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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 .
Dean’s working on this Converto Trailer. It’s got hubs with a 5×4.5 bolt pattern. He’s wondering how he might find replacement hubs. Anyone have ideas on what would fit?
Here’s the trailer:
Here are the current hubs:
UPDATE: Still Available. but expensive.
(This unusual spec sheet compares the M-38A1 with the M-274 and the XM443E1. The M-38A1D image press photo is available currently on eBay.
Sunday morning was perfect for the drive through Canyonlands and for pics. Ann, me and Karson. I’m not sure how my son got so tall?? Must be a camera angle thing? Sigh.
On Sunday morning we left for the White Rim trail in Canyonlands National Park. Driving out of Moab, we had a cloudless morning with perfect temperatures in the 60s. As we left, we drove past a jeep hoisted onto a sign for the Expedition Lodge motel in downtown Moab, something that must have been added in the last two years. It’s missing the drive train, but otherwise still has quite a few parts.
In contrast to the yellow jeep, our rental jeep was a white newer 4-door Wrangler. Karson rented it through Canyonlandsjeep, which he said provided the least expensive jeep rentals (the folks there were great). It was slightly lifted and had oversize tires. The one downside of the rental jeep was that we were not allowed to drop the tire pressure. As a result (and as you can imagine) the ride proved to be rougher than it otherwise had to be.
Our Rental Jeep
This December 1949 Ad published in the Saturday Evening Post is interesting in that WILLYS is printed larger than the term ‘Jeep’, the latter being regulated to a small badge near the wagon image.
I won this rare Dualmatic brochure on eBay. I’ll follow up with more detailed pics once I receive the document.
Dave Naylor (kaisercj71 @ yahoo.com) is hoping to locate his Dad’s old 1947 CJ-2A. His story is below:
So, just a long shot here but, please play along. In Grangeville, ID (pretty sure it was Grangeville) around 1951, my dad traded his ’47 2A on a ’51 4×4 Willys truck. I’ve lost all hope of ever finding that old 2A, having no VIN number to work from but, I’m kind of interested if obtaining some old pictures or other artifacts from that dealership, circa late 40’s or early 50’s.
The dealership was Gort Smith Motors or maybe Gortsema Motors, AFAIK, and was still in business several years ago. I called them wondering if any old sales records were still in existence. No luck, as I had imagined.
If anyone stumbles across any period items related to this dealership, I’d be interested in obtaining them. Not sure what all brands they sold as many dealers sold other stuff besides just Willys. I’d be interested in Willys/Jeep items only, of course.
Thanks folks.
It’s late and I’m bushed, so no updates today (and I’m behind on emails). We had a great time jeeping with Karson on Sunday. We drive home from SLC on Monday morning. So, updates will happen on Tuesday.
Today will be driving part of the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park, at least to the point where the river is currently blocking the trail (the rivers are higher than normal here in Canyonlands right now. We are driving a jeep rented through #Canyonlandsjeep
I’ll report on our adventure on Monday. We’ll be on the road most of Monday, so regular updates will likely not appear until Tuesday morning.
Below are some pics of our test-drive on Saturday night.
Ann & Karson peeking over the windshield outside of Moab.
UPDATE: The City and City campaign was introduced to dealers in the January 1948 issue of Willys-Overland Sales News (page 10).
Originally published in 2013, this updated post includes better images (though a few still need better images) along with the dates of publishing (at least the ones I’ve found so far). This campaign appears to have been limited to 1948. There are thirteen ads in all. They appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, Colliers, and Life Magazine (and likely other places).
1) The “A Hit in Boston and Buenos Aires” ad was published in the February 07, 1948, issue of the Saturday Evening Post, page 108.
2) The “At Home in Portland and Paris” ad was published in the March 06, 1948, issue of the Saturday Evening Post, page 115. It was also published in Colliers Magazine, January 24, 1948, page 58.
3) The “Hailed in Minneapolis and Mexico” ad was published in the March 20, 1948, issue of Collier’s Weekly, page 68.
4) The “It’s the Same In San Francisco and Stockholm” ad was published in the April 10, 1948, issue of the Saturday Evening Post, page 111.
The price seems nuts, but it’s a neat little item.
View all the information on eBay
“Shows signs of age. Doesn’t look like original pain on the very outsides of frame. Was probably painted when wall it was hanging on was painted. Measures roughly 13″ x 3.75″”
Carl spotted this modified FC at the 40-second mark of this behind-the-scenes filming of Star Trek.
Here’s the full video:
Carl pointed out to me that the Cab Enclosure hardtop for the M-38A1 (by Metro Engineering) used plywood doors (all the time? sometimes?). Anyone have insights on this?
Here are two examples.
This video was taken in Salt Lake City (Avenues area) and shows and M-38A1 with plywood doors.
And, This thread on G503 includes the below pics of plywood doors.
Tate and I behind his Ford GP. On the right of the pic is his Willys MB.
Ann and I are In Salt Lake City through Saturday morning, then we’ll be heading down to Moab for our Sunday trip on the White Rim Trail.
On Thursday in Salt Lake we met up with Tate, a young man who now owns a Ford GP to go along with his Willys MB. He recently bought it out of Wyoming.
The former owner had been inundated with offers after listing it for sale (no surprise there). He’d owned it for fifty years and wanted it to go to someone who would treasure it for another fifty years. Tate assured him he was the guy, so the owner sold it to him. Given Tate’s passion for jeeps and learning, I have no doubt the owner made a good decision. (By the way, Tate’s looking for a windshield .. if anyone knows of one, feel free to email me at d@ewillys.com and I’ll forward the info to him).
After we spent some time checking out his GP, we took it for a drive. Then, unexpectedly, Tate asked if I wanted to drive it some. Let’s just say he didn’t have to ask twice! There’s a video on Facebook of me returning in the driver’s seat. Continue reading
Henry F Illies filed a patent for a portable derrick crane that could fit over a jeep on September 26, 1947.
“This invention relates to a derrick crane adapted to be mounted on a small motor vehicle and while adapted generally for supporting, raising and lowering or conveying heavy objects is especially adapted to provide a support for an’– auger such as is employed for digging post holes and by means of which the auger may be adjusta- -bly supported with respect to the vehicle, lowered gradually as it advances into the ground,”
UPDATE: In a shocker, this photo SOLD at auction for $230.05! It was on eBay.
This August 08, 1945, photo shows Shirley Watts driving the first CJ-2A to reach Miami.
“1945 Press Photo Mrs. Shirley Watts drives the first civilian jeep. This is an original press photo. Here’s the first Jeep for civilian use and the first new car to arrive in Maimi since limited production of new cars was authorized. Mrs. Shirley Watts gets the feel of the wheel of the car which in its military version made World War II history. Waco Motors, the distributor, expects to be able to make rapid delivery of the civilian Jeep model in about 30 days.Photo measures 8.5 x 6.75inches. Photo is dated 08-08-1945.”
That’s one way to wash a jeep!
View all the information on eBay
“1959 Press Photo Wisconsin national guardsmen washing a jeep, Camp McCoy. This is an original press photo. National guardsmen washed a jeep at Camp McCoy before their homeward convoy trip following a two week training encampment. Private William Feirn (left) and Private Dan Gibson, both of Eau Claire, are of B battery, 175th field artillery. (Camp McCoy Wisconsin) Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 06-29-1959.”
This appears to have a Bobcat fiberglass body and hood.
https://wenatchee.craigslist.org/bar/d/leavenworth-1948-willys-jeep/6878514588.html
“302 Ford engine mildly built with approximately 3,000 MI. Jeep is 98% complete. Needs power steering hooked up, blinkers wired,…but I’ve been driving in the summer this way for the past few years with no issues. Jeep does have black canvas top in great condition. Tires have at least 90% tread left. I seriously only drove this thing 300 miles a year for the past 10 years or so. It’s just at the bottom of my to do list. 4 speed transmission with overdrive upgraded brakes miscellaneous other things shoot me a text of what you have to trade. Hardest off roaring was a gravel logging rd.”
UPDATE: Price now $10,000 (and old pics back up). This was for sale back in 2015 You can see a very similar 1966 CJ-5 posted at Cherrybronco.com.
“Custom 1960 Willy’s Jeep. One of a Kind. Will Consider trades of equal value.”
Current Pics:
Borg-Warner had this March 19, 1949, ad published in the Saturday Evening Post, page 49. Looks more like a Jeepster ad than a BW ad.
UPDATE: These two pics are currently on eBay.
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Original post 2014: This is a collection of Aero Bobcat Airport jeep photos. A couple may still be on eBay
1. “A vintage 1954 original photo depicting Willy’s Aero Jeep undergoing test at the proving grounds at Aberdeen MD. Original press stamp and caption with a JAN 8 1954 stamp date are on the verso.”
TJ spotted this neat little mini-jeep.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2571199966283496/?ref=messenger_share
“You have to see it. Lights Horn and Siren all work. Built on a Riding Mower Chassis. This would be great for Parades and shows. 6 speeds forward and 1 reverse. I know the right person is out there and wants it.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3500
(03/15/2019) Marty spotted this old school build with a Bobcat hood and some min-terra tires.
“42 willys with a 350 fiberglass front end, runs good, needs tinkering with finishing touches”
A November 11, 1949, article in the Saturday Evening Post included these two pics of an Auto Club of Southern California CJ-2A.
This ad for Nickel (as in the Nickel in steel the contributes to strength) appeared in the February 21, 1948, issue of the Saturday Evening Post, page 78.
No photo of the back included.
View all the information on eBay
“1958 Willys Jeep Truck Press Photo.
Condition: Shows edges of transparency used for reproduction and is fairly washed out (over-exposed).
Pages: 1
Details: W 10 x H 8 x D 0.1 Weight 1
