1955 Cj5 Questions

Merry Christmas to everyone. I have a few questions about a 1955 CJ5 I will be picking up soon. What makes the 55's special compared to a 57 or 58? The one I'm looking into was the 181 one built in 55.
Thanks

 

As you know 1955 was the first model year for the CJ5.

Based off the M38A1, it retained a number of vestigial military features, and also shared some common elements with the CJ3B

There were not many differences in the first few years models. The speedometer is one item that can be distinctive, even unique.

 

Thanks Pete. It does have the 1 through 10 speedometer with Willys on the face.

 

The front springs shackles are reversed from later (mid '56 or '57) design. Meaning that the shackle is at the rear of the spring rather than at the front like most cj models. Also, and I'm 100% positive about this but, the factory cut out behind the turn signal housing is shaped like the ones on military models for a blackout light but it is somewhat hidden from plain sight by the civvy light housing.

 

Thanks