My aunt left me in her will, her very humble country home that 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. Fenders 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, but 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 and said lets go with it. So thank you Wally. Love and miss you.
Such a sweet story. I’m restoring my dad’s ’48. He restored it in 1960 as a pseudo gala surry. Gotta love that tropical rose!
Cindy Way-
Please contact me regarding your Surrey. I am keeping a database on DJ3A Jeeps especially the Gala/Surrey models. I can be reached at : colins60vette@cox.net in Phoenix or at 602-810-1495.
Thanks,
Colin
1948 Willys Jeepster 463 75742
1960 Willys DJ3A Surrey 56337 19170
1960 Corvette 00867S1xxxxx