emailNeed to contact me and don't have my email? Click on email button.
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 ad was published in the March 6, 1943, issue of Collier’s. I wish I could locate an online archive for that magazine. Anyone know of one?
View all the information on eBay
“This is a vintage original ad, not a copy or reproduction. Neatly removed from magazine. Would look beautiful framed. Measures 10 and 1/2 inches by 14 inches.”
UPDATE 3: There are some broken links, so I’ll need to spend some time and clean up this post.
UPDATE 2: Daniel Strohl over at Hemmings provided a solid background update about Wally Cohn.
“Born in 1924 in Germany, his father and stepmother sent him to the Chicago area in 1937 both to live with family and to escape the increasingly anti-Semitic mood in Germany. After Kristallnacht, his older brother Herman, his father Siegfried, and his stepmother joined him in Chicago. Walter flew 30 missions for the U.S. Army Air Corps as a bombardier during the war, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Bronze Star and rising at least to the rank of Sergeant. After the war, he served as a member of the chief justice’s staff during the war crimes trials in Nuremberg, then returned to the United States and founded W&W Foreign Auto Parts in Blue Island, Illinois.”
UPDATE: A reader named Clint just determined what type of vehicle Wally was using — A 1936-1940 Opel Olympia. Here are two links to images: Link 1 & Link 2. Thanks Clint!
ORIGINAL POST published in 2010: I ran across the images shown below and others. I didn’t think much of them until I looked more closely. It appears the builder, who I assume is Wally Cohn, has merged a 1936-1940 Opel Olympia with a MB to create, arguably, the first Jeepster-like vehicle, except it is four wheel drive. The ‘Wally’ appears to use the entire jeep drive train. If you look in back, you’ll even see this car can tow a trailer!
Who is Wally Cohn? I have no idea. I can’t seem to find anything about him, other than his name was Wally Cohn and he was nicknamed the Jeep King by photographer Walter Sanders.
Photographer Walter (Wally) Sanders worked for Life Magazine from 1944 to 1961. After growing up and leaving Germany for the US in 1937, he returned in early 1946 and lived the rest of his life in Europe, mostly in Munich. You can learn more about his biography here.
Because Walter was in Europe during December of 1946, and because these photos were snapped during that month, and because of Wally’s uniform (which Bob noted is an Army Airforce Uniform), I have concluded that Wally Cohn was a member of the armed services trying to merge cars and jeeps into a Wally vehicle of some kind (note the name Wally is displayed prominently on the dash in one of the pics).
This would be a great collector’s item — and a cool jeep too!
UPDATE: I didn’t understand the significance of this ad until purchasing Fred Coldwell’s “Selling the All-American Wonder” (great collection of Willys-Overland WWII ads). It’s the only WWII Willys-Overland ad that I’ve found which doesn’t appear in his book. Titled “They’re getting the stuff and they’re using it, too!”, the ad seems to have been only published in the newspaper.
Originally published January 12, 2019. This Willys Overland Ad appeared in the September 25, 1944 issue of The CIO News.
Mike spotted this 1960s photo on Facebook. It shows some DJ-3A Dispatchers doing pizza delivery work for Volcano Pizzeria, a North New Jersey pizza place in the 1960s. Mike notes there were a lot of pizza jeeps in the area at the time.
Anyone know when this ad was published?
View all the information on eBay
“This is an original 1942 ad neatly removed from a vintage magazine. Measure 11 by 14 inches.”
Mike shared this pic he found on Facebook. It appears to be a lengthened and modified CJ-2A (based on the windshield). Anyone know what happened to this jeep?
This article tells the story about some POWs who were thrilled to see a jeep after years in captivity. It was published in the May 05, 1945, issue of The Wilmington Morning Star.
Make-shift water crossing. As Race pointed out, “Nectar” should be spelled Neckar River in the text.
View all the information on eBay
“1945 Press Photo Infantry Support Raft Ferries Men & Jeeps Across Nectar River. This is an original press photo. With bridges blown up by retreating Germans, an infantry support raft ferries men and their jeep across the Nectar River. Part of the famous old university city of Heidelberg, now in American hands, can be see in the background. Photo measures 8 x 6.25 inches. Photo is dated 4-2-1945.”
Peter Heyniger is organizing a cross-the-US vintage 4×4 tour along the Trans American Trail for the summer of 2020. He’s looking for participants, sponsors, and helpful folks along the route. The tour welcomes vintage jeeps, landcruisers, broncos, and other older 4x4s. He expects that to complete all 5200 miles will take seven to eight weeks; folks have the option of doing all or part of the route.
You can learn more at his website: https://sites.google.com/view/vintagetransamericatrail2020
UPDATE: Thanks to Tremaine for supplying better pics of the CJ-2 grille guards seen in a couple of these photos.
Original Post March 4, 2019: These photos were published in the July 22, 1945, issue of the Sunday Star Gravure Section of the newspaper. I don’t think I’ve seen a photo of the jeep pulling the trailer from the driver’s side.
It feels dramatic.
View all the information on eBay
“1950 Press Photo Medical Team Carries Wounded to Jeeps in Masan Sector of Korea.
This is an original press photo. Korean War, United States Wounded Evacuation: Wounded in the desperate battle for the hill in the background, a 25th infantry division soldier was carried to a waiting jeep in Korea by medical department men. The action took place in the Masan sector on the southern front. Mountain heights and other elevations are of prime importance in this area, and some have changed hands several times. Photo measures 8.25 x 8.5 inches. Photo is dated 09-11-1950.”
Mark shared a story about the death of Bertha Durpe, one of the few women who served with the 6888th CPD Battalion, an All-Black WAC unit that went overseas to help the war effort. The photo below doesn’t show the former Master-Sergeant Dupree, but it’s still a neat photo.
You can read a little about Ms. Dupree here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article226817444.html
More on the 6888th:
Mike shared this older photo of what could be a jeep ‘dressed’ in a sponge. Anyone know any history about it? The photo is supposed to be from 1964.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $275.
Roger Martin shared this unusual toy. If it is handmade, it is well done.
“Very high quality HANDMADE toy army jeep. All steel construction. This thing is rough and rugged. Has toggle switch to turn on the headlights, battery compartment under hood. Steering wheel actually turns the wheels. Windshield folds down. Has detachable plow and trailer. This thing is nice and one of a kind. I took it to a couple antique shops and they all told me they believe it has a higher price tag than what I’m asking. There just isn’t another like it to base true value off of. Asking $275 ”
UPDATE: Price dropped to $602.
(01/18/2019) Maury spotted this unusual print/illustration. From the description, I can’t quite tell if this is a print or an original illustration. The size is roughly 2.2′ x 3.25′
View all the information on eBay
“Mural Auto Mechanic Workshop Jeep Willysmb 99×66 ~ 1954 Vintage Mechanic Card (see more on eBay)”
As always, Paul’s detailed work has resulted in a work-of-art. Well done Paul!
Paul writes, “The earth has calmed down these last few months so I’ve made good progress on the M100 trailer rebuild. In fact, other than measuring the length necessary for the trailer safety chains and the electrical harness everything else is finished. While I still spent over 300 hours to build the stainless steel box and rebuild everything I planned on reusing it was easier than I’d anticipated. I had no idea I’d need so many 2X4’s but the local Home Depot store was happy to take my money.
This photo shows the jig I made to keep the trailer box in alignment while I fabricated the upper tube reinforcement and rolled the sheet metal before tack welding the edges.”
The upper tube has been fitted and held in place with strips of plywood and 24 6 inch C clamps.
I used a plastic hammer to gently form the sheet metal over the curve of the reinforcing tubing. The C clamps were repositioned often to allow hammer access to the 20 feet of 18 gauge stainless sheet metal around the upper edge of the trailer box.
The tack welds are complete so the 2X4 jig can be removed
The replacement box is bolted to the original trailer frame and tie down straps hold the frame to the work tables. I had to plan my work around earthquakes.
One of the places this Rice Krispies with a Jeep appeared was in the October 24, 1942, issue of the Saturday Evening Post, pg 6.
Matt spotted this jeep board game set on eBay. The only “jeepy” thing about this is that name, but still kind of neat.
View all the information on eBay
“This is a nice looking vintage pocket game from WWII..its called the Jeep Board and contains 15 games and 10 puzzles..its new in the box condition-still all wrapped up in cloth…all in good structural condition with no damages or excessive wear-box shows a GI playing a game..its never been played with and is 3 1/2 x 3 1/2…. looks and displays well and is guaranteed original and authentic”
I had this post all completed, then went to add some background information when I discovered that Craig had already added the first page of the patent to his post about the FC-170 Power Hoe. So, lots of heavy lifting in terms of content can be found here, while below you can view the whole patent. I think the illustrations are pretty neat.
Craigs FC-170 Power Hoe page: http://www.thefcconnection.com/Historical%20Literature/Custom%20Built%20Vehicles/The%20Lafian%20Powerhoe/FCaaca/FCaaca.pdf
UPDATE: Through Fred Coldwell’s “Selling the American Wonder“, Maury learned that this unusual ad featuring the Ford Pygmy was published in the August 18, 1941, issue of Time Magazine.
Given this brochure suggest the winch would fit on a DJ-3a, this must be post 1956. I didn’t realize the Ramsey was still advertising them so late.
View all the information on eBay
“Here I have an
Excellent Condition
Single-Sheet Mailer
NEW!
The Ramsey C7R Capstan
For
CJ-5 CJ-6 CJ-3B CJ-2A ‘Jeep’ Universals and DJ-3A ‘Jeep’ Dispatcher
Measures about 8 ½ x 11 inches
Has been folded
Bulletin 141”
I thought this was a strange photo.
View all the information on eBay
“You are bidding on an original press photo of Cute Macaw Bird Checks Under Hood of Jeep. Photo measures 8 x 10 inches and is dated 11/5/1967.”
On October 11, 1945, George W. Mork patented the first bulldozer attachment for a jeep as part of his work with Caterpillar Global Mining company. I don’t recognize the design, so I don’t think this was ever produced commercially, but maybe Caterpillar used it??
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
They look exhausted.
“Press Photo US soldiers rest next to Jeep during military conflict.
This is an original press photo. US soldiers rest next to Jeep during military conflictPhoto measures 5.5 x 7inches. Photo is dated –none.”
UPDATE: This is the original patent for the Jeep-a-Loader! The application was first filed on February 07, 1955, by the Minneapolis Freeman Mfg, Co. (Out of Minneapolis??). I am guessing that the Jeep-A-Loader Corporation was a subsidiary or offshoot from the above parent company. The drawing shows that the Jeep-A-Loader was designed to fit over a CJ-3B (perhaps a CJ-5 as well), though the only one I’ve seen documented is fitted on a CJ-3A.
The filing date likely means this was manufactured around 1955, plus or minus a year. The patent was granted February 11, 1958.
This photo is from 2009:
From June 2008: A reader named Ed sent me some pics of a rare find he just purchased: A front end loader for a jeep from a manufacturer called Jeep-a-Loader. The serial number is 1001. The hydraulics system is powered by a Hy-lo hydraulic pump, which has been used to power other Willys devices. You can see an example of a Hy-lo pump here and here. Here are some pics below.
