One day a while back I got an email from a new reader named Jan. She spotted a CJ-5 sitting in a field for $500 and had a question about the VIN# and the model.  We solved the VIN question and then I learned more about how Jan acquired this Jeep.

Jan wrote, “I really didn’t buy it, just offered to get it off his farm. He had a sign on it for $500.00 or best offer. All my friends are laughing at me and indicating it’s the uglist thing they ever saw…… but I fell in love with it!”

After bartering for the Jeep, Jan managed to sell the plow locally, which meant she was actually up a few hundred dollars.  However, the body was so bad she knew she had to replace it, so she located a fiberglass tub for cheap in Indiana.  She has also found a local mechanic that verified the frame was in good condition and the engine should restore easily.  So, hopefully, next spring Jan will be driving around in a “free” jeep.  Congrats Jan!

Here’s is the jeep with the top removed.

And here is the ‘new’ fiberglass body