My interest in finding a vintage Jeep was to honor my namesake, Private Donald K Frye, who was KIA on Sept 23rd, 1944 near Delouarde, France. Uncle Don was allegedly a passenger in a Jeep, or driving a Jeep, when he was wounded and later died. He was probably in an MB because the CJ-2A came out after his death. When I found the Jeep that I later bought, I figured that the 1948 CJ-2A was OK… it was made the year I was born.
My 1948 Willys CJ-2A was purchased from a Farmer near Bristol, WI who had purchased a neighboring farm and the Jeep came with it. When I bought it, it had a snow plow mounted on the front with a hydraulic ram to lower and raise the blade. The plow was super heavy so I took it off to remover the load from the front end.
We surmise that the Jeep was owned by the Air National Guard in Milwaukee and used to plow snow. You can see the MIL markings on her. It was suffering a lot of skin cancer’ from the snow and salt. I am not trying to ‘restore’ Velma Jean …only preserve her. I had the engine and the transmission rebuilt and there is a bit of Bondo Hair; computer tower panels; BBQ grill parts; and plywood (underneath) keeping her together. As you know, hardwood 1″ x 2″s were used to strengthen the frame.
Her name, “Velma Jean”, was created from my Uncle Don’s wife’s name, Velma, and the middle name of a dear friend from Birmingham who always wanted a Jeep… Ms. Betty Jean Gaines. Velma Jean draws lots of attention when we take her out for a spin. Also, she is exhibited at MMVA and AUSA events and several parades each year.
Willys Jeep Life Story – Don Willis
If you would like to share your Willys Jeep Story please send us a line. We’d love to meet your Jeep.
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Beautiful!!!
Beautiful!!!
amazing
amazing
We have a couple of things in common. I have a 1951 Willys Jeep CJ-3A that I bought from a farmer in 1961. And . . . my mother’s name was Velma Brems Snow.
I am 84 now and would like to rebuild my Jeep; it only has 24,000 miles on it and it has been in my garage for a long time. I’ve looked for someone who might help me rebuild the Willy, but can’t find a person I trust in Utah.
Your Jeep looks great and reminds me of my mom and my Jeep. I have two windshields, but the one I’ve used most is the split window version I bought from a guy who had it stored on the roof of his chicken coop.
Good Job with you rebuild.
Gordo
We have a couple of things in common. I have a 1951 Willys Jeep CJ-3A that I bought from a farmer in 1961. And . . . my mother’s name was Velma Brems Snow.
I am 84 now and would like to rebuild my Jeep; it only has 24,000 miles on it and it has been in my garage for a long time. I’ve looked for someone who might help me rebuild the Willy, but can’t find a person I trust in Utah.
Your Jeep looks great and reminds me of my mom and my Jeep. I have two windshields, but the one I’ve used most is the split window version I bought from a guy who had it stored on the roof of his chicken coop.
Good Job with you rebuild.
Gordo
Nice Willys!! Does it have a MB Grille?
Nice Willys!! Does it have a MB Grille?
I am in the process of restoring a CJ2A myself. It needs a paint job and another windshield put on, but other than that, she is road ready. Looks very much like yours, yp to the spare tire. Also it has the military type tires on. Yep, they both look good.
I am in the process of restoring a CJ2A myself. It needs a paint job and another windshield put on, but other than that, she is road ready. Looks very much like yours, yp to the spare tire. Also it has the military type tires on. Yep, they both look good.