CJ3A with a strange VIN

[Quebec Jeep]

I just spotted this one on ebay and I wonder if the VIN is real or fake.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Willys-CJ-3A-Farm-Jeep-1953-CJ-3A-WILLYS-FARM-JEEP-W-PTO-/150889365727?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2321b500df#v4-42

453 GC1 100x2

GC1

There is a lot of option on it.

[johnrb3b]

If I'm not mistaken, this is Trek Tarmac's 3A.
He's a new member, just joined.
It's a Jeep Tractor - fairly rare.
Am I guessing correctly Bill?

[Quebec Jeep]

I'm used to see prefix GB1, not GC1.

Does anyone know the meaning of it?

[Ryan_M]

Apparently GC1 is a Farm Jeep and a GD1 is a Jeep Tractor

http://www.cj3a.info/photos/gc1.html

http://www.cj3a.info/cj3a/farmjeep/fj.html

From the page:
In 1951 Willys formed a �special department to combat the slumping farm market sales. The newly formed Farm Sales Department had complete control of distribution and implement procurement for the farm market. They were to field test implements to ensure compatibility with the Jeep before being authorized for sale by Willys. This was done so unsuitable equipment wouldn't tarnish the Jeeps reputation. Two new versions of the existing CJ-3A were also introduced, the Farm Jeep and the Jeep Tractor. The Farm Jeep was a regular Jeep with factory installed hydraulic lift, drawbar, propeller shaft guards, heavy duty springs and variable speed belt driven governor. The Jeep Tractor had factory installed hydraulic lift, power take off, governor, drawbar, heavy-duty springs, front bumper weight, propeller shaft guards and radiator chaff screen. The Jeep Tractor did not have front shocks and assembly, spare tire, spare wheel and brackets, windshield and assembly, fuel pump vacuum booster, tailgate, lighting system, door curtain retaining channels, oil filter, speedometer assembly or horn. Equipment needed primarily for road service was not built into the Jeep Tractor so this was designed for field use only.

Any Universal Jeep could have been outfitted to be a farm type Jeep simply by adding the appropriate options. Real Farm Jeeps had special serial number prefix. For example the first Farm Jeep VIN number is 451-GC1 10001. The first digit (4) indicates number of cylinders. The next two numbers (51) �indicate the model year 1951. The next letter (G) indicates basic chassis model. The following letter (C) indicates body type, A is a stripped chassis, B is the regular Universal Jeep, C is the Farm Jeep and D is the Jeep Tractor. After the body type is the series identifying number (1) with 1 for CJ-3A and 2 for CJ-3B. The remaining 5 digits are the actual serial number of the vehicle, starting with 10001 at the beginning of each model year. Although many CJ-2As and early CJ-3As were set up to be farming Jeeps, only a 1951 or later CJ-3A or CJ-3B could be a real Farm Jeep or Jeep Tractor.

[athawk11]

Well done Ryan.

The data plate still appears to be missing a digit...or was the stamping just not 'stamped' hard enough? �It kind of looks like there is something in front of the '2'.  Maybe a '9'?

[Quebec Jeep]

Thanks. This mean that there is a great value for this jeep.

[Dave Hackett]

The first Farm Jeep belonged to my brother Leon. He and our mother drove it from West Virginia to Arizona on just backroads. It would barely do 45mph. We lost them both a while back, and would like find his old Jeep again. He sold it on Craigslist and I can't find the buyer. If anyone can help call Dave at 6237030401, thank you.