My passion for Jeeps began when I was a kid in Argentina and my father bought a 1943 Ford GPW. The first restoration work began when I was seven, and the magic happened! As an active member of the Asociación Argentina de Coleccionistas de Vehiculos Militares I participated in events aiming to preserve the history of these Jeeps. In 2013 I moved to Mexico City for work, and I looked for a new project to continue my passion. I was finally able to acquire a quite well preserved 1956 CJ-3B in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
The Jeep originally belonged to Mexico’s Secretaría de Salubridad y Asistencia (“Secretariat of Health and Assistance”), one of hundreds of vehicles used in a national campaign to fight paludismo (malaria), until in 1976 it was sold as surplus by the government. The Jeep was in pretty good condition but had been repainted, in the original Transport Yellow (later confirmed with the factory color found behind the dash.) Some missing original parts were the steering wheel, spare tire carrier, generator, horn, drawbar, tailgate chains, brake and clutch pedals, gauges, and radiator fan shroud.
In March 2016 I removed the first bolt. First I took hundreds of pictures of every detail, but today I would say it was not enough! I didn’t know how far I would go with that restoration. It ended up being a complete ground-up, to factory specs, five-year restoration project. Engine and frame were completed first. Axles, steering and brakes were next. I did the first rolling chassis drive in May 2019.
Body work was the hardest part and took too long. Most of the work was done at my father-in-law’s shop, until July 2020 when I decided to bring her home for the final assembly and detailed work. That’s actually when the fun part began. I exchanged tons of messages with good folks from around the world, asking for measurements and advice. This Jeep wouldn’t be like this without their help! And I know that I still need to complete a few more things (side steps, top bows, skid plate)
What’s next? Well, it is a never-ending process but I have two more projects to kick off, a 1948 Willys CJ-2A and a 1957 Willys CJ-5. But now I will not be alone. My five-year-old boy Martin is passionate about Jeeps too, so I am sure there will be more hands to help!
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Christián Podlesker
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!
you have created an absolutely beautiful CJ3B. you should be very proud, sir.
you have created an absolutely beautiful CJ3B. you should be very proud, sir.
You done a really nice job and have a really nice looking Jeep
You done a really nice job and have a really nice looking Jeep