How'd Your Willys Look on Day One??

[athawk11]

I've been on the forum for a couple years now. �Lot's of folks have come since I've been here, but tons more have been here for years. �I don't know where it started for many of you.

My inspiration for this post is the all new �'Once You've Joined' section. �I really enjoy the stories, and learning about the new members and their Flat Fenders.

So...

This is the new 'Photos Section" of our 3A page. �We all love photos. �This is the perfect spot to show what you got.
 
[size=12]I thought we could have some fun with this. �I'm hoping we can get all the members to post a photo of the first time you met your Willys.[/size]

No before and afters...we can do the 'afters' (if there is an after) in following posts. �Right now, let's see where it all started. �Give some verbal details. �Stuff like:

Where did you find it/them?
How long have you had it/them?
Do you know any of its history prior to you bringing it home?
What made you want it?

I like history... and I bet most of you have stories to tell.

Tim�


 ï¿½

[Ryan_M]

Excellent thread Tim. Here's mine.

My great grandfather bought this new in '51 for use on his farm. Years later he sold the farm and the Willys went with it. The farm was turned into a subdivision and the Willys was kept in service there dragging a reel mower around what is now the golf course. Last year, the homeowner's association decided to replace the Willys with a new Kubota. Dad still lives nearby and tipped me off to the news. I bought it. Here's some pics from the day I trailered it home:

[athawk11]

Love it Ryan.  Great story.  Getting to keep 'er in the family makes it all the more special.  She was rough, but I know what it looks like now...Beautiful.  Speaking of your Willys, have you named it yet?

Tim

[athawk11]

I'm Tim. �
My story starts with my wife and her mid life crisis. �(If she reads this, I'm dead).

I'm not sure what her inspiration was, but in 2010, she started looking a Craigslist for a small convertible. �She was focused on a VW Bug or a Karmann ghia. �I was honestly terrified. �I knew nothing about old cars, and less about how to keep them on the road.

Then came the compromise... �

I had always wanted an old Willys. �She wanted an old convertible. �Well, I convinced her that a Willys is the ultimate convertible... �I don't know why she bought it, but she did.

For the next several months, she was on Craigslist, but now she was looking for a Willys. �On July 3rd 2010, she found one in Lakewood, Colorado. �We went to see it. �It was rough. �It ran, but that�s where the good news ended. �It was leaking every conceivable fluid. And geeezz, what a rust bucket. The ride home was interesting. �The next 30 minutes of my life were terrifying. �Note to self: �Driving the suburban streets of Denver with no brakes is a foolish endeavor.



The PO told me he used it as a plow Jeep on a small used car lot for 37 years. �In all those years, it never left that lot. �It never got to roll through the Rocky Mountains on a beautiful summer day. �I was determined to change this Willys stars. �After a 2 year rebuild, I took her to the Fall Colors Tour in 2012. �I think the Willys enjoyed the trip.

I stand here today, to give my wife Rachel, full credit for my Willys passion. �And now I�m really excited�she wants one for her own. �Life is good�real good.

Tim �

[Ryan_M]

..... �Speaking of your Willys, have you named it yet?

Tim

I have not named it yet but funny you should ask. I have always referred to the Willys as "it". However, after my first drive Sunday, I started referring to it as "she". This was not planned and was not intentional, I just caught myself saying "she" 3 or 4 times later that day. I better come up with a girl's name now. As if my wife wasn't disgusted enough already.....

[athawk11]

..... �Speaking of your Willys, have you named it yet?

Tim

As if my wife wasn't disgusted enough already.....

Laughed out loud!!

[BMIC]

Great idea Tim, I found my 3A through Craig's List. I drove the 60 miles from my home to Rumford, Maine at 5am on a Saturday morning hoping to be there and back before my wife was even up.
 My imported foods distrubitation warehouse in Portland keeps me going at a consistant 60 hours a week and the weekend "honey do list" covers all other wakeing hours.
 I know the questions I would get when my wife, two son's and three grandchildren saw this diamond in the VERY rough parked in the driveway. After the PO pulled the tarp off the jeep he started it up for me, I would have been more confident in the purchase if he had not. When he tried to honestly give me the list of issues I cut him off and said "I'll take it", anymore and he would have talked me out of it. The PO had no history of the jeep other than he bought it a few months back and did not have the time or money to put it back on the road.
It is a bit of a selfish endevor in that I absolutly love the time I spend working on my jeep. As it has progressed from the initial dismantaling so has the interest from family and friends. My Willy's is really coming out well, my initial thoughts of just fixing the broken stuff to now replacing or restoring back to new.
Maybe the best part of all this is loging on to the 2 and 3A pages every day. It is great to spend time and conversation with people who share and respect this icon of american history.

[Ryan_M]

I had seen that pic before but just now noticed what appears to be a cloud of blue smoke surrounding the old beast and wafting in to the forest. Nice touch.

Can't wait for you to finish it. I need a trail ride partner.

[Quebec Jeep]

Hi, My story does'nt have a real start point. My dad always own a jeep.
When I bought my Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2007 (in 2006), it was looking like an old military truck.
I mean by it's shape and design. So I surf on internet and found the cj3apage.com and ewillys.com.
I was amazed by the job done by Jonathan on his jeep.
I though, "Wow, there is a lot of documentation, simple mechanics, a lot of jeep available...Why not?!"
So I spot a jeep on ewillys. I'm living in Quebec, Canada...jeep was in wisconsin.
It's just a 22 hour non-stop trip to go there! "Honey?! NO, I'm not crazy. Why are you thinking this?"
Here is the PO in front of my new jeep just before coming back home.
August third 2011.

It's a CJ-3A 1950

Here is a link of my facebook page. You don't need to be on facebook to view the page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeep-Willys/464935890188142

[Quebec Jeep]

And my story continu...
A jeep things...
Here is my new jeep!!! Another one.
My wife still loving me. The life is good, really.

I bought it October 27th, 2012.
It's a DJ-6 1965.

[BMIC]

Hey Ryan, On the upside there was not a mosquito within a mile of that jeep. Next fall you and I will post a trail ride through Maine. Carl, Calvin and Mac will be changing their travel plans.

[athawk11]

Alright!! �This is what I'm talking about.

QB, Look like you got yourself a herd. �Nice.

BMIC, That front fender almost looks home made. �Yes? � �


I'm lovin' this. � �[smiley=thumbsup.gif] �To all the members. Share your history! �Keep 'em coming folks.

Tim

[BMIC]

BMIC, That front fender almost looks home made. �Yes? � �
 
Tim both fenders as well as the tub from the seats back were fabricated by a previous owner(s). I think a fitting name for my 3A would be "Re", as in rebuilt, replaced, reused and remarkable. My 3A is such an orphan that it's worn out parts were replaced with less worn out parts. There may have been more baleing wire then electrical wire. Maybe that's why I am enjoying this rebuild so much, this time she is getting new parts and a load of TLC. The fenders will be replaced but I am having second thoughts about the tub. The PO that fabricated the tub must have have been in an armored tank division. The tub demensions are accurate enough and the metal thickness is about 3 times that of a replacement tub. Why reinvent the wheel, if my goal is a strong and safe everyday driver.

[athawk11]

BMIC, That front fender almost looks home made. �Yes? � �
 
 The PO that fabricated the tub must have have been in an armored tank division. The tub demensions are accurate enough and the metal thickness is about 3 times that of a replacement tub. Why reinvent the wheel, if my goal is a strong and safe everyday driver.

Ah Ha. �No wonder it looks so straight back there. �Hey, nothing wrong with having a bullet proof rear end. �I wish I had a bullet proof rear end every time the corprate bosses come to town.

Tim

[johnrb3b]

These two have become one.
Final pictures after it's actually done.
Here's the before of both of them.
This is the '59
http://home.comcast.net/~jrburch_h/jeep/joejeep/L_side_crop.jpg

This is the '54
http://home.comcast.net/~jrburch_h/jeep/LRandy.jpg

Wait 'till you see the results.
Coming soon.