Hi Guys!
This weekend, I had went to my native place in Rajasthan for some family function. As I had decided earlier, I searched for the CJ3A engine which is the only thing I have right now of my Jeep with me.
After a 40 mins search in the three big store rooms at our backyard, I was finally able to unearth the Go-Devil! Man it was all dust, cobwebs and old stuff and I had to take a shower again after the expedition was over
![Big Grin](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.png)
.
Lets first have a look at the engine and the story will follow:
Buried in heaps of dust, old wires and cobwebs.
Notice the embossings "Jeep" and "Willys Industrial". Gurus, more info on this please. Read on to know why I am asking.
After clearing (read untangling) the engine. it looks like this.
Closeup of the head with top mounted plugs. The embossings more prominently visible.
The original Lucas Coil ( I guess )!
Top front view with the metal fan and belts intact.
The side block view.
And now for the story.
Well the story goes on like this:
My Grandpa had bought a CJ3A (I think it is) for 4k in late 50s. My dad learnt driving on it and kept it in stock condition till early 70s when he shifted to Delhi. It was parked in our garage for next 7-8 years before dad and my uncle again started using it for local village rides. I remember going on drives with dad on dusty village tracks in our native village in Rajasthan. Jeeps were no big deal for people back then but me being a small kid was always fascinated by it.
Again it was parked for next 10-12 years under the sun and we did'nt realize when it came on bricks instead of wheels. Plants grew from under its body. Man I feel so sad when I think of it. I wish I was all grown up at that time.
Time went by and I became busy with the circle of life and the Jeep Bug on the back foot.
Meanwhile around 1993, the Jeep was shifted to my Bua's place with my other prized possession a '56 Fiat 1100 round boot (I plan to restore that as well. Will post a seperate thread approperiatly) as my phuphaji has a big workshop with plans to repaint and patch work (not restore) as my uncle (chacha) had to use it for local trasport for our farm. It was reconditioned with a base blue color. The Go-Devil was replaced (and kept in the store) by the old 540 Peuguot engine and used for around 1 year and sent to the workshop again destined to be parked for next 10 years or so.
It was then around 2004 taken away with my dad's permission by one of our distant relative without my knowledge
![Frustration](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/Frustration.gif)
. I hear they have restored the body work but not in original condition. I still have the original L134 engine as these guys fortunately took it away without the heart. They installed a Toyota as they wanted a better motor.
I have now contacted them and asked for the Jeep which they say is parked for around 6 months now at their farm. The only hitch now is that my dad wants the paperwork to be complete as the registration was not renewed when it expired last and hence the road tax is due since the 70's. This will take some time and only then I will be able to bring it to Delhi.
Can you guys imagine, it was given away for free without any paperwork
![EEK!](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.png)
!! and is still in my grandpa's name.
Phew!! A long story!!
I am not even sure if its the CJ3A or its military sibling the M38. Dad says it was a civillain version but uncle says it was a military one. They both dont remember what was written on the Data plate as those years these vehicles did not carry such value. Since it does not have any military hardware thats why I think its a CJ3A.
Its this reason that I want the gurus to have their insight on this vehicle now that we have the photographs of the engine. Does the words "Jeep Industrial" carry any significance in terms of model or year of manufacture? I think UBS sir or Bahram Sir can throw some light on it.
Wish me luck! Hope I will soon get to restore it back to its original form.