Fred Schwarz

Here’s my 1951 Willys CJ3A. As much as I admire the restored ones, to me the rough and tumble unrestored ones are the ones I like and remember as a kid. I learned to drive on my Dads Willys, who sold Jeeps at his gas station. This spring I heard of this one that was heading for the junk yard! It was rescued by a contractor who was working on the owners camp. The contractors son had no interest in it, but he had an interest in my running drive able 91 Toyota 4X4. An even up swap was made. I had it towed to my garage and one day later it was running with a new coil, and my outboard gas tank, much to the amazement of the contractor. From what I was told it had not been registered since 1954 when the people bought their Adirondack camp. It was just used on their long private road. All their kids learned to drive it, and it was used to launch and haul their boats. It looks like it did a few other things too. I pounded out a few dents and bent bumpers. It is very solid, and strange as it may seem, always looks like it had regular maintenance done to it. It is still equipped with the original date coded 1951 headlights, the winch works, and the Goodyear Polyglas Suburbanite snows look like new, I cant figure out what happened to the 16 inch’s. But I like these tires and wheel size…. memories again. It also came with a bed extension. I have never seen one of these. I have replaced some suspension parts, seat covers and various small parts, and got all the electrical things working. People have asked me when I’m going to restore it, others love it just the way it is. To me the memories it evokes of my Dad and the feelings I had working on it in my garage ( I felt he was there in spirit) makes me want to leave it as is. I have one of his old dealership tags on the tailgate. It is on the road, and I drive the back roads of the Adirondacks. The memories it brings back, and the smile this Jeep put on my face are priceless. Who would of thought? This is a keeper.

Fred Schwarz