Post-War Civilian Jeep: 1947 Willys CJ-2A
At the close of World War II, Willys-Overland introduced a civilian version of the military Jeep they had built a countless number of in the 1940s. Dubbed the CJ-2A, it differed from the Armed Forces version only slightly, with a tailgate and side-mounted spare tire. This 1947 version is admittedly rough in appearance, but the seller says it runs and stops. Perhaps good now as a farm vehicle, this old Jeep is in Redwood City, California, and is available here on craigslist for $5,000. Hats off to T.J. for another post-war tip!
The CJ-2A was in production for five years and Willys cranked out nearly 215,000 of them in the process. At first glance, you might mistake the CJ-2A for the “MB” it was based upon, though the headlights were a bit different, too, along with the grille. The “Go-Devil” inline-4 engine from the MB was carried forward, though there was a new 4-speed manual transmission in place of the old T-90. The CJ-2A was replaced by the CJ-3A in 1949 and those changes wouldn’t be many either.
We’re told this Jeep is a “farm find” so we guess it’s been shuttling around the vegetation in recent years. The seller confirms five things: it runs, it stops, it has rust, it’s rough, and it does have a title and current non-op (a California thing) registration. Recent work includes a new battery, partial brakes, and the purchase of a roll cage that has yet to be installed. The buyer will get to take home the Jeep along with two spare tires and an extra rim. If it doesn’t matter that this thing isn’t pretty, do you see this Jeep in your future?
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Comments
Too bad the old J.C Whitney is no longer selling parts — actually, nearly EVERY part — for MBs and CJs. I’d order what this one needs, and a Bermuda Bell (or Hollywood Wolf Whistle), too!
Not the worst vehicles in the world to work on, and kind of neat to putt around town in.
Kaiser Willis jeep supply has everything for these jeeps more than jc whiney did
I haven’t heard the phrase ‘Bermuda Bell’ in seventy years.:)
Or Western Auto/Sears – they had parts galore too ! Think this one’s a little on the high side but does have a lot of boxes checked…..
This jeep is worth asking price with a clear title if I wasn’t in South Carolina I would buy it I could not afford to get it home all parts needed are available from kaiser Willis jeep supply you don’t see these for sale every day either you can buy a brand new tub for about 3000 if needed.
Just caught my breath.
There are two nice ones coming up for sale here in Tx down by Austin I’m watching….will try and post a linc but it always fails.
$5000 ,tells your opinion Howard/HOA…
Hey, how would I know, I just paid $7 bucks for a box of popsicles. It seems, ANY Jeep is worth $5 grand, until it comes time to sell mine, of course.
Its a fun Jeep Jeep … like the old cartoon…
Definitely would remove the hood and sand blast it and the fenders… I see the coverings on the side for the holes but still think it would be a fun lil weekender.
GLWS…
The CJ-2As did get a 4 speed transmission. They had the 3 speed T-90, which was stronger than the MB’s T-84 3 speed.
Should have said “did not get”
CJ 2A had t90
Had a ’42. Loved it and had a lot of fun with it. Nice old Jeep here, just needs a bath and some lipstick.
Maybe a bowtie🙂
Here we go again “Will-iss”, or “Will-eez”. Lol
Local option. I always leaned toward Willeez
For the record, it’s pronounced Willis, after the founder John North Willys. I always thought, why “Go-Devil”? Perhaps shortened from “Goes like the devil”? We’ve been over and over how they changed, but unlike any other vehicle, the new ones still resemble the original. I read, CJ2As were painted lively colors, to promote good post war will. This one, being gray and military tires tells me possibly a military jeep sold at auction, before that practice was abandoned. More of a farm implement than transportation, and a fortune was made by outside companies selling implements for Jeeps. It’s a nice find, but with so many made, they will continue to come out of the woodwork for years to come.
When I was a kid my dad had a cj3 that he dropped a 283 in and it was fast. When I turned 16 I bought a 63 cj5 that had a 289 that we went through and added performance parts , tore up a lot of trannies. Those were fun days!
All Jeeps (that is real Jeeps) are pretty.
On many visits to the Philippines I saw a lot of CJ-2A’s. They love them down there! The new bodies are made, or at least were 20 years ago. I have a nice one with a body built there. The thing to know is that they can’t make the hood, windshield and tailgate legally with the “Willys” logo so they have to be saved and repaired. The weak spot in these is the hollow spot under the floors that had a wood stiffener in it. They would collect water and cause the floors to rust, so seal them off with something after rust proofing. This is NOT an MB. It has CJ headlights and a tailgate. The right rear is patched and missing the spare tire holder.
When I was getting out of the Marine Corps in 1988, they had a field full of these headed to DRMO tor disposal. Me and my drunken buddies managed to liberate three of them one night. Wonder what happened to those? Ahh good times!
Willis for Jeeps and for some reason Willeez for Gasser coupes
They went to the Philippines. I read, most WW2 Jeeps were dumped at sea on the way home from WW2, but I think many from Korea or Vietnam, while not offered to the American public, could have easily ended up there. The $75 dollar “Jeep in a crate”, was not true, btw. They made them into “Jeepneys”, and painted colorful colors, and probably still in use today.
The only entity holding it from breaking in half is faux diamond plate
Hi Charles
I’ve got a old jeep I’d sell. Can’t remember think it’s a 53 model. Runs and drives.
We can always auction it for you right here on the site.
Sears had an entire catalog devoted to Jeeps back in the 60’s and 70’s.