I bought a 42 Ford Jeep in 1973. Barn find? Nope – this Jeep was going to be used as “fill” for some land near a creek that was washed out during the 1972 flood here in Pennsylvania. Measured the Jeep – figured out the same amount of dirt that would fill up the hole in the ground. Ok – Price of Jeep was a dump truck of landfill.
Now I have a 42 Ford in rough condition. It was submerged during the 72 Flood. I’m going to try and restore this beauty from the ground up. Ok here we go, drain water out of the trans- transfer- pumpkins – engine. Believe it or not it could be started (running is only a figure of speech). I decided to work on the body while deciding what to do with the drive line. Started sanding, through thirteen coats of paint later, rust holes showing up and no brakes, clutch etc. I made a decision this Jeep was beyond my backyard abilities.
Another Jeep friend just happened to be in the market for a 42 Ford to complete his historic vehicles line up. We made a deal and the “land fill” was on his way.
Fast forward several years. My friend (Joe Zak) calls me up and says, “do you want to see “Henry”? Henry who? The Jeep was named “Henry”. I said sure send me a picture. Here it is several years later. From landfill, to perfection. Henry has won many titles and trophies since his restoration. Joe says, $10,000 and many hours was worth it.
I think Henry is a unique story from land fill to champion. Just goes to show you their is never a Jeep that is beyond “salvation”.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Jim Quigley
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Gave me goose bumps reading this story. Absolutely awesome that it was saved from a hole in the ground.
Great job!!
Gave me goose bumps reading this story. Absolutely awesome that it was saved from a hole in the ground.
Great job!!
What a great story! Like all old Jeeps, “Henry” Undoubtedly has a soul. And he’s eternally grateful to you for saving him!!
What a great story! Like all old Jeeps, “Henry” Undoubtedly has a soul. And he’s eternally grateful to you for saving him!!
That baby is ready to go to war! Beautiful job- – what a head-turner!!! Hope you’ll show it every chance you get.
That baby is ready to go to war! Beautiful job- – what a head-turner!!! Hope you’ll show it every chance you get.
Amazing job , would have been a sad end to a great history had it ended up in a landfill….
Looks fantastic …well restored almost to.perfection.
Amazing job , would have been a sad end to a great history had it ended up in a landfill….
Looks fantastic …well restored almost to.perfection.
That was a great story, another Jeep saved from being destroyed.Well done!
That was a great story, another Jeep saved from being destroyed.Well done!
That is a great story. And again, reinforcing my mantra, “If you throw enough money at any vehicle, you can make it reliable and beautiful.
Carry on.
Glenn.
That is a great story. And again, reinforcing my mantra, “If you throw enough money at any vehicle, you can make it reliable and beautiful.
Carry on.
Glenn.
love these stories of people who go the extra mile to save these beauties!! This one looks amazing! My brother and I turned a $50 ’42 ford tub from a swap meet into a parade ready jeep using a ton of sweat equity and lots of searching for and scoring parts. Every jeep saved is worth the effort.
love these stories of people who go the extra mile to save these beauties!! This one looks amazing! My brother and I turned a $50 ’42 ford tub from a swap meet into a parade ready jeep using a ton of sweat equity and lots of searching for and scoring parts. Every jeep saved is worth the effort.
super lovely story of a rescue and fine restoration !!!!!!!!! Is anyone aware of either a restorable and or a restored MA available out there ! I realize they are extremely rare and very costly ?
super lovely story of a rescue and fine restoration !!!!!!!!! Is anyone aware of either a restorable and or a restored MA available out there ! I realize they are extremely rare and very costly ?
What a beauty you’ve got there. I hope that mine turns out as good. Oh and BTW mine is named Dawn Treader.
What a beauty you’ve got there. I hope that mine turns out as good. Oh and BTW mine is named Dawn Treader.
What a story! A Jeep purchased with a dump truck load of gravel. Good on your friend for bringing it back to life. These stories never cease to amaze me. The Jeep community is a special breed, just like the vehicles. Mine is a CJ2A painted and marked like the MB my dad took into Normandy, including the bumper markings — 1A-87G-D4 (First Army, 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion, D Company, 4th vehicle in line-of-march). Its name is Mary Head, my mom’s name that he stenciled on the Jeep. For me it’s a “running restoration” with help from Mike and the guys at KW.
What a story! A Jeep purchased with a dump truck load of gravel. Good on your friend for bringing it back to life. These stories never cease to amaze me. The Jeep community is a special breed, just like the vehicles. Mine is a CJ2A painted and marked like the MB my dad took into Normandy, including the bumper markings — 1A-87G-D4 (First Army, 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion, D Company, 4th vehicle in line-of-march). Its name is Mary Head, my mom’s name that he stenciled on the Jeep. For me it’s a “running restoration” with help from Mike and the guys at KW.