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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 .
A couple old Warn overdrive and hub documents. The bottom brochure is dated 1963.
“Nice old Warn brochure from around the 1950’s ”
View all the information on eBay
In 2013, I posted the brochure below with note explaining that there wasn’t much known about these mini jeep-looking vehicles. Yesterday, Peter Furrer sent me an email yesterday explaining that he was the developer of the Piccolino and that his five prototypes and everything else related to them are for sale. He’ll only sell them as a package. His price is $100,000. If he can’t sell them by the fall, he plans on auctioning them.
Peter grew up in Switzerland. During his time in the Swiss Army in the 1950s, there were thousands of them. After completing his one year service, in 1958 Peter joined a crew of a filming expedition-team that went from Sao Paulo to the Amazon with 5 Jeeps and trailers. It took them 9 month to film the landscapes, animals and indios, people who had never seen white men before. Later, Peter became a commercial flight captain and did well as real estate broker.
In 1986, Japanese cars became very popular in Switzerland. There smaller size made navigating Switzerland’s narrow street easier. About then Peter’s love of Jeeps returned, but then he had a brainstorm. He decided to make half sized jeep-like vehicles to make parking frontside to sidewalks possible. Engineers in Paris, Switzerland and Italy designed the Piccolino to his specifications. In 1987, he showed them at the Geneva car-show, creating great interest with hundreds of reservations and dozens of dealer applications.
All he needed was the money to start mass production. In his search for money, a Thai businessman paid the airfreight to bring the 5 Piccolinos to the Bangkok car show. Again hundreds wanted to buy, but this time a military coup with tanks in the streets ended the effort and relations.
A Miami boat-show with 5 Piccolinos ended with TV coverage and in golf courses, as this would have been the only golf cart with street license. He feels they would have been great for golf-comunities.
In Detroit, he made it to the first floor of Lee Iacoca CEO building, but Lee would not see him. Later, his lawyers warned him never to call my Piccolino a Jeep!
Peter is now 81 and feels it is time to give up on his dream cars that he has cherished now for 20 years. He Will only sell them all together. He also hopes someone will donate a Piccolino to me, a very generous offer that I would readily accept, but certainly not necessary. If anyone has interest in this, feel free to privately email at d@ewillys.com and I’ll put you in touch with Peter.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This is an unusual Dispatcher brochure. Looks more like a case-based look at the DJ. It’s located in Russia. Seems pretty pricey given its location.
“Original brochure, 4 pages, A4
Payment through Paypal. Condition in the image. Mail service with the number for tracking. All very well packaged.
When purchasing multiple items, the postage will be combined.
If you are interested in a combined payment, please do not pay immediately, buy a few items and ask for the bill
Up to 500 grams (one pound) – $ 9
Up to 1 kg (2.5 lbs) – $ 14
Up to 2 kg (5 lbs) – $ 22 is the maximum cost of delivery. The greater the weight, the seller compensates for its own account.
Postal delivery in Russia is free!”
I found this cool brochure on eBay for almost nothing. It’s printed on very thin paper. It’s 8.5 x 11, but part of the left side folds over, bringing it’s width down to about 6″. I believe it is was created in 1946 or 1947. The photo below as an early grille and a column shift. One illustration has tool indents.
This brochure from March of 1961 discusses the “Complete Line” of Jeeps, but only shows five on the fold out section. This is Form No. DM61-03.
These posthole diggers were built by Federal Machine and Welder out of Warren, Ohio.
There were several mowers developed for the early jeep. Some mounted on the side and some in the rear. Here are the ones I have so far:
1. NEWTON MOWER: Built by H. G. & S. Manufacturing out of Wisconsin, this mower relied on the Monroe Lift for mounting. Skilled users could attach this mower in only one minute, according the brochure.
2. NEWGREN POWER MOWER: Made by Newgren Company out of Butler, Pennsylvania. It mounted on the rear. (Later, this was marketed as the ‘Jeep” Farm Mower)
Continue reading
UPDATE: This is form W-991-5. You can download a pdf version here.
(first published 12/7/2010) Gerald scanned and forwarded these images from the Jeep Family of 4-Wheel-Drive Vehicles in Public Service. There are 25 images. Thanks Gerald!
Here’s the second half to the Universal Jeep Booklet. The pages I shared yesterday are underneath these. I’ll get them reordered at some future point.
UPDATE: I’ve added some photos of an actual Portarator.
Merton Day obtained this brochure years ago. It’s not a jeep specific item, but it is easy to see how one of these generators hooked to a jeep could prove useful. The Portarator was installed in the engine compartment for power tools or other electric devices (such as a margarita blender, should the mood strike).
B&B manufacturing produced other Portarator products, as this brochure demonstrates, but I couldn’t find any Portarator’s for sale. Here’s the brochure Merton saved:
We know a couple of these exist. One sold back in 2014.The fire truck has “Blitz Wagon” on it, while the company marketed it as a “Blitz Buggy” The company that produced these was the Hi Pressure Fog Equipment Company.
“This is an original advertisement,NOT a reproduction, no rips or tears. Size of ad is app 5 X 5.”
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The same company also made this alternative version. Anyone recognize the vehicle? This ad also appeared in a 1951 magazine accord to the seller.
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
“Here I have a very nice Willys Jeep Rarity:
WILLYS MOTORS INC.
Special Equipment Price List
APPROVED
Jeep
EQUIPMENT
SWEEPSTER ROTARY BROOMS
This lot 2-Piece lot includes:
* Single Sheet Price List, Dated January 1, 1960
* Single Sheet Flier SWEEPSTER ROTARY BROOM
All forms measure about 8 ½ x 11 inches.”
This rare Warn Hub Selective Drive owner’s manual was saved for decades by Merton Day. His Grandson, Frank Day, generously sold this along with some last-of-a-kind Free Lock hub information to me.
This owner’s manual is one long, two-sided brochure measuring 20 1/2″ x 2 7/8″ that folds up into a 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″ square (the top is to the far right of the first image below). Here is the original version. This could be called the front:
And the back.
To improve readability, the images have been halved. Front:
Back:
There’s not date on this brochure, but I’d guess 1956 or slightly later. There’s no sense that the CJ-5 is “new” in the brochure.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
I haven’t run across that Warn logo with the jets flying.
“Near Mint
WARN HUBS
SELECT DRIVE
NO. WD-255
SERVICE and REPAIR
MANUAL
YOUR JEEP WILL TAKE OFF LIKE A JET!”
This August 1961 Jeep Family brochure called “You Can’t Hide from the Fact” featured a hippo trying to hide behind a small tree. It’s not clear to me why they used all the cutesy animal references during this time period. This is Form No. DM61-08.
There’s a bunch of information inside this. I’m not sure how much jeep information there is or not.
“Purchased from an estate sale of a Vietnam veteran that was a mechanic there…as the story goes. This binder is in very good condition for it’s age. No breaks or signs of visual wear. It is packed full, as seen in the last picture, of all different types of service type manuals from the mid 60’s to early 70’s as best as I can tell. There are some Willys, Chrysler, Ford, Jeep, Renault, Chevrolet, tons of other service information. So much information that would be impossible to list it all. All pages are also in very good condition. Very interesting piece of history!”
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According to the CJ-3B Page, the Post Office experimented with several different types of jeeps for mail delivery. However, finding photos or history of these jeeps has proven difficult. Last week I acquired this awesome photo stamped December 18, 1955, showing a DJ-3A with a hardtop, no tailgate, and no sides to make entry easier.
Then, on eBay, this brochure has been available for a couple months. There’s no date on the brochure itself, but the seller claims it is from 1955:
Both documents show what appear to be the same hard top and same side cut body, but the jeeps in the photos aren’t quite the same. Unlike the top jeep, the bottom jeep has the same hubcaps as the early DJ-3As, but has custom parking lights. The top photo has the side mirror on the right side, while the bottom jeep has the rear view mirror on what would normally be the driver’s side. The seats are colored slightly differently. So, are these two jeeps both experimental models?
What surprises the DJ guys the most is that we weren’t aware the low cut body was available as of late 1955. None of the marketing materials show that body as an option in 1956, as this early brochure demonstrates:
So, the search for information about early dispatcher mail jeeps continues. Anyone have more photos or information about these early post office jeeps?
This Any Time, Any Where, Any Job Jeep Family brochure is undated. Given the Maverick show reference, I’d guess this is 1959 or 1960.
Here is the introductory DJ-3A brochure Form W241-6.
This brochure was published in July 1958.
This Jeep family brochure was produced in July of 1961.
This November 1962 brochure featured the CJ-6.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Steve spotted this unusual folder.
“Vintage Jeep Willys Kelly Manufacturing Warn Kayline hard top binder catalog. 100% original. Brochure was inside of binder but does not have holes in it. Was found in old dealership. International buyers need to process orders through the Ebay Global Shipping program.”
The center piece on this August 1959 brochure was turned into a post (I’ve run out of all my copies).
