~ Sent to us by Clyde O’Bannon
In March of 2023, I purchased this 1946 Willys CJ-2A, now lovingly named, “Dottie”. From what I was told, Dottie was used on cattle ranching operations in Idaho and Nevada for several decades before being parked in a barn and forgotten. When the ranch sold, the family re-discovered Dottie and made plans to restore her themselves, but it just wasn’t in the cards. Dottie was moved to California, where I was able to buy her. I have not been able to jump into the restoration of Dottie just yet, as I have hit a few speed bumps while getting her registered with the DMV.
- Clyde O'Bannon Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – 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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I say leave her like she is. Something about good unrestored jeeps that I really like.
I say leave her like she is. Something about good unrestored jeeps that I really like.
She looks great as is, but I’m sure there’s plenty of mechanical work and maybe some rust that needs fixing. That’s how my project came to me. Anyways, great jeep, have fun and don’t let DMV slow you down. I finally got my title after 18 months of headaches.
She looks great as is, but I’m sure there’s plenty of mechanical work and maybe some rust that needs fixing. That’s how my project came to me. Anyways, great jeep, have fun and don’t let DMV slow you down. I finally got my title after 18 months of headaches.
Love Dottie as she sits.
I second Jim’s suggestion. There’s always a great story behind a survivor like Dottie. Even after the necessary repairs are done, the original parts and finish help tell that story with character and presence that a restored garage queen doesn’t have (plus if you restore her, you’ll have to change her name to something like Sofia or Brigette 😉
The i-beam bumper and the beefy tow bar are strikingly similar to what came with my ’62 CJ5.
Love Dottie as she sits.
I second Jim’s suggestion. There’s always a great story behind a survivor like Dottie. Even after the necessary repairs are done, the original parts and finish help tell that story with character and presence that a restored garage queen doesn’t have (plus if you restore her, you’ll have to change her name to something like Sofia or Brigette 😉
The i-beam bumper and the beefy tow bar are strikingly similar to what came with my ’62 CJ5.
do a lien sale and get a new title on it.
easy and does not cost much. try a local tow company and see if they can help you.
you will need a HI way patrolman to verify vin number. if it does not have one you will need a reconstruction vin number assigned.
Good luck. Leave it unrestored much more value and appreciation for it.
Ron
do a lien sale and get a new title on it.
easy and does not cost much. try a local tow company and see if they can help you.
you will need a HI way patrolman to verify vin number. if it does not have one you will need a reconstruction vin number assigned.
Good luck. Leave it unrestored much more value and appreciation for it.
Ron
Dude! Bravo! I have your Jeep’s sister as it is a 1946 and yellow and I was with my parents when they bought it new, but I don’t remember as I was only three. Jeep is completely stock, still being 12 Volts and such. Jeep grew up in Missouri and I spent thirty years in the military so it had a bit of a break though I was able to drive it when on leave. Over the years I have painted it a bit and in 1971 did a restore and just recently let someone rebuild the transmission for me. My dear Mama taught me to drive in Jeep and I taught my son so it is very dear to us. Here in Idaho Falls there is no driving in the winter so I get to tinker with it in my heated shop. I’m sort of falling apart but intend to drive it this summer, but only around the local area. Jeep has been a workhorse and just this last summer used her to pull my neighbor’s overgrown shrubs! Jeep has a lot of scrapes and nicks and blemishes and is proud of each one. We’ve painted the wheels with their original bright red color and it really shows off the age and patina! Jeep has the bumper weight and the original radiator screen cover. Best of luck with your prized CJ.
Dude! Bravo! I have your Jeep’s sister as it is a 1946 and yellow and I was with my parents when they bought it new, but I don’t remember as I was only three. Jeep is completely stock, still being 12 Volts and such. Jeep grew up in Missouri and I spent thirty years in the military so it had a bit of a break though I was able to drive it when on leave. Over the years I have painted it a bit and in 1971 did a restore and just recently let someone rebuild the transmission for me. My dear Mama taught me to drive in Jeep and I taught my son so it is very dear to us. Here in Idaho Falls there is no driving in the winter so I get to tinker with it in my heated shop. I’m sort of falling apart but intend to drive it this summer, but only around the local area. Jeep has been a workhorse and just this last summer used her to pull my neighbor’s overgrown shrubs! Jeep has a lot of scrapes and nicks and blemishes and is proud of each one. We’ve painted the wheels with their original bright red color and it really shows off the age and patina! Jeep has the bumper weight and the original radiator screen cover. Best of luck with your prized CJ.
Rachel-Clyde,
My first Jeep was a 2A also. A good upholstery and stuffing job on the original seat frames will do just fine. Some of the early mustang seats were used but needed adaptation to fit. Once done the seat frames will last for a long time, Dave & Sasha.
Rachel-Clyde,
My first Jeep was a 2A also. A good upholstery and stuffing job on the original seat frames will do just fine. Some of the early mustang seats were used but needed adaptation to fit. Once done the seat frames will last for a long time, Dave & Sasha.
What a great find! Nice dry climate with very little rust. I’d just put the steering column and steering wheel back to original, paint the blemishes with a rattle can, so they don’t rust and drive it. My DJ 3A that has been converted to 4 wheel drive looks about the same and the grandkids love it.
What a great find! Nice dry climate with very little rust. I’d just put the steering column and steering wheel back to original, paint the blemishes with a rattle can, so they don’t rust and drive it. My DJ 3A that has been converted to 4 wheel drive looks about the same and the grandkids love it.