Phoenix June 17 1968: “For many years a familiar sight south of the border particularly at southern hotels & resorts, the ‘Jeep’ Surrey has been introduced to Canada, Kaiser Jeep of Canada Limited, Windsor, Ont has produced 30 for a special program. Painted daffodil yellow & white interior, its chief characteristic is a yellow & white candy striped fringe top. It can also be outfitted w/fully-enclosing convertible top for winter motoring.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $10,500
(10/11/2015) The DJ guys report this is a solid Surrey.
“Older restoration by previous owners.
No top, bows or hardware.
Minor mechanicals needed.
Sitting 10+ years.
Current non-op.
Runs, drives, everything works.
Very clean and complete body.
Minor scrapes and scratches.
Price is firm, see to appreciate, don’t waste my time and yours.”
Colin swears this isn’t him, but that surrey looks suspiciously similar to his. In his defense, I will say I’ve never seen him wear that red outfit to any FC Roundups, though it would match his Jeepster’s color. (see his Jeepster and Surrey here)
View all the information on ebay
UPDATE: This was on eBay. Looks like the ad was pulled.
This looks in reasonably good shape.
“This is a vintage 1950s pink jeep pedal car reminiscent of the Elvis jeep in Blue Hawaii. My guess is that this piece is rare. It is 41 inches long and 29 inches tall. There is some minor surface rust in a few places and some minor wear to the paint. The top needs to be cleaned and there are a couple either splits or little holes at the corners but not bad at all. It’s really an amazing piece. I would rather not ship but you can make arrangements to ship it or pick it up, whatever you prefer.”
