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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 32-page snow plow manual includes a variety of jeep-related photos.
View all the information on eBay
“Here I have an Excellent Condition 32-Page Brochure
MEYER SNOW PLOWS SNOW PLOWING MANUAL
Measures about 8 ½ x 5 ½ inches
Near Mint condition except it has 2 holes punched to fit in a ring notebook
Has some great photos inside of 1950s vehicles
including several Willys Jeeps”
In the summer of 1955, Edgar Kaiser Sr. provided testimony to the United State Senate, Subcommitte on Antitrust and Monopoly, regarding the car industry, specifically the history of the Kaiser Motors Company, it’s post war challenges and how/why it merged with Willys Overland.
There’s lots of interesting details in here, but my takeaway is that Kaiser didn’t believe Willys-Overland was properly leveraging the opportunities of the consumer market for four-wheel-drive vehicles. Moreover, Kaiser had a better dealer network for selling vehicles than Willys-Overland had been able to create.
So, some of this info is useful for understanding the mindset of Kaiser as to the challenges Kaiser Motors faced, before buying the assets of Willys-Overland, and the reasons the company purchased W-0. Given we will be covering the marketing aspect of this time period, it makes more sense why the new Kaiser Willys entity produced so much new literature for the sale of jeeps. Kaiser simply didn’t believe Willys-Overland execs were doing enough to promote jeeps and their capabilities to consumers.
I’ve taken snap shots of the entire testimony, which can also be found online here.
UPDATE: This post from 2013 originally consisted of a brochure from eBay, but for this update I’ve added some additional brochures and Tom’s video showing how he uses the Blackhawk snow plow in Northern Wisconsin. The Arps Corportation manufactured these plows out of New Holstein, Wisconsin. Near the end of the video he shows how he mounts the plow and manual adjusts the angle using a chain.
Prices as of 1948:
Other material:
These Ford GPAs were apparently photographed along a New York waterway, but there’s no caption to confirm that.
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“1943 Press Photo US military amphibious jeeps on waterway in New York. This is an original press photo. New York – (Swim) jeeps Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 04-20-1943.”
UPDATE: Was on eBay.
This LRDG-style lighter is pretty cool.
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR ONE WILLYS WW11JEEP – DESERT COMMANDO STYLE- CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN ORIGINAL BOX .
THERE IS NO NAME ON LIGHTER OR BOX. I HAVE HAD THIS IN MY COLLECTION FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
THE LIGHTER IS CAST METAL AND VERY HEAVY AND WELL MADE.
THE LIGHTER SPARKS LIKE NEW, AND HAS NEVER HAD FLUID INSTALLED.
VERY NICE AND RARE PIECE OF JEEP ART.”
Javier rebuilt this nice looking M-38, thanks it part to finding parts through eWillys and readers comments. During the rebuild, he added a few additional safety features such as Herm’s dual reservoir setup. He notes that M-38 does have a few CJ parts on it as well. The unique frame for the winch was something he and a friend built after testing out different scenarios with cardboard. The winch cover is a nice touch, too. Thanks for sharing Javier!
The photo caption reads, “THANKS TO THE FIFTH DIVISION: GERMANY — In the Wake of the Fifth Division advance into Germany, a Jeep crosses a Bailey Bridge, spanning the Sure River, marked with a hand lettered sign informing all who pass that they do so through the courtesy of the Fifth Division. A military policeman stands to one side as the jeep heads for Germany. (CREDIT-WP-(ACME photo by Charles Haacker, For the war picture pool) 2-28-45.”
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“as shown … … approx 6 x 8 .. … vintage original authentic press photo ( most are Army radiotelephoto from Acme Newspictures ) … date listed is transmission date … most of these are not perfect ..some are a little blurry… some are sharp.. they may have bends and minor damage from poor storage .. please use the pictures to see the actual condition”
I spent yesterday been working on a series of marketing posts related to the Kaiser Willys integration in 1953 and 1954. So, just a handful of posts today.
July 23, 2017, after a long day of driving, Scott had a long night of engine work.
Some of you may remember the July 2017 Alaska Or Rust adventure and the problems that Scott Gilbert’s wagon engine gave him (and Bob Christy and, part of the way, Rick Pacholski) … how has it already been 2 1/2 years?? Yikes!
After several engine rebuilds during the trip, the Scott and Bob were forced to turn back early and could not complete the trip. Eventually, Scott reinstalled a rebuilt engine and got the wagon going again. However, not surprisingly, Scott’s especially diligent these days about checking the condition of his wagon’s engine.
In an effort to monitor the engine’s condition, he wondered if there was any way to test the oil (he runs Lucas classic 10-30 oil) to be sure there wasn’t extra engine wear occurring. After checking with other folks and finding no answers, he hit the internet. Eventually, he tracked down Blackstone Laboratories. For only $25, Blackstone tested his oil and reported the results within a week.
About Scotts’ engine, the lab reported that the oil looked in good shape, which provides Scott with more reassurance that his newest rebuild will serve him well over the coming years. Still, he plans to do a few more tests occasionally, just to be sure. So, if you are concerned about your engine oil, you might check out Blackstone Laboratories.
Barney Goodwin of Barney’s Jeep Parts brought up an interesting bit of history regarding Canadian made Kaiser Jeep CJ-5s for the US (and Canadian?) market.
He wrote, “Your Canadian made Commando brochure post got me thinking. A customer of mine in my hometown of Houston has his dad’s ’69 CJ5 bought brand new at Woodie’s Jeep in Houston .
And, it was made in Canada!
Dave, the only reason I can think this happened is that Toledo had a military contract(s) they were running at the late 1960s and required the Toledo capacity. Around that same time, Kaiser Jeep had a short contract for M-151A1 MUTTs, contracts for M-274 Mules, and contracts for the Kaiser Jeep M-35 Deuces. Keep in mind it was also the first year for the Postal D100 Dispatcher DJ-5A. All of this was before AMC bought Jeep and moved government products production to Indiana as AMGeneral.
Kaiser Jeep’s solution? Shift the production of CJ-5s (and other vehicles?) to Canada.
Below is a picture of the data plate for my friend’s 1969, the one bought in Houston. Note the location of it and size. It’s right below the regular VIN plate on the firewall.
Most CJ-5s of that era had the 4 holes already punched in that location and they exist on our Toledo made 13,000 mile 1971 CJ-5.
If anyone else has insights into this, we’d welcome them!
Unfortunately, this got wet. Starting bid is $149.99. Or you can have two different binders for $300 off of Facebook (again, both water damaged) (Located at Front Royal, VA).
View all the information on ebay
“Jeep Specialized Vehicles & Equipment Catalog 1950s Binder Ambulance Fire Engine. Was wet at one time so most pages are wrinkled but none are stuck together. The binder is solid no mold. The white stuff is from another book that was on it when it got wet. Its completely dry and ready to be used.”
No date or location on this image.
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“This is an original press photo. Pfc Richard Schweers uses field radio in Army jeep. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated –none.”
A few days ago while looking at Facebook in the Massachusetts area, this model jeep caught my eye. It was just different enough to cause me to look closer at it and, at 21″ long, I could tell it was an unusually large model. Even better, it was a very reasonable price. I contacted the seller, but, unfortunately, she was unwilling to ship it (I shed lots of tears!!). Since Ted Jordan lives in the area, I contacted him, but unsurprisingly, he had already had his eye on it. His daughter finally picked it up the other day and, thanks to Ted, we have some great detail pics of it.
According to Ted, “After closer inspection this thing is a beast weighing in at 18lbs and 21″ long and 9 1/2″ tall. Its super cool and I would have to say home made by somebody. Just doesn’t look like something you’d find at a store, very well built but also a little crude in some ways. The guy is also pretty neat; he’s molded to sit in an upright position and, although Im not sure if he was made at the time of the Jeep, he seems to fit with the size and overall look of the piece. Jeep seems to be a mix of wood and metal fenders, windshield frame, underside, and most of the small parts as well being metal.
I’ve taken the some of the pics with a few more common Jeeps (Tonka,Marx,and the small JH Millstein Glass candy container Jeep) to show the crazy size comparison. I’d love it if you could post some pics of this Jeep and see if any of the other guys have any info on this thing or anyone has ever seen one like it.”
This photo and caption appeared in the October 1953 issue of Popular Science (page 124). There are several interesting things in this photo. First, this jeep is setup with right-hand-drive; second, the body has been cut similar to the way some of the DJ-3As would be trimmed on the sides; third, this vehicle is only two-wheel-drive. This is the earliest photo that I know showing an experimental mail jeep that, arguably, led to the DJ-3A Dispatcher/Delivery/Convertible production models. The picture, without the caption, can also be found on the CJ-3B page about mail jeeps.
This was mailed to the Anderson Willys Company in Portland, Oregon, at some point. This is one of the 1955 mailing pieces as part of the Kaiser Willys advertising push. It was one of several targets mailers produced for dealers.
Service Station (Mr. Service) 1955 mailer:
This 600lb jeep-like vehicle was built by O.L. Munding of Glendale, California. It was included in the October 1953 issue of Popular Science (page 124). On the same page, the magazine also featured a rat rod vehicle built by Munding that was powered by two air-rolled Ranger engines, war surplus items originally used to start big bomber engines.
Maybe someone can put this to good use.
https://spokane.craigslist.org/pts/d/four-lakes-willys-m38-arctic-top/7049174102.html
“Aluminum arctic top for Willys M38 flat fender Jeeps. Good shape. All windows are there but cracked. Have a set of metal doors but I believe they’re for a CJ5.”
This Kaiser Jeep of Canada-sponsored magazine featured the Jeepster Commando, complete with a College Bowl winner of a Custom adorned Jeepster Commando. The issue also highlights the Repair Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, which dismantled jeeps quickly across Canada (200 appearances from Victoria BC to St. Johns). (Great find off of eBay!)
Good jeep-train photo.
View all the information on ebay
“as shown … … approx 7 x 9 .. … vintage original authentic press photo ( most are Army radiotelephoto from Acme Newspictures ) … date listed is transmission date … most of these are not perfect ..some are a little blurry… some are sharp.. they may have bends and minor damage from poor storage .. please use the pictures to see the actual condition ”
This auction just expired yesterday ($24 starting bid). This is one case where the box may be better than the toy itself. I can’t imagine there are many of these boxes left.
View all the information on ebay
“DATES TO THE LATE 1940s or early 1950’s.
BEAUTIFUL RARE LITTLE 4″ TOY PLASTIC JEEP ,MOLDED IN CAMO COLORED SWIRL PLASTIC AND IN THE SUPER RARE ORIGINAL BOX WHICH SHOWS SOME WEAR AND A BIT WARPED BUT DISPLAYS WELL WITH THE TOY AND IS A VERY HARD BOX TO FIND!”
UPDATE: Chris noted that this photo is back on ebay. Cool sign!
Fisher Motors out of Brattleboro, Vermont, has an interesting sign that highlighted Willys Jeep, Sales-Service, and Cars & Trucks.
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This photo was featured in the September 24th, 1943, issue of the Sugar House Bulletin (SLC, UT).
Originally appearing in the Christian Science Monitor, this opinion piece was published in the Milford News, a newspaper out of Utah, on August 31, 1944. I think this piece is right on in terms of honestly evaluating consumer desires vs. the new jeep, hence part of the struggle Willys-Overland encountered at the turn of 1950.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Maury spotted these three jeep-related patches on eBay. I suspect they were removed from a jacket, as they look to have been sewn onto something.
This ad was published in the August 1954 issue of Fortune Magazine. When Kaiser bought Willys, one of the early advertising decisions was to use the KW logo on various marketing documents. I suspect this was an attempt to brand across the jeep and Willys Aero lines. This strategy was dropped by 1955, followed shortly with the dropping of the Aero vehicles.
View all the information on eBay
