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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 .
Interesting photo.
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“1947 Press Photo Jeep tows Boeing XL-15 Liaison plane for United States Army. This is an original press photo. Versatile new liaison plane can be used on land, water or snow is Boeing XL-15 (package unit) for army ground forces – can be towed on its own wheel or dismantled to ride on truck. United States Army – planes. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 10-29-1947.”
I wonder if the bulletins varied between the US and Canada.
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“FOR SALE – 1950’s – 1960’s ( 1957 to 1962 ) WILLYS JEEP OF CANADA WINDSOR ONTARIO BOOK BINDER OF DEALER BULLETINS , FOR CONDITION CHECK PIC’S & CONDITION DETAILS , FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ITEM OR SHIPPING PLEASE CONTACT.”
This weekend the Ohio-based jeep club “Muddy Buddies” held a Jeep Jam at the Clinton County Fairgrounds in Wilmington, Ohio. Roger Margin dropped by to take some photos. Some of the photos include a jeep that participated in TheRoadChoseMe.com, a 53,726 mile trip around Africa:
Roger Martin spotted this Jeepney ad on Facebook.
UPDATE: David Crawford reports that his father built 36 different Empi’s that ended up all over the western US. In the comments below, he wrote,
“My dad, Bill Crawford, of Tuolumne, CA, “sparkplugged” the build, on those 2’VW based cars. He bought a set of plans for the EMPI Sportster, and made a whole bunch of mods. He planned to build one article, and 20 years later, there were @ 36 of them built, and running around.
Three of them went to South Dakota. A friend in the Phoenix area, over the years, took 3 of the cars from Norcal, and sold them in the Phoenix area.
Most of the cars were built in his home shop, and about 10 of the cars were assembled by students in a high school auto shop survey class that he taught. There are still several of them floating around Norcal.
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Original Post June 2012:
The Empi Dune Buggy was an early metal kit for VWs. There were several styles. According to tunacan.net, “The EMPI Sportster was a sheet metal buggy built on a modified VW Beetle floorpan. It was available in a two passenger model or a four passenger model. All Sportsters featured a “Deluxe Folding Windshield” and were constructed of 20-, 18-, and 12- guage steel.”
Jim, who pics are shown below, wrote:
“We got the Empi running and driving the night before the Durango car show. I washed, scrubbed and entered this quality piece of early 1960s dune buggy Americana and am shocked that I didn’t win a trophy! Crazy huh? All sarcasm aside, little kids loved it, old men remembered it from “back in the day”, rat rod guys thought it cool, I was really surprised at how much attention and photos it created. Still though, no trophy? People just don’t appreciate a good old fashioned, fugly, all metal dune buggy these days, sigh…”
Jim notes that he strategically positioned himself near the only flat fenders at the show. You can see some of his older flatties here.
Nelson’s Empi Dune Buggy
<– Day 14 Aug 15: Beach Bums | The Sun Has Set on Newfoundland 2019
Early Friday morning, the Newfoundland 2019 crew disbanded. I believe Joe left first; he’s headed back to Maryland to reunite with Emily and their son. The Ogles and Ingrums departed soon after Joe; they are headed back to the Paris of Illinois. Jim, Kevin and Bill left a little later.
Exiting the island didn’t quite go smoothly for Jim and Kevin, as they succumbed to a clogged fuel filter. But, forty-five minutes later, they were back on the road.
I’d guess everyone is still a couple days from arriving at home. If there are any additional reports, I’ll share them. Otherwise, Newfoundland 2019 is a wrap.
Thanks to everyone who met up with the Newfoundland crew, provided local advice, and followed along the journey. I know the crew really enjoyed meeting you all and, as Cowboy said in one of his Facebook comments, it renews faith in people as you meet folks from all walks of life. From my perspective, being able to meet people on our trips always makes traveling so much more satisfying.
Finally, many thanks to Bill for spearheading this trip. I wish more of his fellow Alaska Or Rusters could have joined, but if not in body and jeep, we were there in spirit, following along with each photo you sent and each tale you spun. I believe we all agree that there will be another grand journey together at some point and we have a couple ideas percolating.
Friday morning as Joe pull’s into the US border.
<– Day 14 Aug 15: Beach Bums | The Sun Has Set on Newfoundland 2019
This photo appeared on Facebook. It was taken south of downtown Chicago. The flattie has been updated quite a bit. Given the rear hubs and the general mods (like the front fenders), I’d say the is likely an MB or GPW. The front of this has a plow.
Ed’s auctioning off this Product Merchandising Manual from 1959. Looks like it’s full of information. He’s also got other Willys-Overland related items.
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Ed’s got this rare Salesbuilder for sale on eBay. He’s also got other Willys-Overland related items.
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The crew spent the day driving and walking beaches; yep, they were pretty much beach bums. Good for them! Bill’s uncle is hosting them on his property on Prince Edward Island.
Below, Joe and Scott are enjoying the beaches:
Roger Martin spotted this unusual photo of a Jeepster carrying a bunch of kids and pulling a line of kids on make-shift carts.
The photo was original shown here: https://www.facebook.com/NeatOldStuffAndYesteryear/photos/a.154878248051991/1064411563765317/
<– Day 12 Aug 13: Alternator Blues | Day 14 Aug 15: Beach Bums –>
Joe’s relaxing on a beautiful Price Edward Island evening!
The crew started Wednesday morning in Nova Scotia. Their plan was to head for Prince Edward Island via the ferry. Then, they found a place to camp at High Bank, PEI.
The day began with a beautiful morning. Below, you can see Joe’s CJ-3B hiding behind a tree as the sun breaks over it.
The crystal blue sky frames this photo of Scott and Kathy nicely:
However, some of the crew had gotten a little bit too much sun, which led to a .. well … I’m just not sure what is going on here … bonding? Greco-Roman wrestling?
Interesting photo.
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“1942 Press Photo La, Calif. An Army jeep on a raft during exhibition. Photo measures 9 x 7 inches. Photo is dated 7-3-1942.”
<– Day 11 Aug 12: All Good Things Come to an End | Day 13 Aug 14: Let The Sun Shine –>
Great group shot of the crew along the Cabot Trail. Despite the rain, everyone’s having fun.
The crew spent Monday night on the ferry from Newfoundland. On Tuesday they drove around Cabot Trail, then, due to Joe’s breakdown, had to rework their schedule, so instead of making Price Edward Island, they camped at Hyclass Ocean Campground (same place they camped Tuesday night).
Tuesday’s drive along Cabot Trail.
Our intrepid crew left their overnight ferry yesterday, but it didn’t take long for Joe to run into trouble. The brand new alternator he’d purchased a few days earlier had a bearing go bad, making it sound like it might literally explode. Fortunately, CarQuest was willing to deliver one to him. So, they waited for a while.
These three didn’t let Joe’s alternator get them down. They went for a walk (food gathering perhaps? Trouble making?).
As they walked, Jim wrote a new song, which I’ve titled, “Alternator Blues” … you’ll notice he still has a lot of work left on it…
Daniel Strohl reported on Hemmings that the CJ-5 used to circumvent the earth will spend a year at the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. You might remember that the Upton’s made it around the world in 1984, well all but a small, but a difficult mile of their trek in the Middle East proved impossible to complete. For two decades they held onto the jeep, then they eventually fixed it back up and drove the last mile in the Middle East in 2017.
This photo was shared by Charles, showing former citizens, now arguably refugees, leaving the area during World War II.
<– Day 10 Aug 11: North Atlantic Cowboy | Day 12 Aug 13: Alternator Blues –>
Nice photo of the Ingrums on the left and the Ogles to the right.
On Monday, the crew began their morning in Gros Morne National Park. This was their last day in Newfoundland. Monday’s goal was to reach the shorter ferry (takes 6-8 hours), spend the night on it, then head, my guess is, toward Prince Edward Island early on Tuesday morning.
Here’s another look at Jim and Kevin’s camp spot:
Kevin really enjoyed the first. He was the fire tender. If he only had a Wilson soccer ball (it turns out you can buy these??), all would be complete.
Once they got goin, the crew found some beautiful scenery:
Jerry Huber is pictured on the right. He’s one of the key reasons the Toledo Jeep Fest is what it is. View more videos and pics on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jerry.huber.790
Based on the reports I’ve heard, the expanded Toledo JeepFest was a big hit this year. Kudos to Jerry Huber and the rest of the crew for making it a great time! Here’s a report on the event in the Toledo Blade: https://www.toledoblade.com/news/2019/08/10/Jeep-enthusiasts/stories/20190810112
Brooks Sutherland took this photo and posted it to twitter of Jason Perry and Chris Rutherford. You might remember when we visited with Chris in 2018.
Here are a few shots of Chris’ vendor spot:
Here’s a video from JP Magazine of the Gladiator Exhibit:
And, a video of the seemingly endless brochures thanks to Chris Rutherford:
Here’s Bob Christy with his Empire Tractor:
Chris also took these photos:
This MB has a few mods.
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“1953 Press Photo General James Van Fleet rides jeep at farewell tour, Korea. This is an original press photo. Van Fleet, James A. (General). General James A. Van Fleet, retiring 8th Army commander in Korea, stands in his …ur-star jeep (front) and reviews massed troops of the Republic of Korea 5th Division during his farewell tour of the battlefront with his successor, Lieutenant General Maxwell D. Taylor (standing, second jeep). Battlefront tour ended Monday. General Taylor takes over command from General Van Fleet on Wednesday… Photo measures 9.5 x 6.25 inches. Photo is dated 2-10-1953.”
<– Day 9 Aug 10: Primitive Camping | Day 11 Aug 12: All Good Things Come to an End –>
Beach camping at Gander.
The crew spent the day doing some more exploring of Newfoundland. They began the morning on the beach at Gander Lake. It ended at Gros Morne National Park.
Another short driving day, with a wet drive from Gander to Gros Mourne National Park.
Gander Lake proved to be a beautiful place to begin the day.
While the beach is a romantic spot to camp, it’s not all that flat. So, Joe and Bill had to get creative with their equipment in order to have their beds passably level.
<– Day 8 Aug 9th: Collecting Penneys | Day 10 Aug 11: North Atlantic Cowboy –>
The crew’s campsite for Saturday night.
On Saturday, the Newfoundland crew left their comfortable environs at Pippy Park for lands unknown (to them) for some primitive camping. Below, the sun shone a little more than the day before as they left the campground:
Both on Friday and on Saturday the crew met members of the Overland Newfoundland group, a “group for outdoor loving people who seek adventure by overlanding” the province of Newfoundland Labrador.
One of the numerous members of the Overland Newfoundland group that the crew met along their travels on Saturday.
Along their way to their remote campground, the crew stopped at the North Atlantic Aviation Museum in Gander, NL. They took some pics for us there:
<– Day 7 Aug 8th: Visiting St. John’s For The Halibut | Day 9 Aug 10: Primitive Camping –>
Bill, Kevin, Eric Penney, Cowboy, and Jim. We met Eric’s son Todd Penney in Fort Nelson in 2017.
Our intrepid Newfoundland crew spent the day meeting more folks and taking in the sights.
They started the morning at the break of dawn, hoping to see the first rays of sun to hit the North American continent. So, they drove to Cape Spear (A National Historic Site), the most eastern edge of Canada. However, Mother Nature fooled them, hiding the sun behind some clouds ….
Gayland won these images at an auction. Like yesterday’s brochure, these show what at least some of the Army’s DJ-5s looked like. He’s got some naval photo images he plans to share later.
Bernd was busy with his CJ-5 again, this time straightening up his brother’s walnut tree. He wrote, “Yesterday the Jeep helped us setting upright my brother’s walnut tree, which was bent by the wind. I applied the force carefully und manually with a wire rope hoist. The Jeep served as an anchor.”
<– Day 6 Aug 7th: New Found Land Ho! | Day 8 Aug 9th: Collecting Penneys –>
A photo of the highway from Argentia to Pippy Park, NL
After a 16-hour ferry ride (I finally received information on the correct length of the journey) Wednesday night/Thursday morning, the crew reached their destination: Newfoundland. It was a little wetter than expected.
When the Newfoundland crew awoke and strolled out onto the ferry deck on Thursday morning, it was a bit cloudy, but the views were still gorgeous. Here are some photos:
Here’s a great shot of Kathy Jo, Joe, Jim and Kevin, on the ferry:
The crew landed and disembarked; the first indication that they’d landed in the right place was this huge welcome sign:
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