Need help with first Jeep purchase

Hello all,
First of all I would like to introduce myself as a future jeep owner. I am currently looking for a project vehicle that I can work on with my 17 year old daughter. We have both always liked the older Jeeps and I think I found one (CJ-5) for us to restore. The current owner is a local garage that has many vehicles collecting dust in a field behind his show. Owner claims that vehicle was last driven about 3 years ago and that mileage of 32000 is correct. I am a newbie to all this but have estimated this jeep to have been built around 1965-67. Problem is that the VIN tag is missing (as can be seen in one of the photo's).
The guy is asking $1000 for it but I can probably haggle the price down a bit. I was going to start with an offer of $500.

Please take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think ? Is this a good project and what would you pay for it ? I have done alot of fabrication & engine work in the past and will do 90% of the work myself. I plan on tearing Jeep completely apart and sending out frame and body for sand blasting.

One last thing.....There is a hole around the shift levers. What's missing ? Is it missing a rubber or steel cover ? Why 3 levers (is it for shift1234, 4x4 mode, and low/high gear select ?

Thanks....I really appreciate any help/input you can give me. It's hard for a newbie to figure out what is stock and what was added by previous owner. I'd like it to be original and am going to try to track down a set of military NDT tires/rims.

Lots of pictures below !

 

Thanks for the quick reply !
I count 2 sticks as well.....Don't know why I counted 3 ???? Must have gotten up too early after the midnight shift.

Body looks straight and I couldn't detect any body filler. Undercarriage and frame look suprisingly clean with only minimal surface rust. Hopefully the sandblasting won't show me otherwise.

I didn't even know that Kaiser built Jeeps in Windsor (my home town) until yesterday. The assembly plant still stands and is currently a stamping plant (Central Stamping).

Really looking forward to another project.

 

Yes indeed it appears to be a very good find. As a father of two yong ladies it is good to hear that this would be a father/daughter project. Let us know how things go ,as Mike said feel good about it...seems like I never can locate such a good looking candidate for a project.

 

I agree, $1000 is a good deal for that Jeep. You'll need some floor pans, but those can be found pretty easily. The back floor may have been replaced or covered over. Completeness and rust would be the first two things I'd look for - most other problems can be dealt with comparative ease. Plus, the body looks really straight, another plus... these vehicles usually come with a heaping helping of dents and dings.

Make sure you can deal with any registration issues since there's no VIN plate. Does the owner have the last registration or title? The VIN will be stamped into the frame, so the plate may not be needed; depends on your local laws.

 

Let me put it this way:
If I saw that out in a field around here,
I would offer him $100-150 for the windshield assm.

But I'm sure you know that starting price hardly starts what you'll be spending on it.

 

I would pay a $1000 for it without much hesitation. Not many Canadian built jeeps out there either. So long as the motor is not locked up it looks to be a good deal.

 

Could someone have taken the vin off the vehicle and put it on another? If you get the vin off the frame and go to register it and it is already registered oooopppps

 

WOW! Thanks for all the feedback ! I honestly didn't expect to get this many responses so quickly. If I purchase I'll be sure to let everyone know. When I do the first thing I am going to do is to toss out that minivan bench seat !

 

Howdy from NM! Imo need's a good washing and as good as new!

 

I'll ditto the comment about checking to see of the engine turns over. $1000 is an OK deal. Any less allows you more room for repairs and new parts later. A non running vehicle should allow plenty of negotiation when it comes to price. I picked up my 71 CJ5 in a little Colorado town less than 2 years ago for $3000, and it was in running & driving condition. The PO was asking $4000. Good luck with the project. My hat is off to you for keeping your girl interested and included! My girls have absolutely no interest in this hobby.

 

Looks like a fun project ! For me.. I'd be worried about the missing vin plate.. and if it has a title ? Otherwise.. you might end up with a parts rig.. which is not a bad thing either You could find another jeep - maybe in worse shape but with a vin plate and title.

 

It sure does not belong out in that field with junk. SAAAAVVVVVEEEE her. Looks like 66-67 to me also. Don't let it get away. You will kick yourself later if you do.

 

:toetap:

So is it home Yet?R)
Looks good. vin tag might be a problem, but if if you have trouble, find another shot jeep with a title, or apply for a new on. I look at no vin tag as a great neg. tool. $500 is where I'd start too.