~ Sent to us by Christopher Moyer
Our relationship with our 1946 Willys CJ-2A began when I was a freshman in high school (I am now 84) and was in response to an ad in the paper offering it for $175. We snapped it up and began caring for a new family member. Until I could get my learners permit, all I could do was drive it up and down our long driveway.
Finally, at age 16 I took my drivers test, in the Jeep, with the windshield down and, of course, with no seat belts. In those days the examiner braced himself against the dashboard the whole time. For the next several years it endured a series of paint jobs ranging from brush-applied tractor paint to a ’56 Ford Spring Mist green. It was a fun ride during high school and college, then we decided to take it to our cottage in Michigan where it would serve us well on the back roads and dunes. After many years of parades and grandchildren rides, I decided it was time for a ground-up restoration with authentic color (Desert tan). Body-off and lots of new parts and it should be good for another 70 years. By the way, the spare tire is original from 1946.
- Christopher Moyer Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – If you would like to share your Willys Jeep Story please send us a line. We’d love to meet your Jeep.
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Chris,
Great story! It’s fun to learn alittle more about the Willys I’ve always admired driving around the cottage. Even more fun to get to ride in it a couple times. Hope to see you (and the Willys) again this Summer.
Maybe I’ll even get the story of my 1948 CJ2A in here sometime soon!
Barry
Congratulations.
I started driving my Dad’s ’48 2WD truck when I was 12-years old and I am still driving it today (I’m 79). It has been through three lifetimes and sat for 30 years, but after a frame off restoration,it is probably in the best shape it has been since it left the factory. It is still 6-volts, original hydraulic brakes but it got an F-134 about 1972 whan I could not find an L-head engine to replace the oil burner that I had gotten absolutely all of the good out of.
To the best of my figuring, it has about 260K miles, a lot of revolutions for that 5.38 rear end…
It goes to a museum when I finish with it – nobody in my family can drive it or maintain it.
Great story, great Jeep. I have the same one which can be seen earlier in the blog, same stock colors, love it also. I have redone the engine , 12 volt but otherwise stock.,Serial no 30988.
I purchased a 1947 CJ2A in March of 1976 as a ride to get me to and from my classes in college. It had 73,000 original miles when I bought it. I still own it and it has become an important part of our family history. I can’t imagine what life would have been like without “willy”. My children and grandchildren have had a lot of good times riding in it in the deserts and mountains of the intermountain west. My hat is off to those who own and take care of such an important part of U.S. history.
Bravo! So very pleased to read about your Jeep history! I am 81 and was with my parents when they bought our new 1946 CJ-2A, but I don’t remember it! My dear Mama taught me to drive in Jeep and I drove it through highschool and college and still have it and drive it in the summers here in Idaho, though I grew up in Missouri. Jeep got a bit of a break while I was gone to the military for 30 years, but drove it a bit. Jeep is completely stock and still 6 Volts. Last year I replaced the rubber part of the brake lines, just for caution. Jeep has been painted several times, but not since 1971 and it proudly displays fading and dents and scratches of the history of a work horse. Just this last summer it pulled overgrown shrubs for my neighbor and this winter the seat covers are being replaced. We did paint the wheels to the original red while the body is original yellow. The pets absolutely love riding in it. Best of luck to you and thanks for sharing your story.
Joe Stokes, Idaho Falls, Idaho