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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 article appeared in the July 1952 issue of Popular Science (pgs 79-82). This is article is interesting in that is covers some of the complaints GIs had about earlier jeeps and how the M-38A1 attempts to address those issues.
Here’s a 1952 French ad for underwear that includes a jeep.
View all the information on eBay
“This is an original 1953 print ad size : 6.7″ x 5.1″”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4800.
Ken shared this cool custom utility wagon.
“Custom Willies with manually operated snow plow, dump bed, hydraulic boom lift. Chevy 283 V8 engine. Ready to plow. Cash.”
Over the past ten years a number of photos of the Willys Quad (the first ‘jeep’ produced by Willys-Overland) have emerged from dusty files, library depositories, and photo archives. Assembled below are the photos that have been published on eWillys, as well as some others that help tell the Quad story.
I’ve seen it mentioned in a couple places that five Willys Quads were manufactured. While I haven’t seen any specific evidence to back that claim, we do know that two prototype Quads were delivered to Holabird: one was 2-wheel-steer and one was a 4-wheel-steer. I *think* the one with the “3211” license plate on the front was the two-wheel-steer model, while the one marked “USA QMC 1/4 4×4” on the bumper was the four-wheel-steer (but I could be wrong).
Later, circa 1943, one of the Quads was rebuilt with an MB windshield (was this an early Holabird test model or what that didn’t go to Holabird?) and appeared in a few photos. What happened to the rebuilt Quad and the remaining four Quads (if there were really that many)? No one seems to know.
1 (From July 18, 2019): Mario Maipid shared this great photo taken on the steps of the DeKalb Post Office. According to him the sign reads,
THE WILLYS OVERLAND
GO-DEVIL QUAD;
U. S. Army Mobile Machine Gun West;
Same Motor as WILLYS Americar
2. (From May 20, 2019): This press photo was produced in 1990 (mostly likely from an original negative) probably for the 50th anniversary of the Quad. It was featured for auction on eBay.
“This is an original press photo. 1940 Jeep Willys Quad – The original Willys-Overland pilot model delivered to the US Army on November 11, 1940 Photo measures 10 x 8 inches. Photo is dated 10-08-1990.”
Here’s another version without the lettering:
3. (July 17, 2018): This photo was auctioned on eBay.
“1941- U.S. Troops Testing Willys Quad Prototype Jeep on Rough Terrain. Photo measures approx. 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2”
There was a crisper, cropped version of this photo used as part of a 2011 Toledo Blade article.
4. (Feb 28, 2017): This was auctioned on eBay: “1941- Sen. James Mead driving Willys Quad prototype jeep up the U.S. Capitol steps in Washington, DC. Photo measures approx. 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2”
And, a slightly different, smaller version that doesn’t show the senator twisting his head:
And, from what I believe is the same event, but from a different angle, we have this photo.
UPDATE II: More Hamm’s stuff thanks to Maury:
UPDATE: Maury shared a TV commercial that accompanied the Hamm’s beer ad campaign shows in the stickers below. For those old enough to remember Grizzly Adams, which I watched as a kid, it sure feels like an episode of that show. It turns out there was a John “Grizzly” Adams (1812-1860), upon whom the movie/show may have been based, who lived a pretty wild life.
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Original Post November 2012: Is this evidence that a Bear is a Jeeper’s best friend? There are two different ebay auctions for this sticker.
1. This seller is offering two stickers for less than the ad below
“2-Vintage Hamm’s Beer Stickers
RARE SET Grizzle w Jeep & Grizzle w Canoe
Cool set with both stickers included.
These are new-unused stickers!
Thank you for looking!”
2.”Up for auction is a rare vintage Hamm’s Beer sticker with a bear riding in a Jeep. Very cool. New old stock. Measures approx. 5.25″ x 5.25″. Multiple available. Please email any questions prior to bidding. Thanks!”
This unusual envelope was printed with the briefly promoted “J” logo, used by Willys-Overland during late 1945.
View all the information on eBay
I’ve posted something similar to this video, but not this specific one (at least that I can find). This early 1941 film reel is narrated and shares the news that Ford’s Reconnissance Cars would be joining the Army. The video is located at the National Archives.
It’s a good photo of a BRC-40.
“1941 Press Photo Wartrace, Tenn. US Army jeep & Pvt NR McDougle of MPs. Photo measures 9 x 7 inches. Photo is dated 6-7-1941.”
Perhaps this license plate belonged to Del and Ann Parker?
View all the information on eBay
“Here I Have A 1950’s -1960’s Vintage JEEP PLASTIC license plate East Penn Jeepers AMC JEEP WILLYS.Very hard to find in this condition.3RD pic is as found (DIRTY). the rest of thE PICS are cleaned. no chips, rips, or brakes. some rust around mounting holes. there is names printed on tag DEL & ANN PARKER .”
UPDATE: Thanks to Ted, below I’ve added an article and more images from a March 1953 Popular Science article about the little fire fighting jeep, also known as the “Little Squirt”.
This video from the National Archives Catalog shows a special-purpose fire fighting jeep the Navy was testing. The video is divided into two parts. The first part shows the jeep fighting a fire. The second part shows the jeep from various angles. I’ve also included some images from the video below. (If the video is slow or doesn’t work, go here to download the video).
In an otherworldly co-incidence, this press photo appeared on my ebay search a couple hours AFTER I found the video in the post above. That’s just crazy lucky! So, I’m heading out to buy a lottery ticket right now, lol!
View all the information on eBay
“1952 Press Photo Navy’s foam fire-fighting jeep demonstration, Washington, D.C. This is an original press photo. U.S. Navy – Equipment. Washington, D.C. The Navy’s new foam fire-fighting jeep designed for use on the decks of aircraft carriers is shown extinguishing a blaze during a demonstration at the Naval Research Laboratory today. The self-contained fire extinguishing system is mounted on a jeep and is capable of spreading a protective cone of fire-killing foam 30′ in diameter over a trapped pilot. Photo measures 9.25 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 10-7-1952.”
I’ve never heard of one of these. Perhaps someone could use it?
View all the information on eBay
“5-LB. RARELY SEEN, ALL ORIG. MOUNTING BRACKET FT-511 IS MADE OF O.D. PAINTED SOLID BRASS. ITEM 100% COMPLETE AND IN EXCELLENT WORKING ORDER CALIBRATING DIALS FULLY FUNCTIONAL ETC. . SHOWS NORMAL SIGNS OF USE / PAINT WEAR. SHOULD YOU HAVE NEED TO MOUNT A TELESCOPE / RANGE FINDER TO YOUR VINTAGE WW2 JEEP, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU. TRY TO FIND ANOTHER ? GOOD LUCK.”
The February 1963 issue of Popular Mechanics included an article about the New Mexico Jeep Derby held annually in Truth or Consquences, New Mexico. It’s a great article about the early days of jeep racing. I’ve also included a video of one Derby race, but the quality is poor. Still, in some clips, you can see just how much the co-pilot shifts his body around the jeep.
View Popular Mechanics February 1963 at Google Books
These images are only some of the jeep images within the Los Angeles Public Library digital collections.
1) This August 11, 1964, photo shows Frank Millard’s 4 Wheel Drive Center in Encino. There’s a pretty wide diversity of jeeps, including CJ-3BS, CJ-5s, A DJ-3A, Gladiators, and Wagoneers.
Photo LAPL Location. Photo Caption: Photograph caption dated August 11, 1964 reads “Val B. B. West, left, and Calvin Strong are the men heading up the new four-wheel-drive center in the Valley, located at Frank Millard’s new 15611 Ventura Blvd. facility in Encino. Strong heads up the dealership and West is assistant manager. Millard, ‘The Man in Red,’ says they will stock a complete line of the four-wheel-drives, including the Jeeps and Datsuns.
2) A September 24, 1943, photo of a Hollywood Bond Cavalcade with numerous stars.
Photo LAPL Location. Photo Caption: The Hollywood Bond Cavalcade parading down the street. A long line of jeeps carries a multitude of stars who wave and smile at the crowds. The calvacade is on a 21 day nationwide tour for the Third War Loan drive. Photograph dated September 24, 1943.
3) A rare photo of the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Posse jeep.
Photo LAPL Location. Photo Caption: Photograph caption dated November 3, 1953 reads, “Members of Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Posse No. 11 take their jeep and mobile kitchen on trips into isolated areas to search for lost children and hunters. The men serve as volunteers in the rescue work on a 24-hour-a-day schedule. Viewing the new 1,200-watt auxiliary power plant are, left to right, Capt. R. M. Boyd, Lancaster Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, commander of the posse; Sgt. R. F. Brown, co-ordinator, and Capt. Jack Bones.
4) These boys were photographed on July 18, 1958, while riding on the African Jungle Safari Ride at the Pacific Ocean Park (aka POP … see more images on PINTREST) in Santa Monica.
Photo LAPL Location. Photo Caption: Photograph caption reads, “Stanley Radar 13, and Darryl Ferges, 11, ride the jeep through the Safari Ride which has the ‘African Jungle’ replete with gorillas, spear-throwing natives and screeches and roars of the jungle.” Photograph dated: July 18, 1958.
Another photo from the safari ride that was posted to PINTREST.
5) This photo was taken as part of the Los Angeles Attacks Army-Navy Show on January 4, 1944.
Photo LAPL Location. Photo Caption: An Army jeep, loaded with soldiers, climbs up the Spring Street steps of City Hall on January 4, 1944, to lead the “capture” of the building as a prelude to the “Los Angeles Attacks” Army-Navy Show to be held Saturday and Sunday at the Coliseum.
I didn’t know there were any Commando Car toys made. This is 30″ long!
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1713378238792862/
“German Military Jeep Removable parts Almost 30” long 10”high”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $25.
Home made?
“Metal Army Jeep. In good condition! 12″ long X 5″ wide. All is metal except for the plastic tires.”
Robin shared this great vintage ad that includes a jeep.
Jim and his wife Tracey spotted Brittany together with Rudy’s Flower (FC) Truck yesterday afternoon in St. Louis, so he took these photos. I’ve seen this FC appear in a few posts on Facebook and was hoping someone would track it down. Speaking of FB, you can visit Rudy’s Flower Truck page here (or through the website or instagram)
Brittany mentioned to Jim that Rudy’s hopes to expand its fleet by adding another FC that won’t break the bank. So, if you have an FC you’d like to sell which you hope to see go for a good purpose, contact Rudy’s.
Since Brittany is purportedly an eWillys reader, which clearly means she has excellent taste, I have some questions. Who is/was Rudy? Was this Rudy’s FC? Inquiring minds need to know!
Here’s a curiously early newspaper ad for the Willys Jeep in the August 18, 1944, page 3, of the Healdsburg Tribute and Enterprise out of California. It’s a small, one-column, straight to the point ad without any credit as to what company placed the ad. This may be the earliest ad for the jeep I’ve seen in a newspaper. This would have been placed during Willys-Overland’s fight with the FTC over W-O’s use of the term “Jeep” in its marketing.
The ad was again published the following month in Monterey, Virginia, on September 29, 1944, in the Highland Recorder: https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=HR19440929.2.28.1&e=——-en-20–1–txt-txIN-willys+jeep——-
UPDATE: This photo of Jimmy Crabtree resides in the Free Library of Philadelphia Digital Collections (see bottom image).
PHOTO CREDIT: Free Library of Philadelphia Digital Collections ; PHOTO CAPTION: San Francisco: Jimmy Crabtree, 3, does some repair work on his miniature Jeep, with some aid from a helper. Jimmy’s father, a race car aid from a helper. Jimmy’s father, a race car mechanic, and his uncle made the Jeep for him. It is powered by an electric motor like those used in invalid chairs. Two batteries, one under the hood and one under the rear seat, furnish enough juice for 10 hours driving at 14 mph. Mr. Crabtree estimates it cost about $75 in parts and $2,000 in labor. February 21st, 1948
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Originally posted in November of 2014: The Chicago Tribune featured two kids driving jeeps. The first was about a boy named Richard Aulerich who built a soap box entry and then turned it into a drivable vehicle.
Boy from Detroit turns Soap Box Jeep into drivable vehicle.
A year later Jimmy Crabtree proved a little smarter than Richard. Three-year-old Jimmy had his father make him a drivable jeep, but it seems ladies-man Jimmy made sure it was a two-seater. He wasted no time picking up Susan Spitzer and taking her for a ride.
These photos are located in the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Digital Collections. I’ve posted eight photos below. There are many more “jeep” related photos on the site. See all 124 of them here: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/search/home/page/5/q/jeep
PHOTO CREDIT: Free Library of Philadelphia .. PHOTO CAPTION: Keystone Automobile Club – Road Patrol Service
PHOTO CREDIT: Free Library of Philadelphia .. PHOTO CAPTION: This Danish reporter was so bent in following his nose for news, he mounted the stairs of the Parliament building, Copenhagen, here with his Jeep. He was the first buyer of the Danish post war Jeeps sold in this city. It cost him about $2,000.
PHOTO CREDIT: Free Library of Philadelphia .. PHOTO CAPTION: Willys-Overland Motors, Toledo, Ohio. Some of the 2,700 army Jeeps which will be sold to veterans by the War Assets Administration are shown parked in Atlanta. Sale will begin on June 10, 1946. There have been many complaints from veterans that they buy army surplus material only through dealers. These Jeeps will be sold directly by the W.A.A.
PHOTO CREDIT: Free Library of Philadelphia .. PHOTO CAPTION: STL 46………………………………….NEW YORK BUREAU “OPERATION SNOWPLOW” ST. LOUIS: “SIDEWALK SNOW SCOOTER” IS THE AFFECTIONATE NAME GIVEN BY THE STUDENTS OF ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY TO THEIR SCHOOL-OPERATED JEEP. THE VERSATILE VEHICLE IS BEING USED AS A SNOWPLOW TO CLEAR SIDEWALKS AFTER THE YEAR’S HEAVIEST SNOWFALL, MARCH 11. NY-A-B CREDIT (ACME TELEPHOTO) 3/11/48
PHOTO CREDIT: Free Library of Philadelphia .. PHOTO CAPTION: Franke E. Ross, age 99 of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, fought in the the infantry away back in Civil War days and now he would like to fight against the Nazis. He said, “If I could go back a few years, I’d be figting with you fellows.” He proudly steers a Jeep in front of his home during the pause of a unit there while on the maneuvers of the Second Army in middle Tennessee.
PHOTO CREDIT: Free Library of Philadelphia .. PHOTO CAPTION: Ralph Overall, U.S. Customs inspector, inspecting Jeep.
PHOTO CREDIT: Free Library of Philadelphia .. PHOTO CAPTION: Jack Hoffman, whose champion steer brought him a fortune of $43,005.77 at Kansas City’s American Royal Livestock Show, checks the water in the radiator of his new Jeep. January 1947, Ida Grove, Indiana
This plastic toy is priced at $25. This is the closest toy I’ve seen to a CJ-2 (grille, windshield, mid-mounted tire, tailgate, no glovebox.
View all the information on eBay
“In decent condition for the age. They have signs of use. Please refer to pictures and use the zoom to see more details. I’m not antique dealer, collector or expert. The pictures describe the item along with any flaws and markings we can find the best we can.show Sold As Is. No returns.”
Can’t be many of these around, but I suppose there are many folks around who want them.
View all the information on eBay
“Probably uncommon Vintage Kaiser Willys Dealer Accounting Manual In used condition. .A 3 ring binder made especially for them. Comes with some ledger paper. From the Reynolds & Reynolds Co. of Celina Ohio.”
I found a few jeep-related photos in Wyoming’s Digital Collection.
Wyoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. Caption: “PLATTE COUNTY WEED & PEST CONTROL DISTRICT JEEP MOUNTED SPRAY RIG”
2) This CJ-2A might have a Beck hardtop:
Wyoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. Caption: “JACK WELCH WITH SMALL CALF ON TOP OF TALL SNOW BANK, CAR PARKED BENEATH THEM ON ROAD, WINDMILL BEHIND, BLIZZARD“
3) Photo of soldier jumping a horse near a jeep:
Wyoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. Caption: “WYOMING NATIONAL GUARD, GEORGE GUY ON HORSEBACK JUMPING JEEP“
4) May 1, 1945, photo of infantryman fighting in Austria.
Wyoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. Caption: “PROTECTED BY A JEEP AND A TANK,INFANTRYMAN DASHES ALONG THE ROAD IN SCHNARITZ, AUSTRIA FOR A MORE ADVANTAGEOUS FIRING POSITION, AS ARMORED TASK FORCE BATTLES ENEMY OCS STUDENTS OFFERING THEM THEIR FIRST RESISTENCE SINCE CROSSING THE DANUBE RIVER“.
5) Jeeps at Casper Army Air Base:
yoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. Caption: “BRAKE COLLECTION–WWII–ARMY AIR BASE–CASPER, WYO-2 OF 4, CASPER AIR BASE, WY“.
This Saturday (Oct 5) is the Southeast Willys Jeep Get Together in Asheville, North Carolina.
Learn more or register at the website: http://www.southeastwillysjeepgettogether.com. Will also has a group on Facebook.
