Not much of a story to tell about this old girl, I guess.
I'd been wanting an old flatfender for years, after hearing all kinds of stories about them from Grandpa. He used to talk about how much fun he had in the couple he owned years ago. Stories of climbing so steep you couldn't see anything but blue sky past the hood, or coming down a hill so steep you almost had to stand on the dashboard.
That stuff just fascinated me for so long, I knew I had to own one someday.
Fast forward around 20 years or so. An acquaintance of mine had owned this 3A since the late 1970's. He was the second owner. I talked to him about it every time I ran into him around town, especially the gas station.
I pestered him all the time about selling it to me. He'd just laugh, and tell me "if I do decide to sell it, you've got first crack at it". Honestly, I think he was just trying to shut me up.
I had built the engine in my Ranchero up enough, and ran it around enough, that I finally got bored with it, and put it up for sale. Sold it on a Friday afternoon. Later that day, I take a walk across town, wallet in tow, to check in on the Jeep. Knocked on the shop door, and the gentleman told me to come in.
I asked him if he was still thinking about selling the Jeep. He told me "yeah, I suppose I could, why?" I whip 22 $100 bills out of my wallet, and ask "well, do you take cash?"
Sold! Drove the ol' girl home shortly thereafter. Drove it almost every day for a year, and by that time, the 'ol L134 was getting pretty tired. Most minor grades I'd have to take in 1st or 2nd gear. No power at all in 3rd.
I tore the engine out, rebuilt it, and here's what I ended up with
. Two and a half years now since the rebuild, and she's still going strong. I drive it almost every day. I'll never get tired of it, that's for sure.
The fenders, tub, windshield frame, frame, axles, basically everything but the engine itself is all original from the day it rolled off the line in 1952. A few minor items aren't original (like the Nissan air cleaner, which has since been replace by an original oil-bath unit), but I'm pretty happy with it as it sits now.
Whaddaya think?
