Are flat-fendered Jeeps having (another) moment right now? David Freiberger and Rick Pewe are, as we speak, charging across the country (and countryside) in a WWII GPW—check out the #originalded hashtag on Instagram to follow that adventure. There’s also a war on in Europe, you know, an unfortunate parallel to the circumstances of the original Jeep’s creation. But current events and history aside, the original Jeep has always been a riot, a capable, versatile, and charismatic—even in drab with rifle holsters attached—little trucklet. And this ’54, painted in a very postwar shade of pastel yellow, is just a charmer.
This is actually a CJ-3B, so it’s a bit different from the original Willys MB, namely due to what was under the hood, and the hood itself. You see, there was a new and improved Hurricane I-4 under there, but the F-head power plant was taller than the Go-Devil it replaced. It was also significantly more powerful, so while it wasn’t as sleek (if you can call any CJ sleek) as the MB/early CJ’s lower profile, it was a lot better to drive—and supposedly improved fuel economy, too.
Like all earlier CJs, this yellow stunner is lightweight and provides the sort of connection to your surroundings that only a vehicle with literally no provision for a top or sides can provide. You really have to commit to a drive when you go for a spin in one of these. But as any enthusiast will tell you, purity of purpose keeps you coming back for more. There are few things as fundamentally American and as delightfully minimalist as an early CJ, save perhaps the wartime MBs and GPWs.
This one isn’t particularly rare or precious, but it’ll probably bring its new owner more raw enjoyment than any 0-mile special edition secreted away in a storage bubble would. This one already sold at Mecum’s Houston auction, but it’s got our juices flowing about flat-fendered fun. We hope the new owner drives it, gets rained on a bit, flings some mud in their passenger’s hair, gets a rock chip or five on the grille shell, and smiles the whole time.
Keyword: Trip Over This Utterly Charming 1954 Willys Jeep That's Banana Yellow