1947 Willys CJ2A
The Willys CJ2A was one of the civilian jeep designs put out by Willys after the completion of the war. Similar in most ways to the Willys MB, Willys CJ vehicles, including the Willys CJ2A, incorporated design alterations to include vacuum-powered windshield wipers, a tailgate and civilian lighting. Production on the Willys CJ2A started July 17, 1945, sharing production time with the MBs. The CJ2A had two distinct series, often referred to as Very Early Civilian (VEC) and Early Civilian (EC) CJ2As. The EC CJ2A is considered to have been in production from mid-1946 to mid-1947. Early CJ2As, using many Willys MB parts, featured a civilianized MB with larger Willys headlights and a side-mounted spare tire. As the MB parts began to run out, later CJ2A jeeps featured design, and thus parts changes, including chrome headlight trims, chrome rear tail lamp doors, chrome rear reflectors and more. Later changes included paint colors, offering a wider variety of body paint colors, as opposed to the two colors that the early Willys CJ2As came in.
For consignment, a full on Willys Jeep, about as close as one can get to the MB series produced during WWII and right out of 1947. This Jeep has been modified from its original form with the addition of a roll cage and a V8 powerplant. This truck does not have a key, also there are no brakes, so you can get yourself in a bit of trouble if you aren't careful with this trail rig once you get it up and running lest you take time to give everything a once over. A project for sure, but the labors of your love and unlimited vision will be worth the blood sweat and tears, break out your 4x4 catalog and lets get a plan rollin'.
Exterior
The simple exterior shell is all that remains of this original Jeep and it is showing some rough spots as to rust, patina, paint peeling off and dents and dings. Just the facts ma'am on this sale as there are no doors, or canvas top, however, the folding ribs for the top are still on, and all bathed in an amaetur application of red paint. A black steel bar with a diamond plate platform replaces the front bumper, and it sports small steel brackets, possibly for a fold up towing assembly. The back of the truck is open, and the tailgate shows dents and dinging from years of use. This rig is sans rear bumper but does have a tow hitch of sorts bolted to the rear frame crossmember. In the back there are simple round flush mount taillights with central blue dots added. Polished and drilled 15" aluminum wheels are on and all 4 wheels are wrapped by 265/75R15 outline white letter rubber.
Interior
The "open air" interior has suffered from the elements with just 2 front buckets. These seats are not securely bolted to the flooring and present in a mix of smooth and knitted black vinyl. A stained oak dash now resides in front of the driver and within it, a centrally located speedometer is flanked by smaller round auxiliary gauges and toggles. A mix of black steel and surface rust make up the flooring in the front and between the hump is a B&M automatic shifter. In back, highly polished diamond plate takes over and covers the entire rear cargo area. A full roll cage has been added but is not bolted or welded to the flooring.
Drivetrain
Flipping open the hood reveals a 283ci V8 circa 1964-1966. The mill is fed by a Holley 4bbl carburetor and covered by a beehive style air cleaner assembly. Power steering is noted, and a pair of M/T ribbed aluminum valve covers have been added for some extra wow. Bolted to the back is a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and a Dana transfer case sends power to both the front and rear axles. Speaking of the axles, they are a Dana 25 front axle, and for the rear a Dana 44 with 5.38 gears. All this menagerie is sitting in an unrestored engine bay with plenty of patina, and lots of road dust accumulation.
Undercarriage
Plenty of heavy surface rust, and some invasive rust has taken over parts of the undercarriage. Thankfully the worst has been tended to, that being the inner wheelhouse which is showing a welded in repair plate. The floor pans have been painted black and are now peeling in areas. Surface rusted leaf spring suspension is all around as are drum brakes which are not working.
Drive-Ability
No key and no brakes means no drive for us. The engine does however turn over by hand, so all is not lost.
Despite its shortcomings with lack of some parts, there is a definite cool charm that is oozing from this 1947 Willys. The whole package of hastily applied red paint, the lack of any conveniences and just the basics and there is a certain attraction for the simplistic "rat ride" with an offroad charm and a difficult past working history, but it has survived and with some TLC on the brakes and ignition it could be a real interesting head turner, as it is here now in our Montezuma like Hallowed Halls here at Classic Auto Mall.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
