Fun Farmer: 1949 Willys-Overland Jeep CJ3A – SOLD!

September 27, 2021 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Several years ago, Indian agricultural equipment manufacturer Mahindra launched what they called an off-road-only side-by-side called the Roxor. If you’ve seen one, not only would you have to agree it’s a spiritual successor to the Willys-Overland CJ3A, you would not be surprised that Fiat Chrysler won a lawsuit in 2020 forcing Mahindra to make it look less like a vintage Jeep.

Lawsuit aside, while the Roxor has proven to be very popular, if we were in need of an off-road only vehicle to manage our property, we’d prefer a restored example of the real deal. A prime example is this restored 1949 Willy-Overland CJ3A originally listed in September 2021 on Craigslist in West Granby, Connecticut (Hartford) and offered at $10,000. Comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Jeep priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $7,600 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $13,800.

Willys-Overland replaced its earlier 2A Jeep with the CJ-3A for the 1949 model year. It was powered by Willys’ 60 horsepower L-134 Go-Devil four-cylinder engine, with a T-90 transmission, and Dana 18 transfer case, a Dana 25 front axle, and Dana 41 or 44 rear axle. It featured a one-piece windshield with a vent, and wipers at the bottom. The CJ-3A came equipped with a heavier duty, ten-leaf spring suspension to accommodate a variety of agricultural implements being built for the vehicle.  Styling-wise, the CJ-3A featured a shorter rear wheel well, while engineers moved the driver’s seat rearward over the prior version.

The Periscope Film II YouTube Channel features this video highlighting many of the farm implements you could attach to your CJ3A:

With a readily available replacement body sourced years ago, we like the Army-themed look the seller restored this otherwise civilian example with.  More importantly, with modern Roxors selling for around twenty large, why not have the real thing for half the cost and not of those silly rollbars to cage you in safely!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Rust free 1949 Jeep. The frame is original and in perfect shape. The body was replaced with aftermarket some years ago. I would say 10 years. I painted it military. Always loved the Army look. Has the Go-Devil 4 cylinder. 3 speed with 4 wheel drive Hi-Low. Great for large property or ranch. Could put a plow on it. Best UTV.​“

Show or go: what would you do with this restored Willys-Overland Jeep CJ-3A?  Comment below and let us know!