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55 cj 5

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by ethansen, Dec 17, 2004.

  1. Dec 17, 2004
    ethansen

    ethansen Thor

    Littleton, Colorado
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2004
    Messages:
    24
    I just found a very early 55 cj 5. The Jeep is complete except for the seats. It is in original condition with the only rust being in the passenger floor. It has all the original running gear, untouched dash, and all the little pieces are there! What would a Jeep this early be worth?
     
  2. Dec 17, 2004
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    does it run?
    is it driveable?
    do the brakes work?
    e-guess $500-$2000
    and that depends on condition
     
  3. Dec 17, 2004
    michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    Clarkston MI...
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2003
    Messages:
    605
    Is this a behind the barn special? Start at $350 (you can always go up but not down). Assume nothing works until seller proves otherwise. It may be a pile of rust to the owner.

    I bought a '75 Nova (college car) for $250 this way. Been sittin at the neighbors for a year --foot of snow on it. He said it ran when parked. It was Christmas too! He took the cash!

    Yeah, the Nova "dog tracked" Don't they all?? :rofl:
     
  4. Dec 17, 2004
    duke54

    duke54 Member

    JACKMAN MAINE
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2003
    Messages:
    319
    To me a lot, but it sounds like tou have a good start to restore it if the price is right.One question does it have the speedometer hole cut out in the center of the steering wheel or is it off to right side?
     
  5. Dec 18, 2004
    Kodiak12060

    Kodiak12060 Sponsor

    Beacon NY
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2002
    Messages:
    465
    What's the serial number? There was always rumor the that the earliest CJ5's had Willys on the side, not Jeep.
     
  6. Dec 18, 2004
    duke54

    duke54 Member

    JACKMAN MAINE
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2003
    Messages:
    319
    I didn't know that ,Realy :?
     
  7. Dec 18, 2004
    speedbuggy

    speedbuggy Looking for a Jeep now

    Living the Good...
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2004
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    1,270
    If it runs good and moves, it's worth what ever YOUR comfort level is. If it is a project that needs a whole bunch of work, it's not worth much at all. Start at $200 and go from there...
     
  8. Dec 18, 2004
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    To me it'd be worth whatever I had to pay if I wanted it bad enough. Did the early 5s have the Jeep in script on the front of the tool box like flatfenders? Anyone know? I wonder if that is the rumor Kodiak refers to. Hmmm.
     
  9. Dec 18, 2004
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
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    8,102
    Tonka is #378 off the line & he sez "JEEP" on the side. No script on the tool box either.

    H.
     
  10. Dec 19, 2004
    Kodiak12060

    Kodiak12060 Sponsor

    Beacon NY
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2002
    Messages:
    465
    The first 150 CJ2A's are different than the rest. There are no frewall tags, the lightswitch was different, the rear bow bracket has two holes in it that no one knows a reason for, the tailgate wasn't stamped w/ a number. The earliest 2A's also used military solid disc rims and had brass passengers seat brackets. They used square washers on either side of the stamped Willys on the windshield. Some of the engines used on the earliest 2A's were WWll rejects that were reworked. I'd love to find a very early CJ5. I have that first year thing going w/ the MB, CJ2A and CJ3B.
     
  11. Dec 19, 2004
    181jeep

    181jeep Banned

    central valley, ca
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2004
    Messages:
    376
    My '55 is #57548-16011. Came with shackles on the back of the front spring. I believe that was only done on '55 cj's. Says jeep on the side.

    JB
     
  12. Dec 19, 2004
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    From the FAQ:
     
  13. Dec 19, 2004
    ethansen

    ethansen Thor

    Littleton, Colorado
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2004
    Messages:
    24
    the speedo is off to the right, it has "JEEP" on the side and "WILLYS" on the tailgate. I have to re-check the serial, but if I remember right it was in the real low 27000's.
     
  14. Dec 19, 2004
    ethansen

    ethansen Thor

    Littleton, Colorado
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2004
    Messages:
    24
    It does have the shackle reversal on it too.
     
  15. Dec 20, 2004
    Kodiak12060

    Kodiak12060 Sponsor

    Beacon NY
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2002
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    465
    The speedo should read Willys also
     
  16. Jan 1, 2005
    Theodore

    Theodore Stumpcrusher

    Seattle, WA
    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2003
    Messages:
    12
    Even if it is a junker I would buy it for cheap just to keep the impossible parts from being lost forever and use it as a donor / recoup other costs via e-bay/here/willystech.

    My '55: jeep on the side, no script on the toolbox, willys speedo, reversed shackles.
     
  17. Jan 3, 2005
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    I agree with Theodore, be a shame to get lost. It would be nice to know the outcome of this episode. ;) :hurrican:
     
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