Dandy Dave Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 I first saw this old Jeep 47 years ago when it was still in a barn. Being the barn fell down around it and the Jeep remained in the same spot, I guess that makes it a genuine barn find. I drove by it often and the back of it could be seen from the road if one knew just where to look. The land it was on was an abandoned hunting camp that no one had been at in quite a few years. So, To find out who owned the property I did a tax map search for the county it was in and came up with a name and then a phone number. I called it and several weeks later got a call back and arranged to meet with the owner. Of course a deal was struck and it is now on the home front. I have always had a soft spot for these old Flat Fender Jeeps. Oh the shingles and disintegrated wood chips I picked out of it and shoveled into the dumpster. It is a 1957 Willys CJ3B. Now the question I ask myself, To restore it? Or to part it out? On the farm here we could use a gator type vehicle. And considering the price of one I could easily dump a lot of money in this old Jeep and have something that is functional and fun. Complete Body Kits are available and giving the price these old war horses are bringing these days it would not be unreasonable to bring it back to life. Anyway, enjoy the photos folks while I ponder what to do. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted April 18, 2021 Author Share Posted April 18, 2021 Here's a few after I retrieved it with a roll off truck and cleaned a lot of barn debris out of it. Yeah it's Ugly. Did I mention that ugly ones are my specialty? 🤪 I was surprised to see that the chassis was not that bad as I thought it was going to break in half when I pulled it out. Happy to see most of the goodies are there. And what isn't, is available. Dandy Dave! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jubilee Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 Still chained up to go anywhere. Looking at those pictures, I could actually smell the decades old grease, oil, gas and such. I bought a ‘66 30 years ago that was broken in half and restored it. It’s tagged as a ‘70 because the firewall I replaced had a ‘70 vin tag on it. I still have it. Great fun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tate Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 I love flatfender jeeps, usually I prefer that people keep the original body when they restore them but I really wouldn’t blame you if you replaced that tub. What engine is in it? F134? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave39MD Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 That is great and I hope you share your progress with us. I looked a one that had been in a river for 30 years but passed (lacked your courage). Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 Courage, optimism and ? We all have our "projects". How much time do you have? (years?) Will the time that you spend restoring it ( resurrecting it) be equal to the satisfaction you get driving it down the road? Think about the $ needed ( not including your time and effort) and would something else in a little more solid condition wise be a better effort? Just asking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28 Chrysler Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 This is a "sanity time" project. I had a similar condition CJ5 with all the rust and battle scars from plowing snow and rolling over out in the woods. You can not mess up on a project like these. $ wise it is a lot less than a $hrink. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OHMJR Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 If the foundation is solid the rest can be rebuilt ....and whole lotta fun to drive. I had a '60 Willys back in '80, it was geared low with the F4-134...45 mph downhill with a tail wind. BUT, would climb a wall in low range ....so much fun. Kaiser Willys is gonna love you if you choose to get it rollin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 I mentioned in another thread how my High School friend brought his back from the dead after 55 years. Not as bad as this one but needed new tub and a whole lot more. It took him two years after he retired to finish it. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 Looks like it was set up for some snow removal. That will be a fun when it's done. Be the way, what's the story on the black Ford Falcon in the foreground Dave? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 (edited) The engine is a 134 Hurricane. The CJ3B's had a slightly higher hood than the earlier flat head models to accommodate the over head valve arrangement . Last of the flat fender models. Edited April 20, 2021 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 pm sent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 (edited) On 4/18/2021 at 11:02 PM, Laughing Coyote said: Looks like it was set up for some snow removal. That will be a fun when it's done. Be the way, what's the story on the black Ford Falcon in the foreground Dave? Not sure about the Falcon? I'd have to ask Don as it is beyond the body shop and has been there for years. You interested? Edited April 20, 2021 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 On 4/18/2021 at 11:48 AM, Walt G said: Courage, optimism and ? We all have our "projects". How much time do you have? (years?) Will the time that you spend restoring it ( resurrecting it) be equal to the satisfaction you get driving it down the road? Think about the $ needed ( not including your time and effort) and would something else in a little more solid condition wise be a better effort? Just asking. LOL Yeah. That. "?" That is always the Question. I have the means, I have the knowledge. I'll have fun doing it. I'll prove it can be done. And I'll save another one from the crusher. I could take up Golf. Spend money on equipment. Spend time trying to get the ball to go where I want it to go. (Oh the level of frustration.) Loose my balls in the woods and swamp holes. And then the bill at the 19th hole.... Me thinks all of it is better spent on this old Jeep. Dandy Dave! 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Thanks Dave, not a criticism of your effort or desire. I admire the patience it will take and the time, as well as skill . I have had a good number of similar situations with things that needed a restoration but on a much lesser scale so far as size. Kept saying "never again" or "why did I start this" until the next project came along but am now at an age where time stares me in the face in the mirror and says "are you sure?". Best of luck on your project. Walt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.H.Boland Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 I once had a '42 MB that had been used for dragging logs out of a swamp. Dad and I used it for the same job for a while. It worked well. Then I decided to restore it.Big mistake in this case. The frame was as bad as the body. It was parted out. Best part was the military rebuilt engine. Best of luck with the CJ3B. Keep us posted. JIm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Am curious about the grille. Thought real Jeeps (Eugene) had seven slots. Is a mythconception ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 52 minutes ago, padgett said: Am curious about the grille. Thought real Jeeps (Eugene) had seven slots. Is a mythconception ? The early Military WWII ones had 9. The CJ2A started with 7 after the war. CJ stands for Civilian Jeep. Dandy Dave! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 7 hours ago, Dandy Dave said: Not sure about the Falcon? I'd have to ask Don as it is beyond the body shop and has been there for years. You interested? I could be. When ever you get time maybe you can PM me pictures and specifics. Thanks Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_a Posted April 22, 2021 Share Posted April 22, 2021 (edited) On 4/20/2021 at 4:28 PM, Dandy Dave said: The early Military WWII ones had 9. The CJ2A started with 7 after the war. CJ stands for Civilian Jeep. Dandy Dave! Bill Mauldin and my Dad were in the Italian Theater during the war. You know, the "soft underbelly of Europe" that was supposed to be a cakewalk. Here's one of the Bill Mauldin Jeep drawings: ... Edited April 23, 2021 by jeff_a (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 Looks like the later 7In headlamps were added! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted April 23, 2021 Author Share Posted April 23, 2021 15 hours ago, jeff_a said: Bill Mauldin and my Dad were in the Italian Theater during the war. You know, the "soft underbelly of Europe" that was supposed to be a cakewalk. Here's one of the Bill Mauldin Jeep drawings: Say Jeff A, Your link came up with an error. Dandy Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted April 23, 2021 Author Share Posted April 23, 2021 On 4/20/2021 at 11:20 AM, Walt G said: Thanks Dave, not a criticism of your effort or desire. I admire the patience it will take and the time, as well as skill . I have had a good number of similar situations with things that needed a restoration but on a much lesser scale so far as size. Kept saying "never again" or "why did I start this" until the next project came along but am now at an age where time stares me in the face in the mirror and says "are you sure?". Best of luck on your project. Walt I did not take it as criticism Walt so not to worry. I usually am off rescuing 12 ton Road Graders, old Bulldozers, Power Shovels and other things that weigh up to 40 tons. Getting kind of old and worn out to wrestle that kind of weight. The Doc says my joints are worn and I'm loaded with arthritis. This little Jeep is a small job compared to what I have been doing. Dandy Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted May 16, 2021 Author Share Posted May 16, 2021 On 4/20/2021 at 6:54 PM, Laughing Coyote said: I could be. When ever you get time maybe you can PM me pictures and specifics. Thanks Dave. Don said the car is stored there by a fellow who is keeping it for parts. So, its not available. Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted May 16, 2021 Share Posted May 16, 2021 Hi Dave, Im still working on things, havent forgot about you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted May 16, 2021 Author Share Posted May 16, 2021 OK, Thanks. 49 minutes ago, TAKerry said: Hi Dave, Im still working on things, havent forgot about you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_a Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 Hello Dave, I re-posted my picture of a World War Two Jeep in my post from 3 weeks ago successfully. My Dad spent a lot of time in those Jeeps in 1943, 1944, 1945, and 1946. Enough time to become fluent in Italian and German! Also, I wanted to add that the Italian Campaign I mentioned would have been a pushover, except for the 20 German divisions there until VE Day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted May 19, 2021 Author Share Posted May 19, 2021 I had a friend that landed in Italy and was part of the Italian campaign during the war. He passed in his 90's. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 (edited) I bought this 1942 Ford GPW in many pieces for $200.00. Assembled it, drove it to California and sold it for $400.00.... Edited May 19, 2021 by keiser31 (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoothrider Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 That is amazing, considering the stress of finding out who owned the property. My best advice is that you should restore the Jeep, yes it will cost you quite the dollars, the Jeep can serve you at the farm, unless you want to get a vehicle for the farm use. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 3 hours ago, keiser31 said: I bought this 1942 Ford GPW in many pieces for $200.00. Assembled it, drove it to California and sold it for $400.00.... Looks cozy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted May 20, 2021 Author Share Posted May 20, 2021 19 hours ago, keiser31 said: I bought this 1942 Ford GPW in many pieces for $200.00. Assembled it, drove it to California and sold it for $400.00.... You sold it too soon and too cheep John. 😉 Dandy Dave! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted May 20, 2021 Author Share Posted May 20, 2021 (edited) On 4/18/2021 at 11:26 AM, Tate said: I love flatfender jeeps, usually I prefer that people keep the original body when they restore them but I really wouldn’t blame you if you replaced that tub. What engine is in it? F134? Yes. A 134 Hurricane. The CJ3B's had the higher hood to make room for the overhead valve cover. Edited May 20, 2021 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted May 20, 2021 Share Posted May 20, 2021 2021-05-20_01-11-12 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr2021-05-20_01-11-01 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Dave, The eagle has landed! Made the pickup about an hour ago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted May 20, 2021 Share Posted May 20, 2021 Did you patch the hole in the fence it was blocking ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted May 21, 2021 Author Share Posted May 21, 2021 (edited) 19 hours ago, TAKerry said: 2021-05-20_01-11-12 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr2021-05-20_01-11-01 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Dave, The eagle has landed! Made the pickup about an hour ago. Nice! Will PM or call you on arranging to pick it up. These things just seem to find me and follow me home. Thanks, Dandy Dave! Edited May 21, 2021 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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