emailNeed to contact me and don't have my email? Click on email button.
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 .
This “4-Wheel-Drive Power” advertisement appeared in the March 1948 issue of the Farm Journal.
This April 1948 “Put Jeep Power to Work on Your Farm” advertisement appeared in the Country Gentleman magazine. It also appeared in the May 1948 issue of the Farm Journal.
There’s one of these ads for sale on eBay
In 1951 Willys-Overland launched a “4-Wheel Drive Takes You There brochure” for the Willys Wagon. Subsequently, there appear to have been two additional versions of the brochure, numbered differently, but with seemingly no additional substantive text changes. Each form folds out to a 17″x11″ large format brochure.
The first example of this brochure is burdened with an unusually long form identifier: Form 4X4735W-M1-100M, a number which leverages the wagon-model-type (4x473SW) as part of the numbering system.
This second version of the brochure is available on eBay. Given the grille style doesn’t change for this iteration, I can only assume that this version of the brochure was also printed in 1951. It has the updated form name of 4X4735W-M2-100M-251. It is possible the “251” at the end of the form number means it was printed in February of 1951.
The July 1948 issue of the Country Gentleman included this “Get more jobs done at lower cost with Jeep–Engine Power” advertisement.
UPDATE II: This poster was based on the 1956 W-25X-6 brochures. This also seems to confirm that there was never any Form W-251-6 brochure (which had been a lingering question of mine).
Original Post From Feb 17, 2020 (but with all new text): Below are the front pages from a series of 1956 brochures. I think I’ve got everything sorted out …
UPDATE: There were two different Form W-250-6’s produced during 1956. The first one shown below is version one I believe. Making the one at the bottom version two. Both differ significantly from the export version of the form, which is Form W-250-6X.
What’s the difference between them? Both forms open up to 11″x17″, so the sizes are the same. However, the front page is completely different. In version #2 of the brochure (at the bottom) you can see that the front page is more harmonious with the Wagon (Form W-253-6) and the Truck (Form W-252-6) brochures. The second page, reached by opening the brochure horizontally, shows part of the vehicle line in version #1, while the vehicle line is absent from version #2 at bottom. Maybe version #1 of this brochure was pulled because Willys Motors’ management wasn’t ready to introduce the FC-170? I can’t say for sure. Finally, you’ll also notice that “WILLYS” is absent from the front of version #1, while “BY WILLYS” is prominent on the front of the bottom brochure.
Because that reasoning, I believe this is Version #1 of Form W-250-6 …
This shows the back of the brochure when opened fully:
==================
This 1956 CJ-5/CJ-6 brochure Form W-250-6 is the domestic version of Form W-250-6X.
xUPDATE: There were actually two different Form W-252-6’s produced during 1956. This green one shown below and the one at the bottom. Both differ significantly from the export version of the form, which is Form W-252-6X.
What’s the difference between them? Well, the text, the fonts, and the font sizes are nearly identical. Both forms open up to 11″x17″. Obviously the front of the bottom version is more colorful and the front color image is certainly different. But, what might be the biggest change and the reason for the alternative version is that the green-themed brochure is printed with the word ‘Jeep’ in a san-serif font in numerous places, while the brochure at the bottom uses the much more standard jeep font. Finally, you’ll also notice that “WILLYS” is absent from the front of the green brochure, while “BY WILLYS” is prominent on the front of the colorful brochure.
Because that reasoning, I believe this is Version #1 of Form W-252-6 …
This is how the back of the brochure looks fully opened…
=========================
UPDATE: This post now includes the full brochure, along with updated information about the company.
Wausau Iron Works, unsurprisingly, incorporated in Wausau, Wisconsin, as an offshoot of the Northern Boiler & Structural Iron Works out of Appleton. The founders launched Wausau in 1908 to build bridges (some of them here), but expanded into snow plows in 1923. During WWII, some of the company’s plows were turning to the military.
Oddly enough, there was an earlier “Wausau Iron Works” was founded by Ely Wright in 1874. It was the oldest industrial establishment in the city and supplied machinery for the early railroads and for sawmills in north and central Wisconsin. However, I could find no evidence it made snow plows.
This December 1948 Willys-Overland “4-Wheel-Drive Farm Vehicles” advertisement appeared in the Farm Journal.
It’s currently for sale on eBay
This is one of the introductory brochures for the new 1/2 ton truck powered by the new Hurricane engine. It’s Form HTTMI-3CM-350, a form number I’ve yet to decode for any meaning. This folds out to roughly 11″x17″. Here’s another one of these on eBay at a good starting price.
This ad from United States Steel promotes the toughness of steel. Unclear where this ad was published.
View all the information on eBay
“Magazine ad size is approximately 8″X11″
Original advertisement, not a copy”
This “3 of American’s Most Useful Farm Vehicles” ad was published in Cappers Farmers Magazine in February of 1949.
View all the information on eBay
“DESCRIPTION:.. Original magazine ad from 1949. This taken from a magazine called Cappers Farmer so was directed toward the farm community. Shows various uses of the Jeep on the farm. A little bit of natural age tones —the item shown is the item you will receive–please look closely. The size is about 10 x 13.50″ ….”
This Willys Audio-Visual Unit brochure is undated and lacks a form number. I’d guess this was published circa 1956.
Time Magazine seems to have had some unique ads that only appeared between its covers. Here’s another example. There’s no corresponding ad that appeared in the Saturday Evening Post or Colliers Magazine.
December 09, 1946, Time Magazine.
This October 1960 issue of Jeep News covers racing, jeeping, dealer news, and auto shows. There are some good pics from 1960’s Hong Kong Autoshow Display. I only wish they were in color!
UPDATE: I’ve got 20 posters of the Better Homes and Gardens ad I posted last month for sale. They are 28″ x 22″, the same size as the poster I sold a two years ago (I also ordered twenty additional 1956 Jeep Family posters that I plan on selling, too).
Posters are $25 each (shipping is included in that for the continental US). Two posters are $45 (shipping included). EMAIL me at d@deilers.com if you’d like one or more. I will accept a check or PayPal.
This better shows the size as compared to my guitar:
Here’s the other poster, one based a 1956 brochure;
This shows the original brochure (entire original brochure here) vs. the completed poster.
==========================
Original post from June 2020: This June 1954 Willys wagon ad was published in Better Homes and Gardens. It’s such a cool ad that I thought it might make a good poster.
I’ve guessing the brochure’s year based on the lack of an intake vent on the grille of the Willys truck and the lack of any FCs appearing in this document. I like the underside illustrations on this brochure as well. This is Ramsey Bulletin 126-A
These are three separate one-page, two-sided brochures from Ramsey: Bulletin 134, Bulletin 135, and Bulletin 138. The Ramsey 600 R Wire Reclaiming Winch Assembly (page two of Bulletin 135) is a particularly interesting item. I don’t think I’ve run across one of those assemblies on a jeep for sale.
These two ads from Time magazine currently on eBay show just how different the company approached advertising in that publication. Unfortunately both are poor quality scans.
This ad was published in the April 02, 1956, issue:
This ad was published in the June 16, 1956, issue:
Given this brochure includes a Surrey, it was likely printed between 1960-1962. This four-page brochure was auctioned on eBay back in 2015. It lacks a form number; it may have been produced by Kaiser Industries rather than Willys Motors.
No information provided on where this June 1948 “Jeep-Propelled Power-House Ad” was published. This seller has other jeep ads and willys ads as well.
https://www.goantiques.com/jeep-propelled-power-house-397135
“Jeep Propelled Power-House Ad 1948 This is a June 1948 advertisement. It is a nice black and white ad for Willys-Overland Motors of Toledo makers of the Jeep. Pictures the Jeep on the job and it reads, The 4 wheel drive universal Jeep gets to the job and furnishes power to operate industrial equipment. In mint condition. Photo is taken through plastic and may show wrinkles or crookedness that is not in the ad. This magazine tear sheet measures 10 1/2″” wide by 13″” tall”
These “Get The Facts, Mr. Farmer!” ads published in 1950 shared the results of the Nebraska Tractor Test of The Universal ‘Jeep’. It was test No. 432.
The ad appeared in the March of 1950 issue of Farm Journal. It measured 8.5″ x 11″.
================
(Originally Published in July of 2012): This ad was featured in the April 1950 issue of the Country Gentleman. It showed the results of the Nebraska Tractor Test of The Universal ‘Jeep’. It was test No. 432. The same ad appeared in the March 1950 issue of the Farm Journal. Because Country Gentleman was an oversize magazine, the ad measured approximately 13.75″ x 10.25″:
This May 1951 AD differs slightly from the April 1951 ad on the CJ-3A page here. So, I’d guess there were at least two version of this ad. The differences are primarily related to minor changes in font sizes and styles, along with a shadow and different tilt of the “Milestones” box on the upper left.
This first four-page brochure blends pages two and three into a single, poster like image. It could make for a good poster.
This is a four-page brochure:
This is a single sheet, two-sided brochure for Meyer’s Offset Angledozer showing flat fender jeeps:
This approximately 5″ x 7″ ad is a pretty reasonable price given it’s shipped from France.
View all the information on eBay
“REAL ADVERTISING
FROM A PERIOD MAGAZINE
format 13x18cm approximately”
