I found the Jeep on Facebook Marketplace in April of this year in Cocoa, FL. It checked a lot of boxes for me eg. old Willys, rust free great color for driving around my home on Oak Island, NC so I rented a trailer and went down to buy it.
It barely ran. You had to keep the engine running at 3000 RPM or it would stall but everything worked e.g horn, map light, windshield wipers and it was completely rust free. The previous owner said it had an incorrect carburetor and handed me a box from Kaiser Willys with a correct rebuilt carburetor.
The previous owner also told me a story about the Jeep having been in the Italian Army and purchased at surplus by a family in Milan that had it restored at a Rolls Royce dealership. Sure enough it has a tag riveted to the block with the name of an Italian Automotive Company AND the 4WD instructions are on a brass plate on the glove box in ITALIAN!
Back home we replaced the carb and adjusted the timing. We put in good gas and ran some product through it hoping to blow some carbon out. A compression test showed 90, 80, 60, and 90# … the War Department Technical Manual that came with it said 130# is specified – oops! I knew at that point that I was living on borrowed time unless by some miracle the rings were the problem and they came unstuck.
We upgraded to a Kaiser Willys electronic distributor, replaced the master cylinder which was leaking and the starter which quit working. And then the engine lost power, started knocking and would not restart. The motor is out with a shop in Fayetteville, NC right now and I am cleaning up all accessories and the engine bay while I look forward to the return of the motor confident that all parts for the rebuild are available at Kaiser Willys. I would get a better picture but alas my Jeep does not presently leave the garage!
The previous owner mailed the import documents to me which included the name and contact information of the Italian owner who imported the Jeep to Miami when he moved there in 2003, I have contacted him and he verified the above story.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Phil Dudley
If you would like to share your Willys Jeep Story please send us a line. We’d love to meet your Jeep.
Like Us. Facebook
Looking for, Willys Jeep Parts, Willys Jeep replacement parts, Willys Jeep body parts and much more for your 1941-1971 Willys vehicle, you have come to the right place!
Hi, I’m Peter from Germany and last week I purchased a 1942 Ford GPW also in Italy. I know nothing about the history of the car, the seller told me that is is also from the Italian army, which I somehow doubt as in 1942 Italy was allied with Germany. My Ford doesn’t have the Italian plate on the engine block, and although the brass plaques on the glovebox lid are missing the shapes of the American plaques are clearly visible.
Great Story! I spent a lot of time on Oak Island when I worked at MOTSU. Miss the place!!!
I got a practically brand new L type flat head 1952 Willy’s eng sitting in a Hobart welder l came into possession of my number is 724-302-5131 if you or anyone else is interested
Fortunatissima Jeep ritornata in America!!!! Il carburatore migliore da usare è il Solex C32PBIC,ne vendono anche nuovi ma è tutta porcheria prodotta in Asia. Il meglio sarebbe trovarne uno usato e revisionarlo ,io ho fatto così per la mia M38 del 1952 che aveva il demoniaco (evil) Caeter YS. Se la vostra Jeep ha il carburatore Solex i ricambi si acquistano in Francia da Jeepest oppure Jeepsudest. Saluti a tutti dalla Padania Nord Italien.
That’s one of the most unusual stories I’ve heard on this website. I would never have thought that shade of blue would look good on a Jeep but I like it. And a white top too. It reminds me of the Jeeps of the ’60s that had the striped Surrey top with fringe. It looks great!
Phil, Hang in there. I truly understand your concerns and challenges. It just takes time. My 68 CJ5 is forthcoming and ten years of restoration effort by now deceased people. God bless their souls including my father. I had hoped to complete the restoration before he passed to the land in which no man returns. I am dedicated to get it done in his honor. He bought the Jeep in 1973. Got my driver’s license in it 1977. I promised my Dad I would restore, I failed to get it done before his death. I am setting up a trust with funds to keep our 68 in the family. At this point not sure who as my children just to not get the commitment or attachment. It is not about the money but the legacy. Screw everyone else. 1945 brother is well worth the effort. Good luck. Mark L. Paddack, Ocean City, Maryland
Phil,
Sometimes just the valves needed lapping to restore compression todays fuels are not that friendly to the older engineering of the engines. As far as the carburetor goes Louis Larson of willys of Minneapolis completely restores the WO carburetors, both civilian and military waterproof.
Dave Jones & Sasha
I especially like the bumper sticker. Nice touch !!