The Willys CJ-2A is part of a series of vehicles that would spark off a legacy and a brand that is known today as Jeep. 1944 saw the Willys-Overland company start producing a series of civilian jeeps that are based on their popular World War II military jeep. The CJ-2A was the first production model with a four-year run spanning 1945-1949. This is a 1948 Willys CJ-2A from California that’s completed a full, frame-off, nut-and-bolt restoration with a mere 850 miles done since. The seller reports that it’s completely restored and “people cannot believe it when they crawl underneath”. If you’re looking for a classic Willys which will not let you down, here’s a great example to consider!
This 1948 Willys CJ-2A bears many of the hallmark characteristics that we see on modern Jeep vehicles, including the iconic seven-bar grille. It was repainted during the restoration in Desert Sand paintwork and its clean black steel wheels wear new tires, including the spare wheel. The bikini top and full top are included in the sale. The interior is also stock and was reupholstered during the restoration with new black seats. The seller reports that one modification has been done on the interior by a professional, and that is the installation of seat belts. It’s got an electric wiper on the driver’s side whilst the passenger side wiper is manual, and the heater has been treated to a new core to help keep occupants nice and warm. The gauges look fantastic, as do the thin-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel.
The CJ-2A was powered by the 2.2L (134ci) L134 ‘Go-Devil’ engine, coupled to a three-speed Borg Warner T90 manual transmission and transfer case. This 1948 Willys CJ-2A reportedly bears its original motor, transmission, transfer case and warn hubs which have been rebuilt. The factory exhaust has been retained but the steering has been upgraded with a kit for stabilized steering which the seller notes is an important mod for an old Jeep, as it does not wander about. The brakes are all-new to factory spec, with rebuilt master cylinders, new brake pads and a new pad for the emergency brake as well. The seller reports that “this hurricane engine is amazing. On the highway I can cruise at 55[mph]”.
Car Location: California Completed a full frame off restoration, nut and bolt Only modification reported is professionally installed seatbelts Original motor, transmission, transfer case, warn hubs, etc are reported to be original but rebuilt New tires including spare tire Repainted during restoration Desert Sand Exterior Reupholstered during the restoration w/ new black seats Bikini top included in sale Full top included in sale Electric windshield wiper on driver side, passenger side is manual Heater w/ new core Kept factory exhaust "This hurricane engine is amazing. On the high way I can cruise at 55!" - seller Original steering w/ upgraded kit for stabilized steering - seller reports this is an important mod for an old jeep. "It does not wander" All new brakes - factory spec Rebuilt master cylinders and new brake pads New emergency brake pad "Completely restored" - seller "people cannot believe it when they crawl under my car" - seller
The famous Jeep CJ by Willys-Overland is a story of smarts. Since World War II was ending soon, Willys-Overland knew that their biggest customer – the US Military – would soon be ending their massive orders for the famous World War II military Jeep that mobilized Americans and allies across the European Theatre of Operations. So, they turned it into a civilian vehicle, aimed at agricultural and other light industrial uses. This proved to be harder than expected, because a civilian Jeep must survive hard use for years, not months. Nevertheless, they succeeded in a massive way. In fact, today, the Jeep CJ continues in spirit through its direct descendant, the Jeep Wrangler! Now, we have a 1947 Willys Jeep CJ-2A for sale from Maupin, Oregon. This is a great way to pick up an earlier CJ and see just how utilitarian and purposeful it was back then. In fact, over 214,000 were made between 1945 and 1949!
Behold, the world’s first-ever mass-production civilian four-wheel drive car: the Willys Jeep. Derived from the military vehicle that served extensively in World War II, the Willys CJ “Civilian Jeep” was a modified, road-legal version of the battlefield hero. Aimed at the farming and industrial community, many mechanical modifications over the military version were with the goal of making it more durable and reliable. As the war was winding up, Jeep started working on the CJ, with 2 main prototype models being tested (CJ-1 and CJ-2). The CJ-2A was the first production model, which arrived in mid-1945, initially used up the last of the war-time parts stock. Once this was over, many parts such as the rear axle were changed (in this case to a stronger option). In total, over 214,000 CJ-2As were built between 1945 and 1949.
The Willys CJ-2A is part of a series of vehicles that would spark off a legacy and a brand that is known today as Jeep. 1944 saw the Willys-Overland company start producing a series of civilian jeeps that are based on their popular World War II military jeep. The CJ-2A was the first production model with a four-year run spanning 1945-1949. This is a 1948 Willys CJ-2A from California that’s completed a full, frame-off, nut-and-bolt restoration with a mere 850 miles done since. The seller reports that it’s completely restored and “people cannot believe it when they crawl underneath”. If you’re looking for a classic Willys which will not let you down, here’s a great example to consider!
We all know the story of the Willys Jeep, conceived by Willys-Overland for civilian use when World War II was ending. The company knew that they needed a product that would replace the soon drying up military order book, and they developed the CJ or Civilian Jeep. The CJ ran until 1986, when it became…surprise, surprise, the Wrangler. There have been many variants made during that time, and some have been turned into restomods. Case in point, this 1958 Willys Jeep Station Sedan from Ormond Beach, Florida. With its 350ci V8, Blue Patina exterior with surface rust accents and hardwood cargo floor, this is one heck of a machine, let us tell you. It’s rear-wheel drive and has got just over 31,000 miles to its name.
The Willys Jeepster was originally designed to bridge the gap between utilitarian Jeeps and comfortable passenger cars, offering open-air driving with rugged charm. This 1949 example, offered from Nevada, Missouri, has been transformed into a restomod that blends vintage Jeepster character with modern muscle. With a 6.2L LS3 V8 under the hood, automatic transmission, and just 265 miles since completion, it delivers classic looks with contemporary power and usability
Introduced in 1944, the Jeep CJ ran through several iterations until 1986, when it became the popular Jeep Wrangler. Now that’s why this vehicle bears several familiar cues, not just to the Wrangler but the Jeep family as a whole. After all, it’s the first of a legacy, the first civilian Jeep, which is why its called a CJ. Born out of Willys-Overland’s need to create something for the civilian market after World War 2 ended, the Jeep CJ would see well in excess of 1.5 million examples produced. The brief for the CJ was, surprisingly, tougher than that of the military Jeep it was based on. After all, military Jeeps tend to have lifespans of months or in tough areas, weeks. Meanwhile, the Jeep CJ would be put to the test by hard-working American farmers, blue-collar workers and small business owners, and expected to last for years with minimal maintenance. That’s why you’ll find many Jeep CJ examples existing to this day, as a testament to how well Willys built them. This 1954 Willys Jeep CJ-3B from from Naches is one such machine, and it’s received a fine restoration to bring it up to the condition we see today. This machine could be yours if you wish.
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