Ford’s Model T put America on wheels, but it was the Willys Jeep that first took us off-road. The civilian Willys CJ-2A brought a hard-working vehicular veteran—one of what President Eisenhower commended as “three tools that won the war”—from the battlefield into America’s open fields. It ably adjusted to postwar life, providing farmers and landowners a stout workhorse to till the land, haul the hay, and hit some sweet jumps, probably.
Yes, 40 years of 4×4 wheelin’ following the original Willys MB’s first tour-of-duty cemented the hardworking vehicular war-hero as the commanding officer of off-road fun, too. Each subsequent generation of CJ brought droves of new 4×4 fans into the Jeep family, spawning an entire subculture of Jeep fascination that’s only grown stronger. It’s a Jeep thing, and you probably understand.
Classic “CJ” Jeeps built between 1946 and 1986 are some of the most popular and recognizable classic vehicles in the United States, right up there with the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette in terms of general appeal. They’re everywhere, but accurately pricing them can prove a mite tricky, owing to the CJ’s inherent willingness to accept modifications as a sponge sucks up spilled soda. Even if you do find one of those rare unmodified CJs, it’s usually either restored or sitting in severely deteriorated condition thanks to quick-rotting soft-tops and poor rust protection.
With this in mind, we worked with Hagerty’s Automotive Intelligence team to pluck the most valuable CJ variants from each standard generation, ignoring ultra-low-production trucks like the original CJ-2 and skipping parallel models like the CJ-6 and later CJ-8.

First Generation (1945-49): 1945 Willys-Overland CJ-2A
#2 (Excellent) Condition Average Value: $18,000
As the O.G CJ-2A was far more “tool” than “toy,” the 1945-1949 CJ-2A spawned no rare special editions or enthusiast-focused variants to sit at the top of the price index. So, it’s simply the earliest CJ-2As—referred to by marque experts as “Very Early Civilian”—that trade for the most value.
You’d be forgiven if you thought civilian CJ-2As were simply repainted and repurposed mil-spec Willys MBs, as the two Jeeps are almost identical in appearance. The biggest visual differences between the two aren’t big at all; note the CJ-2A’s tailgate and side-mounted spare, along with the CJ-2A’s seven-slot grille to the MB’s nine slots. The same 2.2-iter L-134 Go-Devil four-cylinder with 60 hp and a thick-ish 105 lb-ft of torque carried over from wartime, but the robust T-90 three-speed manual transmission supplanted the MB’s T-84 gearbox.
Of course, the CJ-2A is still a bit of an Army Brat. Many of these super early CJ-2As rolled on remaining stock of military MB componentry, including engine blocks, floating rear axles, and modified MB frames. The real collectability comes down to the accessories offered for the CJ’s power take-off (PTO) shaft. Dealers offered a variety of powered farm and agricultural implements that hooked to the back or front of the CJ-2A.
Willys-Overland built 214,760 CJ-2As, most of which were rode hard, put up wet, and left to rot when they stopped working. Expect to pay close to $29,000 for the cleanest of the clean CJ-2A in Condition #1, $18,000 for Condition #2 (what we consider the sweet-spot) and $13,700 for those in Condition #3.

Second Generation (1949-53): 1951 Willys-Overland CJ-3A “Farm Jeep”
#2 (Excellent) Condition Average Value: $19,300
If you thought the differences between the mil-spec WIllys MB and the CJ-2A were slight, wait until you park the latter next to a CJ-3A. You’d have to study up with detailed diagrams beforehand if you hope to tell them apart. When differences are expressed in rear wheel-well length, windshield frame dimensions, ignition switch location, and the shape of seat mounting brackets, you know you’re in trouble. Bring in the Jeep nerds!
Mechanically, the CJ-3A is predictably identical to the CJ-2A, carrying the same 2.2-liter, 60-hp four-cylinder and T-90 three-speed manual transmission as its predecessor. However, WIllys introduced a new barebones “Farm Jeep” variant in 1951 that prioritized the use of the PTO and the corresponding engine-powered tool attachments.
While not the most effective way to plow a field compared to modern agricultural equipment, these Farm Jeeps hold the most value from the CJ-3A family; rarity, novelty, and genuine usefulness slightly elevate values of Farm Jeeps over the corresponding CJ-3A “Universal Jeep,” with values of a Condition #2 (Excellent) 1951 Farm Jeep trading for $19,300 compared to the $18,100 paid for a standard CJ-3A in equitable condition.

Third Generation (1953-68): 1953-54 Willys CJ-3B “Farm Jeep”
#2 (Excellent) Condition Average Value: $19,500
Finally, an appreciable difference between generations. The majority of the CJ-3A carries over for the new “3B” model, apart from the mechanical guts up front. Gone is the legendary L134 “Go Devil” engine, replaced by the similar F134 “Hurricane” 2.2-liter four-cylinder. With the updated F-head configuration, power ranged between 72-75 hp and 112-114 lb-ft, depending on compression ratio.
The Hurricane was taller than the discontinued Go Devil engine, so the CJ-3B’s hood height is noticeably increased when compared to the CJ-3A; this is by far the easiest way to pick out a CJ-3B from a crowd of 2As and 3As.
Again, the rarely preserved Farm Jeep variant of the CJ-3B branch holds the highest value, with the very best (#1 Condition) Farm Jeep 3Bs commanding $30,800 to a standard #1 Condition 3B’s $29,800. If you stick to #2 Condition, prepare to scribble a $19,500 check.

Fourth Generation (1954-83): 1978 Jeep CJ-5 Silver Anniversary
#2 (Excellent) Condition: $36,500
You read that right—the CJ-5 remained in full production for a whopping 29 model years. With this stunning longevity, it’s no wonder the CJ-5 is where the Willys ends and the modern idea of what a “Jeep” is begins. It’s one of the most aesthetically versatile classic SUVs you can buy; with skinny tires and painted steelies, you’ve got a bigger, more capable, and more comfortable CJ-3B. Conversely, cram it full of big, fat tires and a foam-wrapped rollbar, and it looks very bit like a full-scale TYCO R/C car, purpose built for romping up dunes and shuffling surfboards.
Three decades of production spawned some rather desirable limited models, the princeliest of them being the Silver Anniversary edition. Created to celebrate 25 years of CJ-5 production in 1979, AMC allotted one CJ-5 Silver Anniversary to each Jeep dealer. Official documentation claims 1,000 units were built, but the official Silver Anniversary registry presents compelling evidence to the true production figure sitting around 850 units.
Each Silver Anniversary arrived with model-specific Quick Silver metallic paint, contrasted by black striping, black soft top, unique spare tire cover, black vinyl seats, “Renegade” hood decals, and an all-important dash plaque. For the freshest of fresh (#1 Condition) Silver Anniversary with the 304 ci AMC V-8, expect to hand over $48,100; this drops to $36,500 for #2 Condition, and $20,900 for #3 Condition.

Fifth Generation (1976-86): 1977-80 Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle
#2 (Excellent) Condition: $36,300
Compared to the contemporary CJ-5, the CJ-7 was bigger, taller, and longer, offering buyers more amenities and comfort. The CJ-7 signaled the end of the line for the enduring “CJ” family tree, the enduring mil-spec heritage replaced by the YJ-generation Jeep Wrangler in 1987.
The CJ-7 did not go quietly into the night. Jeep blessed it with a healthy selection of special editions. The most valuable and, uh, distinctive of all CJ-7s is the dramatic Golden Eagle edition. Zero points awarded for correctly guessing how the Golden Eagle earns its wings—er, name.
Yes, the CJ-7 channels some its inner Trans-Am with that big ‘ol bird motif on the hood, complimented by optional gold wheels, body stripes, wheel lip extensions, roll-bar lights, and a front bumper in your choice of black or chrome. Inside that tan Levi’s soft-top, look for a sport steering wheel, faux engine-turned gauge plate, and front bucket seats and rear bench seats upholstered in tan Levi’s vinyl. Yep, that Levi’s.
Excited? You must be a child of the ‘70s. Rustle up $55,700 for the nicest Golden Eagle in the world (#1 Condition), or a more reasonable $36,300 for one in #2 Condition.
Maybe the article should have stopped after 3rd generation since it was about WILLYS JEEP. Not AMC or Chrysler or whatever name jeep belongs to later. Golden Eagle? Was that kin to Firebird?
The REAL jeeps of old.
NO MENTION OF AMERICAN BANTAM ?
THAT WAS THE COMPANY THAT DEVELOPED & BUILT THE FIRST JEEPS .
UNCLE SAM DECIDED HE WOULD BE NEEDING MORE JEEPS THAN BANTAM
COULD PROVIDE , SO THEY GAVE THE CONTRACT TO WILLYS .
I have a 1969 Commando. People seem to react as positively to it as much, or more than, my Ferrari308 or E Type Series 1 OTS.
Even though I bought mine for very little, it always surprises me that they are not more highly valued, especially in light of the interest in the Ford Bronco.
I agree, the bantam was the first jeep type vehicle built and willys and ford were given the prints to copy. The bantam is unique and a great vehicle and I’m proud to own one.
Thought you would include the CJ-8 Scrambler in the article….what happened? Talk about collectable…..
The 1979 Silver Anniversary special editions Jeep CJ5 and 1979 AMC Concord 2 and 4 door models were to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the formation of American Motors Corp/AMC from the Merger of Nash-Kelvinator /Hudson in 1954. Each dealer was allocated 1 Cj and 1 2r and 4dr Concord. All were very handsome special editions.
I’ve got a 1952 M38-A1 Willys (all stock) that I still use today to run around my property in far north Idaho. I bought it a few years ago after going into a one of those ATV shops and got hit with sticker shock of nearly $27,000 for one that they said would haul 4 people (top and windshield extra!). I told my wife, to hell with that, I’d rather have an old jeep for that kind of money! I restored the one I bought and we love it! It goes everywhere we want it to and can haul the grandkids to the river in the summer with the top off, or through the woods in the winter with the hard top on. Total investment….$10,500. And it’s all fresh. You can’t beat them! The M38-A1 was the prototype for the CJ5.
I enjoyed the article ,lots of memories of Jeeps . I recall a 1966 cj-3 that was a prize in a local fair . It was a no frills Jeep no top no radio no floor mat metallic green model . I had my drivers license then and bought a ticket on it through my dad. ( you had to be over 21 to buy a ticket ) I didn’t win it ,darn it ! My dad said at least a half dozen times if I won it we could use it for hunting season . I still have a soft spot for any green Jeep I see. The first ones by Bantam (Austin ) were only a few ever built . Willys and mostly Ford made the thousands of MB models with flat top front fenders . Bantam versions had curved fenders only and round front hoods . I think someone suggested the flat fenders and grills would be simpler to make for mass production .
Great article. I am a 2018 Wrangler JL Unlimited owner, avid rock crawler, and owned an 85 CJ7. This historical look at Jeeps and how they are appreciating was fascinating.
It disappoints me when people criticize articles like this because you didn’t include something they care about. Why can’t they just enjoy a great article?
Thank you.
I wonder if the fact that Daisy Duke drove a Golden Eagle CJ7 doesn’t help collectibility.
I have a CJ-2A with 3 speed column shift(Hpattern). How valuable is it?
While Bantam was part of the original WWII Jeep conception for the US Government, Ford Motor Company partnered with Bantam to develop the original Jeep. After development, Ford was given a huge contract from the government to produce the vehicles. In the first years of production there were two designations of military jeeps: the MB’s as mentioned in the article which were mostly produced by Willys, and the GPW’s which were built by FOMOCO. I own a 1942 GPW that is titled in Idaho as a Ford.