Willys Jeep

 Eventually I met him. For a long time I wanted to see the real Willys Jeep - a legendary 1/4-ton 4x4 light utility vehicle from WWII era. Two times I was close:

Frist time i was indeed Willys from WWII era but not Jeep, just 

Willys Truck

Second time it was Jeep like car  from  WWII era but not Willys:

International Harvester

But look what  I found a week ago at the parking plaza of local Ace Hardware store.

I could not see owner around and did not have  much time to wait. So I made one more picture more  from the front.

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And one more picture from behind.

Running the search through Gemini confirmed that car is: 

"a vintage Willys CJ-2A (or early CJ-3A) "Flatfender" Jeep, built roughly between 1945 and 1953.

It distinct features are:

• Flatfender Body Design: Flat front fenders and flat hood, characteristic of early civilian Willys Jeeps.

• Custom Modifications: It has been modified for off-roading or work duties, featuring a front-mounted winch, aftermarket white spoke wheels with aggressive off-road tires, and modified seats."

Search did not tell anything special about the owner of the car. License plate was the regular California plate. Owner probably was not public figure: just private enthusiast or community member who maintains and drives the vintage Willys.

But why so unusual color for the Jeep.  Actually there is historic precedent:

Ronald Reagan's 1962 Willys CJ-6: The most famous red Willys Jeep in California history belonged to former President Ronald Reagan. He drove it around his ranch, Rancho del Cielo, near Santa Barbara, California. His Jeep is now a preserved historic artifact in the National Historic Vehicle Register.