The biggest mistake that Axis powers made was to bring the United States into World War II. While the importance of the American military’s men and women to winning the fight is indisputable, the weapons they brought with them revolutionized warfare. One of those weapons was the vehicle we commonly refer to as the Jeep. However, after the war was won, the Jeep struggled to find its footing in the civilian market. This 1947 Willys CJ-2A for sale on eBay in Fulshear, Texas is a good example of the vehicle customers were offered in that fast-paced time. With bidding currently at a paltry $3,350, is this the right time to put an off-road capable collectible in your garage?
When World War II ended, several companies that were building items used in the war found themselves scrambling after contracts were cut short. Stories abound about how production was stopped, and brand-new items were sold for scrap. Some airplanes were sold at a price lower than the cost of the fuel they carried. The thousands of Willys MBs and Ford GPWs (wartime Jeeps) that were left over after the war were either kept on in a much smaller military, stored for a future conflict, or sold outright. Most fell under the latter category, creating an issue for Willy-Overland by greatly reducing the market for the postwar version they had been planning since 1944.
When postwar production of what became known as the CJ started for the civilian market, the target audience was farmers and ranchers. Believing they would work their vehicles hard, Willys amazingly set out to make an even tougher CJ than the military version. After a few stumbles, the CJ became the CJ-2A. While the company used up several leftover parts from war production on early versions of the CJ, the civilian version was different in that the frame was strengthened, a tailgate was added, and the spare was moved to the side of the vehicle. It was also available with a power take-off and several different accessories for that PTO. Many of the colors offered on the 214,760 CJ-2As suspiciously were almost identical to the colors of the most popular tractors in America.
As for this 1947 Willys CJ-2A, this vehicle was purchased by the seller’s father in 1981. Starting with a rough body that eventually was replaced, the rest of the CJ was gone through thoroughly. Over the next year, the engine, transmission, gearbox, differentials, and the rest of the vehicle were disassembled and restored.
The seller also added their own personal touch by restoring the grille and the Willys placard on the windshield for their father. After working together on the project until it was finished in the summer of 1982, the seller was given the keys to drive it mostly to and from school on days that didn’t require a convertible top. After the seller left for college, the Jeep kind of fell by the wayside. Eventually, it ended up in his grandfather’s barn somewhere around 1991, which was the last year it was tagged.
Even though the CJ fell into disuse, it was protected from the elements during its long slumber. In 2020, the seller’s father began tinkering with it again and had it running with the intent of taking it to their deer hunting lease. Sadly, the seller’s father died unexpectedly, and the CJ began a new slumber in the seller’s father’s garage. As of now, it is still in good shape, but it does not currently run.
While this CJ-2A is a far cry from today’s luxurious and highway-ready Jeep products, it is an interesting link to how one of America’s most popular vehicles made the transition from the battlefield to the civilian market. The restoration work on this CJ appears to be acceptable, and the current bid is less than the cost of a used off-brand side-by-side. At least with this Jeep, you would have a capable vehicle that carries some history with it and will likely outlast its new owner. Hopefully, this beautiful red CJ finds a good home.
See? This is what Jeeps like this and that YJ SHOULD go for. I think people are finding that out the hard way. Before the YJ, like I say, I looked at a LOT of Jeeps, one was a ’65 CJ5, but very similar to this. She wanted $6grand, wasn’t rusted, but no top, and a dead cylinder. None of the gauges worked, and the charge light was on. I wasn’t interested, the YJ at $3500 was a much better deal, but hers had an interesting thing, it had FOUR levers, instead of 3. I asked, what the 4th lever was for, she said, a “driveline disconnect” for towing, and that was partially true, but she had no clue it had the VERY rare O/D. I knew something was odd when she said it does 60 no problem. Hmm, normally, 45 is about it. Had I known about the OD, I probably would have offered her $5. Again with these, very limited as far as travel. ANY highway is not advised, but that aside, you can’t go wrong here. I say the market tanked, because Jeeps like this and the YJ should be gone, and the fact they aren’t, at what seems like a bargain, tells me, a lot of fluff in this hobby today.
I bought a military jeep with a winch on the front in 1968. Our family called it “super jeep”. We lived in Northern Michigan and the thing would go anywhere we wanted. No top and a barrel of fun. Paid $800 for it, sold for the same when we moved to Fla in 1971. I’m back in Michigan and wish I could afford this remarkably -priced jeep.
My 1st car was a jeep with the 258 it was a 1975 CJ and was slightly larger but almost identical with the speedo & everything except slightly bigger seats . The CJ was so alike the original that in a Northwest Ohio winter you better drink fast or the beer would freeze & that was with a hard top! There was no carpet & drain holes in the floor which magically a beer bottle could be poured thru in case the sherrif pulled you over! Back 1978 beer bottles were not a crime out in the country roads like today & the worst was a sherrif asking what you doing out here on this dirt road boy?
The sheriff knew darn well what you were doing. Same held true in N.Wisconsin. Wisconsin has led the country in drunk driving arrests for at least 30 years running. Not particularly proud of that, Colorado isn’t far behind. The YJ has an improved heater, that mine actually melts the snow on the windscreen and yes, Jeeps come from the factory with rust holes by your feet.
Bought a ’47 CJ2A in 1966 in college. Driving it around the side of a farm field hill in Southern Illinois after a rain, the hill was too steep, and it slowly rolled over at about 2 or 3 mph….we jumped out. Rolled over and back on its feet. Did smash the windshield but we just reset the battery in the tray, started it up and drove off covered in mud.
Drove it all over southern Illinois. Absolute fun. Sold it for $75.
Is the onepiece windshield correct for 47 ?
Looks like windshield is from later year model. My ’47 has two piece, and ignition switch is to the right of instrument panel.
I wished i still had my old 47 it was a rare one as told to me by Rich of Collinwood jeep in Cleveland Ohio it had a 3 speed on the column, never seen another one
Where do I go to bid on this, and when does bidding close??
No it is a 3a windshield