This is the Willys CJ-2A my dad bought in 1966 and used for 40 years to drive up and down a hill from his lake house to his boat dock. When my father passed away I decided to restore it in his memory and spent 2 years restoring it in my shop… to my wifes dismay. Here is a limerick my wife wrote in honor of my restoration.
He nicknamed the old CJ “Rusty”
Its fenders were all bent and rusty
The engine was hissing
Had lots of parts missing
And the rest was all oily and crusty.
It began an old Jeep at the lake
Many trips to the dock it did make
Didn’t get much attention
And was ugly… did I mention?
But it finally needed new brakes.
He asked if I’d help with that chore
Which I’d done many, many times before
When I pushed the brake pedal
My foot went through the metal
So he chose to put in a new floor.
He got online and let out a sigh
Cause the panels he found were so high
Said “the whole jeep is shoddy,
Think I’ll buy a new body”
That’s the day I knew I’d lost my guy.
Next day he said ” you know what honey?
If I’m going to spend that much money,
might as well just restore it”
And I tried to ignore it
I said “If you’re joking… it’s not funny”
And so for the next two long years
Willys Jeep would be all that I’d hear
Windshield, seats, body tubs
Wheels that have lockout hubs
The whole ordeal brought me to tears.
He’d work out in his shop until 9:00
When he came inside he’d go online
You may think that I’m silly
But I just hate E-Willys
That jeep consumes all of his time.
The gutter just keeps overflowing
And the yard still needs trimming and mowing
So many things to repair
It just isn’t fair
And his honey do list just keeps growing.
You say on your list I’m on top
But you’re not fooling me so just stop
I may be your wife
But the love of your life
Is sitting down there in your shop.
When I think that the end is in sight
He informs me that one day he might
Buy a Jeepster or Truck
So I wish him good luck
And with that I will bid you good night.
David’s little red jeep is still the love of his life. We are getting ready to load it up in September and take it to Kentucky for a Jeep meet and drive. He has since completely restored an M38A1 with an M100 trailer for me, and is absolutely eat up with the Jeep fever. We buy old jeeps for a hobby, and if the motor turns over, my husband can get it running… he’s a wizard when it comes to those old jeeps. If it’s frozen, we take them apart and sell the pieces at Jeep shows across the country. We have had a great deal of fun doing this as well as meeting some of the nicest people on the planet at these shows. Have a great day and happy jeeping!