1953: Brandt Williams
"This Jeep we call 'Aunt B' is a GC2 Farm Jeep and was the 15th of 65 cars built in 1953. (See Willys-Overland Production Figures, 1945-61). Aunt B lived the last many years of her life on a ranch in Santa Margarita, north of Santa Barbara, California. A couple of friends and I did a quick assessment and decided we needed to do minimal work to bring her back to life. Mark Carlton found and purchased the B for me, and Whitney Haist really did a great job of bringing her back from a deep sleep. We found the Jeep when it was briefly listed on eBay but de-listed very quickly because of an error in the listing. We contacted the seller and did a deal privately."
See a classic photo of the Farm Jeep as they found her outstanding in her field (40K JPEG). Note: as of 2004 the Jeep has been sold.
1953: Marc Daenzer
"It comes from the Swiss army which used it since 1955 (first registration). I bought this Jeep in 2003. I renovated it completely from October 2003 to January 2004."
See more photos of Marc's Swiss Army Jeep.
1953: Bobby Cowley
"This shot is as it was, sitting on a trailer for about 15 years (see also the front view photo, 50K JPEG.) The other shot is the bottom side of the tub (40K JPEG) after I got it off the frame. I will be rebuilding it starting with brakes and steering, going up to a new body. I was told it never had brakes worth anything and when the body came off I found crimped and damaged copper tubing in place of good steel tube lines. It still runs pretty good but smokes a little."
1953: Dale and Wendy Bruns
"The Jeep has been in the family over 40 years. The L-head engine (80K JPEG) was installed over 20 years ago by my Dad who was the second owner. He purchased the Jeep, along with 4 jon boats, a box trailer, and a rotor tiller in 1961, from Jim Woody of Woody's Floats and Boats. The purchase price for everything was $800.00. Dad used the Jeep to shuttle passengers back and forth for float trips on the Meramec River, at the same location we currently live in Missouri. He was a licensed guide. I'm attaching a photo of me when I was 3 years old (30K JPEG) sitting on the hood of the 3B. I was hooked even then."
See also the dashboard and a rear view photo (80K JPEG's) taken by Wes Knettle at the Spring Midwest Willys Reunion 2003.
And see a unique group photo of Civilian Jeeps, 1948-2001 including several owned by Dale & Wendy, in Missouri on Labor Day 2001.
1953: Rafael Terán
Rafael writes in Spanish from Mexico: "I am 18 years old and the Jeep was bought by my grandfather as government surplus, and went to my papa in 1974. He restored it over the course of approximately a year, and used it mainly for hunting. The motor is not factory original -- it has been changed 1 or 2 times.
"The main accessory is the Koenig PTO winch (90K JPEG). It has four new General tires, size 6.50X16, and the spare is a military style from BF Goodrich."
See also a front view and rear view and the interior (60K JPEG's) and a photo of the VIN plate (30K JPEG.)
1953: Craig Godfrey
Craig's in Whitby, Ontario and says: "The Jeep is a 1953 -- we used it for a hunt camp Jeep for years. Now I am restoring it myself. I made the whole thing new out of 18 ga. satin-coated steel -- it's working out pretty good.
"The side picture (100K JPEG) shows the new metal. The back end (60K JPEG) I closed in because the tailgate I have I don't think it's original stuff. I can always open it up when I find an original. I found original seats, gauges and lots of fiddly bits at Willys Acres just north of Toronto. The rims are Suzuki Samurai 15" with Flintstone tires, a little easier on the bladder! I also have new OS military tires.
"It was a fun time restoring this family toy. Especially re-wiring all the electrics, and not just because I only had red wire (an electricians nightmare!) My kids are all enjoying the smooth ride -- this is my boy. He's 20 years old and now I think I'm out one Jeep."
See also spraying primer with snow on the ground, and the paint drying in the sun (50K JPEG's.)
Our Spring 2003 cover photo was the Godfrey Jeep in its former yellow paint and halfcab (100K JPEG.)
1953: Geoff Banning
This is the Jeep that Geoff listed for sale on the CJ-3B Bulletin Board in November 2002, saying "Just had baby, must sell." Somehow the readers of the Board could tell he didn't really want to sell, and instead of making offers or asking for more details, they all started trying to convince him he was making a mistake. Some people reported how much their kids enjoyed Jeeps, and others recalled how they later regretted selling Jeeps. In the end, Geoff agreed and said, "I don't think I could sell it anyway."
"This is our 1953 3B that my Dad Bruce and I rebuilt when I was a teenager. It was a basket-case when purchased, but with a little TLC and a lot of time, she looks and runs great. It has the original F-head and running gear, just a spring-over lift and some cosmetic changes. Now my kids and I will enjoy it for years to come."
1953: Sergio Makowsky
Sergio is in São Paulo, Brazil, where for years his Jeep was seen every weekend in off-road club events. Now he's restored it again and retired it to lighter recreational driving.
See lots of before-and-after photos of this Jipe Club Veteran.
1953: Ted Svitavsky
This 1953 Willys CJ-3B , s e r i a l n u m b e r 4 5 3 G B 2 1 4 5 4 3, was purchased by Ted in 1974 for $550. During the next seven years the 3B was used to go 4-wheeling, hunting, and fishing in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Many an old logging trail was driven to a remote lake or stream, with a canoe strapped to the top of the full metal cab of the 3B. It was then parked for nearly 20 years, but Ted had quite a few great memories of the 3B, and promised himself that someday he would see that it was rebuilt.
That rebuild finally happened in Colorado in 2002. For the full story, see Building a Dream Jeep.
1953: Todd Kerzic
"I am in New York. The '53 is sitting with two other projects - a '49 CJ-3A and a '46 CJ-2A column shift. The 3B will be restored in the near future to as close to original as possible. I like to preserve these Jeeps rather than making them rock crawlers. This 3B had been sorta rebuilt back in the 80's -- just a lot of bondo to make it look good. It has a Warn overdrive on it and pretty much all the original parts are still there; no back seat, but it has the air cleaner.
"The engine was seized but a little brake fluid and PB Blaster and it came around. I quickly replaced the points, plugs and condenser and it started to fire. After a few tries I noticed the coil smoking. I replaced it with another from my other Jeep and it fired right up and by playing with the throttle it keep running. By the third start it idled on its own and ran 40 PSI of oil pressure with no smoke. I hope it stays running this good, but time will tell. I now have three projects and will be busy this winter trying to finish one of them. Too many Jeeps, not enough time."
Continue to 1953 Owners and Photos, Page 6.
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. -- Derek Redmond
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