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| Surrey Jeep | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 24 2013, 07:15 PM (598 Views) | |
| RommelJuan | Oct 24 2013, 07:15 PM Post #1 |
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Hey Guys, Can you tell me more about Surrey Jeeps? Were they mostly 3a or 3b Jeeps? I even saw a cj5 one somewhere. I find them really cute and we'd like to have one in our jeep library at MDJuan ![]()
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| colin | Oct 25 2013, 05:32 PM Post #2 |
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Hi Juan- I will try to give you some information on the Surrey Jeeps. In 1955, Willys(Kaiser) came out with the DJ3A Jeep, called the Dispatcher. This was a 2 wheel drive, 4 cylinder L head 60 horsepower engine with 3 speed transmission using a column shift. The DJ3A came in several body styles from base Dispatcher, no top, tailgate or no tailgate, convertible top, and delivery body, a hardtop unit. The body was a carry over from the CJ3A, with the exception it had a new round speedometer/gauge cluster in the center of the dash, new emergency brake handle and a rear gasoline filler on the right rear of the body instead of a gas tank under the driver's seat. Hood, grille, front fenders and the windshield were carryovers from both the CJ3A and CJ3B. Those Jeeps were sold around the world and the Las Brisas Hotel in Acapulco had lots of them, painted pink and white stripes that they used to deliver items around the resort and to rent to their customers. In early 1959, Willys along with Willys Export Corp, developed the DJ3A into the "Gala", a fancy DJ3A with two tone pink paint, striped top with fringe and straps going from the windshield to the front fenders, matching striped seats and rear tire cover. They also had chrome front and rear bumpers, grab handles on the sides of the windshield frame, 4 lug 15 inch wheels, large wheel covers taken from the 1954 Willys Aero sedans, and wide whitewall tires. These were sold through Willys Export corporation to resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii as Galas. Almost simultaneously, Willys Motors made the same vehicle available for sale within the continental limits of the United States under the name "Surrey". This would be in mid-late 1959, for the 1960 model year. Kaiser did not keep records on how many Gala/Surrey models they produced, as they only kept the same model number, 56337 from the introduction of the DJ3A in late 1955 up to the end of 1963 model year production, when they changed all the Willys model numbers. The number of Surreys produced is around 1100. We don't know if that includes the Galas that were built. The stock/base DJ3A had model number 8202 and the Surrey became 8204. Somewhere in the early years the name "Gala" was dropped and the name "Surrey" became the actual option package.Sometime in late 1963 the size of the wheel/tire diameter went from 15 inch wheels to 13 inch and the large hubcaps became small "baby moon' types. 15 inch wheels may still have been an option. The most prevalent colors on Surreys was Tropical Pink/Coral Rose with matching fabric. Cerulean Blue/Glacier white and JadeMist/Glacier white were also available, with the Jade Mist being the least produced. There were also some promotional Surreys made for Pepsi Cola in 1960, but our information on those is not complete. Parts for DJ3A jeep are difficult to obtain as most Jeep suppliers don't even carry the model number in their catalogs. There were over 14,000 DJ3As built from 1955 through 1964. The L-134.2 engine is basically the same as that of the CJ2A, CJ3A, 1948-49 Willys Jeepster and the station wagons and pickup trucks sold by Willys from 1946-1949. The transmission is a 3 speed without overdrive and the rear axle is a Dana 23 or 25 with a 4.56 ratio. The front axle is specific to the DJ3A Jeeps. We have seen photos of CJ3B Jeeps painted like the DJ3A Surreys, both in Ohio and we know of one that was in Portland, Oregon, plus a couple built by Willys in Australia. We have also seen a couple of photos of a Canadian built CJ5 with Surrey type top and interior. But to be considered a true Surrey/Gala, it has to be a DJ3A 2 wheel drive model, carry the 56337 or 8204 model number with a serial number showing production after the mid point of 1959, through the end of DJ3A production in December, 1964. I'm sure I have missed some points, but this is a good start. If I can help you or any of the guys on the forum here, let us know. I can be reached by email at : colins60vette@cox.net . |
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3:53 AM Jul 11