When first purchased in March, 2000 it was known as The Beast. Later it would be named the Buggie, but it was often referred to as The Zipper Jeep because I kept changing my mind with upgrades and different ideas.
The Willy's origin is totally unknown. It was registered in Ohio as a 1956 Willys Jeep when I first saw it. It could be best described as a 1956 CJ5 with CJ3A body. I have described it using many adjectives since then but none close to a CJ3A. According to the serial numbers it is officially a 1956 Willies CJ5 Jeep Universal . The frame was pretty sad, the steering positively scary, the body so rusted that only duct tape and chewing gum was holding it together. I was scared to hit a bump trailering it home for fear it would totally fall apart. Brakes - well they could loosely be called brakes, the basic components were there and they probably would work with a lot of effort. It was easier however, to jump out, run in front of the Jeep and throw your body in front of it to make it stop. It's a quick way to loose friends. It also doesn't work if the Jeep is going backwards.
But, it did have redeeming features. Dana 44's front and rear from an International Scout. A Chevy 305 V8 with a T-18 4 speed with super low gearing and a Dana 20 transfer case. It also had a brand new set of 35" x 15.5 x 15 Interco Swamper SX-TSLs.
First Job was to get it registered in Illinois. If the title was no good than I would need another Flattie. The fine State of Illinois came through. It lost the word Jeep from the title but a title is a title.