A 1946 CJ-2A Restored and Back on the Road for it’s 70th Anniversary

Recently married to my wife Sherrye, she and I were visiting an old friend of hers. My wife’s friend Pat had been widowed about 12 years ago and Sherrye wanted me to meet her. When we drove up to her house we pulled around back and there under a big Maple tree sat an old Willys Jeep. I instantly went to the jeep to have a look. It was in sad shape, rusty and untouched since Pat’s husband O.E. as he was affectionately called passed. I asked Pat to let me know if she ever wanted to sell it and she said she would think about it. Several weeks later she called and asked if I still wanted the Jeep? “Of course” I said “how much do you want for it?” She said “I need some yard work done..” Well the weed eater and hedge trimmer came out and we struck a deal. It has been two years and a full frame off restoration of the old 46. It has returned back to mostly stock. Re-ringed the motor and did a valve job and sealed everything up. It only had 63k original miles on it as it was used for a golf course maintenance vehicle during most of its life. Converted the electrical to 12 volts and added some creature comforts such as heat and turn signals. With new tranny guts and a steering rebuild added to the mix. The body was a mess and required new floorboards front and back as well as 18 sheet metal patches in various locations. I still have the painting to do but it is back on the road and running like a champ. I was able to do all the work myself except for the sewing of the seats and top. We then took it to Pats for a reunion and she was ecstatic to see it running again. She also enjoyed a ride in it too… She kept saying “It’s so cute” !!! It’s return to the road/trail came on it’s 70th birthday and Jeeps 75th anniversary… It couldn’t have been more fitting… I hope to drive this venerable old rig or as my wife calls it “my mistress” for many years to come. Thank You Kaiser Willys for being there during all the hard work of restoring a prized memory for our friend Pat and her family, and also making a dream a reality for me.

Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Benson Metcalf

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