Central NSW farm find.... 64 FJ45

[Claws]

There was a Willys 50's-60's trayback 4wd for sale on Facebook and sitting behind it was an old 45 cruiser... The split bonnet with spear gave it away and that was about all I could see of it behind the Willys. So I messaged the seller if the old cruiser was also for sale and he replied he had a few trayback Cruisers and I was welcome to come and have a look as all were for sale.

I went out today, did a deal and forked over $750 cash and the Cruiser was mine. Best part is, on the ground next to the Cruiser I spotted an old rusty rim and asked if it could be included..... it's yours he said... score... the old rim is actually a 1941 ww2 slatgrill Willys jeep solid rim.... rare as and worth $400 to a mate of mine so I basically got the Cruiser for $350..... Bargain I reckon.

 

[Claws]

Oh, this is my 1976 HJ45 currently in getting blue slip for rego....

 

[cult45]

Neat rig. Looks pretty stock. First coral seats I've seen in Aus.

 

[Michael B]

Welcome to Mud Claws! Those are nice rigs. Great find on the 64'. What about the other 45's he had for sale?

 

[chappohj47]

Nice find mate good start for a Resto

 

[Claws]

Welcome to Mud Claws! Those are nice rigs. Great find on the 64'. What about the other 45's he had for sale?

He also had an early HJ47 trayback that was rough with a little rust in the floors and a smokey engine, another FJ45 wellback that looked to be early 70's and a HJ45 trayback that was a bit rough but rust free that looked to be mid 70's. His father travels around the farms and buys up any Cruisers he can get for a price he can onsell to profit from or passes them on to people he knows are looking for a particular model. Nice guy and fair with his pricing.

This was what I spotted....... behind the Willys......

 

[Michael B]

Nice pic. That's not a bad looking old Willys either!

 

[Claws]

She was a corker the old Willys, totally rust free and only a few dents and missing correct doors. They poured some petrol down the carb and she fired right up and the new owner drove it onto the car trailer. Was advertised for $1500 but what the buyer handed over looked like less. Was a great buy I reckon, a mate asked me to look at it for him but the guy who bought it got there 10min before me....

 

[cult45]

Saw these pair off the main street of Roma back in 2013. Same thing? Bet ya they're still there.

 

[Claws]

yeah, a couple of beauties there... nice stepside on the one on the left.... there is a truck yard out at Dalby that has a ripper of an old ww2 Dodge weapons carrier with a crane fitted to the rear.... still plenty of interesting vehicles around, problem quite often is getting the owners to part with them...

 

[Claws]

Looks a bit better after a bit of a clean up.... remove all the rubbish and give her a hose.

 

[andybudge]

Looks in good nic Sean.
Great find.
Looking forward to seeing how your Restoration progresses!
All the best with it.

 

[Claws]

What is the go with early rims??? I have four solid rims with hubcap clips and one split rim with hubcap clips. The solid rims appear to be 15" and the split rim appears to be 16".... not sure and will measure them tomorrow. Which is correct for my 64? solid or split?

 

[Claws]

Rear tail lights appear to be original being Koito, look like well body ones... a pity they are cracked and broken.

 

[Claws]

I was a bit disappointed that the quarter vent window latch knob was missing on the passenger side......... I was jumping for joy when while cleaning it out I found the missing knob in the glovebox..... woohoo

 

[Claws]

I get the feeling there is something missing on the indicator stalk... possibly a plastic extension piece???

Lenses are crazed and cracked, I have purchased replacements for all of them at the front... don't like my chances of getting replacement tail light lenses though.

 

[Claws]

Question...... can you get reproduction decals for the 135 engines? Some of mine are ok but some need replacing...

The manufacturer of the tray riveted a plate on it, I should be able to restore it easily at least.

 

[andybudge]

Rear tail lights appear to be original being Koito, look like well body ones... a pity they are cracked and broken.

View attachment 1285185

View attachment 1285187

Just bought a pair of reproduction Lenses from Ebay.

 

[Claws]

Passenger seat frame has been cut so would appreciate a photo of an uncut one so I can repair it, or are they the same as later 45 seats???

All dash knobs appear in pretty good nik and pedals are original.

 

[Claws]

Lots of interesting little details like the chain on the oil filler cap.