Vehicle Description
A military-style Jeep with all the trimmings will make anyone take
notice, but really, we know why you're stopping to check out this
1946 Willys Jeep CJ-2A. It's hard not to get excited about driving
the bedrock of freedom, especially when it's this affordable.
In 1946 WWII barely felt finished, and as peacetime production
resumed, Willys adapted its military 4x4 production to create the
CJ-2A. These are nearly identical to the military MB Jeeps. In
fact, the easiest way to tell the difference is that these CJs have
larger headlights and it was the debut of the seven-slot grille
that has now become iconic. So really the face of this first
civilian Jeep (CJ) established the look we now associate with the
Jeep name. It's this transition into post-war life that looks so
correct on this one right now. After all, the Civil Defense livery
seems appropriate because the organization was a blend of military
and civilians - exactly what this CJ-2A is, too! More than just the
CD graphics, this one is truly built to look the part of a
survival-ready vehicle with its thick rope around the bumper,
folding top, bright red wheels, red rear step bumper, and the rear
side flanked by a spare tire and a gas. And yes, you do also have a
siren.
Inside, the CD-ready theme continues with a fire extinguisher,
first aid kit, and even flags mounted below the windshield. These
were not built to be coddlers, and instead, the real comforts are
all about the go-anywhere function of a Jeep. So you get a
fold-down windshield, flashlight, and full set of gauges. From
behind the wheel, you'll note three levers on the floor, one for
the three-speed manual transmission and the other two for the
two-speed transfer case. The middle one selects 2 or 4-wheel drive,
while the one on the far right selects high and low ranges. If that
seems confusing, the instructions are still mounted on the dash.
Cool, right?
These weren't about all-out power, but the 134 cubic-inch
inline-four was actually a big reason why the military choose
Willys for a role in manufacturing the wartime Jeep. The Go Devil
motor proved to deliver good torque and was as reliable as an
American soldier. This one appears quite period-correct under the
hood. Heavy-duty features include the oil bath air cleaner and a
big oil filter canister on the side of the engine block, both
critical for longevity in the field. Plus, you now have a 12-volt
alternator for modern dependability. The chassis remains quite
clean, and the oversized hubs on the sturdy axles are designed to
keep the Jeep alive in the worst of situations.
No matter if you want to use this for parades, ice cream runs, or
even genuine 4x4 driving, this true American hero is ready for its
next patriot. Is that you? Call now!