The history of our 1946 CJ-2A began in 1954 when I was a freshman in high school (60 years ago)! Our family had just built a cottage in Michigan and we thought it would be fun to have a Jeep with which to run around in the woods. I was assigned the task of watching the Classifieds and sure enough, one showed up for $175. It was only 8 years old and even had a full canvas top. It was solid, but I had to take it through a series of painful paint jobs, from brushed on tractor paint to 1956 Ford Spring Mist green. Obviously, I wasn’t concerned with authenticity, and it wasn’t until 50 years later that I decided to give it a ground up restoration with the correct Harvest Tan color. The spare tire is even one of the original tires. It is still at the cottage, running like a top, and supplying lots of memories of driving through flooded viaducts in high school, to dates at the drive-in, to running across the dunes of Michigan. It has proudly rolled down Main Street in 4th of July parades, has towed boats back and forth to the launch ramp each spring and fall, and has given many a child a thrill ride through the woods at night. Since I learned how to drive in it, when it came time to take my driver’s test, it was the car of choice. Illinois had a part of the driving test when the examiner would all of a sudden ask you to stop quickly (I don’t know if it was a brake test or a reaction test). I had the windshield down, so I knew when he was about to call for the stop: with nothing to hang onto, he put his foot up on the dash and scrunched down in the seat! All the parts are original except the engine which was replaced when the original block cracked. It was replaced with a rebuilt Kaiser “Supersonic” engine. There are a few spots of oil on the floor, and the carb would probably like a good cleaning, but being seven years older than I am, we are both still kicking and always ready to take a spin in the woods together. Talk about a family member! 
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Nice Willys, nice history. I guess $175 was quite a bit for a used car in 1954 – the year I was born – but still a reasonable price for 8 years old. Low miles, I’m guessing. Thanks for sharing.
Nice Willys, nice history. I guess $175 was quite a bit for a used car in 1954 – the year I was born – but still a reasonable price for 8 years old. Low miles, I’m guessing. Thanks for sharing.
As a 1946, I’m curious as to your Jeeps serial number. I noticed in the picture it has no ‘indents’ on the body side for a shovel and axe. My 46 CJ2A has the indents on the driver side as well as a factory colume-shift. (they were apparently made only a few months to just short of one years production) Since Willys-Overland restarted the serial numbers at -0- for every model year I’m trying to determine if mine is unusually rare or just ‘normal’. My 46s serial number is #19569 on both the body tub and the frame. It has no title as it has apparently never been registered with the DMV and does not appear on their records.
As a 1946, I’m curious as to your Jeeps serial number. I noticed in the picture it has no ‘indents’ on the body side for a shovel and axe. My 46 CJ2A has the indents on the driver side as well as a factory colume-shift. (they were apparently made only a few months to just short of one years production) Since Willys-Overland restarted the serial numbers at -0- for every model year I’m trying to determine if mine is unusually rare or just ‘normal’. My 46s serial number is #19569 on both the body tub and the frame. It has no title as it has apparently never been registered with the DMV and does not appear on their records.
Seven years older than you? If it is a 1946 then you were 1 year old and a freshman in high school.
Seven years older than you? If it is a 1946 then you were 1 year old and a freshman in high school.
Great story! And to keep it all that time and as you both go on through life is just priceless!
You both are still looking great for your age, no signs of slowing! LOL!
Great story! And to keep it all that time and as you both go on through life is just priceless!
You both are still looking great for your age, no signs of slowing! LOL!
I was born in ’54 as well. I have a ’42 GPW that I restored ( took me about 6 years ). Will leave it to my son & grandson. Good memories.
I was born in ’54 as well. I have a ’42 GPW that I restored ( took me about 6 years ). Will leave it to my son & grandson. Good memories.
I was born in 1953 and have a very similar story. In 1955, on my second birthday, my Dad and I bought a 1948 CJ2A that I am restoring for the second time but this time it is a frame off restore. I have tons of video from the mid fifties of us taking the Jeep so far out in the desert and back in the woods it is a wonder that the Jeep got us all home, but it did every time. We both own “The” Jeep and not just “A” Jeep. I, like you, painted mine non-stock colors over the years and am returning it to it’s original color when we bought it, Luzon Red. Great to hear that others are preserving not only history, but history within a family. You’ve got a real nice rig!
I was born in 1953 and have a very similar story. In 1955, on my second birthday, my Dad and I bought a 1948 CJ2A that I am restoring for the second time but this time it is a frame off restore. I have tons of video from the mid fifties of us taking the Jeep so far out in the desert and back in the woods it is a wonder that the Jeep got us all home, but it did every time. We both own “The” Jeep and not just “A” Jeep. I, like you, painted mine non-stock colors over the years and am returning it to it’s original color when we bought it, Luzon Red. Great to hear that others are preserving not only history, but history within a family. You’ve got a real nice rig!
Well I was born in 1950 and accquired The ’47 CJ2A in 1993 in CT. It was a Diamond in the Rough and full of rats nests and hornets guess they know a sound body when they see it. I found out through records it had been originally titled in SC and that is where I called home after retirement from the Navy so I trailered it and took it home with us. Still in Red primer and still in my garage after 21 years. I turn her over once a month. I plan to get her running regular after I retire from The VA in 2 more years and get another life started finally enjoying one. I will share the ser# and some photos of what it looked like later. Plan on keeping it at least until it is 80+ years old. Then maybe a Grandson will be the next keeper of The Jeep.
Well I was born in 1950 and accquired The ’47 CJ2A in 1993 in CT. It was a Diamond in the Rough and full of rats nests and hornets guess they know a sound body when they see it. I found out through records it had been originally titled in SC and that is where I called home after retirement from the Navy so I trailered it and took it home with us. Still in Red primer and still in my garage after 21 years. I turn her over once a month. I plan to get her running regular after I retire from The VA in 2 more years and get another life started finally enjoying one. I will share the ser# and some photos of what it looked like later. Plan on keeping it at least until it is 80+ years old. Then maybe a Grandson will be the next keeper of The Jeep.
Good to hear great families are restoring classic offroad vehicles made in the USA. We have also a couple of Willies is our family. One is a 1947 CJ-2A & a 1956 Dj3A. Our CJ2a is our mule around the the property to do the heavy hauling of timber’s & etc. Thanks for sharing your family history.
Good to hear great families are restoring classic offroad vehicles made in the USA. We have also a couple of Willies is our family. One is a 1947 CJ-2A & a 1956 Dj3A. Our CJ2a is our mule around the the property to do the heavy hauling of timber’s & etc. Thanks for sharing your family history.