I discovered recently that an eWillys’ reader named Bob has created an ongoing photo essay on junked cars from America’s past called Broken Down Heroes. For me, the black and while photos capture a sadness, a silence of vehicles trapped and forgotten as trees, bushes and grass slowly overtake and swallow them whole. Great work! Here’s a couple photos.
Builds: Chris’ Great Grandfather’s Jeep
Chris is a 15 year old who wrote to me last week about a wiring question. Since then, he and I have been working through some wiring and brake drum issues. Here’s a little bit about his jeep and some pics.
Chris writes, “It’s a 1947 cj2a mostly stock, with a few mods. It’s got the stock engine and 6 volt wiring (I want to update it to 12 volt). I got it last summer from my grandpa down in oregon. He had picked it up in a field in Idaho (I think Emmet). Thats supposedly where my great grandapa had parked it after he used it on his cattle ranch since it was new. It sat there for about 20 to 25 years. At some point somebody took all of the brake lines, the master cylinder, and the brake pedal (but my grandpa found me a new pedal). The picture of the engine is when i dropped the transmission to put in a new cluch fork (you can see the old one on the radiator).”
Website: Classic Military Automotive
Here’s a recently launched website that focuses on military vehicles called Classic Military Automotive. The site also has a classified section.
According to the website, “Classic Military Automotive specializes in the sales, restoration and maintenance of 1941 to 1954 military jeeps and light weight trucks. We are located in the Sonoma County Wine Country of the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Our customer base is primarily in California though we have sold vehicles to customers from all over the USA and abroad. We are experienced in complete frame-off restoration down to minor maintenance. If you have any questions, or other needs, don’t hesitate to e-mail us at gpajeep@yahoo.com or call Terry at (707) 542-4353.”
1943 GPW Santa Rosa, CA **SOLD**
“Fully restored Ford GPW Jeep. Delivery date 2-11-43 from original data plates. New Motor with 63 miles on it. Everything rebuilt. Reproduction body tub with many F-marked (Ford) parts. 7.00 x 16 tires on CJ rims. Parade/combat ready. $20,500 or best reasonable offer. “
Very unusual Flat Fender Ottawa, Ontario, Canada **Status Unknown**
UPDATE: The status of this is unknown.
This is an extremely unusual flattie. The seller provides a great deal of info about it. It’s been featured in various magazines.
“1946 “Willys” Jeep CJ-2. The “Jeepilac” as it is known (Jeep with a Cadillac engine) was professionally built by Johnson Welding Works. They are a local shop and are very well known in the area for building high quality street rods using top quality parts with attention to detail and safety. It has 2,700 miles since the build …. ”
This vehicle was also featured in the movie “Smash Cut“.
1945 MB Phoenix, Az $3000
UPDATE: Price increased to $3000
It almost looks like it has a tailgate. I can’t quite tell.
“Original 1945 Willys jeep with new battery,Ignition switch,Rear Gears,Roll bar and original front and back seats! Clean Arizona Title,Street legal,Updated motor but runs like th original and 3 gear tranny 4×4, Pictures are of the actual jeep call or email me anytime (520)518-2122”
1947 CJ-2A Littleton, CO **SOLD**
Robert found this jeep for sale. Someone’s put a great deal of time and money into this rig.
“1947 Willys Jeep CJ2A – Completely Restored. Upgrades include: Rebuilt L-Head motor -500 miles, Dana 44 rear & Dana 30 front axles, both with Detroit Lockers & 5.38 gears, disk brakes in front, 11” drums in rear. Rancho suspension leaf springs & shocks, Stewart Warner gauges, 12 volt electrical system, Custom roll cage & rear bumper with swing away spare tire carrier. Everything new.”
1948 CJ-2A Penacook, NH **SOLD**
UPDATE: Last listed price was $3950
Except for missing a tail light, this jeep looks pretty darn original.
“I have a 1948 willys cj2a in real good shape for the year, 6 volt system starts and runs great and everything works.”
Year Specific MB & GPW Sites
I found a website called 1943MB.com the other day and thought that it had some useful information. I didn’t realize it until now, but there’s a list of similar sites. While they look similar, they appear to have at least some different information (I didn’t investigate too closely). For example, the 1941MB.com site has a link to a slat grille rebuild.
- http://www.1941mb.com
- http://www.1942MB.com
- http://www.1943MB.com
- http://www.1944MB.com
- http://www.1945MB.com
- http://www.1942GPW.com
- http://www.1943GPW.com
- http://www.1944GPW.com
- http://www.1945GPW.com
One cool feature is the Napa Online Website Link for parts. Here’s a snapshot of it below.
1954 CJ-3B Missoula, MT **SOLD**
This appears in good shape.
“The Universal Jeep CJ3B was introduced as a 1953 Model by Willys-Overland, the company which had produced some 360,000 Jeeps during World War 2, and almost as many civilian Jeeps (CJ”s) in the seven years since the war. This particular one is a 1954 Model in very good original condition with the original F-head “Hurricane” 4 cylinder engine. …. This Jeep in all original except for the roll bar and wheels. It has never been modified, still has 6 volt system, original seats etc. and is very solid, no rust holes of any size. Runs and drives great with new tune up, new battery, new rebuilt brake master cylinder and new windshield.. This is a very desirable collectors item that is an easy restoration or usable as it is in original condition. Jeep was dark green from factory but was painted white years ago. Jeep is being sold with clear Montana title. Other Jeeps and cars for sale alpinemotors.org ”











