Welcome to 2016. This is the 9th year of eWillys. Hopefully, once the book gets finished, which it will get finished, Ann and I will hit the road for more exciting adventures. We still have lots of things to see, people to meet and jeeps to drool over. I know for sure we’ll be in Utah in early June (my youngest son is graduating high school and wants us to take him to dinner. How can I resist that offer? We are also tentatively planning to go to the FC-Roundup in March. Over the past week I’ve been considering the possibility of exploring more of Nevada and southern Idaho for a couple reasons, but we also talked about trying to get to Europe. The latter idea may have to wait another year until we save some more money.

It amazes me that after 8 years and 35,500 posts that I can still find some unique content out there. I’ll keep turning over rocks until I run out of stories. Thanks for everyone’s support!!

Several folks shared this article published by Jalopnik. In 2013 during our drive through Michigan Brian had suggested we stop by Ron Hattner’s place, but we never did find it. Later on, we were surprised to learn that when he’s not working jeeps, he has a Wurlitzer organ he’s installing in his basement.

http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/meet-the-jeep-hoarder-who-saves-precious-history-from-r-1744110162

Ron Hattner’s FC-170 — Photo Credit: David Tracy

Originally published in 2008:

The Transcontinental Flatfender Tour website follows the refurbishment of a CJ-2A and CJ-3A and an ensuing trip across the US (they started July 15th and ended August 19th, 2007).

There are many pictures, stories of adventure, meet-ups with other jeepers, and a video history. Here is Paul and Evan’s story:

“Back in December of 2007, we (Paul and Evan) came up with the hairbrained idea of trying to do 2 complete frame-off restoration/builds on two 1948 Willys CJ-2A Jeeps with the intent of driving them from coast to coast on July 15th of 2008–just over 6 months later. Not really knowing how much work was really going to be involved, we started tearing them apart.

Well, just over 6 months later we’ve almost got them completed after many a long night of turning wrenches, and we’re readying to embark on the coast to coast trip.

VARIOUS STATS:

• 26 days-total road time
• 5,038 miles-total distance covered
• 14mpg-average fuel economy
• 45mph-average speed
• over $2000 in donations
• 5 days of mechanical breakdowns
• longest time broken down: 22hours in Georgetown, Kentucky (NOT 24!!)

list of parts replaced or broken while on tour:

• 2 omixada sideview mirrors
• 1 overdrive
• 1 second gear and synchro keyset
• 1 cruddy nat’s hat (health hazard)
• 1 16″ tube
• 1 134 headgasket
• 1 rear D44 pinon seal
• 1 speedomenter cable + housing
• 4lbs of grade 8 nuts and bolts/ other hardware
• 3 body mounts lost
• 1 battery box (fixed while on the trip is that broken?)
• 2 cooshy top bow cusions due to wind

number of times ran out of gas: 2 (Durango, Co & Moab, Ut both evan haha) (i ran out once in gordania, WV the first day and somehow coasted into the gas station)

number of other roadtrips like it: 0

THE ROUTE:

VIDEOS:

(I haven’t watched all of these, but one has a good look at a ’45 column CJ-2A in the process of being built)

DAY 1 Video:

Continue reading →

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $7500.

Dan spotted this wagon.

“I bought this wagon to be my winter driver but then found a ’89 Grand Wagoneer and decided to keep it instead. Tough decision. Over the years I have owned three other Utility Wagons and this one is a match to my favorite of those three. If not for money issues I’d keep it for sure.

Your magnet will love this rig: if there’s any rust I haven’t found it. The two-tone paint has been resprayed once. The white is fine; the gold is sunburnt. Front seats have been recovered; rear seats are factory. Overall the car is complete and pretty-much all original. Interior needs some tlc but it’s all there. Headliner is serviceable.

One owner for over fifty years. Purchased new here in Bend. I got it from his daughter and son-in-law who had intended to use it as a marketing tool for a business that never materialized. They spent a ton of money on it and then it sat. Zero miles on tie-rod ends, seals, radiator, carb, tires, brakes, and more. Glass is good. As I recall the mileage on the car is just over 100K.

Owner’s manual, service manual, clean title. The 230 OHC Tornado runs well. Fuel/vacuum pump leaks, charging system needs attention. I haven’t yet driven the Jeep but it’s very close to being streetable.

I’ll entertain cash offers but I will not give the car away. Try and find another one as original and unmolested as this….”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4500.

Includes a hardtop.

“For sale- 1946 CJ-2A Willys Jeep
Starts and drives great for a 70 year old jeep.
Motor was rebuilt in 2011, brakes and transmission work well. Lights, blinkers, brake lights and running lights work good. Licence plates good to 9/16. Tires are in good shape. Motor is strong and starts easy. Four wheel drive works(high and low). Planned to do a body off rebuild , just don’t have the time. Also has an aluminum top. Can send you pics if you want to see something or have a question. ”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $500.

Glenn spotted this possible parts opportunity.

“Have Two of these 19 48, 1950 Jeepster Parts or restoration project most of the parts are solid and just have surface rust, Asking $500 Or Best Offer, Will Have another add for the other Jeepster. Also have extra fender for either and other parts all parts should fit either jeep. Also as you can see in one of the photo Somebody did some frame work on it. ”

Next Updates on Sunday Morning.

UPDATE: Still Available

(07/01/2015) Doesn’t run at the moment.

“Classic Willlys CJ3b. F124 engine, 3 Speed transmission, 4 wheel drive (high and low) All are there.
What paint is the original blue.
Missing to drive is a fuel tank, and seats. I’ve had it running. I plan to add those to get it drivable.
I’ll update ad as things change.”

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/5318375287.html

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $11,900.

Has a colorful roof.

“1953 Willys 2WD wagon with a 3.8L V6 out of a 2001 Mustang donor car, Donor car had around 60,000 miles on it, Converted it to carbureted, Mustang 2 front end, Power rack, Power disk brakes in front and drums in back, Automatic OD transmission running off of a computer interface, Lokar tilt column, All new wiring and fuse box, New body mounts, Nicely detailed underneath, Aluminum Radiator, Electric fan, 8″ rear end, Aluminum gas tank, Dual exhaust, New tinted windows and rubber all the way around, Powder coated window trim, New tires on old alloy rims, Mexican blanket headliner, Rust has been taken care of, Nice straight body, ”