My Willys 3A and 3B Community

Rambling, Malarky, Rants, Etc. => Rambling, Malarky, Rants, Etc... => Topic started by: calvinhunt on April 15, 2011, 01:58:15 AM

Title: Photos from the past(are back)
Post by: calvinhunt on April 15, 2011, 01:58:15 AM: Having spent much of this cold and windy spring day inside going though old photos and because no one has posted any Rambling, Malarky, Rants, and Bullsh*t for a few days, I guess I will share a few of those photos here.

I have mentioned a few times that when I was young I bought my first Willys Jeep. ï¿½It was a 1947 CJ-2A. ï¿½I had honestly forgotten that I had stripped and painted it till I saw this photo. ï¿½I didn't remember that I was into fixing-up clear back then at age 16. That picture was taken in 1959. ï¿½I was so proud of the 1956 Chevy hub caps and the wide white wall tires. ï¿½I guess the goofy-looking white bumper was to match the white walls. ï¿½The windshield was out of town getting new glass. ï¿½I wish I had an earlier photo before paint. ï¿½The Jeep was only 12 years old in the photo.

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/Pics%20from%20old%20slides/Calvin019.jpg)

The summer I graduated from high school (1962) I also graduated from the CJ-2A to this 1956 CJ-5. This Jeep was only 6 years old. ï¿½I thought I was on top of the world. ï¿½All I did to this Jeep was install new white wall tires (at least they had narrowed down by this time), ï¿½hub caps, and a top for winter driving. ï¿½

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/Pics%20from%20old%20slides/Calvin010-1.jpg)

In 1966 I purchased this 1962 CJ-5 from a mining company. ï¿½The price was right. ï¿½They had actually been using it for the previous two years as a mine cart puller down in the mines. ï¿½The windshield and tailgate were missing. ï¿½Both front fenders had been mangled. ï¿½It needed a bunch of new parts and a lot of TLC. ï¿½That I gladly provided. ï¿½After installing the new fenders and completing other body work I took it to an auto paint shop and had it painted professionally. ï¿½I still had to have white wall tires. ï¿½I felt the 65 Ford Mustang hub caps set it off. ï¿½Again, I added a new top and headed off to college in the fall. ï¿½

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/Pics%20from%20old%20slides/Calvin005-1.jpg)

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/Pics%20from%20old%20slides/Calvin103.jpg)

Having enrolled in the College of Engineering at Utah State University, majoring in aeronautics, many classmates were pilots. ï¿½A few even had planes of their own. ï¿½I had learned to fly a couple of years earlier. ï¿½I wanted my own plane. ï¿½In my search I learned of a guy who had an old plane for sale. ï¿½I looked him up. ï¿½He wanted $1500 for it. ï¿½ I told him that I'd put my Jeep up for sale and that I should be able to get $1500 for it. ï¿½He said he may be interested in the Jeep. ï¿½Five minutes later we made a deal to swap. ï¿½The next day we exchanged key for key and title for title.

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/Pics%20from%20old%20slides/Calvin012.jpg)

Once again I had a project on my hands. ï¿½I got all the materials lined up for upholstery and paint. ï¿½Then on Christmas break (about 10 days long) I flew my little plane home where I had a place to work. ï¿½When I returned to school the project was complete and winter had arrived. ï¿½

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/Pics%20from%20old%20slides/Calvin098.jpg)

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/Pics%20from%20old%20slides/Calvin008.jpg)

Since that time I have had a few Jeep Cherokees and Grand Cherokees. ï¿½I even had a few different airplanes. ï¿½But it wasn't till I retired 3 years ago that I again got into the CJ business. ï¿½Found a ï¿½1949 CJ-3A and started again.

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/3TearDownStarted.jpg)

Going back together.

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/Camera20078073.jpg)

Finished. ï¿½Fun daily driver (summers only). ï¿½Fun on the trails.

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/15Finished-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: rocketeer on April 15, 2011, 09:21:37 AM: Great pics! ï¿½That CJ2A has tool indents which makes it earlier than 1947, by the way.

Larry
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: macrisel on April 15, 2011, 10:14:08 AM: Very cool pics! :) The story makes them even better. As a pilot myself, it is hard to fathom buying an airplane for $1500 ;D
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: mud pie on April 15, 2011, 11:10:15 AM: Excellent pics !

Now you're making me want to dig through all my old pics, as I have been Jeepin since I was 14 (I turn 50 next week)

I was 14 in the 70's, so the clothing and hair I wore back then is sure to garner some laughs ! Yes, I even wore leisure suits....remember them Godawful things ??
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: jamesr on April 15, 2011, 11:11:02 AM: Calvin, Good history! Your jeep through and through. I have a couple of original CJ5 white canvis doors in extremely good shape, if you ever go back to rebuilding another one. Jim
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: mud pie on April 15, 2011, 06:13:45 PM: You said that you've retired...I noticed in your latest project pic, you have a roll-up door and a massive power disconnect panel on your garage wall.

Is THAT the garage you have at home ?? :o If yes, man-o-man am I jealous !! ;D
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: calvinhunt on April 15, 2011, 11:30:59 PM: Quote
Great pics! ï¿½That CJ2A has tool indents which makes it earlier than 1947, by the way.
Now that you have jogged my memory, I do believe it was a 46. ï¿½I have always referred to is as "My 47 Willys". ï¿½If I'd never found the old photo I never would have known. ï¿½Thanks.
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: calvinhunt on April 15, 2011, 11:42:01 PM: Quote
Very cool pics! :) ï¿½The story makes them even better. ï¿½As a pilot myself, it is hard to fathom buying an airplane for $1500 ï¿½;D
Remember, that was in 1966. Also, I wouldn't sell a refurbished 4 year old Jeep for $1500 either. Great times--and a great time in my life. Thanks.
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: calvinhunt on April 16, 2011, 12:07:32 AM: jamesr, I actually might end up with the CJ-5 my friend and I picked up from you when we met in Flagstaff that day. ï¿½He was going to rebuild it but is losing interest. ï¿½It's just sitting behind his house and he's moving away. ï¿½

mudpie, Please do dig through your old pics and share some 70s experiences with us. ï¿½Love to see them. ï¿½
And no, that's not my garage at home in the photo of the tear down. ï¿½I worked at the airport. ï¿½After retiring I was granted permission to restore my Jeep in the corner of the hangar. ï¿½It was designed to be the shipping and receiving room for the hangar/shop, but it ended up receiving little use. ï¿½I was glad for the heated space to work in all winter which also gave me access to all the shop tools and equipment. ï¿½However, just a year later when I wanted to check valve clearance after 800 miles on the newly rebuilt engine, "my" corner had been remodeled into a supply room with the roll up door removed. ï¿½I'm still welcome to bring it into the airplane maintenance hangar as needed from time to time for short-term maintenance needs as seen in the pics below. ï¿½The old-timers on the CJ-3A page saw a beginning-to-end story with pics posted 3 years ago (on the old forum) when I did my restoration, so I often forget that not all are aware of my project. But, because so many are I don't want to over do it by telling it and showing it again.
ï¿½
(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/Adjustingthevalves002.jpg)

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/Adjustingthevalves001.jpg)
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: Matto on April 16, 2011, 10:16:15 PM: Calvin, great pictures and story. You should restore a CJ3B to add to your Jeep history.
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: bayo500 on April 17, 2011, 07:26:41 PM: Your jeep has wow factor...
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: Carls_jeep on April 17, 2011, 09:24:52 PM: :oOhhhh, Calvin that's a nice Ercoupe. Did you like it? Some did, some didn't. It was an unusual airplane.
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: rocketeer on April 17, 2011, 10:56:45 PM: Love the twin tail on that puppy. When I was working the tower for the G.O.C. there were two planes you never had trouble identifying, the ERCO Ercoupe and the Beechcraft Bonanza. ï¿½:)

Larry
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: calvinhunt on April 18, 2011, 01:13:29 AM: Quote
:oOhhhh, Calvin that's a nice Ercoupe. Did you like it? Some did, some didn't. It was an unusual airplane.
I have actually owned two different Ercoupes. ï¿½I honestly loved them both. ï¿½I have learned that most people either hate Ercoupes or they love them. ï¿½

A few years after I owned this Ercoupe I purchased a Super Cub that was on its back after a groundloop. ï¿½I restored it, flew for a year or two and then sold it (big regret).
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: calvinhunt on April 18, 2011, 01:20:08 AM: Quote
Love the twin tail on that puppy. When I was working the tower for the G.O.C. there were two planes you never had trouble identifying, the ERCO Ercoupe and the Beechcraft Bonanza. ï¿½:)

Larry
You mention the planes with unique tail feathers, the Ercoupe and the Bonanza. ï¿½As I said in my response to carlsjeep, I have owned two different Ercoupes. ï¿½I have also owned two different Bonanzas as well. ï¿½Really great planes.

PS ï¿½Larry, you have been on this web site a long time. ï¿½Can you tell me why Photobucket has moved or deleted two of my original photos above? ï¿½I have also lost the "modify" button on this original post as well or I could go back and reinstall the two missing pics. ï¿½
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: rocketeer on April 18, 2011, 11:14:42 AM: Calvin, Photobucket is having serious problems over the past couple of weeks. See if you can log on to your account. I suspect your account is one of those affected (mine was too) and that's why they're not displaying. If you can not log on, email them at the address below and tell them you can't get on. They will fix it, albeit not prefectly yet, and offer you a free Pro account for a period of time.

As far as the edit button disappearing, that's a problem with the forum software. Let's hope it gets fixed soon.

support@photobucket.com

Larry
Title: Re: Photos from the past
Post by: calvinhunt on April 18, 2011, 11:32:22 PM: Thanks, Larry,
I'll follow your advise. I'm sure it will be helpful to others, as well, who are posting with pics here on the CJ-3A Page.
Title: Re: Photos from the past(are back)
Post by: Doug on April 23, 2011, 11:55:19 AM: Awesome photos. You are quite the jeep afficionado. That is the first time I have ever seen wide white wall mud tires. You sure did a nice job on that plane! Looks great after you fixed it up. With such a stable of past vehicles, I wonder what's in your future!!!!