"Willys" Jeep, Questions

Haven't posted for a while...

Currently fixing up my (new to me) 80 CJ5. Drive train and steering are (now) in good (read: safe) order. Need to do body work (remove cancer, sheet metal welding, etc.). But, enough about that.

Retired friend down the street called me up, seems a neighbor of ours is selling an older jeep and the friend wants us to possibly buy it together. Currently the seller is out of town, have no idea as to asking price.

The friend thinks we could pick it for a song and, (with my so-called experience, yea, right ;-}) fix it up and, maybe, sell for a proft. (Notice all the qualifiers). Took a look at it after work Friday...looks pretty darn good.

Appearance

1) It is a two seater, split bench seat with the spare tire mounted on the right side of the tub. Engine is a 4 cylinder.

2) The shackles are not the two piece variety, but, are what appears to be L (or C) shape round stock with greasable zerk (?) fittings. Looks original.

3) The front springs seems to be a factory spring reversal in that the main eye is in front, the "hangar" is in the rear. The rear springs appear to be a conventional set-up (Hangar to the rear, main eye to the front).

4) The tail gate has "Willys" embossed in it. It has "through the floor" pedals (as apposed to my '80 hanging on the fire wall), a "twin stick" transfer case, and the fuel tank filler is on the drivers side with what appears to be an underseat tank. No rear seat. Overall the body appears smaller than my '80.

5) Tub looks like the original paint...no evidence of rust through, rest looks solid.

Could this be some kind of former postal jeep...especially with the spring hangars and the "spring reversal" in the front? Any clues as to a year/other tell-tale signs to look for?

Thoughts, comments, facts...possibly some suggestions as to either value or somewhere to look (Jeep Traders?)

Thought it would be of some interest.

 

Re: "Wilys" Jeep, Questions

Round front fenders or flat? VIN number?

 

Round fenders, sorry. Tail lights are "inset". No VIN available at this time, the seller is out of town so I don't have an avenue to ask more detailed questions. These were some of my initial observations.

 

Re: "Wilys" Jeep, Questions

If it's a CJ5 the spring shackles ID it as an early one, factory original up to 1957 or so. Look for fake battery box on the cowl, small, clear glass turn signal lenses, speedo #'s from 1-8 on the early ones, 1-9 from about '57 on. A pic or two would help as far as condition and value.

 

Thanks. I'll take a gander with all your suggestions.

I'll see if my wife can take a few pics tonight and let you all see what this is.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

W3srl:

"Biscuit fenders, inset tail lights and shackle reversal sound like an M-38A1 to me."

"Is there a glove box on the dash right in front of the driver?"

Glove box is in front of the passenger. Does that make a difference?

I thought it was odd that the windshield wiper has an electic motor for the driver side, the passenger side is manual. Kinda neat looking. Oh, the rollbar is hooked into the floor behind the seats, and the rear attachment is actually bowed inward and attached to the rear floor pan as opposed to the top of the wheel well.

I'll be double checking based on your suggestions. Until teh owner gets back, we won't have a clear idea until we can ask.

I'll see if any of the pictures "remind me" of this vehicle. It would be kind of fun if it is this old (and, in what appears to be good shape).

 

Gonna turn a profit huh?
Good Luck!
You will be the 1st...........................R)
Donnie

 

Profit? Nah...don't know what I've been smoking (considering I don't smoke).

But, could be a fun little project assuming the right price. And, I do realize, that is a BIG assumption.

Thanks for the input.

 

front spring set up sounds like M38A1 chassis at least.

 

I'd keep that one and sell the 80 model just 'cause we need to save another '56 model jeep from the flaming hacksaws. My S/N is 57348 33390 it's '56.