Every Jeep Tells A Story
Jeff McAllister posted a story on the Old Willys Forum about an unusual CJ2A he had acquired. It created a buzz, and we asked Jeff to learn as much as he could about its history.
Jeff wrote:
So I spoke to the previous owner, Morgan, and this is what I have found out.
This Willys was owned by Charlie Napp in Buellton Ca. He was injured in a car accident and could no longer drive a vehicle (yes this makes no sense) so he rode his bicycle up to Paso Robles Ca. where his ranch was (2 1/2 hrs by car). Morgan did not know why this was the case. He hired people to drive it around his ranch and used the PTO to cut firewood is the story.
Before he died he traded it to Morgans dad who had the ranch next door for a Dodge Power Wagon. Morgan was 5 when his dad got it. that was over 55 years ago. It was used on their ranch until Morgans father passed away and sat there til the early 2000’s. Morgan brought it down to Goleta Calif and stored it in a container due to some easement issues and felt it might get stolen. That was about 2008-2009 to 2024.
My friend Keith got it in 2024 made it run (Engine was frozen) then parked it in his garage until August 15 2026 whenI brought it here to Prescott Valley Az.
The engine was frozen again when I tried to start it due to a leaky head gasket I believe, I unfroze it again and drove it around the house a few time and let it sit over night. I cleaned out the PTO handle as it was stuck then tried to start it and it was hydro locked. I pulled the head (GPW) and refixed the cracked block and installed a new head gasket etc. and it runs again. I only ran it a few minutes and shut it off as I have not refilled the coolant at this time.
As of now it can run and drive.
I have listed it on Ebay as I am looking for a run about Willys flat fender without all the extra this has, and hope it finds the right home.
There are NO pictures of this that can be found at the ranch I am told.
Every Jeep has a story. We wish this one could tell us about the body extenstion. Most owners would have opted for a bed extension. Mr. Napp certainly made this Jeep is own that meet his unique needs.
Thanks Jeff for sharing this history.
FJ