Flat-fender Jeeps are coveted by collectors and off-roaders alike. They are iconic American vehicles, and in the case of this 1955 CJ-3B for sale in the Chicago area, direct descendants of the Jeeps that helped to win WWII. We’re not total Jeep geeks, but we know some of the subtle differences that a 3B model has over its older brothers.

The CJ-3B was the first civilian Jeep to used the F-head Hurricane engine that replaced the little “Go-Devil” flattie four banger that had been powering Jeeps for years. The Go-Devil, while reliable, was a wimpy engine, not suited to meet the demands of a power hungry public. The valve-in-head Hurricane filled that bill but required some cosmetic changes.

Due to the increase in height with respect to the engine, these Jeeps have a higher hood line than previous models. The little CJ-3B was kind of lost in the mix when CJ-5 and CJ-6 models hit the sales floors, but production trooped along until 1967 with nearly 200,000 of the little toughies built.

This one is a great example of a bone stocker. It has 21,000 miles, retains the stock six-volt electrical system and has no lift kit or suspension modifications. It’s a Jeep we crave. It would be fun to wheel this thing and see how capable those oldies really were.