It’s a given that the Jeep is a most unique vehicle not only from a longevity of production standpoint, but in its, ability to capture the interest and devotion of so many owners. Whether you own a CJ2A, CJ3A, Pickup, Station Wagon, Jeepster, or a later model, the individuality is apparent in customized paint, trim, suspension and drivetrain modifications.
In many Jeep forum discussions, we see the CJ5 and CJ7 being the favorites to rebuild of the Willys Jeep and AMC era. This is probably because there are so many parts sources and an abundance of repair info on these vehicles. They are also durable 4wd machines with links to a great past. Their production numbers were substantial; many tens of thousands more than CJ2A or CJ3A were produced. In comparison, the Jeepster (1940′s version) hardly gets many modifications because it is the rarest of the lot and often much more expensive in the rough than even a restored Wagon or Pickup. A photo gallery of Jeep Willys will often feature the Jeepster as it has a special appeal to those who don’t care about 4wd and like the convertible look. Parts sources for the Jeepster are few, but repair info can be found through links on Jeep forums and discussion pages.
A 4WD machine has more versatility and the Pickups and Wagons have cargo capacity that far exceeds the smaller CJ’s. If you go camping or to the beach, you are likely to need the space. There is no limit to what one can do to embellish their machines. Many used parts exist for the long wheelbase trucks and are easy to come by from the web. Many vendors of new parts also offer repair parts, modification parts and improvements in steering, braking and suspension. Body parts are the most difficult to find as few aftermarket panels exist. I see the Willys Jeep as gaining in popularity as time goes on, but having a limited supply keeps the demand for parts at low levels and costly to produce.
That is why the CJ2,CJ3, CJ5 and CJ7 are still the most popular of the early Jeeps. The scarcity and expense of acquiring and restoring an MB or GPW leaves the common hobbyist out of the running and the lack of body parts for the other wagon/trucks scare some away. In fact, If you have a drivetrain,you could build a replica CJ2A ,CJ3A or CJ3B entirely from new parts including the frame.
So I believe the medal goes to the smaller CJ’s.
