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Welcome to eWillys.com, a website for vintage jeep enthusiasts. I update this website nearly every day with jeep deals, jeep history, interesting reader projects, jeep related info, and more.
These quick searches can help you find things on eBay. People list in the wrong categories all the time, so don't be surprised to see brochures in the parts area for example.
The links to posts below show jeeps grouped by models, condition, and other ways. Some of these jeeps are for sale and others have been sold. If you are unsure whether a vehicle is still for sale or not, email me at d [at] ewillys.com for more info.
There are plenty of interesting, unusual, historic and surprising stories related to Jeeps and their owners. In addition, some of these features have nothing to do with jeeps. This link will display all featured stories starting from the latest.
Looking for parts and not sure where to go? There are a variety of large and small new and used parts sellers both online and offline.
Importantly, the allure of buying a project jeep can be romantic. The reality of restoring a jeep can be quite different, expensive and overwhelming without the right tools and resources. So, tread carefully when purchasing a "project". If you have any concerns about buying a vintage jeep, or run across a scam, feel free to contact me for help, comments or concerns .
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on Ebay.
Given the lack of other models and the early signage, these early jeep dealership photos were likely taken between 1945 and 1947. At first I thought the dealer has signs in the window, but I think the “signage” is actually window paint images (note the different fonts used for ‘JEEP’ in the window images). There is a nice early OFFICIAL 1946 “J” signage on the front of the building.
“I believe upsate new york, love the mobil oil gargoyle sign as well.”
UPDATE: The October 1962 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine included an ad for the Harris top and doors, along with an article.
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Originally Posted October 07, 2017: Here’s a rare Harris Dura-Door one-page brochure on eBay. This fiberglass half door produced out of Bakersfield, California, for CJ-5s was also advertised in Four Wheel Magazine (see ad at bottom).
This ad appeared in several Four Wheeler issues, including the June 1966 issue. I’d have to guess that by 1966, Harris had dropped its soft top product and focused on the dura-doors for jeeps.
UPDATE: The September 1962 issue of Four Wheeler included a full page ad for its new hardtop and half-top designs. The magazine included both a full-page ad and a short article. Given this info, it looks like the top redesign was introduced during the summer of 1962.
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Originally Published July 7, 2020: Sometime in the early 1960s, Kelly Manufacturing altered the design of its angular full and half hardtops. The new tops eliminated some of the horizontal bevels and the flat back design for a slightly more elegant design; but, the tops did retain the angled top-side that was so recognizable (As I don’t have much knowledge on any interior changes, this post will stick to the major exterior differences) (See Kelly’s connection to Beck and Kemco and an early Kelly brochure) (Also see CJ-3B page Beck and Kelly histories)
Interestingly enough, Kelly branded the Flatfender tops as 23-series, but not the CJ-5 tops. Here’s a 1962 Kelly brochure that highlights a wide variety of the rear-angled design for both the CJ-5 and the flatfenders, along with the model numbers:
Sere more information here: http://www.ewillys.com/2017/09/19/1962-kelly-hardtop-brochure/
To make the differences more clear, let’s take a look at the early Kelly design (these early hardtops were also marketed by the Berg’s as JeepKing hardtops). Notice the horizontal bevels along the driver’s side rear and on the rear latch. Also note the flat vertical back of the hardtop.
This ad cites Willys-Overland’s use of the Dictograph as part of an advertising campaign. Given the war references, this was likely printed between 1942-1945.
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“This is a vintage original ad, not a copy or reproduction. Neatly removed from magazine. Would look beautiful framed. Measures 10 and 1/2 by 14 inches”
Mike spotted this ad posted by Andy Fuhrman on Facebook. I’d guess it is a late 1940s ad from a Dansville, Virginia, newspaper. It seems an odd promotion. Is the wink by “Lewis” supposed to mean that you can bet on the jeep breaking down, so bring it in for service today?
I thought the doors on the CJ-6 were interesting in this August 12, 1964, jeep ad. I’ve not seen those doors anywhere else, so maybe they were artistic license?
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UPDATE: Claus confirmed this is from San Salvador (and no South Africa as I thought it might be).
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“WILLYS MB Ford Jeep – vintage keyring / keychain – El Salvador 1957
vintage keyring / keychain of a WILLYS MB Ford Jeep
standardized design for the United States and other Allied forces in World War II from 1941 to 1945
from a dealer in El Salvador: Salva Jeep Omnimotores SA – San Salvador
made in 1957”
This looks to me to be a circa-1946 early brochure for the CJ-2A printed in French. It is 4 pages.
View all the information on ebay
UPDATE: I received this in the mail. It’s a surprisingly hefty booklet!
I had just enough time to win this brochure on eBay Sunday. It’s 52 pages. Willys even offered a DJ-3A for the military. I’m guessing this is a 1956 brochure, as it includes the CJ-6 and DJ-3A, but not any FCs.
Below are the seven pages posted on the eBay auction (it will be a while before I can scan this).
UPDATE: Here’s another example of this brochure on eBay
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“Illustrates and Details;
An original part color folder sent to Willys-Overland dealers to announce the “Dealer Day”; a celebration designed to help dealers better promote their product.
Shows some of the models that were available – 4 trucks.
Excellent condition piece – perfect for Willys-Overland literature collectors.
Approximate size; 5″ x 7″; 12 Pages, printed in the USA.”
This set of brochures just sold for $154.50 on eBay. I’m shocked by that price. In May 2020 I paid $15 for my set!
This collection includes a letter (first time I’ve seen it) that provides a more specific date regarding when these brochures were released. The letter is dated May 5, 1952. Unfortunately, the camera used is poor quality, so the letter isn’t the easiest to read.
This. collection does not include the Earth Moving Equipment brochure.
You can better see each of these brochures here. The one exception is the “Tool Bar Implements page, which may just be a header page rather than a brochure.
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“lot of 6 JEEP Farm Tractor plow mower corn picker tool bar implements Brochures 11 x9 each a page or two showing the jeep and attachments and a rare letter from Willys Kaiser 1952 introducing the attachments for the Jeep. letter has some browning”
This unusual pamphlet, pre-jeep by a couple decades, is a letter-turned brochure touting the use of the Willys-Knight vehicles on the auto stage route between Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek, Colorado. The date of 1919 is based on the author’s assessment of his Willys-Knight vehicle two years after purchasing it in January of 1917.
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“This advertising pamphlet/booklet has 12 center-stapled pages, including the two covers. It is in excellent condition for its age and previous handling: no foxing, tape, writing, odor or stains.
There are a few edge tears, as shown in the pics.
The pamphlet is essentially a personal endorsement in the form of a copy of a letter from Leo M. Wright to Willys-Overland in which he describes his experiences with “Willys-Knight” vehicles on his ‘stage line’ of about 43 miles from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek. He provides many details: “… our first Willys-Knight ran 97,00 miles at a mechanical expense of $149.80 … gasoline averages show about 14 miles to the gallon and oil about 400 miles to the gallon…””
This ad is part of a set of wagon-related brochures. The brochures aren’t in the best shape, but what caught my eye was the Better Homes & Gardens ad. It’s another example of Willys Motors producing what seems to be unique content for that magazine.
These brochures are part of an early Ramsey booklet of brochures.
This is Ramsey Bulletin 108-A, Underslung Model 200 winch:
This is Ramsey Bulletin 109-A, Underslung Model 600 winch:
UPDATE: There’s another of these brochures on eBay for $44.95 (plus $4.68 shipping).
View all the information on ebay
This 1948 jeep family brochure was likely produced in late 1948, as there’s a reference to an upcoming expectation “in early 1949” within the text. Outside of that reference, there’s no date stamp or form number. I’ve only seen few of these pop up for sale on eBay, so I snagged this one right away. I believe it represents the earliest and most complete (in pics and text) listing of the full line of jeep models for the civilian market (it lacks any military models and business-focused models, such as the Package Delivery Vans).
I especially like the illustrations. The discussion of the different factory divisions at the back was interesting, too. Including the covers, the brochure is 26 pages.
UPDATE: Still Available. Buy-it-now price is $99.99.
(01/05/2021) Maury shared these super cool FC-150 narrow track cuff links. They are priced at $99.
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“Very Rare Vintage late 1950’s / early 1960’s Silver Willys FC-150 Cufflinks in Tarnished but Very Good Used Condition. Stamped “NB” and “STERLING” on the inside surface of both backings.
The Jeep Forward Control is a truck that was produced by Willys Motors, later named Kaiser Jeep, from 1956 to 1965. It was also assembled in other international markets. The layout featured a cab over (forward control) design.
The Forward Control models were primarily marketed as work vehicles for corporate, municipal, military, as well as civilian use. Regular pickup box beds were standard, but customers were offered a large number of “Jeep approved” specialized bodies from outside suppliers. These ranged from simple flatbeds to complete tow trucks, dump trucks, and fire trucks. The vehicles were also manufactured under license in India and Spain.
My Father obtained these cufflinks while working in fleet sales for Willys in the Caribbean and Central & South America in the 50’s and early 60’s.”
I missed out on this fascinating document yesterday on eBay. My high bid of $52.50 wasn’t quite enough, but at least we have pics of the entire document.
It’s not clear to me who the audience was for this document. The fact that it mentions the upcoming trucks suggests to me it was published in early 1947, prior to the introduction of the trucks in the summer of 1947. Maybe the document was for shareholders? Maybe it was for dealers (or prospective dealers)?
Titled “A NEW CONCEPT OF AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION“, the document makes the argument that prior to WWII the automobile was a luxury item for most folks. As such, bigger, longer, and faster, along with yearly innovations, were necessary to attract consumers with disposable income.
However, after the war, argued Willys-Overland in the document, the automobile would become a critical part of everyone’s everyday life. As such, offering consumers an affordable vehicle, one that didn’t change dramatically every year and one that cost less to maintain, was a the vision that Willys-Overland planned to follow. This meant simple vehicles that responded to customer needs, along with lesser tweaks to each model to insure the company could keep costs down (don’t have to redesign dies, fewer factory shutdowns for model changes, etc).
So, the company’s production ideas meant simple designs catered to consumer needs rather than the latest streamlined designs. That makes sense as a strategy; but, in regards to the DISTRIBUTION portion of the document’s title, I could find nothing stating how the company’s strategy would change the distribution side of things. This document probably would have been more accurately titled, “A NEW CONCEPT OF AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTION”.
Maury spotted this jeep-family ad from Kaiser-Willys of Canada.
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“1956 Canadian Kaiser Willys print ad Jeep Universal, Wagon, & Pickup. Original magazine advertisement measures 7 X 9.5 inches (approx.).”
This unusual ad appeared in the December 18, 1945, issue of the Poughkeepsie Journal. I guess marketers figured adding the “jeep” name to most anything was a good bet for increasing sales?
UPDATE: The other day I realized that the jeep in this photo from a collection of early jeep information published in 2014 looks very similar to an illustrated jeep that appeared in a 1947 newspaper ad. Here’s the image and it’s associated testimonial:
Here’s the advertisement from the June 3, 1947, ad published in the Sullivan Daily Times, out of Sullivan, Indiana, that highlights the ability of the jeep to be an efficient, low-cost option as a road-service vehicle.
I bought one of this seller’s Morrison brochure. It’s in very good condition. It is unclear how many of these he has. I suspect it’s from the late 1940s, given it only features CJ-2As.
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“You are buying or bidding on a rare vintage early 1950’s “The Morrison-Built Rogers Sno-Dozer For Jeeps” brochure. This was originally sold as a plow and scraper and was from the late 40’s. They were later produced by the Morrison Railway Supply Corp. Buffalo, New York. This is 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ opens twice to a 11″ x 8 1/2″. This is in excellent condition.(see pics)”
UPDATE: This sold years ago on eBay, but I never posted all the pics I got from the auction. It is a good example of Koenig’s Wrecker and road service brochure. Along with tow packages, it includes helper springs, PTO add-ons, push-bumpers, and more.
It is bulletin 155 (which likely means it was published in January of 1955) and then revised in April of 1955.
The seller isn’t exactly sure how these were used. But, this seems to model a CJ-5.
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“Either: Vintage Cuff Links, Tie Tack/Bar, Shirt Studs and/or Collar Bars”
UPDATE: This is back up for sale on eBay.
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At the very least, this Country Gentleman Magazine ad appears on page 41 of Country Gentleman’s March 1948 issue. It may appear in other issues as well. If you want the entire issue, rather than just the ad, try this link: 1948 March Country Gentleman
This Farm Jeep ad from this 1954 Tractor Field Book Magazine purchased off eBay shows that the Farm Jeep was still being advertised as late at 1954 (though there’s no record any Jeep Tractors were made past 1951). In fact, it’s estimated that in 1954 only 12 Farm Jeeps were produced, and the ones that were made were of the CJ-3B-Farm-Jeep variety rather than the CJ-3A version. This ad below shows the CJ-3B version, serial number prefix 454-GC2.
