I bought this 1951 Willys and the specially made trailer in 1979 for $1,400. At the time, everyone thought I was crazy. On occasion, my wife wished it was gone, but I think she secretly loves it. The little boy in the picture with me when the Jeep was originally purchased is now 39 years old and will get the Jeep upon my demise, or when I can bear to part with it. He has worked on it for years and has taken it on numerous occasions down to North Padre Island, Texas to use in “four wheel drive only” areas to fish. But its primary use is for hunting in South Texas. The general consensus of all who have hunted with it is: “Don’t ever sell this thing!” Which I won’t.
As most Willys owners know, these Jeeps are amazing in where they can go and what they can do. When South Texas is wet, we are able to haul deer out of places other vehicles won’t go. On one occasion about 15 years ago, a friend of mine shot a red stag in a low area of our deer lease. It was the day after a good rain had fallen and the ground was covered with six inches of water. We drove through about 500 yards of water and mud using the low 4 wheel drive and were able to haul the animal out. On another occasion on a ranch near Laredo, I did not see a wash out in the road and the front right end went down into a hole that was about 2-1/2 feet deep. Low gear again – it just crawled right out. I think you could drive up a tree with these things.
For years I kept the Jeep in a storage unit because I did not have room for it in our garage. All the kids in the neighborhood were drawn to it like a magnet. They would sit in it and play for hours and I would take them for rides in the creek bed behind our house. Now, during the off season (not hunting) the Jeep is at a friend’s ranch in South Texas where he uses it for ranch work. He says it works great for spraying fence lines to keep the brush down. I believe it’s a lot better off being put to its original use (agricultural/farm) than sitting in storage, plus it has its own parking spot in a cement-floored barn.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Doug Aird
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Doug, I really like the looks of that “specially made trailer”. Any details for either trailer shown in the pictures? I’m trying to come up with something for hauling my M38.
Doug, I really like the looks of that “specially made trailer”. Any details for either trailer shown in the pictures? I’m trying to come up with something for hauling my M38.
It was a custom made trailer that was built by the guy that I bought it from in 1979. I can send better pictures of it to you if you send me your e-mail address. The part of the trailer that the tires roll up into were made out of oil & gas 7 &1/2 inch casing that was cut in half – the tires fit right into them. I have added expansion metal between the tire guides so I can use it for general hauling purposes. It works great but I am planning on adding some different things to it for tie down purposes.
It was a custom made trailer that was built by the guy that I bought it from in 1979. I can send better pictures of it to you if you send me your e-mail address. The part of the trailer that the tires roll up into were made out of oil & gas 7 &1/2 inch casing that was cut in half – the tires fit right into them. I have added expansion metal between the tire guides so I can use it for general hauling purposes. It works great but I am planning on adding some different things to it for tie down purposes.
All I can say, as I wipe a tear from my eye, is your ’51 Willy’s is truly a thing of beauty. I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.
All I can say, as I wipe a tear from my eye, is your ’51 Willy’s is truly a thing of beauty. I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.
De’ja vu, It’s like my early days with my CJ2A, giving rides to all of mine and the neighbors kids with the
windshield laying on the hood. The best times are when I’m out and about with my old jeep. Two lucky
guys.
De’ja vu, It’s like my early days with my CJ2A, giving rides to all of mine and the neighbors kids with the
windshield laying on the hood. The best times are when I’m out and about with my old jeep. Two lucky
guys.
Nice jeep. I am interested in more pictures of the black trailer in the bottom picture. I want to build a trailer of my own. Can you email more pictures of that trailer ? Thanks. Great story! I just completed a restoration of a 1951 CJ3A.
Nice jeep. I am interested in more pictures of the black trailer in the bottom picture. I want to build a trailer of my own. Can you email more pictures of that trailer ? Thanks. Great story! I just completed a restoration of a 1951 CJ3A.
I will try to e-mail some photos of trailer this weekend.
Thanks
I will try to e-mail some photos of trailer this weekend.
Thanks
Your CJ3A is a M38 WILLYS.
Note the parking lites-Blackout,righthand tool indentions on body,glovebox right hand dash.
Your CJ3A is a M38 WILLYS.
Note the parking lites-Blackout,righthand tool indentions on body,glovebox right hand dash.
That’s really a classy ride .Enjoy it as much as you can.
I have a 1951 Willys Pickup. Its the jeep of the week this week.
Bern.
That’s really a classy ride .Enjoy it as much as you can.
I have a 1951 Willys Pickup. Its the jeep of the week this week.
Bern.
Doug,
I thought my 51 was nice. Great restoration.I admire your work.
You can see my truck if you like. Its this weeks Jeep of the Week. It has a long way to go to catch up to yours.I am working on it as much as possible.
Doug,
I thought my 51 was nice. Great restoration.I admire your work.
You can see my truck if you like. Its this weeks Jeep of the Week. It has a long way to go to catch up to yours.I am working on it as much as possible.
Bernard,
Your truck is too cool! Looking at yours makes me want to do more to mine. I appreciate your comments. We will be completely redoing the suspension now. Got the parts in last week and the catalogue. Now all I do is look throught the catalogue and think of all the other stufff that could be replaced. Great marketing tool for Kaiser Willys.
Thanks,
Doug
Bernard,
Your truck is too cool! Looking at yours makes me want to do more to mine. I appreciate your comments. We will be completely redoing the suspension now. Got the parts in last week and the catalogue. Now all I do is look throught the catalogue and think of all the other stufff that could be replaced. Great marketing tool for Kaiser Willys.
Thanks,
Doug