1953 Willys

Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

CJ3A41202

Gasoline

Please read the description carefully so that you know what you are bidding on and what is included in the deal. Please ask questions if you need more information or if you are unclear on something. You are bidding on a used Willys CJ3A Jeep. The VIN plate and the title match. The title lists this Jeep as a 1953 but based on the sequential serial numbers I suspect this Jeep to be closer to a 1951 and that the vehicle was titled in the year it was registered or sold. Not a totally uncommon thing back then if a dealer used the vehicle around the dealership or if it became leftover inventory. Nevertheless, this is the correct title and VIN plate for this Jeep. The tan seats and 16" wheels with NDT military tires are not part of the auction. However, they can be purchased by the winning bidder for additional money (see details below). Now about the Jeep - I purchased this Jeep as part of a collection of parts plus another Jeep ( a CJ2A). I wanted some of the parts and I wanted the other Jeep. For now, I am keeping the CJ2A since it has local historical importance. Unfortunately, to get the CJ2A and the parts I wanted, I had to purchase everything. The previous owner had plans to drive this while restoring the other but his hobbies took another direction. Since I prefer marital and financial harmony, I will be selling off this CJ3A. Since everyone has different plans for their Jeeps, I try to sell them in the baseline configuration so that you are not buying more than you need. The winning bidder will receive the Jeep with 15" steel wheels and sawtooth tread tires (the full body shot from the passenger side is the picture that includes these wheels and tires). I also have a set of white spoked wagon wheels with slightly wider tires that I can swap around for you if you prefer that style of wheel. In either case the tires hold air but have some age cracking. If you already have your own wheels and tires, you can buy it without wheels and tires and deduct $100 from the final auction price. You will notice that at least one picture shows the Jeep with 16" wheels and NDT military tires. Those wheels were purchased new by a previous owner and the tires are fairly new (still have some of the whiskers on them). I will pull the existing wheels and swap over to the NDT tires and wheels for an additional $300 to the winning bidder. As for the seats. The Jeep came to me without its original seats. However, I did get a set of what I believe to be early CJ5 seats (the bare wire ones seen in one or two photos). They can be made to work with a bit of fabrication and of course some vinyl or canvas covering. They are included in the deal. If you like the tan seats, they can be had by the winning bidder for an additional $250.00. I received these seats with another Jeep I purchased and I do not think they have been sat in. The driver's seat frame has an extra tab or two welded on that needs to be removed (that is why it sits higher) and there is no frame under the rear seat. I have the bottom section from a CJ2A rear seat that will be included if you purchase the tan seat option. The Jeep runs, shifts and stops. I drove it up the street a few houses in my residential neighborhood to run it through the gears and to make sure that reverse worked and that I could get it to stop. Keep in mind that these old Jeeps are not known for super brakes. I did not check the emergency brake. A previous owner replaced the brake lines (including the front rubber ones) and front brake drums (see the one picture). I did not check on the master cylinder nor did I pull the drums to check on the wheel cylinders and brake shoes. My guess is that some of this was probably changed if they went to the expense and labor of replacing lines and front drums. It looks like the tie rod end and tie rods plus the bell crank and bell crank bolt were replaced as well. The muffler looks new and the rest of the exhaust appears relatively new or at least solid. I did not check much of the electrical other than to say that the headlights trurned on when I pulled the switch and it appeared that the amp gauge was in the positive range showing that the system was charging. I did not check the parking lights. It has an electric wiper that looks good but I did not test it. There is an original type horn under the hood but the horn button is missing so at the least it will need some wiring on the horn. The motor sounds good (no weird noises) and seems to rev up nicely. It did drip some oil from under the motor after sitting (most of the old Jeeps do). My guess would be either a pan gasket of possibly the rear seal from sitting. This might improve after being run awhile. I would say that the previous owner prefered (or was better at) mechanics than he was at body work. The grille, hood, drivers fender and windshield frame are pretty solid and probably could be re-used if you are planning on a full restoration down the road. The passenger fender would be OK with some additional work for a trail or hunting Jeep. There are better used fenders available if you want to restore. The tailgate would need additional work on the bottom (or replacement) for a restoration. The tub has had several patches and there are two holes that still remain on the rear floor and under the tool box. The rest of the panels have been repaired and would be good enough for a trail or hunting Jeep. You would want to replace several portions on the rear section of the tub (the cowl area appears good) or a different tub if you want a restoration project. The frame appears solid and the front frame horns appear straight. The Jeep comes with the rear draw bar and tow hitch and the front axle has a nice set of Warn locking hubs that turn in and out as they should. Hopefully I covered the description well enough. Feel free to contact me if there is anything I missed or if you have questions. Just remember, The auction is for the red CJ3A Jeep with 15" wheels (or white wagon wheels) and older tires and no tan seats. If you bring your own wheels deduct $100 and I keep the wheels that are on it. If you want 16" wheels with the NDT tires it will cost you $300 more and I keep the 15" wheels that are on it. The wire seat frames are included but the tan seats will cost you $300 more. For those that might be interested. I also acquired two L134 blocks with my purchase. These are the block from oilpan to head. They both have their oil pumps and timing chain covers intact. Neither have flywheels. I do not currently know their condition otherwise. The winning bidder of the Jeep would have the option of either motor for $125 each or $200 for the pair. The decision would not have to be made until the time of pickup. Due to the age of this Jeep and the fact that I never really drove it on the roads or trails I can not offer any type of warranty expressed or implied. Please read the description, study the pictures and ask questions. Please do not bid if you do not have the means to purchase this jeep and get it home. It will need to be towed or trailered (preferred) home. Unless you live a block or two away, it can't be driven home. The Jeep is located in Charleston, WV and if you are local we can make arrangements for you to view it. A $200 non-refundable deposit is due from the winning bidder within 48 hours after the auction's close via Paypal. I request that the balance be paid via Certified Bank Cashiers Check (or Cash) within 7 days. The Jeep does not move until it has been paid for in full (and checks have cleared) I am willing to hold/store the Jeep for 30 days. Please contact me before bidding if it will take you longer than 30 days to pick it up. I will help load if you want this shipped and if you are willing to arrange for a shipper. No International Bidders on this Auction.On Feb-20-12 at 09:10:09 PST, seller added the following information: Please note that in the description of the passenger side fender I mention that "there are better used fenders available if you want to restore". This means that they are available on Ebay from other sellers from time to time. I do not currently have any and the fenders that you will receive with this Jeep are what is currently on it.