Here is a story about my husband and his 1949 Jeep. I hope you enjoy it – Jerry’s wife Pat. Recently I saw my husband lose 53 years with just one signature. He signed papers to purchase a 1949 CJ-3A Willys Jeep. (He always adds CJ-3A.) It took a trip to a nondescript wide spot in the road near Yosemite National Park. The owners lived far away from civilization. Jerry became only the fourth owner of this near mint condition vehicle. The owner had babied this car—painted it white, put in new seat covers and top, and new tires that still have tread. We had to tow it home behind what used to be Jerry’s favorite means of transportation—his 2003 Chevy Silverado pickup—you know, the one with high torque. The three hour trip to our home, also far away from civilization, proved to be stress-producing. The short towbar did not allow the jeep much turning room and the tires did not want to cooperate with the pickup at times. Jerry would jump out of the pickup, readjust the steering wheel of the jeep, and jump back in the pickup and head on down the road, praying that the next turn would be more successful. Maybe the Willys Jeep was afraid of leaving his life in the foothills. He (Jerry says his Jeep is a boy) should not have worried. He was being moved to another remote location.
Once nearer our ranch, we pulled into our familiar gas station to fill him up. Jerry wanted to drive the Jeep on home—about nine miles. Unfortunately, the towbar connection did not want to budge. I wanted to continue towing it on home to the ranch, but Jerry was insistent. “But I want to drive it!” Jerry whined in a little boy voice. By sheer will he raised the towbar and drove off in the jeep with me following him—just in case. As I saw my 70 year old husband of nearly 50 years drive off in front of me down familiar roads I no longer saw “Grandpa,” but instead I saw my 17 year old boyfriend flying down the road with his ball cap covering his gray hair. “How fast did I go?” he asked as he pulled over at an “S” curve, about half way home. “About 55,” I answered, having estimated his speed by my own. (The Jeep’s speedometer needs help.) So he stepped on the gas pedal a little harder and got it up to 60 mph before he pulled happily into the driveway at the ranch. He honked his tiny horn and our son-in-law came out to enjoy Jerry’s toy. He did the appropriate guy-noises over the lavish descriptions Jerry was happy to provide. One granddaughter came out of the house and gave her 14 year old opinion, “It’s cute!” Jerry spent the afternoon reading the old owner’s manual. (Yes, the former owner still had it!) After giving the 14 year old a ride down to the end of the dead end country road, he parked it in the small barn because rain was in the forecast. Then he ate dinner, crawled on the couch, and had a pre-bedtime nap. No doubt he had dreams of Jerry and Willys traveling down many country roads together.
Given my very practical nature, I was not immediately onboard when Jerry began searching online for a third vehicle for two people to own. Sensing my reticence, he began arguing his case: 1. I want a toy. 2. Maybe one of the granddaughters will need to drive one of our vehicles to school next year, and the ultimate plea 3. I don’t have too many years left, and (back to #1) I want an old Jeep! I told him the final decision was his, and that I would ride with him to look at it. I’ll have to admit that my first impression was positive. As I looked at the white paint job, the new seats, heard about the undercoating, and saw the gleaming engine, I was impressed. Knowing market prices of old Jeeps, Jerry was already convinced that he wanted this particular Jeep. In fact, Jerry was carrying the price of the car in hundred dollar bills in the pickup. Getting the money from the bank had been interesting. The bank was extremely busy, and I cautioned Jerry not to use his regular voice to tell the teller how much he needed. Jerry’s voice carries—even his “stage whisper” carries. I could see an evil man in the bank following us, beating us up, and stealing our money that was formerly set aside for a hearing aid purchase. Later he told me that he had momentarily thought of passing the teller a note with the amount of withdrawal on it. Thankfully, he abandoned that idea. We don’t want to be on the evening news. Our checking account is less, Jerry’s hearing aid savings are depleted, but I see one happy 70 year old teenager ready to play with his new toy, and that makes his 70 year old girlfriend happy, too.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Jerry and Pat
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What a great story! I sat down this Saturday morning with my cup of coffee and was thumbing through the Kaiser Willys Catalog (it’s more of a Jeep Bible-thanks Kaiser Willys you guys do a fantastic job!). When I started to read this story Pat wrote it brought a few tears to my eyes. Hearing how she referred to Jerry as her 70 year old teenager was so cool. Fantastic post Pat, I’m so glad you shared this story with us. I loved it!
My wife loved this story. Makes her feel like she’s not alone out here. I spent quite awhile to find and obtain my 1956 Willys Rescue Truck and it is great. Having a good time with my friends going over it to make certain everything is good to go. The picture is on her facebook page, if you want to see it.
Pat & Jerry. I luvd the story, I read it to my family they all related it to me we laughed and enjoyed it very much. Thanks for sharing. I also have a girl friend in the shed Hahaha 1948 cj3a
Hallo Pat, Hallo Jerry,
Thank You for this story. It is wonderful. I just imagine the feeling. My Willys-Jeep is 13 years younger and I am 10 years younger. My wife calls it : dad and his green frog-girlfriend again in the shed. We are all going very well, I wish the same for You all.
Regards
Peter
In Queensland
Pat you wrote a great article and I can certainly picture Jerry doing everything you wrote. I know he’s a happy camper, and that makes you a happy camper too. Hope you make some great memories in that old Jeep.
Ata boy Jerry, it’s a keeper and so is your wife Pat. Now find a local Jeep club and let the good times roll.
Great story! Got me all excited about finishing my ’63.
Dear Jerry and Pat:
That was a great story. Thanks for sharing it.
My ’42 Ford GPW. Went to Africa and Anzio and still made it back home to the USA. We cherish “Tilly”
Good story, it gives me the added need to finish my CJ6 here in Avoca Central Victoria Australia.
Only seats and some wiring to finish before on the road. 2 years so far, 2 months to go.
Great story, I’ll be using some of his strategy on my bride of 40yrs. soon.
Looking at a 53 M38A1
Fantastic find, Jerry! This is what Jeep ownership is all about…a simpler, more fun way to recapture days gone by will not be found. Jerry may have reappeared as your 17 year old boyfriend, but Pat, I’ll bet he sees you the same way
Just look at the photos here on kaiserwillys.com. Proud owners of proud vehicles that, someday…
My prize – a 1958 CJ5 (model year same as my birth date by no coincidence) – sits quietly in the driveway waiting for me to take care of bills and other commitments, until I can put the money into it that will bring it back to the condition it deserves.
Be patient fellow enthusiasts! And WIVES of owners, thanks for your understanding and patience as well.
Great story..
Jerry keep up the great jeep.
My first jeep was a Jeep Cherokee Country.. My second sits in my driveway now 119,000 miles 1998 Cherokee Classic Stone white.
I remember my first jeep, trailered it home from Canada. Spent a whole winter working on it, a 47, same year as me. Then years later I bought five from one person in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I sold three of them to friends who drive them to this day.
One that I kept is an early 46, with the shift on the steering column, “three on the tree.” It also has a power takeoff with flat belt pulley and governor. Rough shape though.
My first jeep, the 47, rests in the garage now, replaced by a 77 C-J 7 daily driver. Over the years I’ve had a ball with my toys, so much so that now we travel in groups through the north woods, about 42 of us have Jeeps and at least half are flat fenders. I imagine we’ve covered 15,000 miles at 10 miles an hour. It’s definitely family friendly and fun.
Warning though, once the bug bites you can only satisfy it by buying more Jeeps!! Grandkids love ’em
Tom Hamp
Trout Lake, MI
Congratulations Jerry, and Pat thanks for letting him get it..Life is too short not to splurge a little on something that makes you feel good all over..Jeeps are the piece of the puzzle that connect the tame to the wild side of us..Enjoy
very cool, I can appreciate his enthusiasm. I’ve got my own 1961 Willy’s (heavily modified) and love it. Just wish I had more time to use it.
I have a 1954 M38 A1 that I have kept in original military configuration. I was a professor at a college town in GA, and I drove the Jeep to school and around town. One time, a woman approached me in the local coffee shop and asked if I would stop by their house and let her disabled husband sit it the Jeep. He had been a Jeep driver in the Korean War. I did stop by to see him and took him for a ride. The wonderful thing about military vehicles is the smell–particularly the seats and canvas top. I had a M151 as an infantry platoon leader in 1970. You never forget the friendly smell. The Jeep to a soldier is what the horse was to a 19th Century cavalryman. Later I was asked to druve the Jeep in a local parade. I was accompanied by two WWII veterans and a woman who served in the Gulf War. The townspeople stood up and clapped when we passed. It was quite an experience for all of us.
Great find. Most would not relate to the warm fuzzies & joy that are felt when you acquire that “new” old jeep!
Believe me, I’m the same age and have 5 of them.
Thanks for sharing, what a great story! Congratulations on so many years of marriage, and Congrats on the new toy!