My Father’s Willys CJ-5 Brought back to Life and Use

~ Restoration by Don Knoll, owned by Nick Lupoli

This is a 1961 CJ-5 Jeep that I restored for a customer of mine. It started out as plow vehicle with a half cab. Customer wanted the plow and cab left off. I started the project in September 2014 and completed it in February 2015. It was a total frame off restoration with all parts including a full metal body being purchased from Kaiser Willy’s. I did all the restoration myself other than frame and body paint. The paint job was performed by a friend of mine Steve from “Steve’s Auto body” in Cairo NY. I own a landscaping business in Catskill NY, “D&D Lawn & Power Equipment”, but do restorations on the side. This restoration included a full engine, transmission, transfer case and rear end rebuild. Every nut and bolt was replaced with stainless steel.

The owner Nick Lupoli had me restore this vehicle as gift for his Father Peter Lupoli. His father purchased the vehicle new in 1961 and had a plow and cab installed for use in his Roadside Repair Business. The vehicle sat in a field next to Peter’s business,” Father and Sons” in Catskill, NY for over 20 Years without use. His son Nick Lupoli believed it deserved to be brought back to “Life” and be a great gift to his father Peter Lupoli as it had belonged to his father originally. It will now be shown at many car shows in the future and be enjoyed by both father and son. I was very proud to be part of this great accomplishment and look forward to doing more in the future. Thanks for the help Kaiser! For more restoration photos Click Here

Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Nick Lupoli

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