Located in Boerne, Texas, and listed for sale here on Craigslist is this 1957 Willys Jeep. The seller states that the title is currently missing for this little Jeep, but one is being filed for. The asking price for this little gem is $2,900.
This CJ-5 is part of a model that is one of the longest-lived in automotive history. The first CJ-5 broke cover in 1954, and while the model underwent numerous updates over ensuing years, the CJ-5 remained in production until 1983. Our subject vehicle appears to be in quite reasonable order at first glance. The body panels look nice and straight and there is little sign of rust except for surface corrosion. Of course the frame will need a thorough check to make sure that it’s solid as well.
The engine in this CJ-5 is the 134ci Willys Hurricane 4-cylinder mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. The good news is that this Jeep runs and drives. There is certainly some work to be undertaken. The seller states that the fuel system will need cleaning and the brakes will need bleeding. The seller states that if you buy this then the work required will necessitate you bringing a trailer to take it away.
The floors on this Jeep appear to be quite solid. There is certainly some surface corrosion present, but there doesn’t appear to be any holes to speak of. There also doesn’t appear to be any seats included, so new ones will need to be sourced. The dash is largely complete, but this will require restoration along with the rest of the vehicle. The last coat of paint that this CJ-5 wore was red with a black windshield frame. However this is now badly faded and it will definitely benefit from a fresh coat or two of paint.
The original Jeep CJ-5 hailed from a time when vehicles were a lot more basic than the cars that have descended from them. These represent utilitarian motoring in its purest form. As a restoration project this represents a potentially great opportunity provided there are no problems with the frame. It appears to be about as original and unmolested as a Jeep from this era could be. It also represents a potential “father and son” project that could be thoroughly enjoyed when completed.
An absolute steal at $2,250 (current price)! Shouldn’t last! IF it was a CJ7, i’d buy it! I’m 6’2″, so the CJ5 is too short/small for me.
I don’t know about a ’57 CJ5, but I can tell you that junkyard seats from a PT Cruiser fit my ’78 CJ5 almost perfectly. Found a good set of cheap seat risers on my local CL, and then scoured the junkyard for seats that would fit the bolt pattern.
She ain’t purty–needs floor pans and a paint job, but she has nice, comfortable leather seats and she runs well.
We did the same with my grandfather’s 53 Ford COE. He just grabbed a second set of front mounts from another PT and they fit squarely on the truck floor. He pulled the headrests off too because they blocked the window.
A good deal for $2250, if the frame is decent. Surprised it hasn’t been snatched up by now.
Great find and a nice deal for someone. easy to remove body and restore to whatever level you want. Nice to see something affordable on BF. if the tow bar goes with back your truck up to it!!!
Good luck to the new owner!!
Do not tow this jeep. The old Willys steering gear wore out after a few years and you get a front wheel wobble or drift. I have had three of them and every time I replaced the steering box. Be safe put it on a trailer.
That F Head was quite an innovative design. Built off the old side valve the intake valves are in the head, while the exhaust valves remained in the block. It remained in production until 1971, one year after AMC acquired Jeep.