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The Jeep CJ2: I'll Have Mine Rare!
1945 Willys CJ2
However, the CJ2 was built as a totally new model instead of being a rehashed
Military MB model such as the CJ1.
Willys-Overland set new specifications for the construction of the CJ2 and updated the body, axles, gears and transfer cases for the 4-wheel drive 1/4 ton ex-military champion. This new Civilian Jeep was initially given the tag "Agri-Jeep" because Willys had been looking for a way to market the little specialty vehicle to a post-war public. Since independent farming was still quite prevalent after the war, Willys initially marketed the CJ2 to farmers and other outdoor working environments. Hence the name "AgriJeep". These farm ready Jeeps were designed to function like a more versatile tractor. Some had front mounted counterweights, PTO's (Power Take-Off drives), tow bars, post-hole diggers, plows and mowers among other equipment. However, the agricultural angle didn't seem to catch on as intended, so Willys would have to rethink it's marketing strategies if the Universal Jeep design were to survive in the civilian marketplace. The Willys CJ2 Jeep was built from 1944 through 1945. It appears that only about 45 CJ2's were produced and less than 10 are known to have survived. Now, for collectors...that's getting mighty Rare!
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