Rare Military Jeep CJV35/U
- Thread starter Wildman
- Start date
Mumblewood
TJ Enthusiast
Not often there’s an old flat fender I don’t know much about or heard about but this is one of them. I guess ya can learn something new everyday
Thanks for the info!
Thanks for the info!
OP
I'd heard of them but had never seen an complete explanation of what made them different from over models. It's like the rare CJ6 type that were used as ambulances or the anti-tank models. I'd have to search for all the proper model numbers now. Use to have some of the old military manuals on a few of them.
ejay
TJ Addict
OP
Wonder why?
Jeeps for the civilian market officially began with the CJ-2A, followed by the CJ-3A a few years later. The Jeeps you see here are quite similar to the CJ-3A models, but they have some unique military-only features. In 1950, the U.S. Navy contracted 1,000 Jeeps to be built at the Willys-Overland plant in Toledo, Ohio, for use by the United States Marine Corps, and the model was designated as the CJV35/U. It would be the only military contract for a Jeep that was fulfilled between the end of World War II and the beginning of the Korean conflict.
There are several special traits about this specific Willys. It was designed to ford deep water, using a snorkel ventilation setup plumbed to the engine and drivetrain. The transmission, transfer case, master cylinder, fuel tank, and vacuum-driven wiper system all had to be plumbed to the air filter to keep them from ingesting water during short-duration fording. Inside the tub sat a PTO-driven generator to supply power to bed-mounted radio gear. The plan was to use these Jeeps for forward observation or reconnaissance to direct aircraft or artillery fire.
Today, there are very few of these Jeeps still in running condition, so it’s rare to see even one. In fact, many Jeep enthusiasts, unaware of the CJV35/U, might mistakenly believe one of these to be a converted CJ-3A made to look like a military model. We have the pleasure of showing you not one but three surviving and running unicorns.
You need to come down to Huntsville we have the first Ford prototype jeep
OP
It is at the veterans museum on Airport- model GP -1 I believe its called, still runs, still has dirt on it from testing- legend is it is the first Jeep in existence.
You can see it online too, Not sure the name of the museum- probably Huntsville Veterans Military Museum, it is on Airport road.
Shout if you ever come this way. Dinner is on me.
OP
Plan is once the Jeep is done, I'll be traveling so I'll come see it in person.
I would be proud to get to meet you - Huntsville is a fine area too.
OP
Well, the goal is to come and hit some wheeling spots with all of you. And do some sightseeing while I'm in an area. Figure I defended this country for 28 years I should see more of it.
Absolutely- you can bet on a warm welcome here- plus I have access to the new Forum Legal Defense Fund so if we all end up in jail I can likely get a some paperwork sped up. 🤣
OP
Shit I haven't ended up in jail for a LONG time... Be fun to hit some trails with everyone... Plus a bar or two....
