My aunt left to me in her Will, her very humble country home. It sets on one acre that had many junk vehicles, but also had this jeep (the same one I learned my first curse word in as a young girl… for grinding the gears). It had been setting in a field with the hood off, tires gone (hubcaps still on the wheels), carburetor exposed to the elements, spark plugs swollen into the heads. The fenders were in disarray, seats with springs and straw. Ironically most of the original parts were in or around the Jeep. Cleaning the property we had two or three of the junk cars crushed and a friend suggested the same thing with the Jeep. My son in law (Wally) who had just been diagnosed with cancer came to my husband and told him that it is not just a jeep but it is a Willys, and he thought it could be restored for not too much money. He also thought it would be a great surprise Christmas gift for me. My husband looking into his eyes knowing the restoration would take his mind off of his illness said lets go with it. So thank you Wally. Love and miss you!
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Does a body and heart good to see and feel the sacrifice and labor that went into your restoration. We all know it is not an easy undertaking. Well worth the effort. Thank you for sharing the story. Who says these old Willys have no soul!
I to have a Surrey SN 56337 21560 that I purchased from Tonka Corp.
Also Jeepster #463 66725, 41 MB # 100271 & MB 102460, CJ3B #10025
Not too many stories bring tears to my eyes. This one did. God bless.
Very NEAT of all you people that show your Jeeps. I remember seeing pictures of these jeeps (Surries?) on magazine adds for Rentals in Hawaii, maybe the same Motel Chain mentioned above.
A song, Surrie with the Fringe on Top? maybe not a Jeep.
Think I’ll paint mine Blue though. 🙂
Hi Sorry to hear about the cancer. I too had prostate cancer and they think they got it all. Great willys you have . Tell Wally to hang in there and good luck
Bob
Great Job Wally! I’ve seen this style Willys in some 1960’s films like James Coburn “In Like Flint” film or
Dean Martin “Matt Helm” movie. Perfect for a ride down the beach but not Normandy Beach! Or tooling
around the Country Club! -SG
Looking for the e-brake handle that is pictured above in the dash of the old Jeep. The T handle sticking out to the right of the speedo. If anyone knows where I could get one I’d appreciate it.
1960’s Acapulco Las Brisas Hilton Hotel had their rental jeeps in the same color scheme as yours, riding around all over town and the beaches.!!
Just dated myself …. but your Willy’s brought back vacation memories of my early childhood, very distinctive and recognized a mile away with that pink and white combo. Thanks … check it out on the net..!
Hello,
I am wondering how I could find out if a have a surrey or just a normal DJ3A. . I am in the process of restoring the jeep. I am wondering how I could make my willys column shift work. I believe some of the components are on the jeep.
Thanks!!
I have had three folks contact me with information about their own Surreys since this blog came out, each of them previously unknown to me. Unfortunately, Cindy has not contacted me. I would like to add that Surrey to our database. If you happen to read this Cindy, I would like to hear from you.
Colin
Very nice story, Cindy. Although this is not “my kind of Jeep”, it certainly looks to be nicely done, and is a labor of love. Enjoy it for all it’s worth – you have something to be proud of there. Merry Christmas.
Everybody has a Wally. What a nice person to go the extra mile for someone he evidently cared about! What a beautiful vehicle! I have several jeeps in my old barn I currently working on to get them road worthy! This jeep that you’ve had restored would be nice as a family heirloom to be handed down. Would be nice to see a little engraved plate that says “Lovingly Restore by Wally” A very nice story and Thanks for Sharing!
Cindy Way, please contact me as I am keeping a database on DJ3A jeeps and especially the Surreys. I would like to include yours along with its history in my database. These are among the rarest Willys Jeeps with about 1100 produced between late 1959 and the end of 1964.
My email is : colins60vette@cox.net
Colin Peabody
1948 Willys Jeepster 463-75742
1960 Willys DJ3a Surrey 56337 19170
If anyone else is reading this and you have a Dj3A in their various configurations including the Gala/Surrey models, please get in touch with me.
Thanks!