1946 Willys Overland “Universal Jeep” (“CJ2A”)
Serial Number:
CJ2A 13396
This jeep was
manufactured by Willys-Overland Motors Incorporated of Toledo, Ohio in January
1946.
1946 was the first full year of production for civilian
jeeps (CJs).
During World War II (1941-1945), Willys Overland and Ford
Motor Company produced about 600,000 military
jeeps (known as the “MB” and “GPW” respectively). During the war, Willys used the MB to build
two prototype civilian jeeps (CJ1 and the CJ2 “Agrijeep”). The final version of the Willys civilian jeep
(known to Willys engineers as “civilian jeep 2 version A” or “CJ2A”) was
introduced to the public on July 17, 1945 on a Michigan farm owned by Willys
President Charles Sorensen. Beginning in
mid-1945, the CJ2A shared the production line with the Willys MB. Willys manufactured 1,824 CJ2As in 1945. Production of the MB ended on August 30, 1945
(three days before World War II officially ended on September 2, 1945). In 1946, Willys produced over 70,000 CJ2As.
Since “very early” CJs (1945 and early 1946 CJ2As are
known as “very early CJs” or “VECs”) shared the assembly line with the MB, they
have many parts that are from the
military assembly line. This CJ has an
MB style body with tool
indentations (for an axe and a shovel) on the driver’s side of the
body. The Sparton
horn, Oakes air cleaner and split swing-out windshield are from the MB military
assembly-line. The exhaust is an “MB
style” system with the muffler
mounted under the passenger side of the jeep.
The original “bullet shaped” parking lights are military “black-out
lights” with civilian lense covers. The hinge for the hood is a “Ford buy back
hinge” that is stamped with an “F” from the Ford
GPW assembly plant. The rear axle is an
MB Dana 25 “full-floating axle” and is stamped with the manufacture date of “
Serial numbers for the CJ2A start at #10001. The serial number on this jeep is “CJ2A
13396”; therefore it is the 3396th jeep manufactured for civilian
use, and the 1572nd CJ built in 1946. It is one of 1,629 CJ2As built by Willys in
1946 with an MB style body, the MB “Dana 25 full-floating rear axle” and a 3
speed “T-90” manual transmission with the shifter mounted on the steering
column (“three on a tree”, or “a column shifter”).
The serial numbers on
the body, frame and tailgate match for a CJ2A produced in early 1946. The engine, with serial number “CJ2A 26162”,
may not be the original engine (for more details on CJ2A engines click here.). However, it is a correct early “timing chain”
version of the “Go Devil” flathead 4 cylinder engine designed by Willys-Overland and used in all MBs,
GPWs and early CJs (Willys switched
to a timing gear engine in mid-1946).
The “Go Devil” engine displaces just over 134 cubic inches (2.2 liters)
and develops 60 horsepower at 4,000 RPM.
Top speed in “high range” (without the 4 wheel drive engaged) is 60
MPH.
Willys marketed the first CJs to agriculture and industry
as a “do-it-all” vehicle. The
versatility of the vehicle prompted Willys to call it “The Universal
Jeep”. Of course, the “Universal Jeep”
is more commonly known as the “CJ2A”. According to marketing literature from 1946, the
“Universal Jeep” (which was geared lower than its military siblings) could tow
a 10,000 lbs trailer. A promotional
photo taken in July 1945 shows a CJ2A towing a 9,400 lbs trailer full of hay
bails. A CJ2A weighs about 2,200 lbs and
was rated to get about 20 miles per gallon (driving at 35 to 40 mph). In 1946, a new CJ2A cost $1,195 (a price set
by the Office of Price Administration; a government organization created to
prevent inflation during the war).
Willys Overland manufactured over 200,000 CJ2As before
production of the model ended in 1949.
However, a variation of the CJ2A remained in production in the U.S.
until 1964 (see CJ3A, CJ3B and DJ).
Under licence from Willys, variations continued to be manufactured in
Europe, Asia, Central America and South American well into the 1970’s. Mahindra (India) produced a version of the
CJ3B in the 1980’s. Mitsubishi (Japan)
produced a version as late as 1995. No
bad for a vehicle designed in 1940!
I purchased this jeep
in 2004. When I bought it the odometer
read just over 32,000 miles. People who
are familiar with early CJs (former owners and jeep mechanics) have indicated
to me that the mechanical condition of the jeep is correct for the mileage. The olive drab paint with white star on the
hood was added by a previous owner. This
Jeep was originally “Harvest Tan” with
“Sunset Red” wheels. The grey “naugahyde” seat covers have been replaced with original
style reproduction covers using the original seat pans, springs and
hardware. The original canvas top (which
was olive drab) is long gone.
So far, this jeep has had a mechanical restoration (new
wires, exhaust, fuel system and brakes).
It runs and drives great. True to
it’s reputation, it is smooth running and very reliable. Its off-road performance is second to no
other vehicle; antique or modern. A
“frame off restoration” could be in it’s future, but the usual things are
holding up that process; space, time and money. Right now the jeep serves as a “time
capsule” of American engineering, and a very entertaining weekend ride. It never fails to generate a smile, or a
story, from the people I meet when I go for a drive. It is, more than any other vehicle, a true
American icon.
For more on the
history of the CJ2A, and the other vehicles in the Jeep family, visit The CJ2A Page.
A short video
produced by the UAW (United Auto Workers) on the history of the development of
the jeep can be found at this link: http://www.wgte.org/wgte/item.asp?item_id=996 (Please email me if this link no longer works.)
Do you have “an
early CJ”? Send me a note. I’d be glad to hear from you.
Need parts for
your jeep? I’ve been very satisfied with
Walck’s 4WD in Bowmanstown, PA.
Additional
images:
Engine – New
exhaust manifold, wiring harness, fuel pump and fuel lines
Dashboard and “Column
Shifter”
Military Transport
Association of N.J./Red Ball Picnic ‘07
- This CJ (first on the left) in a
“sea” of WWII MBs and GPWs.
7/09
