Photos from the past(are back)

[calvinhunt]

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



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. �I thought I was on top of the world. �All I did to this Jeep was install new white wall tires (at least they had narrowed down by this time), �hub caps, and a top for winter driving. �



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





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



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





Since that time I have had a few Jeep Cherokees and Grand Cherokees. �I even had a few different airplanes. �But it wasn't till I retired 3 years ago that I again got into the CJ business. �Found a �1949 CJ-3A and started again.



Going back together.



Finished. �Fun daily driver (summers only). �Fun on the trails.

[rocketeer]

Great pics! �That CJ2A has tool indents which makes it earlier than 1947, by the way.

Larry

[macrisel]

Very cool pics!  The story makes them even better.  As a pilot myself, it is hard to fathom buying an airplane for $1500  

[mud pie]

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 ??

[jamesr]

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

[mud pie]

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 ??    If yes, man-o-man am I jealous !!  

[calvinhunt]

Great pics! �That 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. �I have always referred to is as "My 47 Willys". �If I'd never found the old photo I never would have known. �Thanks.

[calvinhunt]

Very cool pics! �The story makes them even better. �As a pilot myself, it is hard to fathom buying an airplane for $1500 �;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.

[calvinhunt]

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. �He was going to rebuild it but is losing interest. �It's just sitting behind his house and he's moving away. �

mudpie, Please do dig through your old pics and share some 70s experiences with us. �Love to see them. �
And no, that's not my garage at home in the photo of the tear down. �I worked at the airport. �After retiring I was granted permission to restore my Jeep in the corner of the hangar. �It was designed to be the shipping and receiving room for the hangar/shop, but it ended up receiving little use. �I was glad for the heated space to work in all winter which also gave me access to all the shop tools and equipment. �However, 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. �I'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. �The 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

[Matto]

Calvin, great pictures and story. You should restore a CJ3B to add to your Jeep history.

[bayo500]

Your jeep has wow factor...

[Carls_jeep]

 :oOhhhh, Calvin that's a nice Ercoupe. Did you like it? Some did, some didn't. It was an unusual airplane.

[rocketeer]

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. �:)

Larry

[calvinhunt]

: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. �I honestly loved them both. �I have learned that most people either hate Ercoupes or they love them. �

A few years after I owned this Ercoupe I purchased a Super Cub that was on its back after a groundloop. �I restored it, flew for a year or two and then sold it (big regret).

[calvinhunt]

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. �:)

Larry

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

PS �Larry, you have been on this web site a long time. �Can you tell me why Photobucket has moved or deleted two of my original photos above? �I have also lost the "modify" button on this original post as well or I could go back and reinstall the two missing pics. �