Off-Road Warrior: 1959 Willys/Jeep CJ-5
The Willys CJ series of offroad vehicles had an impressive post-war run of 42 years. CJ stood for Civilian Jeep and evolved from the war effort transports that served our military (and country) so well. This CJ-5 is from 1959 and was sitting for more than 30 years before the seller got it running again, including a rebuild of its 4-cylinder engine. Located in Churchview, Virginia, this old-school workhorse is available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $7,000.
CJ Jeeps gained a tailgate, a more robust drivetrain, and a relocated spare tire over it’s military counterparts. They usually came with part-time 4-wheel drive and sales added up to more than 1.5 million vehicles until the CJ was replaced by the Jeep Wrangler in 1987. The CJ-5 would prove to be the most popular iteration and was marketed as a Willys until 1964 (Jeep after that). Under the hood of the seller’s CJ-5 is likely a 134 cubic inch “Hurricane” I-4 that has been treated to an internal makeover.
This Jeep is a well-used possible barn find that has received tons of new stuff at 114,000 miles. Besides the rebuilt F134 motor, the seller has replaced the carburetor, fuel tank, alternator, exhaust, radiator, brakes, wiring, and tires. The seller believes that the fold-down windshield frame has been replaced, as well. So, mechanically, this vehicle should be ready to rock ‘n roll.
Turning to the body, the frame is solid, but the tub has some rust and there is evidence of earlier repair work. The chassis is rather crusty, but I didn’t see any big holes to worry about. The red paint might be original, but it’s pretty well-worn at this point. But if you plan to use this Jeep off-road or out in the woods, why go to the expense of adding a shiny new finish? Scrap off some of the loose stuff and apply some semi-matching primer.
Auctions Ending Soon
1965 Ford Falcon Station WagonBid Now2 days$2,300
2002 Jaguar XK8 ConvertibleBid Now3 days$4,250
1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28Bid Now4 days$4,500
1960 Dodge D300Bid Now4 days$300
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now6 days$100
Comments
Never fails, something like this pops up for sale at a reasonable price but its cost prohibitive to go get it or ship it this would be a fun rig to around here
aw come troy that’s just a wee weekend joy ride. go for it. or check with the local hotshot transporters,most of them have group type rates if they can grab multiples along the way. guy out my way here in nh does the eastern seaboard and if it’s on his way and he has room its usually under $500 bucks. he hauls snowbirds down then purchases and used mopar parts back up.
surprisingly nice looker for it’s age and un molested so sweet deal
This old Jeep has a lot going for it and is actually located only about a three hour drive from me. I already have my 1993 but I wouldn’t mind having a CJ as well. I appreciate how much work the seller put in and its really nice that he includes a lot of pictures of the frame and such. It’s crusty but not too bad. If you’re into old Jeeps you’ve probably seen much worse. I have. I’m really trying hard not to take the next step on this. I could spend some quality time on the old warrior. Thankfully I’m married and I can’t hardly justify another Jeep to myself much less the other half. I can just hear her now: isn’t four enough? Damn and the Virginia part of the drive is so nice.
Before I got my YJ, I looked at a ’65 Willys that looked very similar. It was rust free, but had the 4 cylinder, running on 3, claimed to be rebuilt. She wanted $6grand, of which I balked at, but it had an unusual feature I never saw in a CJ, FOUR(4) shift levers. I asked he what the 4th one was for, she said, a driveline disconnect for towing. Turns out, it had the VERY rare O/D, actuated by the 4th lever, L-N-H, so she was partially right. I knew something was odd when she said she had it going 60 no problem,,,in O/D. She probably never knew it had a L. I passed on that Jeep, and am much happier with the YJ, but had I known it had O/D, I probably would have bought it. I’ll tell ya’, I’d have a hard time paying twice what I paid, for a limited use vehicle, and even if it HAD O/D, you’d never catch me doing more than 45 in this, it’s original intention.
And another thing, I saw’r a Jeep today with a spare tire cover indicating “Ouray, CO. the Jeep capital of the world”..Anyone know is that true?
Howard, I haven’t been to Ouray in 20 years, and then not long…my extensive exploration was 35 years ago on a laid-off-no-obligations vacation.
But my experience was, the Jeep as a brand is VERY popular there – not unlike the presence of Subaru in Denver. It’s a transportation tool but also a cult and a badge. Everything from old Willys examples as here, to the newest and latest.
People take their Jeeps, whatever breed, down there, the way people take their Barn Finds to various summer meet-ups. But Ouray being off the beaten path (more-or-less, with no Interstate connections) it’s a bigger deal and more of an event.
Jeep rentals (not Blazer or Tacoma rentals) are a huge business in Durango and Ouray. There are “Jeep Tours” that will take the newcomers down easy two-track trails through the outback and by the abandoned mines. Jeep tours. The kinds of Jeeps they use vary – one Jeep Tour company used (in 1990) cut-down SJ Cherokees, with African-style side-facing benches. A Suburban would have done as well, or even a school-bus body put on a 4wd chassis…but then it’s not a Jeep Tour, is it?
God bless ’em. I lived in Colorado, but it got too much like places I’d left a decade earlier…I love the area, hate what’s happened there.
Ouray is probably in the running for that title.
Thanks for the info, makes sense. Ouray is a couple hours west of me, and an ongoing construction delay west of Gunnison, makes it an all day affair. My biggest gripe, that impacts me, is Colorados awfully outdated roads.
We have a Jeep rental outfit, does a so-so biz, liability and repairs kill most rental outfits. Trouble is, ads depict these pristine “2 track” trails( meaning 2 paths for a vehicles and ATVs, “1 track” for hiking, bikes, motorcycles, etc.), and they are out there, but GETTING to them is a nightmare in summer, and once “back there”, the unmaintained trails are so rough, it’s a big downer. Once again, it’s these new “TrailMasher[sic] 1000” type ATVs that do the most damage. It’s a “can’t beat them, join them” thing, as ATVs are bigger than 4x4s now, and about the only way to get back to some of the nicest spots.
Nifty little grocery getter and weekend morning sightseeing ride. I like that he put road tires on it. I’d want to drive it and check for drips myself at that price. If it checks out, seems a fair ask. Good luck to everyone interested.