My dad purchased this 1962 Willys M38A1 from a friend of the family in the mid ‘70’s. He built the Jeep strictly for use out in the desert. He removed the windshield, added race buckets and a roll cage. Removed the tired 4 cylinder and transplanted a Buick 225 V6 odd fire from a Skylark, a Corvette 4 spd, kept the Dana 18 and added a posi to the rear Dana 44. He took it to San Felipe frequently in the 80’s and 90’s. His back gave out when I was a teenager and that was the end of the line for the Jeep… until I got ahold of it late last year. I gave it a tuneup, put the 35’s I had pull off my Dodge 3/4 ton, put a windshield back on it and cut the cage into a roll bar for street use. The photo was taken when my wife and I went exploring the local desert in the Imperial County of Southern California. That was the first time the Jeep had seen dirt is 26 years.
Willys Jeep Life Story – Nicholas Cason
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Hi Nick,
I am so glad that this jeep is still in the family. My uncle owned the jeep when the tree fell on it and I remember the work your Dad did to it to get it running.
Drive them jeeps!
NICK
MY RESPECTS FOR YOU
AND IF I OFFENDED YOUR WORK, MY APOLOGIES
I JUST WANT TO SHOW THE YOUNGEST
THAT IF THEY WANT TO TRANSFORM SOMETHING HISTORIC BETTER USE SOMETHING OF ORIENTAL ORIGIN.
IT IS MY THOUGHT AND FEELING ABOUT IT.
DRIVE A WILLYS IN ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION
IT IS LIFE FOR THE SOUL.
A HUG FOR YOU.
DRAGO
I actually submitted the pictures and story for the calendar. I was completely blown away that they turned it into an article. I am deeply greatful. My dad first got the Jeep when it was maybe 15 years old before everyone was restoring them. A tree had fallen on the front end and destroyed the hood and front fenders. Much of its originality was lost before my dad had it. He picked up the pieces and gave it life and purpose. He enjoyed it for many years and I have some fond memories as a child in it as well. Once his back gave out when I was a teenager, he started taking parts off of it to utilize on other jeeps of his. I decided to continue in what he did years ago and take it the next step. My dad had thrown away the windshield before I was ever a thought. Back then, it wasn’t a big deal. It is certainly a different story these days. The wheels and tires were also shot. It was cheaper for me to use the tires off of my dodge Cummins and to buy wheels that fit them. If I were to have put original sized wheels and tires, it would not have done the Jeep any justice for what my dad built all those years ago. If it was closer to being original I would certainly have kept it that way. At least this way, it is back in the road and people can see it. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I know my dad is proud of what I have done with it and I understand you thoughts on it.
Thank you,
Nick Cason
DEAR NICHOLAS
GOOD THE INTENTION TO SEEM A WILLY BUT, THOSE WHO REALLY LOVE
WILLYS IN ITS CONDITION AS CLOSER TOTHOSE YEARS,
AT LEAST MOTOR, TRANSMISSION AND ORIGINAL WHEELS, WE TRY TO RESPECT
THAT’S HISTORICAL THAT CAN STILL BE 100% OPERATIVE IN ANY COUNTRY OF THE WORLD AND BY ITS LOW CONSUMPTION, THEY ARE FRIENDLY WITH THE PLANET OUR NOBLE MACHINES.