1945 Willys CJ-2A — Handmade Metal Model, First Civilian Jeep
1945 Willys CJ-2A — Handmade Metal Model, First Civilian Jeep
Model details
- Construction
- Handcrafted
- Collection
- Automobile Models
- Item no.
- AJ104
The first Jeep sold to the public — and the vehicle that had to convince farmers it was a tractor.
Handcrafted in iron with rolling metal wheels and hand-painted finish, with the CJ-2A's identifying features: a seven-slot grille, headlamps moved outboard, and a tailgate the military version never had.
Details
- Handcrafted iron frame and open body
- Metal wheels that roll
- Hand-painted with applied detail
- Seven-slot grille, tailgate, seats and spare wheel
- Ready to display
The vehicle
With the war ending, Willys had a factory, a proven product and no customer. The answer was the CJ — Civilian Jeep — marketed not as transport but as agricultural machinery: a power take-off, a drawbar, and advertising that showed it ploughing, harrowing and running a belt-driven saw.
The seven-slot grille dates from here and is now a Jeep trademark. Military versions had nine slots, and the change was made partly because seven stamped more cleanly.