?Another 1951 USN CJ3A?

[51USNCJ3A]

Hello,

I am new here, and new to Willys Jeeps.  I have owned CJ5's on up, but that is all AMC and newer stuff.  However, I have just purchased, but have yet to take delivery of, a 1951(this may be disputable) CJ3A with a Navy data tag that matches the Willys body tag.  I have searched on here a bit and found a couple discussions of Navy 3A's.  The information in those discussions echos that on my Jeep.  I have included a picture of the Navy tag below.  Thoughts?

mikE 

[Bob W]

Welcome!! The Navy did make several group purchases of CJ-3As. While the military used the "Date of Delivery" to describe their Jeeps, Willys Overland used the "Model Year". I'd say that the complete serial number for your Jeep is 452-GB1 10608 making it a 1952 model year CJ-3A.

[51USNCJ3A]

It is.  Practically speaking will that make any difference for parts used? Like I said, It's am very new to this vintage. Also, since it is a CJ made for the Navy, would it have shiney or flat paint? 

mikE

[Bob W]

There are a lot of subtle differences in CJ-3As as they progressed from 1949 to 1953. For the most part if you are not trying for an exact restoration it won't matter.

Navy CJ-3As were probably gloss Gray.

[51USNCJ3A]

I am sure that I will be asking a bunch of questions as I go forward. I plan on finding the right parts where parts are missing, but no replacing parts that are wrong, but there. The air filter comes to mind. It has a paper element on top of the wrong carburetor right now. Gloss paint makes me happy. I was hoping that would be the answer.

mikE

[51USNCJ3A]

Here are a few before pictures.  This is how I brought it home. 




More pictures can be found where I am learning what all I have in this Jeep.

https://cj3apage.com/Forum/index.php?topic=4367.0

Mike G.