When my father was a young man he worked for years as a service station mechanic. In his role he’d frequently have to run for parts, service calls, lunch and anything else in a late 1950’s CJ-5. Since those days, he’s always wanted “an old Jeep, one with no roof so if it rains I get wet and if the sun shines I get sunburned.” Recently dad (in his mid-seventies) decided to retire and my wife suggested getting him an old Jeep with no roof as a suitable gift to begin the next phase of his life. I found two 1946 CJ-2A Jeeps that were 25,000 units apart in manufacturing date and between the two, I had enough usable parts to make one Jeep. Game on! I bought the two rusted hulks that had been sitting outdoors for decades, hauled them home, and in 6 furious months turned them from rusted scrap into a bone-fide, head turner! Now for dad, every ride is a retirement parade with people smiling and waving. Even on Christmas eve, Dad was able to show how Santa really gets the job done!
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I’ve been following Dave’s story on facebook as he posted occasional photos of his progress, He’s a friend of mine going back to our days in Boy Scouts. Thanks for publishing him!
I’ve been following Dave’s story on facebook as he posted occasional photos of his progress, He’s a friend of mine going back to our days in Boy Scouts. Thanks for publishing him!
This was a great Willy’s story. I have driven a Willys jeep since 1966. Thanks for sharing! Beautiful restoration.
This was a great Willy’s story. I have driven a Willys jeep since 1966. Thanks for sharing! Beautiful restoration.
Loved this jeep story by David Fik. My story is very similar to his, except that (at age 82) I bought a 1948 cj2a, after a frame up restoration, just like the one my Dad bought back then when I was an early teen ager.; even the same color at David’s. I have been a jeep nut all my life.
Can David, or any of you, tell me how to get more room for the driver under the steering wheel ?
(That is besides losing 50 pounds.)
Thank you.
Bob Digel
Loved this jeep story by David Fik. My story is very similar to his, except that (at age 82) I bought a 1948 cj2a, after a frame up restoration, just like the one my Dad bought back then when I was an early teen ager.; even the same color at David’s. I have been a jeep nut all my life.
Can David, or any of you, tell me how to get more room for the driver under the steering wheel ?
(That is besides losing 50 pounds.)
Thank you.
Bob Digel
YES SIR !!
congratulations the effort regard enjoyment by a LOT of years !! Happy merry christmas !!
YES SIR !!
congratulations the effort regard enjoyment by a LOT of years !! Happy merry christmas !!
Great restoration, great pics, great story. You give us all hope for our Jeep projects.
(Maybe not in six months, however!)
Great restoration, great pics, great story. You give us all hope for our Jeep projects.
(Maybe not in six months, however!)
What a GREAT SON! Evidently you have the same mechanical talents your dad has! Thanks for a great story!
What a GREAT SON! Evidently you have the same mechanical talents your dad has! Thanks for a great story!
I always wanted to find an MB to restore for my Dad, but waited too long. Glad to see you got it done for him!
I always wanted to find an MB to restore for my Dad, but waited too long. Glad to see you got it done for him!
Nice job I have two CJ’s I am working on getting one. When I get the motor running I hope to restore one. I like to get it done ASAP. I am 82 and don’t know how long I have to go.
Nice job I have two CJ’s I am working on getting one. When I get the motor running I hope to restore one. I like to get it done ASAP. I am 82 and don’t know how long I have to go.
David, great story. Your Dad looks great driving it. I am sure that it brings back many fond memories from his younger days.
David, great story. Your Dad looks great driving it. I am sure that it brings back many fond memories from his younger days.
David, your Dad looks like he is enjoying driving his new Jeep. I am sure that it brings back many fond memories of his younger days.
David, your Dad looks like he is enjoying driving his new Jeep. I am sure that it brings back many fond memories of his younger days.
Hi Dave,
Great job on the jeep for your Dad. I saw him at Central Park Grocery just before Christmas and we caught up on old times.
I told him it reminded me of the Willys that Paul C. owned when we were kids.
Joe a few weeks ago found a 53 Ford with a 392 Hemi in it that also looked much like Pauls.
I believe he might be tring to say Hi to us 🙂
Hi Dave,
Great job on the jeep for your Dad. I saw him at Central Park Grocery just before Christmas and we caught up on old times.
I told him it reminded me of the Willys that Paul C. owned when we were kids.
Joe a few weeks ago found a 53 Ford with a 392 Hemi in it that also looked much like Pauls.
I believe he might be tring to say Hi to us 🙂
Test comment
Test comment
Hi Really Luv these old Willys stories. Way to go!!!
Bob
Hi Really Luv these old Willys stories. Way to go!!!
Bob
Namaskar
Two things never break human spirit and jeep your father’s spirit to have a jeep in rain or sunshine, what a great gift.
Merry Xmas
Namaskar
Two things never break human spirit and jeep your father’s spirit to have a jeep in rain or sunshine, what a great gift.
Merry Xmas
He is a lucky Father to have a Son like you!
He is a lucky Father to have a Son like you!
the family that jeeps together stays together!
the family that jeeps together stays together!
Keep it going ! Santa Claus
gr. The0
Keep it going ! Santa Claus
gr. The0
David,
What a nice story, and beautiful job, you did good for your dad! These wonderful old rigs deserve to be repaired and restored, and not rusting away!
And original too, not with a crappy V-8 jammed into them.
David,
What a nice story, and beautiful job, you did good for your dad! These wonderful old rigs deserve to be repaired and restored, and not rusting away!
And original too, not with a crappy V-8 jammed into them.