When I was about 6, I remember my father setting me on his lap to steer through the field as my older brothers loaded hay onto the wagon that was hooked to the Jeep. My older brothers actually took drivers tests and I was taught how to drive a stick shift in the old Jeep. That was in the early 80’s and the Jeep was soon replaced as a daily driver by a more road friendly vehicle for the family. Parked and neglected for 30 years I finally convinced my father to sell me the old Jeep so I could have it restored. After another 6-8 years and several starts and stops in the process it is finally finished. Completely original and a complete frame off restoration. In loving memory of my father Matthew “Delbert” Shelton who sadly did not get to see the final product or ride nor drive it one last time the Jeep now is proudly referred to as “Delbert”.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Aaron Shelton
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What an tribute to your Dad!
What an tribute to your Dad!
Aaron,
Wow, what a beautifully restored rig, very nice, and in memory of your Dad. It looks fabulous, very nice job!!
He knows, and I bet he is smiling with pride at your rebuild!
Aaron,
Wow, what a beautifully restored rig, very nice, and in memory of your Dad. It looks fabulous, very nice job!!
He knows, and I bet he is smiling with pride at your rebuild!
Old trucks and connections to them are powerful.
Really enjoyed your story!!
Old trucks and connections to them are powerful.
Really enjoyed your story!!
GREAT looking truck
Can you post more pictures and
some of the build pictures??
I am hoping one day mine will look something like that (hopefuly)
GREAT looking truck
Can you post more pictures and
some of the build pictures??
I am hoping one day mine will look something like that (hopefuly)
Nice!
Nice!
Very Nice
can you also send pictures of the inside a the rebuild process?????
Very Nice
can you also send pictures of the inside a the rebuild process?????
Aaron, A beautiful restoration and tribute. What model year is your Jeep? I have a ’61 pick-up but it doesn’t look like yours!
Aaron, A beautiful restoration and tribute. What model year is your Jeep? I have a ’61 pick-up but it doesn’t look like yours!
what a wonderful piece of work and love, i enjoy that beautiful jeep!
i cherish your honoring of your father, it is remaining testimoniAl for many years to come and Debert lives on in it.
Greetings from Switzerland and a merry christmas time to you!
Christian
what a wonderful piece of work and love, i enjoy that beautiful jeep!
i cherish your honoring of your father, it is remaining testimoniAl for many years to come and Debert lives on in it.
Greetings from Switzerland and a merry christmas time to you!
Christian
The real Jeeps forever!
The real Jeeps forever!
I just bought a 1951 WILLY’S
Was a snowplow truck for many years. The floor is rusted out of it. No 4 WHEEL DRIVE emblems on the hood. Has some dents and rips on the fenders. I am going to get it running and stopping.
I just bought a 1951 WILLY’S
Was a snowplow truck for many years. The floor is rusted out of it. No 4 WHEEL DRIVE emblems on the hood. Has some dents and rips on the fenders. I am going to get it running and stopping.
All,
Thank you for the kind comments. While I cannot take credit for the restoration I can take credit for paying for the restoration, lol. I did have to do some additional work post restoration as the shop on the west coast that did the work was not the expert I was lead to believe.
To answer some of the questions:
It is a 1962. I am not sure how to post more photos here. If anyone knows I would be glad to share. The interior is completely restored to original as closely as possible anyway, all green just as it was from the factory. One of the things I had to replace was the instrument cluster. Today’s aftermarket clusters do not match the originals in form or function but unless you have an original the aftermarket ones are all that are available. I did add an overdrive which was available as an option back in the day which brings the stick count to four. Intimidating for those not in the know and possibly somewhat of a theft deterrent.
There are photos of the build process on the west coast shops web page but I would recommend finding a local shop that you can work with closely to monitor the process at each stage of the build. In my case it was very difficult to see the quality of work being shown in the pictures being sent and at more than 2000 miles away regular visits were out of the question.
Thanks again for the kind comments and to anyone hoping to restore one of these real Jeeps don’t give up. Save and work on it as time an money allow, you will not be disappointed.
All,
Thank you for the kind comments. While I cannot take credit for the restoration I can take credit for paying for the restoration, lol. I did have to do some additional work post restoration as the shop on the west coast that did the work was not the expert I was lead to believe.
To answer some of the questions:
It is a 1962. I am not sure how to post more photos here. If anyone knows I would be glad to share. The interior is completely restored to original as closely as possible anyway, all green just as it was from the factory. One of the things I had to replace was the instrument cluster. Today’s aftermarket clusters do not match the originals in form or function but unless you have an original the aftermarket ones are all that are available. I did add an overdrive which was available as an option back in the day which brings the stick count to four. Intimidating for those not in the know and possibly somewhat of a theft deterrent.
There are photos of the build process on the west coast shops web page but I would recommend finding a local shop that you can work with closely to monitor the process at each stage of the build. In my case it was very difficult to see the quality of work being shown in the pictures being sent and at more than 2000 miles away regular visits were out of the question.
Thanks again for the kind comments and to anyone hoping to restore one of these real Jeeps don’t give up. Save and work on it as time an money allow, you will not be disappointed.
You’ve restored a Fantastic looking truck and it’s a wonderful tribute to your Grandfather Delbert.
I commend your diligent work and dedication to maintaining Delbert’s originality.
The truck will live on AND forever provide fond family memories.
Best Wishes
David
PS
My current project is a 1959 CJ 5. You provide inspiration for others who are currently restoring or contemplating future Willys rebuild projects. “ It’s a fun commitment “ !!!
Yes – I am planning to teach all of my 11 grandchildren to drive my 1959 CJ 5. The oldest is now 15 and will learn to drive my Jeep (Les) this summer.
You’ve restored a Fantastic looking truck and it’s a wonderful tribute to your Grandfather Delbert.
I commend your diligent work and dedication to maintaining Delbert’s originality.
The truck will live on AND forever provide fond family memories.
Best Wishes
David
PS
My current project is a 1959 CJ 5. You provide inspiration for others who are currently restoring or contemplating future Willys rebuild projects. “ It’s a fun commitment “ !!!
Yes – I am planning to teach all of my 11 grandchildren to drive my 1959 CJ 5. The oldest is now 15 and will learn to drive my Jeep (Les) this summer.
In the 1970’s we rode in the back of this jeep to the grocery store and the laundromat no matter the weather. Dad built racks for the back for us to hold onto. When it was cold my older brother and I would huddle up against the cab to try and stay warm. It was late 1970’s before Dad could afford a larger vehicle. My older brother and I would use the jeep to go hunting and we always seemed to have a crowd stuffed in the back with shotguns and such for squirrels. I left for the Army in 1978 returned in 1981 and the old jeep still was in good working order. I used it then for hauling various loads of river rock, furniture, old car parts, and a multitude of material. At times I had it weighed down until the springs were straightened. The old jeep could take a load and still roll on down the road. That old jeep was tough as a piece of leather and friendly as your right hand. Through tough times and all the old jeep kept rolling along.
In the 1970’s we rode in the back of this jeep to the grocery store and the laundromat no matter the weather. Dad built racks for the back for us to hold onto. When it was cold my older brother and I would huddle up against the cab to try and stay warm. It was late 1970’s before Dad could afford a larger vehicle. My older brother and I would use the jeep to go hunting and we always seemed to have a crowd stuffed in the back with shotguns and such for squirrels. I left for the Army in 1978 returned in 1981 and the old jeep still was in good working order. I used it then for hauling various loads of river rock, furniture, old car parts, and a multitude of material. At times I had it weighed down until the springs were straightened. The old jeep could take a load and still roll on down the road. That old jeep was tough as a piece of leather and friendly as your right hand. Through tough times and all the old jeep kept rolling along.