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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 .
This July 28, 1973, article in the Longview Daily News shares information on the rising number of jeep clubs in the Longview area. I figured the text would be easier to read if I posted it separately at bottom. The CJ-5 on the upper left is running the recently introduced Desert Dogs.
Bill shared an image of a menu from the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha. It was one of several hotels that featured James Sessions’ images on hotel menus. Anyone know the history behind why hotels were doing that?
For a complete overview of the Willys-Overland WWII (and post WWII) illustrations featuring jeeps, this page demonstrates how the illustrations unfolded over the years 1941-1946. For an analysis of how the changes in verbiage may have reflected changes as Willys-Overland during the war years, view this page.
I’m sure there are more examples than the ones gathered below. Here is what I have so far:
This is the Blackstone Hotel example that Bill shared:
This one is from the Lexington Hotel in New York City:
And this one is from the Hotel New Yorker:
This menu:
The Benjamin Franklin also ran this other menu with a different illustration:
This Bulletin 114 from Ramsey Winch includes a good illustration of the underside of the jeep with a Ramsey X-200 PTO winch installed. A price listed was also included with the brochure. Below this post, you can see the truck and wagon brochure version of the X-200 winch.
This is the same X-200 winch pictured in the post above, but setup to function on the longer wheel-base Willys Jeep trucks and wagons. The is Ramsey Bulletin 115:
Morgan stated in a comment that he was a little confused as to why some of the M-38/M-38A1 rims had back spacing changes. Can anyone help answer his questions?
Morgan wrote, “Trying to get a handle on M38/M38A1 military Jeep wheels is difficult at best (let alone all the other Jeep wheels!).
1. Do only military wheels (all 16″ ??) have weep holes? Correct me but I’ve noticed that maintaining a 12 o’clock alignment of the valve stem hole puts the weep hole of a 16″ x 4 1/2″ at 3 o’clock. And the weep hole of a 16″ x 5″ is at 9 o’clock. While the top lug hole on the 16 x 4 1/2″ lines up with 12 o’clock, it’s the bottom lug hole on the 16″ x 5″ that lines up with 12 o’clock.
In addition the backspace on the 16 x 4 1/2″ is about 3 1/4″ while the backspace on the 16 x 5″ is about 3 3/4″. Now admittedly, my research is limited and maybe I’ve only learned enough to be dangerous, but it’s the backspace that got me going.
2. I’m wondering if the shorter backspace on the 4 1/2″ (setting the tire farther from the frame and brake drum) would allow a tighter turn radius (without rubbing? or no issue?) than the deeper backspace on the 5″ (which would move the rim/tire closer to the frame?) ?? Why such a difference in backspace?
3. And of course if the mere presence of a weep hole would allow a quick accurate idea of a wheel’s exact measurements, that would be a plus. I think I’ve correctly learned that the accurate measurement of a wheel’s diameter and width is always inside the rim ?!?
4. I’ve also heard that the military wheels are a higher grade, and stronger ?!?
Listed as a 1947, this is likely a 1945 VEC CJ-2A. It’s got rear hubs, indents, early windshield, a column shift and (I think) the earliest “WILLYS” data plate. Bidding is allowed from March 1, 2021, though April 02, 2021.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322534451279857/permalink/1556809471185676
“Public Notice – Richfield Township is placing the 1947 Willy’s Jeep Fire Apparatus for sale via SEALED BID. Richfield Township is accepting SEALED BIDS for purchase of the 1947 Willy’s Jeep Fire Apparatus from Monday 3/1/2021 through Friday 4/2/2021 at 4:00 PM. The vehicle is sold as is with no warranties or guarantees made of any kind. This vehicle has been garage stored and maintained throughout its lifetime with Berkey / Richfield Township Fire Department as the original and only owner. The vehicle is open to inspection Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The vehicle sale is subject to a minimum bid of $10,000. The bids will be opened on Monday 4/5/2021 and highest bid above the minimum sale amount will be awarded. Sealed Bids must be addressed to Fire Chief Keith Clonch at 11450 W. Sylvania Avenue, Berkey, Ohio 43504.”
I spent all of Sunday packing up the office, so no Monday updates. I’m behind on comment responses, so bear with me.
Before packing up the jeep ‘toys’ yesterday, I took this photo. It’s not all the toys, but it is most of them. I never set out to collect toys, as I didn’t have the room. Still, somehow, I ended up with these. It’s probably good that I restrained myself; less toys to pack!
This rare package includes a plaque and the original box (pretty cool box). The starting bid is $175.
View all the information on eBay
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A WILLYS JEEP MODEL FC 170 GOLD PLATED ASH TRAY IN ITS ORIGINAL BOX AND INCLUDES “CARE” INSERT.
WILLYS MOTORS INC. OF TOLEDO, OHIO
GOLD PLATED WITH 22K GOLD PLATE
THE ASHTRAY IS IN GREAT SHAPE WITH MINIMAL WEAR.
THE BOX IS IN GODD SHAPE ALSO WITH GOOD COLOR AND GRAPHICS.
50’S VINTAGE
A NICE, RARE, JEEP TOY”
In an effort to promote Bond drives during World War II, around 1944 Sgt. Jack Kreismer created “Judy the Jeep Girl”. The character, sometimes described as a paper doll, while other times described as a cartoon, has proved a difficult image to track down. To help raise bonds, July ‘traveled’ from California to Salt Lake City, then on to the Washington, D.C.
A photo of Jack and Judy appeared in the June 1, 1945, issue of Minute Man. It’s the best example of Judy the Jeep Girl that I could find:
You can see that Jack (on the left) and Allen Overby (on the right) are holding a booklet. Apparently it is a souvenir booklet that features Judy.
The only newspaper representation I could find for Judy is a less-than-perfect sketch that appeared in the Salt Lake Telegram on June 19, 1944. Judy is left to the man in the box (sauna?).
Later, on January 15, 1945, Elenor Roosevelt commented on Judy’s activities:
UPDATE: According to the November 24, 1957, issue of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, this book was published in November of 1957 (previously, the date hadn’t been clear).
The December 08, 1957, issue of the Birmingham News included an article on Dr. Rogers’ new book. Apparently, Rogers was a former teacher in Alabama.
=============
Originally Published September 25, 2012:
I am a bit behind on writing about my impressions of various jeep-related books I have read. So, I’m going to try to catch up with that. First on the docket is “Jeopardy and a Jeep: Africa Conquered by Two Women Professors”, written by a College Professor named Dorothy Rogers.
I’ll forgo a complete summarization of the book, as I’ve included a summarization published on inside of the dust cover. However, I will say that Dorothy and Louise Ostberg travelled in a Willys Wagon from France all the way down to the southern tip of Africa, before turning around and heading north again. For that they deserve plenty of kudos! For most of the trip their wagon, which they named “Jeepie”, was dependable. One exception to that was the time their brakes went out going down a hill. At the bottom of the hill was a one lane bridge upon which some road workers had parked their vehicle. Having no options and no brakes, they were forced to jump Jeepie off a river bank. They survived, as did Jeepie. But, they said they hoped they’d never do that again!
While their book was interesting, I never found it as compelling as, for example, Schreiber’s journey in their Seep from Southern California to the Terra del Fuego in South America (which I’ll describe tomorrow). That said, if you like a good jeep adventure, or Wagons, or Africa, you’ll likely enjoy this book.
Here is the dust jacket summary:
Here are a couple images:
This June 29, 1946, photo in the Daily Advertiser shows off an early MB conversion into a Louisiana Forestry Jeep. Developed by the Louisiana Foresty Commission, the state purchased five of these rigs.
The Weekly Town Talk out of Alexandria, Louisiana, also ran the photo on the same day, but with a different caption:
Cruising through some online photos yesterday, I stumbled upon a Kaiser Jeep prototype called the Sport Low Investment” (XLI) vehicle. Apparently, employees dubbed it the Flintstonemobile. Figuring Derek likely did a write up on this vehicle, I went over to the 3B page and sure enough, he’s got an informative write up on it: https://cj3b.info/Factory/FactoryXport.html
PHOTO CREDIT: Toledo Lucas County Public Library https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll33/id/134419
PHOTO CREDIT: Toledo Lucas County Public Library https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll33/id/134408
The starting bid is $75 for this unique lighter. It’s one I hadn’t seen.
View all the information on eBay
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A 5 INCH LONG WILLYS JEEP MODEL CJ5 CIGARETTE LIGHTER.
THE JEEP LIGHTER IS IN GREAT CONDITION
THE JEEP IS WELL DETAILED AND THE CONSTRUCTION IS VERY WELL DONE. ITS HEAVY.
THE LIGHTER SPARKS WELL.
THERE IS NO LIGHTER FLUID IN IT AT PRESENT.
A NICE, RARE, JEEP LIGHTER”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(12/04/2020) At the bottom you can see a video of a Kubota V2203 from a refrigeration unit installed in a flattie. You can learn more about this swap at overlanddiesel.com.
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/pts/d/battle-ground-kubota-v2203-d1105/7283517367.html
These engines were removed from refrigeration units with under 15,000 hours.
4 cylinder, 2.2 liter
Multiple engines available, tier 2 and 4
Engine will be strapped to a pallet
These engines are easily swapped into Jeep’s, bobcats, or even used for standby generators.
I can send a video of the engine running or you can come check it out.
I also have some D1105 3 cylinder available $1000
Contact with any questions you might have. Quickest way to contact is text.
If you are needing a specific part for these engines I have many used parts available.
These V2203 engines can be swapped in place of older V1902, V1903, V1702, V1703 models.
If you are unsure if this model will be a direct swap, message me and I will let you know if it will work for your application. Engines are sold “as is” with no warranty. L”
==========================
Here’s the video of a used Kubota engine installed in a a flattie that I mentioned:
This four-page Ramsey Winch Kit brochure is labeled Bulletin 105.
Ron’s holding an open house, a military vehicle show and sale, this year on May 23, 2021, in Central Point, Oregon.
Thanks to Hans Loix for posting pics of this Ford GPW training engine/trans/tc to Facebook (and to Roger Martin for pointing them out to me).
I’m a big confused by the ‘Jeep’ image stamped onto the side of the crate. In 1951, Willys-Overland was downplaying the use of jeep as a brand. This photo looks to be more like a post 1953-Kaiser-purchase photo. I tried to find a 1951 time-frame photo of a boxed jeep, but couldn’t find any I could compare to this one. Any thoughts on this?
It’s possible, given the photo was published as part of a 1987 article, that someone just guessed on the time-frame of this photo. Also, the fact that Thailand remained active in South Korea until March of 1955 might also provide an explanation for why these boxed jeeps were heading to Thailand.
View all the information on eBay
This is the fifth of five similar brochures, though it’s the only one described as a Willys-Overland Export Company Brochure. It highlights the Willys Sedan Delivery vehicle. The form number is SD-73-MI–80M–350. Like the others, it is nearly 22″x17″.
The brochure in the post below this appears to be the same, though with different colors, and it states it is from Willys-Overland Motors. Why are they different? I don’t know.
This is how the folded front page looks:
This is the folded back page:
When unfolded vertically, this page appears:
When unfolded horizontally, this page appears highlighting the new Hurricane engine:
When completely unfolded, this page appears:
And, finally, this is how the back appears when unfolded:
I don’t have a high resolution version of this brochure, as it’s more expensive (almost $50 after shipping and taxes .. it comes from Australia) than I’d like to pay. You can see it was originally sent to Minnesota (Cutler Motors Sales, Mora, MN). How it got to Australia I couldn’t say. Curiously, it has the same form number as the export version in the post above: SD-73-MI–80M–350.
You can view more info on eBay
As with the one above, this is the front of the folded brochure:
This is the folded back page:
When unfolded vertically, this page appears:
When unfolded horizontally, this page appears highlighting the new Hurricane engine:
When completely unfolded, this page appears:
And, finally, this is how the back appears when unfolded: Continue reading
UPDATE: This page will soon be expanding…
I was inspired to purchase and learn more about the brochures below after realizing that a poster I saw during a visit at Dave Antram’s place in 2013. Here’s a photo of it:
I’m wondering if there is a Universal Jeep brochure similar to the brochures below. I don’t remember seeing one and I don’t have any documentation of one yet. There also could be other brochures with the same theme as the ones below, so I can’t say these five represent ALL of them.
Now on to the truck/wagon brochures. These five brochures are very similar, so I thought it would be interesting to compare them side by side. As you can see below, the images and coloring of the brochures are very similar to the poster, but not exactly the same. These brochures also have the dimension graphic concept, though the poster expresses it somewhat differently.
While I originally thought these were all printed in early 1950, I’m less certain, as Colin pointed out that #1 (4WD Willys Truck) mentions “Key Starting”, which he thinks appeared in 1952. So, most likely, these appeared between 1950-1952.
You can view the original scans using the following links:
These are the back of those brochures:
5. The New Willys Sedan Delivery brochure (domestic only? from the today’s top post)
The Shreveport Times reported on a forest fires on august 12, 1947, and included a photo of a forestry commission jeep.
Speaking of Forestry Jeeps, this photo of a Forest Service CJ-3A with a Fire pump was taken August 15, 1953. The image resides in the Black Hills National Forest Historical Collection.
https://explore.digitalsd.org/digital/collection/BHNF/id/6549
PHOTO CREDIT: Black Hills National Forest Historical Collection, August 15, 1953.
UPDATE: This has been relisted
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/apple-valley-m718a1-ambulance-army-jeep/7275947080.html
(01/12/2021) “Selling a rare military AM General M718a1 Ambulance. Same as M151a2 just setup in the ambulance configuration. Clean Ca title on planned non-op. Pre-smog. Runs and drives great. New nos carburetor and fuel lines. Clean tub never been cut, wrecked, or rolled. Soft top is in decent shape, no rips or tears. tires all have decent tread. Extremely rare Jeep in this configuration and condition. Asking $15,000 no trades.”
That poor CB looks abused. The driver’s step is missing and there are a few mods. Seller has additional parts available.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/422265132365121
“Cj2a tub, fenders, hood, grill, 3b windshield… 1k obo I have other parts that can go with it for more $$$.”
