This is a short story about my 62 Willys Jeep Wagon. I have owned the wagon three different times. I first bought the Jeep in 1968, three years later I sold it to to a FAA agent. I asked him to promise me if he ever decided to sell the Jeep to contact me first. Three years later he called from Helena, MT and said they were moving to Denver. I packed a small tool box and hopped on the bus with a check in hand for $1500.00 bucks. I then had the Jeep for three more years. I traded it in at our local Jeep dealership. It never made it to the used car lot. A wealthy gentleman purchased it and for the next 15 years it was stored in his garage at their cabin. I started sending them a Christmas card each year for the next 15 years. My note on the card always said, if you are ever interested in selling the Jeep let me know. His wife called one night and said her husband had passed away. If I was still interested I needed to be there the next day with a check for $3000. This time I really wanted to restore the Jeep right. The picture I’ve sent is the Jeep after it was finished. I did sell it for the last time in 1988 to a Doctor who was leaving the military and returning to New York. I sold the Jeep to keep my family afloat, since I had lost my job and Christmas was just around the corner. I felt my family was more important. During my lifetime I have owned over 70 vehicles, there is none I miss more than that Jeep. I hope to find a 60/62 Jeep pickup someday, but time is running out as I just turned 74.
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I have a 1961 jeep pickup truck, that needs restored but is very clean and all there. I just picked it a few months ago. I would sell her to you if you restore her and give me the first option to buy her back. I love this truck, but some things says let you have it to me. Let me know what you think. I live in Michigan and I can send you pictures if you are interested. I also have done many restoreations on Jeeps and have a love for them. I finishing a 1950 willys now. the pickup was in line next.
Great story. If you stay politely diligent, sellers remember you. I just bought a 69 Jeep Gladiator from a friend who has owned it for 30 years. I too kept bugging him that if he were to ever sell it, contact me first. Well after 20 years of asking he finally sold it to me, even though he had other offers. Our deal is that HE gets first offer if I ever sell it!
My early memories of Jeep station wagons are of sitting on the tailgate watching the world go by.
Beautiful vehicle! Love the color combination.
What a great story and what a small world, I have just read the reply from John Exner who I met through an eBay purchase and 3000 mile road trip, I had the pleasure and honer of taking his Willy”s for a drive on that 5 mile road he spoke of ( drove like a new one and he is very proud of it ), If you read this John sorry we didn”t catch up at the 2012 jeep jamboree as we went up to the cape for a few months however I believe there will be another Jambo at the same site in 2015, so maybe I will see you there, for all you pointy nose nuts like John and I keep the dream alive.
Great story of your devotion to your Willys, and all the folks who were the the faithful stewards. To me Willys, their devoted owners and the ever improving Willys company make this classic part of living history that is part of American Exceptionalism.
Hope to find a Willys SW too to protect my family and friends.
Victor Dahlquist
Here to Support Consulting. dahlquistvictor@yahoo.com , Handicap certified. see LinkedIn
SME, Subject Matter Expert, Aerospace, Defense, Govt, Safety Training, Security Analysis, can travel
Living history presentations of old tools and historical archeology.
Hey, you kids – I am 83 and just got my 49 Jeepster running with new F-head. Grandson and son helped to keep me from getting rusty. It worked.
Hallo Chuck Gardner,
thank you for your story. To me it has a lucky sad twist. Very interesting.
Peter Neuhaus
Queensland
Very touching. Read it out loud to my wife who was also moved. I will be 75 next month and have restored a 1959 pickup which I like to take out monthly about 5 miles into the bush until the road becomes gravel.
The Jeep is all original with overdrive. I love it.
John Exner, Australia
Outstanding story and I can appreciate the writers passion for owning the same wagon multiple times. Although I am 65 years old, and own a 55 Willys Utility Wagon , I constantly am on the lookout for my long deceased fathers 53 Wagon which we repowered with a Chevy 283 cu. in. V8 around 1967. Long odds , I know but I would recognize changes we made to the Jeep so long ago. My 87 Wrangler daily driver keeps me entertained when driving, but like Mr. Gardner I’m looking for Willys Pickup to keep me occupied. Good Luck on your search Sir !
Awesome story from Chuck Gardner! I think most of us can relate to parting with something to provide for our family.
I have a 1962 jeep Willys Wagon,,runs well,has a few dings,,starting to rust ,,,,
I take it out of the garage two ,three times a year,,,has 80,000 miles.
It’s been in the family since 1962 was my father in laws….
All original. I’m trying to find the value….
Al