In 1944, willysoverland, one of the two main manufacturers of the world war ii military jeep, built the first prototypes for a commercial version the cj, short for civilian jeep. Our core values are embodied in every jeep brand vehicles dna. The willys universal jeep cj 3b was built between 1952 and 1968. Inline 4 cylinder w downdraft carb, 3 speed manual transmission, complete photo documented frame off restoration, only 825 miles on restoration, original. Fca us historian brandt rosenbusch discusses the 19541983 jeep cj5. A brief history of the tuxedo park kaiser willys jeep. Their ability to maneuver over rough terrain made them ideal for park maintenance vehicles, forest fire protection, and transporting equipment and. It powered nearly all the jeep vehicles built for the u. The cj 3a page provides information and history for willys cj 3a jeep owners.
For instance, 6226 4wd 55268, shows only 255 units produced, but serial numbers indicate 7747 units. It seems to have been used in advertising for the cj3a, cj3b and early cj5, and dropped by american motors when they purchased jeep from kaiser. It had flat front fenders like earlier jeep models such as the cj 2a and cj 3a, but can be distinguished by a higher hood profile. The land report magazine cover story featured a picture of me in my jeep driving up a hill on a ranch i recently sold.
Read about this time in jeep history and explore the 1940s jeep lineup. The m38 had protruding headlights with a protective guard wire in the front, blackout lights, and an air vent in the base of the. History of the 19551983 jeep cj 5 the jeep cj 5 is a product of willys overland refining the original world war ii jeep. It also provides information about and links to other jeep and willys websites. Beginning with the jeep as a crucial component of the american world war ii fleet, foster. Jeep history 1940 to 2015 the evolution of the wrangler and more duration. Willys cj series cj stands for civilian jeep began with prototype models cj1 and cj2 agrijeep before the cj2a production model was settled on ready for 1945. Jeep cj2a story the willys cj2a, the first massproduced jeep intended for the civilian market, began production on july 17, 1945. Oct, 2016 ever wonder what makes a jeep cj 3b a 3b. The complete history of the jeep willys hiconsumption. There were a couple of stock cjs but most of the displays were heavily modified machines.
The cj 5a tuxedo park mark iv has a prefix of 8322, while the cj 6a tuxedo park mark iv has a prefix of 8422. Offers historical, technical information and photos for civilian and military willys jeeps including the mbgpw, cj series, willys station wagon, willys truck, m38 and m38a1, and the jeepster. The jeep brand has been around for seven decades, with 2011 marking our 70th anniversary. Universal jeep history universal jeep also jeep universal was a name used by willys for its 14ton cj utility vehicles through much of the 1950s and 60s. Horse face films presents 1965 cj3b restoration youtube. The jeep cj6 was introduced for 1956, and was in production for just under 20 years.
Other than mechanical improvements, the overall look of the jeep cj series changed little over the decades. The willys cj 5 jeep holds the record for the longest produced jeep model from 19541983 with a total of 603,303 approx. The history of the jeep pickup truck begins in 1947 when the first jeep pickup truck was introduced. Aug 06, 2018 forged for war, jeep is one of the few automotive brands that stuck around after the war. Unfortunately, this model never gained the popularity that was hoped for, and only approximately 460 of the cj 6a models were ever produced, making them a. A longwheelbase fourwheel drive prototype ambulance was released to the u. This book covers second world war versions of the legendary jeep prototypes, production models and special versions. Also covered are the prewar coupes modified into highpowered racers. View all the information on ebay offered is a very rare 1960s kaiser jeep instruction manual for a mobil motion picture unit marked model 6230 4wdec, contract 1a10123 on the cover and on the inside it specifies governor model gc 1496.
Production on the willys cj2a started july 17, 1945, sharing production time with the mbs. This section 1961 is the worst one for errors, there being 6412 more units produced, according to the serial numbers, than show on the original sheets. There are 11 wartime jeep variants covered bantam brc40, budd pygmy, willys ma, ford gp, willys mb, willys mb of the longrange desert group, ford gpw, ford gpa or seep, 6x6 mttug, t28 halftrack and the heavily armed sas willys mb. The ec cj2a is considered to have been in production from mid1946 to mid1947. Willys jeep cj3b identification kaiser willys omixada. In this video, we briefly go over the details and history of the willys cj 3b and how to correctly identify one. Willys jeep history this is a very brief general overview of the willys overland motors company. The cj7 was the first cj that offered both the quadratrac and hydramatic fourwheel drive system. I update this website nearly every day with jeep deals, jeep history, interesting reader projects, jeep related info, and. Kaiser purchased jeep in 1953 and continued the tradition. Dispatchers, convertibles, and surreys, all 2wd cousins of the 3a and 3b. In 1950, willys introduced the m38 identified as an mc by willys, a postwwii jeep based on the cj3a and fitted will militaryspecific features, including a onepiece foldable windshield, bottommounted wipers, a pintle hook for towing, lifting shackles, and a fuel filler on the drivers side. The standard base motor was an inline six cylinder that was 232 cubic inches through a bore and stroke of 3. This longer 101 wheelbase added substantial cargo space to the vehicle and was our answer to the endless requests for a roomier vehicle.
It covers the willys jeep s production history, trials against the horse cavalry at fort riley. Willys cj 3a was a barebones civilian jeep produced in 1949. Willys jeep cj 5 identification kaiser willys omixada tour duration. Willys trademarked the jeep name, turned the mb into the civilian jeep cj models, and jeep became its own brand. It seems to have been used in advertising for the cj 3a, cj 3b and early cj 5, and dropped by american motors when they purchased jeep from kaiser.
Black hood catch latch kit pair for jeep cj cj7 cj5 yj wrangler 19421995 488601. Throughout our storied history, jeep brand vehicle owners have. Jeep evolution jeep history from 1940 2018 youtube. The jeep cj models are both a series and a range of small, openbodied offroad vehicles and compact pickup trucks, built and sold by several successive incarnations of the jeep automobile marque from 1945 to 1986. Foster chronicles over 70 years of jeep vehicle design and production. Follow a start to finish slide show of the restoration of a 1965 cj3b. Fits jeep willys mb cj 2a cj 3a cj 3b cj 5 cj 6 fuel system fuel line. Before the accredited devotion by those who swear by the jeep lifestyle touring across treacherous landscapes and hitting offroad courses with assertion. Recently, we received a request from a member who was interested in knowing more about the tuxedo park and we are happy to oblige. The jeep cj, or civilian jeep, was the civilian version of the iconic military jeep used in world war ii and produced by willys. Color swatches and codes for 19461963 willys jeep vehicles. Year start end units per year cj 2a 1945 1 11824 1824 1824 cj 2a 1946 11825 83379 71554 463 1 16534 6534 78088 cj 2a 1947 83380 148458 65078 463 16535 44050 27515 2wd 2t 1 12642 2642 4wd 4t 1 12346 2346 97581 cj 2a 1948 148459 222581 74122 463 inc vj2 44051 84825 40774. The willys m38 was manufactured from 19501952 with a production total of 45,473.
It was essentially identical to the classic cj5, just stretched by a massive 20 inches. Willys jeep cj3b identification kaiser willys omixada tour. Around the world in a jeep recounts the 1975 grand plan of orvis ceo perk perkins and his then college roommate, will parish, to drive around the world in wills beloved red jeep. Our main focus is on early willys and jeep vehicles from 19411971. It has a welding unit in the passenger seat area, and a side arm mower bar on the drivers side. Through corporate history, the humvee manufacturer am general also had rights to fit the sevenslot grille. The m38 was based off of the cj 3a but with a beefier frame and suspension. This 1946 willys cj2a farm jeep has a front pto winch and engine driven air compressor. It is designed for the absolutley beginner, or for those looking for a quick refresher on willys history. The cj3a was introduced in 1949 and was an incremental upgrade to the cj2a. For over 75 years the jeep brand has been indelibly linked to freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion. Here is a brief history and generallist of options for those who want to know more about what the tuxedo park jeep was all about. The jeep cj5 is a product of willysoverland refining the original world war ii jeep. These smaller, lighter jeeps were most commonly used for outdoors, offroad activities.
The final new willys jeep introduced the wagoneer became a legend in its own right. Throughout our storied history, jeep brand vehicle owners have learned that go anywhere. Welcome to, a website for vintage jeep enthusiasts. Jeep history through the years race car aficionado enzo ferrari once said, jeep is americas only real sports car. See some of the 800 photos that were taken during the 3 year process. The willys jeep cj2a was in production from 1945 until 1949 when it was superseded by the cj3a and cj3b. Willys jeep m38 a brief history kaiser willys jeep blog. Despite the fact that the world has moved on the willys jeep has successfully carved out for itself a place in history.
Set in wwii, this is the story of willis the jeep and his soldier counterpart joe as they tend to the chores of freedom. See more ideas about military jeep, jeep and old jeep. Eugene the jeep, and other jeep pages describing some nice restoration work. In the 1940s, civilian jeeps established jeep brand as a leader in 4x4 technology. There just wasnt any real interest in a jeep with a plow hanging off the back. I update this website nearly every day with jeep deals, jeep history, interesting reader projects, jeep related info, and more. The hagerty classic truck valuation tool is designed to help you learn how to value your 1948 willysjeep cj2a truck 14 ton and assess the current state of the classic truck market. It all started back in july 1941 when toledo, ohbased willysoverland motor co received that prized contract to produce what was to be the first jeep the willys mb for the american military.
Mechanical restoration, unit repair and overhaul, performance upgrades for jeep cj 2a, cj 3a, cj 3b, cj 5 and cj 6 and mb, m38, and m38a1. Even after kaiser motors bought willys in 1953 its products were still branded willys until 1963 when the name was phased out. Sep 06, 2019 universal jeep history universal jeep also jeep universal was a name used by willys for its 14ton cj utility vehicles through much of the 1950s and 60s. The history of americas greatest vehicle, automotive writer patrick r. Our core values are embodied in every jeep brand vehicle s dna. Akin to the original jeep, the cj5 was a civilian variant of their m38a1 military jeep, which went into production in 1952. About the willys cj3b in 1953 the cj3b was first introduced by willysoverland into the universal jeep line promoting it as an agricultural, industrial, and personal allpurpose vehicle, while still very similar to the cj2a and cj3as its predecessors, it had one main difference. Jeep cj5 classic cars for sale classics on autotrader. The jeep cj5 or cj5, the formal designation is a version of the original world war ii and korean war era military jeeps produced by willys. Beginning with the jeep as a crucial component of the american world war ii fleet, foster expertly recounts the corporate shifts, financial struggles and successes, close calls. Wisely willys did not change the wartime jeep design much. Most people know that civilian jeeps evolved from the model mb of world war two fame, but few realise that the cj2a had two civilian ancestors.
Center seat as well as 14 different bodies and enclosures including canvas and metal tops, a pickup bed, station wagon bodies, panel bodies, and even a refrigerated delivery truck body. From olive drab wwii military relics to the beloved wrangler with its rearmounted spare tire, openair design, and telltale roll cage, the jeep is a true classic. Starting with the cj 2a in 1945, subsequent improved models were the cj 3a and cj 3b before the introduction of the cj 5 in 1955. Since then there have been seven different jeep pickup trucks. Seven slot grille on the cj 2a, willys first civilian jeep due to willys trademark, ford had to use a different design on their m151 u. The jeep influenced by the korean war m38a1 and the new corporate owner, kaiser, departed from the flat fenders and developed. In the philippines the jeepney became the iconic mode of transportation for that nation and remains so to the present day. One of the groups is the local jeep club and i took our cj3a and my farm jeep display to their annual show a few years back. Check out this cj s infographic for a history of the jeep pickup truck. Oct 15, 2018 the willys jeep not only proved to be a cultural icon in the united states but also elsewhere. A brief history of the tuxedo park kaiser willys jeep blog. Willys overland illustrated parts list book jeep models cj2a.
Bernard uechritz thought your readers would enjoy seeing this 1946 cj 2a up in lights in times square recently. The 1945 willys jeep was the worlds first massproduced civilian fourwheel drive car. The cj, which stands for civilian jeep, is the most enduring marque used for both offroad and city driving, spawning imitators like the international harvester. Long before the easter jeep safari and subsequent backcountry excursions in places like moab, tahoe, joshua tree or even the bayous of louisiana. The willys l4 nicknamed go devil is a straight4 automobile engine that was made famous in the willys mb and ford gpw jeep produced during world war ii. Synopsis a delightful history of the willys jeep written in verse. Starting with the cj2a in 1945, subsequent improved models were the cj3a and cj3b before the introduction of the cj5 in 1955. A brief history of the willys jeep an essential read for. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read jeep cj 19451986.
It was later used in a variety of civilian jeep vehicles. Buy now to own this hardtofind piece of jeep history. Ferraris assessment speaks volumes, considering his personal interpretation of the sports car is vastly different from the boxy and utilitarian jeep lineup. Jan 29, 2016 military jeeps and historical images we like. Jul 15, 2014 this is a nice book but it contains info on all the jeeps brandsdue to the wrangler on the cover and the words history of americas greatest vehicle i guess i assumed it was about just the history of how the civilian wrangler came about. The company had two secret weapons, argues patrick foster, author of four books on jeep, including 2014s jeep.