Benson Metcalf
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 Willy’s 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 ask 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 ask 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 “Its 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 Willy’s 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.
Update 1-14-2019: Is a Willys ever fully restored? My humble opinion is a resounding no… My story started 5 years ago when visiting a friend of my wife. The 46 CJ2A was sitting in her friends back yard slowly rusting away. I ask if she wanted to sell it and she said she needed some yard work done. A deal was brokered and I picked up the sad little Willys a couple weeks later. Didn’t run, tranny full of water, steering locked with rust, etc etc etc…. Everyone who has restored one knows the drill…. It has been 5 years since that day, Many hours of dirty nasty work and many thousands in treasure expended. But it was; and is all worth it. I am still married, and my wife and I are both proud to ride in our little piece of American history.
Be the first one to comment!