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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 .
UPDATE: As Mark notes, and I missed, the truck pictured is a 1954 at the earliest, so the pic must have been taken after that.
This is likely a reprint, but it’s still a neat photo. It also show the early “J” logo sign. I’m not a Packard expert, but I’d say based on the grille on the car in the window of the auto shop that this photo must have been taken circa 1954-56.
View all the information on eBay
This is the cheapest of several postcards showing this parade in Rocky Ford, Colorado.
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“1940s E. C. Kropp Linen postcard: “Street Scene, Rocky Ford Colorado. North Main Street showing part of the main business district. Crowds of people watching the big parade on Fair Day. Rocky Ford is one of the leading towns in the Arkansas Valley.” Jeeps and tanks (in background further down the street) are in the view. Never mailed.”
UPDATE: In his search for Jeepster door mechanicals, George learned that the parts used in a 1952 Dodge Truck were nearly identical to the Jeepster, just shorter. However, since he was able to eventually source a set of Jeepster doors, he didn’t try out this possibility. So, I thought in case someone else needed these parts that I’d let folks know that NOS parts are available for the Dodge Truck.
“A restorer messaged with a picture of one mech from the Jeepster and one from a 1952 Dodge truck this afternoon. They were identical except for the length of the connector between inside/outside handles. They can be found for $90 nos.”
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Original Post: George is nearly done with a 1949 Jeepster restoration, but needs to locate the mechanical parts for both doors. If you think you have the parts he needs, contact him at gjasek @ yahoo.com (remove spaces around the @).
And, yes, he has looked for the parts at the Jeepsterman, WO Jeepster club, and other places on the web, but with no luck so far.
UPDATE: Below you’ll find several press photos showing two different angles of the same loading event from 1942.
This press photo shows less of the original picture than the two images further below:
View all the information on eBay
=========================
This version of the press photo appeared in mid-2014:
This version of the press photo was put on eBay in early 2014:
Maury spotted a collection of brochures and parts booklets on eBay that I was lucky enough to win. One of the brochures describes the portable, gasoline-powered Model 800G Warn Winch. On the other side of the brochure is an Electric Marine Model 400E Winch. A post from 2017 about the 800G includes pics of it.
The Model 800G Gasoline Warn winch:
According to Warn Industries, the Model 800G ad below is from 1969.
Between February 1970 and April 1970, Warn also included the winch in a Four Wheeler inner-cover, full-page advertisement. Given the importance of the company’s hubs and vehicle winches to Warn’s profit margins, I’m surprised the company included the 800G in this full color ad. Perhaps management had high hopes for the product? Whatever the hopes, I can find no evidence that Warn advertised the 800G ever again after April 1970.
Real-world example from the Warn website, There are also pics on Warn’s Facebook Fan page.
The Warn Marine Model 400E Electric Winch:
This brochure appears on the back of the 800G brochure. I could find no other information about it online.
As part of the collection of brochures/booklets I received yesterday from my eBay win, I also received three jeep parts catalogs: a 1963 Montgomery Ward, a 1964 Sears, and a 1966-1967 Bergs catalog. I was surprised to discover that the Sears and Berg catalogs are nearly identical. Maury confirmed that his 1968 Sears catalog is also nearly identical. So, if you are bidding/buying late 1960s jeep parts catalogs, I felt folks should be aware of this. Below are some comparison pages.
The covers are customized.
Sears is shown on the top and Bergs on the bottom. The inner cover and first page (labeled page 3) are custom:
Interior pages 4-5 begin the identical part of the catalogs:
Interior pages 18-19:
UPDATE: After pondering it a while, I decided to get this set for Christmas … better late than never??
I would have been 11 when this jeep and glider set was released by Matchbox. I don’t remember seeing this combo in my 1976 Christmas Sears Wish Book. I’m feeling a bit cheated!
“Original 1976 Lesney England Matchbox Jeep and Glider
Transporter / Gliding Club.
This is a complete set; Condition C-6 due to numerous light marks
mostly on jeep. Not readily noticeable due to color, but can be easily seen under
magnification”
Here a set that’s in the original package (for $69) on eBay:
The painting is noted and signed by Rex. As you can see here, other originals by Rex Brandt aren’ t quite priced so high on eBay, but most don’t have notes on them.
View all the information on eBay
“riginal 1949 REX BRANDT watercolor painting depicting a Willys Wagon kicking up sand in the desert (beach?). This is a CLASSIC California Scene Painting by one of California’s most famous artists. Painting comes directly from the estate of a close personal friend of Brandt’s. It is signed, dated and inscribed “To Jay – XMAS 1949 – with memories of many fine trips – REX”. Painting measures 10″ x 14″, is in pristine condition and has been professionally framed (frame is in good condition). You won’t find another one like this! Please call or email ANY time with questions. Acquired directly from friend of the artist.”
UPDATE: Looks like this deal is not longer valid.
Jon shared the news the Amazon is currently offering a CJ-3A Bestop Tigertop for only $609.88. It’s part of their “Warehouse deals” program. He bought one of the tops and he says it fit his jeep perfectly.
https://www.amazon.com/Bestop-51403-01-Tigertop-Replacement-1948-1953/dp/B0002SA25I/
This item looks unique, but I can’t get a sense of how large this is. Looks more like an Austin Champ than a jeep.
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“For auction is a Jeep club badge ( overlander) It seems to be cast from alloy. Post free Australia, International $25”
UPDATE: I received my copy of this book. Published in French, the book is full of French-specific photos (over two hundred). Most are from WWII, but some are from later years other areas around the world. Besides jeeps, photos of GPAs during the war years appear and, from later years photos, a few military CJ-3As along with a five-star Jeepster.
The author also explores the inscriptions/markings of French WWII jeeps in-depth, but lacking any background in that information, I can’t say how accurate (or not) the information is.
On the downside, the book promotes the phrase “General Purpose” and “Government purpose” as the words behind “GP” in GPW. The book also only recognizes some prototypes, but not others in it’s brief chart of production numbers (pg 16).
This book is written by Paul Gaujac. It’s a 144 page book that you can purchase on Amazon (I’m sure it is available elsewhere, too).
UPDATE: Barney corrected me. The tops in the first brochure were Whitco tops.
I bought this hoping for more Bestop info (thinking they were Bestop tops), but Bestop isn’t mentioned in this brochure at all. I’m guessing the date of 1975 based on the fact that I don’t see any later dates on ‘the facts’ list.
This selling guide is a four page plasticized brochure for identifying and selling the proper top for the proper jeep.
I don’t know when this was produced, I imagine it is more modern than vintage.
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“Jeep knife. Condition is Used.”
Adrian provided some details on a 1/3 scale jeep model he built from Toylander plans. He bought the plans in 2008.
https://www.adriantuckwell.co.uk/2017/03/11/i-built-an-electric-car/
The jeep now pictured on the Toylander website appears to be an improved version, as Toylander’s MB43 looks like it is more jeep-like. Prices vary depending on how complete you want the jeep to be.
This was on eBay. I’d say it was published between 1948 and 1950.
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“Up tonight I have the beginning of a collection of literature I just acquired. Here I have a Genuine original 1950? Willys Sales brochure. This is about 4 by 9 and 1/4 inches with around 22 pages. Fair shape with some wear and deterioration to the covers as shown. This is a neat piece of Advertising to display with your classic. As with all my parts, if you feel it has an issue once you receive it, please contact me to have it resolved.
I value my reputation and try to provide hard to find parts at great if not down right cheap prices to keep our old cars on the road. . Keeping NOS Affordable. You can buy directly from me at sometimes down right cheap prices or buy from one of the many dealers I ship to weekly for a much higher price. Remember the government is still printing Money but this is decades Old. A nice finishing touch to your Authentic restoration. These little parts really make your restoration stand out. The part number on this is not available. Remember always use genuine parts in your restoration. Don’t miss out!!!”
The other day someone asked me about headlight bezels (or if you prefer, headlight ‘heads’) and how they changed through the years. I did not have a good answer to that reader’s question, so this working thread about bezels is the result. Along the way, I learned that some folks call these parts “heads”, but perhaps that is more military related?
1. 1945-1946 Early Painted Bezels on CJ-2As
Early CJ-2A bezels were painted, not chromed, until approximately #38687, according to the CJ-2A page. As far as my research indicates, only Walcks carries new, unpainted bezels. This is the flatter style of bezel without the tab.
2. 1946-1953 Later CJ-2As, CJ-3As and 1956-1959 DJ-3As
After roughly CJ-2A #38687 the bezels were chromed, but their shape was the same. They lasted through the end of the CJ-3A production run and into the early DJ-3A production run (1956-1959). These example images are from Kaiser Willys.
3. 1950-1952 M-38s, 1953-1971 M-38A1s, and M-170s:
I didn’t realize that M-38 and M-38A1 bezels were the same. It’s on the M-38a1 site that I encountered the alternative term “head” for the bezel. Peter Debella has NOS rings.
4. 1950 USMC CJ-V35 Blackout Lights ‘bezels’
Thanks to Mike Wixom for helping me out with these rare blackout lights.
This type of headlight bezel, or more correctly blackout ring (although not that effective), was used only on Marine Corps Radio Jeeps as far as I know. Specifically on the CJV35/U and possibly on the MZ-2 and MZ-3 Radio Jeeps from Late WW2. They were installed at the factory on all 1000 CJV35/U Jeeps built in May of 1950. These were eventually replaced by the actual blackout lights found on the M-38.
Because these aren’t readily available, someone posted this writeup on how to inexpensively recreate them:
Here is a different, larger version of a CJ-V35 bezel. Mike believes the ones shown below may have been fabricated and not original, but perhaps the owner can offer input on this.
As I interpret it, the envelope and stamp are real, but the seller has added the pinup girl and Jeep-Truck illustrations. The seller has created a variety of similar “retro-like” envelopes, even creating signatures such as this Miracle On 34th envelope.
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“Up for sale is a limited edition collector’s reprint envelope. The postage stamp is a genuine old USA postage stamp. Since genuine postage stamps were used the stamp may vary in design on your envelope.”
Here’s an unusual item being sold out of Austria. It’s a 1998 stamp of a 1948 CJ-2A fire jeep.
View all the information on Ebay
This photo shows soldiers ducking from snipers.
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“1943 Press Photo Soldiers and jeeps, Bizerte, Tunisia. This is an original press photo. World War II – Africa. As these years rolled into Bizerte in their jeeps to capture the city, snipers opened fire and the Yanks took over behind the jeeps and a handy well. Official Signal Corps Radiophoto. Photo measures 8.5 x 6.25 inches. Photo is dated 5-12-1943.”
Richard’s got a crankshaft pulley. He’s going to be selling it, but in trying to determine a fair price, there are a couple questions we could not answer. So, we are hoping someone can educate us.
Capstan winch example:
Ramsey Example:
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
A strike grounded these jeeps before they could be loaded onto ships.
“1952 Press Photo U.S. Army Jeeps at Caven Point pier in Newark, New Jersey. This is an original press photo. Trucks – United State. Newark, New Jersey. Walkout yesterday of longshoreman on Jersey City waterfront brought loading of these jeeps at Army-leased pier at nearby Caven Point to standstill. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-13-1952.”
UPDATE: Still Available. The caption and date are slightly different between this current pic on eBay and its predecessor from 2013 (at bottom).
View all the information on eBay
“1942 Press Photo U.S. Army Soldiers ride down London street in Military Jeep. .This is an original press photo. Four American doughboys ride down a London street in a peculiarly American vehicle, one of Uncle Sammy’s jeeps. Note how they are overshadowed by the familiar London double-deck bus. U.S. Army in London Photo measures 6.25 x 9.5 inches. Photo is dated 03-15-1942.”
This version of the photo was auctioned in 2013 on eBay. It has the date of March 13, 1942. The caption includes the verbiage, “A ‘Jeep’ comes to London Town”.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $400.
Dave shared this PTO powered saw mill. It even includes a guard … almost looks safe!
“Older yankee pro portable sawmill”
As often is the case with these company bios, I rarely know the full story, so this is a working draft. (note, I have seen Bestop as BesTop and BESTOP, but I feel Bestop is easier to read for our purposes). If you have other interpretations, thoughts, or corrections, don’t hesitate to comment below.
Bestop Launches:
In the early 1950s, Tom Bradley ran an auto upholstery shop in Boulder, Colorado. After some customers came to him wanting repairs to their soft jeep tops, Tom decided he could build a better top, so he launched Bestop on a part-time basis in 1954. According to the Bestop website, “Working out of an old brick schoolhouse with seven employees, Bestop quickly developed a reputation for quality and the word spread.” And, from 4wd.com, “To [Tom’s] surprise, the Jeep replacement tops began making more profit than the upholstery projects. It wasn’t long before Bradley decided to sell his upholstery business and focus on designing and manufacturing tops.”
Here’s a look at some early brochures. Note the “Vinalette” top, an attempt at branding that didn’t last very long. These brochures are likely mid to late 1950s (these pics came from this eBay auction):
The Bestop site notes that the business continued to grow for ten years under Tom. At that point, the story on the company’s website advances to the mid-eighties, but skips additional history in the process.
Bestop Expands Product Line:
The only evidence I could find that Bestop expanded it’s produced line under Tom was this 1961 brochure introducing rear seats. The seats have a flat, simple design.
The Stengel’s Obtain Control:
In September of 1966, forty-year-old James (Jim) Joseph Stengel filed a patent for a plastic tab that, when placed on the front edge of a soft top, allowed it to hook into the down-facing channel that is attached to most vintage 1/4 ton jeep windshields. This improved the speed at which a top could be mounted to a jeep. What Jim’s relationship to Bestop was at that point isn’t clear to me yet.
As of the 1966 patent filing, there was no assignment to any company, just to Jim himself. In the meantime, at some point between 1964 and 1968, Jim and his wife Marj acquired Bestop (from Tom?) and began operating it, as her obituary notes “Marj and Jim ran their business, Bestop Mfg., which grew to be a leading manufacturer of cloth “tops” for Jeeps and other recreational vehicles”.
One bit of evidence that the Stengels were connected to Bestop by 1966 was that Jim filed the above 1966 patent under the address “P.O. Box 318, Boulder, Colorado”, the same address that appears in this May 1968 brochure published by Bestop.
Two years later, in 1968, Bestop Manufacturing filed for a Trademark on the name Bestop, again under the same PO Box 318 address :
Now, this is where it becomes a little confusing. At some point in 1968, Bestop acquired or expanded into several lines of additional products and, around the same time period, Husky Products appears to have dropped a similar type of products.
Below is a visual comparison of a 1966 Husky brochure and the 1968 Bestop brochure. The first three pages of the Bestop brochure kind of look like reworked versions of the 1966 Husky brochure (it’s this comparison that started my dive into this topic). And, yes, I realize the tops are somewhat different, especially at the back (Husky continued to advertise the full top into the 1970s, but dropped advertising for the half tops, the multiple doors, and other items).
