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That 65 Willys Jeep has definitely been a parts hog but I make some progress every so often.

Jeep stuff is high, doubly so if Willys.

Willys did a great job of making sure that nothing non Willys would adapt without a great deal of difficulty.

Mine as a 32/36 Weber which was an adventure for non-machinist me.

I went with it because those aftermarket Indian one-barrels were crap. The reproduction boat anchor fuel pumps are lousy too. I went with a $20 electric pump, check valve and Holley regulator to get it close to right.

Friday I hope to tackle the worn out steering box. I think I have all the parts in.

The steering wheel at present is somewhere to put one’s hands. The jeep will wander wherever the universe wills.

After steering is suspension and brakes. All that stuff is old. The springs have no life in them.

Then tires.

I acquire small things for the CJ7 and throw resources at it periodically. Ditto my old K5.

That Willys is a great keeper. Glad to hear you've got a restoration going.

I was able to go more mainstream & had backing from my wife. SHE and my daughter (pictured) saw this '63 Impala 4-door "no post" hardtop setting for sale at a local gas station. PRETTY car, and about $6000 below appraised value so she was OK with breaking the piggy bank to scoop it up.

The OEM 327 V8 and Powerglide slushbox are long gone, now powered by a modern "Stage 1" Vortec 350 pushing about 325hp out the 3.55 rear end through a kitted TH400 with a 1500rpm stall converter. Previous owner had the interior nicely restored, so it's pretty clean. I think the carpet is original, though.

I need to rebuild the wiper motor/gearbox assembly, install new weatherstripping around the windows, and get seat belts and anchors put into the back seat. The car didn't come from the factory with any; a pair of seat belts in the front was a dealer-installed option back then. I found some online that match the OEM look. Just need to crawl underneath, do some drilling, and get them anchored in there. From what I've read, I might even need to get the car up in the air and tack weld the factory anchors to the underside of the floorpan. Maybe a $20 for my local muffler guy would do the trick, since I need to see him about extending the exhaust tips, anyway. Prior owner dumped the exhaust on each side just ahead of the rear tires, but the tips set back a few inches from the rocker panels, and I'm getting some exhaust staining on the paint.