1953: Aaron Baird
Aaron Baird in Creston, Ohio, has a hard-to-find item: a fiberglass tub for a CJ-3B. He says, "The fiberglass body appears to be made for a CJ-3B -- I don't see any apparent signs of modification. The hood, grill and windshield appear to be original. After looking at it, it appears the fiberglass body is slightly too narrow where it meets the hood. There is a gap on both side and the windshield arms are slightly kinked. I suspect they were bent in to match the body. I installed a Delco alternator; it had a 12v generator when I got it, but it was beyond repair."
1953: Bart McNeil
"This Jeep had been maintained as a working snowplow Jeep by a local farm family until the owner retired. Then it was stored for ten years until the owner moved to Florida. Technically I am the second owner. The tub had been replaced in the '70s, so rust is not a major problem. The tub was replaced at a time when manufacturers were more interested in "improving" the original tub rather than duplicating it. Thus they added a couple of "ribs" to the cargo bed. Though this was somewhat of a disappointment, the upside is that I won't feel obligated to do a textbook restoration. If I can get it into legal drivable shape and looking reasonably authentic I will be happy. There are problems but most are cosmetic -- the mechanics seem good. I have been gradually buying correct replacement parts for the restoration, which I view as a low-budget long term project. The CJ-3A in the background has volunteered to exchange front seats and a few other parts with the 3B.
"See also a photo of the 3B from the rear, overlooking its stomping ground-to-be (50K JPEG)."
For photos of the Jeep as Bart originally found it, see Along the Roadside and the Jeep Horns page.
1953: Tom McHugh
"The F-head is gone and is being replaced with a 2.0L Pinto motor, bored .030 over, with an R.V. cam and a Rajay turbo-charger. A custom shackle reversal is being installed, as well as enough lift to keep 36x12.50 Superswampers from rubbing." For more photos and details of the project, see Pinto Turbo in a CJ-3B in the Tech Tips section.
See also the VIN plate (40K JPEG) showing a DJ-3A serial number.
1953: Ginia Olney
"This is the CJ-3B I gave to my wife for her birthday -- it is a 1953 with a 1967 small block Chevy, 4-speed Chevy transmission, and BC custom top with electric windows. It will be a real nice in the winter when we play in the snow drifts in the mountains near Yakima, Washington." -- Cliff Olney
1953: Jim Marski
"I bought it in Cleveland a few years ago and tow-barred it back to Colorado behind my '72 Commando -- a painful story, but all too typical. I took it to Moab last spring, after Easter Safari. Wasn't running real well due to lack of tune and general lack of use, however it was the only stock Jeep on the trails, much less a 46 year old 4 cylinder. I dented the rear quarter on the trail. There have been at least 3 owners prior to me, but I don't know its full history. It is in line for the body work, and a new, correct paint job, but it's probably 1-2 years down the line due to other more pressing restorations."
More of Jim and Peg Marski's Historic Jeep Collection is featured in the April 2000 issue of Jp magazine (see the CJ-3B Bookshelf), and will be on display in Pine, Colorado on September 9, 2000.
1953: Matt Brookins
"I am not 100% sure that it is a '53, but it has the multiple small gauges in the dash. The serial numbers are unreadable, & the title labels it a "42 ford". A friend gave me 2 3B's. One was a parts donor, the other previously a daily driver 'til he had to pull the motor (Buick 231). I have not done much to it so far except sand blast the frame, paint it with POR-15, & add the 33's & wheels. The frame was in excellent condition, however the tub is pretty beat up."
1953: Dave Waldmann
"The entire Jeep is pretty much original and shows the signs of years as a working vehicle. The electrical has been changed to 12V to include a non-standard heater and wiper on the driver's side. It has a Solex carburetor and fuel pump without the vacuum unit, and a roll bar. Other than that, I think it is original. It had a paint job many years ago, probably candy apple red, and some things got re-located. Notice that the windshield blocks are missing on the hood. Those holes and the holes for the tie-down straps were puttied up. The hood apparently was used as a cargo area and caved in, so some welding was done and lots of body putty, but I believe it can be brought back into shape.
"The Jeep has spent all or most of its life on a ranch in Southeast Arizona. The lady I bought it from said she remembers riding in it when she was just a little one... she's mid-30's now. The story goes her dad overhauled the engine and then put the Jeep into a barn for many years. It runs like a top now. The speedo reads less than 59,000. I use it daily -- no ranch, but we have an acre to take care of and three rental units close by that I do all the maintenance on. It's a great little truck/tractor for the yard and maintenance work. We are adjacent to a National Forest in the Huachuca Mountains so we have a great time on the old logging and mining roads. I really enjoy it and it's a big favorite with the grandkids."
See also photos of the manual windshield wiper -- inside view and outside view (40K JPEG's).
1953: Terry Wohlgenant
"I didn't realize the low serial number when I purchased the Jeep (apparently CJ-3B number 12). It seems to be pretty original although certainly not pristine -- plenty of bondo, and a basket case for an engine. I don't know the history of it other than the last registration was in Idaho. Its fate is yet to be determined -- restoration, partial restoration or sale to a restorer. Any help I can get determining the historical value and suggestions on what to do with it would be welcome."
See also a left side photo (30K JPEG) and a photo of the VIN plate showing serial number 453GB2 10012 (30K JPEG).
1953: Tom Edwards
"The body tub needs changing, but for the most part, this Jeep is in good condition. The tail gate is in good shape. It has an aluminum hard top. I plan on restoring it back to new condition. It looks to be a Woodstock Green originally."
See also the steering wheel and dashboard (35K JPEG).
Tom has more photos of his Jeeps on his Jeepotentialities web page.
Continue to 1953 Owners and Photos, Page 3.
Return to the index of Jeep CJ-3B Owners and Photos.
You can contact the CJ3B Page to add your CJ-3B to the Owners & Photos pages and to
The CJ-3B Database. -- Derek Redmond
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