Questions regarding an old Mahindra CJ-4A from the 50s or 60s

I am planning on restoring it, using original parts when possible, but I am struggling to find out any information.

BHPian MahindraFan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am in Thailand and I am in the process of purchasing a Mahindra & Mahindra CJ4A, maybe 1950's, maybe 1960's.

It is an old car that has been adapted with a Toyota or Nissan Engine.

I am planning on restoring it, using original parts when possible, but I am struggling to find out any information.

The documentation is minimal, just the ownership book, which doesn't indicate the year.

Is it possible to tell the year from the plate in the photo? If so, what year is it?

How easy would it be to buy an original engine, also other components?

How easy is it to find a user manual for it?

Thanks in advance for any help at all.

Here's what BHPian Samurai had to say on the matter:

It is a Willys high bonnet, which mean it came with hurricane engine. That also means it is a CJ-3B, and not CJ-3A which came with Go-Devil engine.

So I am surprised why the plate says CJ-4A. Is it possible they rebuilt body with CJ-3B type on a CJ-3A chassis? Please post the engine bay photo.

Here's what BHPian anjan_c2007 had to say on the matter:

• The body shell shows that it is hybrid MUV that has been restored using various spares from various bins.
• The dash (including the speedo which you've shown separately) is from the CJ 3A. But it is likely that this console is planted to an original Willys dash, as these never came as a separate console, but the gauges were seamlessly located within the dash sheet metal. The CJ 3B had a single speedo console, with the temp and fuel gauges within and a red speedo needle.
• A major flaw is the grab handle for the passenger side fitted to the left, just below the windshield. This configuration is for a right hand drive jeep. Hence either the windshield unit could have been borrowed or the original RHD jeep was changed over to a LHD.
• The VIN plate does not match with the body style and the LHD configuration, which never came with the CJ 4A. Ever since Mahindra started manufacturing the CJ 4A, the RHD configuration had been brought in. The first CJ 4A's were RHD. We have the earlier CJ 3 B's with LHD configuration. For a while Mahindra sold the CJ 3B and the 4A together (1968-1972).
• The front facade is a mix of the CJ 3A and the CJ 3B/ 4A. The headlights appear to be from the CJ 3A.
• As the CJ 3A body has been fitted with a Toyota/ Nissan engine, the bonnet appears to have been given an increased height, to accommodate the OHC engine. Hence there's a gap above the front grille that has the seven, vertical slots which looks abnormal for a Willys design. The low bonnet was exclusively designed for the CJ 3A's older side valve engine from Willys. The bonnet of a CJ 3/ 4A has been used here due to the new engine implant. And older bonnets till around the late 1960's had four spring loaded fasteners on the top of the mudguard (two on either sides) to fasten the bonnet. Your bonnet is post 1970, as there is only one bonnet fastener on either side. Mahindra did some cost cutting here then!
• The tailgate could be from the CJ 3A. Such a tailgate also came with the earliest CJ 3B's ever since 1957. They changed over the tailgate during the early 1960's, wherein all those embossings and indentations were gone and it became more plain and flat. The rear bumper (angular cuts on either sides at the base) was common for the CJ 3 A and 3 B.
• The rear mudguards look out of place. The original design is always cool.
• Used Willys side valve and Hurricane engines are available in India, though rare, but shipment charges could be a deterrent.
• Also lots of cosmetic changes will be required to make the MUV look more original.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.