Willys CJ-V35/U

CJV-35 10999

The Last CJ-V35/U?

It's not the last CJ-V35/U manufactured, the last one has serial number CJV-35 11000, but it is close at number 10999. Rather, could this be the last V-35 owned by the US Government? Are there any more waiting to be discovered? It is remarkable that this Jeep has remained in government ownership just shy of 59 years! It had been sitting unused for about 5 or 6 years and was finally auctioned off to the public in January 2009. This V-35 was used as a run-about vehicle for driving to the research farm plots on the USDA-ARS North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Brookings, South Dakota. "The Mission of the NCARL (North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory) is to develop, evaluate, and transfer sustainable production and bioprocessing systems that enhance environmental quality and provide profitability for agriculture with emphasis on integrated pest and crop management and agricultural product development." (1) The history of many surviving CJ-V35/Us can be traced through the UDSA, or its agency the US Forest Service, after leaving the US Marine Corps.

The government auction description (screen shot above) listed this as a "1961 JEEP,OPEN TOP,MT,4X4,GREEN,4CYL,MT,". We know these vehicles were actually made in 1950 so it's likely the listed model year of 1961 was derived from a paperwork transfer date. Coincidentally the Research Laboratory opened in 1961 so this Jeep was probably transferred to them from another government agency at that time. The second owner, after the US Government, purchased it for $5750.00 on January 10, 2009 at 10:25 AM Central Time. Early in 1950 the US Navy took delivery of 1,000 of these Jeeps with radio equipment and spare parts for a purchase price of more than $3 million dollars. (2) That means the cost for each new vehicle (plus the radio gear and spare parts) was about $3000.00 in 1950. Adjusted for inflation the price would be more than $26,000 each today. (3)

From the photos it appears this V-35 has fared well, a true low mileage one owner vehicle. There are no obvious rust through areas on the body. The lift rings, tow hooks, tail light, dash tags, combat wheels, NDT tires and headlight guards have remained with the vehicle. The spare tire and gas can carriers have been removed from the tailgate to improve the Jeep's functionality as a cargo carrier.

Thanks to Syl Giraud and Loren Jones.

If you own this Jeep, or know any more about it, please let me know.
Bob Westerman
52cj3a@gmail.com

References
1. Mission statement from the USDA ARS, http://www.ars.usda.gov
2. Oxnard Press-Courier, May 15, 1950
3. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm