124: Gary O’Bryan’s 1953 CJ-3A
My name is Gary O’Bryan from Cashmere Washington, Age 64 Married to Connie for 45 yrs, she has a great sense of humor. My wife told me I could buy a Willy’s Jeep IF I quit taking pictures of her asleep. I have fixed a few things thanks to Kaiser Willy’s catalog, horn, heater [rewired switch] temp gauge and sending unit, parking lights were rusted [cleaned and replaced bulbs] same with brake light. Choke and throttle cables were rusted, E-brake is still rusted. I have had a lot of fun driving it and letting people drive it too. I have a wishlist with several more things I want to ask Santa for.
I found this Willys on craigslist 1 yr ago, I have always loved old Jeeps. I’m a 65 year old kid when it comes to Jeeps. I worked in sawmills for over 30 years as a certified lumber grader, and planned on getting a Jeep before I retired, it didn’t quite work out that way as I had to retire early. This Jeep needed a little work, but not much; choke and throttle cables, heater did not work, horn and brake lights needed some work and I replaced parking lights and bezels. Also added jerry can [1953] same year as Jeep and added spare tire. I love the military look so painted it myself [1st attempt ever]. Now I really enjoy driving around our town and giving rides and letting people try their hand at driving. I drove in our St Patty’s Day parade a one block long event as co-Grand marshals with my brother.
– Gary O’Bryan
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Hey Gary,
Looks like a nice Jeep you’ve got there! It seems that your Jeep is in very good shape for its age, and not in need of a major restoration. I like the color in the first few photos. Is that just red primer?
Hey Gary,
Looks like a nice Jeep you’ve got there! It seems that your Jeep is in very good shape for its age, and not in need of a major restoration. I like the color in the first few photos. Is that just red primer?
The only real damage to the jeep was where the spare tire mount would be it was gone so did a little bondo then bought a spare tire mount from KW,and the spare hides a little bit of what I couldn’t fix. The jeep was originally red but faded so used “rust red” Rustolium primer before I painted it.Thanks for your comments.
The only real damage to the jeep was where the spare tire mount would be it was gone so did a little bondo then bought a spare tire mount from KW,and the spare hides a little bit of what I couldn’t fix. The jeep was originally red but faded so used “rust red” Rustolium primer before I painted it.Thanks for your comments.
Hi Gary. Great Jeep! Sounds like your wife is a really good sport, and that only makes things more fun. Nothing like having an “adult go-kart” to play in.
It looks very nice, and I’m sure runs great. Hooray for you!
Have fun!!
Hi Gary. Great Jeep! Sounds like your wife is a really good sport, and that only makes things more fun. Nothing like having an “adult go-kart” to play in.
It looks very nice, and I’m sure runs great. Hooray for you!
Have fun!!