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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 .
Regarding the back page article, it’s a bit hard for me to believe that the motorhome the Murray’s built on a truck chassis (with an inline 6?) was capable of sustained cruising of 70 MPH, especially given that modern interstates had yet to be built (the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956––aka Interstate Highway construction bill––hadn’t yet been passed when this issue of Willys News was published).
This ad was featured in the Dillon Daily Tribune on May 06,1947.
A reader (and my pea-sized brain can’t remember who) noticed that the front of the Overground Railroad, a book by Candace Taylor, had a Jeep Wagon on its cover. It looks to be a 1950-1951 wagon to me.
I haven’t read the book just yet, but look forward to it. The book is about 300 pages, but has at least 100 pages of photos. The reviews for it have been very good. Here’s a review from a Route 66 website.
Looks in better shape than many I’ve seen.
https://southbend.craigslist.org/clt/d/nappanee-1950s-oglesby-red-cast/7083343894.html
“1950’s Oglesby Red Cast Aluminum Willy’s Jeep.
Made in Peru, IN.
All original paint and tires.
Condition is used but very nice.
Jeep measure approximately 10.5 ” in length.
Also includes Oglesby Red cast aluminum Trailer.
Very rare to find these together.
Trailer measures 8.5″ in length.
Overall both pieces in very nice condition.”
UPDATE: Mario shared his newest flea market find. It’s a Ford GPA Seep shaped lighter that holds a lighter similar to the small flat fender jeep lighter shown below.
While searching for another example of the above SEEP lighter, I discovered someone made a SEEP ashtray. It may have been a one-off build, but it’s neat none-the-less:
From the Collectors Weekly website: “This is another more unusual piece of trench art. This model is 6″ long and stands about 1 3/4” tall. The body is of shell brass and the wheels are “42” and “43” dated .50 cal rounds. The headlights are smaller rifle brass cartridges, dated “43”. The center portion lifts out for cleaning.”
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Original Post (Feb 2020): I just returned from a quick trip to Seattle, so limited updates today.
While there, I picked up three different sizes of Jeep lighters (thanks to Dan)! I plan to keep one of each and will sell some of the others. I tried to price these on eBay, but none of these are currently on eBay.
The largest one is particularly cool (far right). To ignite it, you collapse the steering wheel; the fire shoots out the hood. I’ll get a video of it tomorrow. The smaller ones are surprisingly heavy.
I wish the pic and caption were better reproduced in this scanned newspaper, but the December 02, 1948, article in Montana’s Choteau Acantha newspaper demonstrates how surprised some civilians were by the jeep’s capabilities. The writer mentions Black Leaf Canyon, which is south of Glacier National Park.
This is season 1, episode 2, by Mark and Tom Smith of Jeeptruck.com from his series with Drew Norman at his Jeep Farm in Phoenix.
Maury spotted this cool sign. Price is $2500, but seller is accepting offers. Looks like ti was for the Bobe’s K-W Motors dealership.
View all the information on eBay
“VINTAGE Willys Jeep Double Sided Sign . Condition is Used. One of a kind RARE keeper!!!”
Lots of interesting items in this issue.
Something a little different …. According to Autoeveolution.com, there’s been an increasing number of “Jeep Willys builds” at drag strips. A digital artist, Yasid Oozeear, decided to render a drag jeep with a WWII look (this is an illustration, not an actual build).
You can read more here: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/jeep-willys-fat-boy-looks-like-a-stock-car-for-offroaders-140712.html#
CREDIT: Illustration by Yaddesign: https://www.instagram.com/p/B76Z8OBFST3/
CREDIT: Illustration by Yaddesign: https://www.instagram.com/p/B76Z8OBFST3/
Possibly a Holden Jeep?
This ad was published in the April 16, 1953, issue of the Dillon Daily Tribune.
This July 25, 1945, article in the Dillon Examiner highlighted the newly released CJ-2A.
This is season 2, episode 2, by Mark and Tom Smith of Jeeptruck.com from his series with Drew Norman at his Jeep Farm in Phoenix.
What Is The Jeep Farm? Drew Norman’s Garage in Phoenix, Arizona:
Another photo showing the test of the 105mm recoil-less rifle.
View all the information on eBay
“1950 Press Photo US soldiers Ernest Pupo & James F. with jeep-mounted rifle, MD. This is an original press photo. Guns – United States. Aberdeen, Maryland. The Army’s new jeep-mounted 105-millimeter recoil-less rifle (above) is credited with being able to knock out any known foreign tank. It was demonstrated for the first time this week at the Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground for Secretary of the Army Frank Pace. Shown loading the tank buster are Pfc Ernest Pupo (left) and Corporal James F…Photo measures 9 x 8inches. Photo is dated 11-25-1950.”
The guy in front of the jeep appears to have lost part of his arm (or it’s an optical illusion).
View all the information on eBay
“1942 Press Photo Jeep crosses bridge built by Army Engineers for training. This is an original press photo. United States Army – Engineers. On a field maneuver in the Pacific Northwest, the army demonstrated a speedy bridge building project, followed by an even faster demolition job – to train soldiers in both operations. (1) Soldiers laid logs across a swamp; (2) a jeep is first across; Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-13-1942.”
Roger Martin shared this ad. I think it is a Koenig hardtop.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/211987653190421/
A couple updates for Sunday. We’ve had family in town this weekend, so things are busy around here.
One family member brought over these locally roasted beans, so we decided to create our own Yipao scene. We couldn’t have done it without the jeep, a gift from Jerry Huber last year, and the Colombian poncho, a gift years ago from Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero (8 years ago … I had a little less gray hair!).
Just having some fun.
I don’t have the January 1956 issue, but this February 1956 issue discusses the introduction of the DJ-3A Dispatcher.
This is season 2, episode 1, by Mark and Tom Smith of Jeeptruck.com from his series with Drew Norman at his Jeep Farm in Phoenix. Drew’s done some nice work updating this 1970 Wagoneer.
Season 2 Episode 1 in the series Working on the Jeep Farm with Drew Norman …Custom 1970 Jeep Wagoneer Build by The Jeep Farm | Axles, Stereo, More
The newest issue of the Dispatcher Magazine landed in my mailbox today. This issue includes a look at Bob Christy’s Empire Tractor “Rena”, along with a pre-jeep look at history thanks to Jim Allen. Dan Fucella continues describing his 10,000 mile journey in a wagon, while Eric Jarvis shares his D-Day-related journey to France.
Steve forwarded this article about the development of a mobile CP. The photos show how such a modification might have been done.
Thanks to Bill for sharing this link. David Conwill shared his thoughts about getting a Willys Jeep in his article on Hemmings titled, “To heck with your crossover, I’m getting a Willys”.
Maury spotted this article. Bell and Buck is updating CJ-8’s in conjunction with Kyle Smith of Bird Buggy, to create a more luxurious CJ-8.
I found this cool and rare brochure for the ill-fated Sierra Dana 20 overdrive on eBay. It’s printed on 8.5″x11″ paper, so the marketing budget must have been tight (as I understand it, working capital was an early issue, which played a part in the demise of the company). A few years ago there was a post of an article that also highlighted this rare overdrive.
The following instructions and schematics were tucked inside the brochure above:
