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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 .
When I purchased this brochure on eBay, I didn’t expect it would unfold to such a large size! Even better, I got it using “make offer” on eBay for only $16. Here is how it unfolds:
And then the inside … this one is worth making some posters.
I expect this was a posed photo, Neat nonetheless. I found a second photo online from a different angle (see bottom pic). I was unable to learn if Catherine was someone famous. Anyone know?
“1944 Press Photo WAC Pvt. Catherine Rogers Rides on Jeep in New Guinea. This is an original press photo. WAC Pvt. Catherine Rogers of Boston, Mass., gets a ride in a Jeep soon after her arrival in New Guinea with a small advance contingent of WACs. Aussie Sgt. Len McTavish is her chauffeur, and two natives, who wanted a lift down the road, come along for the ride. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 06-23-1944.”
View all the information on eBay
On page 5 of the Northern Recon Group’s “Jeep News” (pg 5) there is a second press photo of the group from a different angle.
Mike shared this photo he found on Facebook of the lovely actress Christine Kaufmann on a jeep. She was born in 1945, so I imagine this was from the early to mid 1960s? This also made the rounds on Pinterest, saved by Roberto Flores. Christine would go on to marry Tony Curtis, among others.
UPDATE: Same seller is selling a second version of this press photo on eBay. See the first one sold in 2014 at the bottom.
“1948 Press Photo Lieutenant Colonel William E. Jennings in Jeep through Greece. This is an original press photo. Lieutenant Colonel William E. Jennings, Watervliet, Michigan, drives Jeep through mud caused by unseasonable rains and snows which plagued the Roumeli offensive, first spring drive by the Greek National Army against Guerrillas. Jennings is one of the U.S. observers advising the Greek army in its push on rebel positions in mountains near Lamia which are interfering with U.S. construction gangs. Rebuilding the Athens-Salonika highway and railroad. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 05-11-1948.”
View all the information on eBay
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Seller seems to be getting more aggressive with the pricing. Interesting photo just the same.
“1944 Press Photo American jeep stops and read the signage in Highway “6”
This is an original press photo. New Zealanders, who probably got their information from a close contest with Nazi Bullets, erected his sign which temporarily halts an American Jeep on famed Highway “6” which leads to Rome. “Achtung” is the German word for “attention” and the warning it headlines is situated a few miles from where the Rapido River crosses the highway south of Cassino. Photo measures 8.25 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-18-1944.”
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CeePee and the Willys Am Tegernsee group enjoyed a beautiful Fall drive through Bavaria. You can see all the photos here: http://www.willys-am-tegernsee.de/?p=2041
CeePee writes, “With some of the most beautiful kind of Bavarian weather we had a great day of jeeping in fall.
Together with some of the finest jeeping people we had everything to make it such an extraordinary day!
Jörg, the photographer, who made those great pictures on our summer convention – despite all the rain – joined us for the whole trip this time. Thanks to his great skills, I‘m able to share these fantastic impressions with you.
After 1300 kilometers round trip to join us on our tour Gero impressed me, when he said: Every single kilometer was worth it coming! Thank you, Gero!
The trip took us along the Tegernsee, over the Achenpass, then to a stop on the Sylventeinstaumauer, Wallgau, with a sensational view of the Zugspitze Massif. We went took a sensational drive to the Walchensee filled with the most beautiful autumn color, then onward with a journey through the Jachenau. The last few miles were driven to Tölz under the direction of the local guide Martin. The premium parking lots in front of the Jailhouse were already reserved by Peter, where we enjoyed a meal of spare ribs and hamburgers. Thankfully there was no rain, so we had lots of opportunity for jeep talk.
A great day, which put that special smile on everone‘s face! We‘ll keep‘em rolling!”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $24,500.
Nice looking GP!
“The Ford GP offered for sale here is serial number 9419 and was built 24 April 1941 and assigned the US Army hood number W 2018213 at the factory. Ford GP 9419 was purchased from the family of a hunter at Deer River, Minnesota in 1984.
GP 9419 is complete with its original data plates (fairly rare for prototype vehicles) and the data plates match the frame serial number * 9419 * (which is also quite rare for prototype vehicles). This rare 76+ year old vehicle is 95% complete and almost everything has been restored or rebuilt by experts – the front and rear end, transmission and transfer case, engine, headlights and taillights, gauges, carburetor, etc. The sheet metal is all original except for the floor pan in the body, and there are quite a few rare bolts and nuts and some new-old-stock parts. The vehicle has never sat outside since it was purchased in 1984 and has spent the last 20 years in a tight, dry garage at 4500 feet elevation in the high desert climate of the Black Hills in southwestern South Dakota. The GP has a South Dakota title and is located only about 20 miles off the I-90 freeway on a good tar road.”
1941 Ford GP prototype, WW2 jeep for sale, jeep USA hood number W2018213, 1941 jeep with South Dakota title
eWillys’ senior field correspondent Tim Evan’s filed this report.
Tim wrote, “Last week we found cheap airline tickets ($34) from Cincinnati OH to Dallas TX so we decided to spend a few days there. Our agenda was to see a rodeo, and eat BBQ, chicken fried steak, and just plain steak. Of course, as always, I was on the lookout for jeeps.
At the Dr. Pepper museum gift shop in Waco TX, I found this reproduction advertisement, for sale, $30, from the WWII era with thirsty Soldiers in a jeeps being served a Dr Pepper.
A few blocks away at the Magnolia Silos from HGTV, we found this 1953 Willys wagon on display. If you think jeep parts are pricey you should see the home decor stuff in here!
We visited the G.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Southern Methodist University. I asked if President Bush drives a Jeep on his ranch. I already knew the answer (no he drives a pick-up truck). I did see this photo of him with Thomas Lasorda CEO Chrysler from 2007 with a Grand Cherokee Jeep powered by bio diesel fuel.
After returning to Ohio, on November 4th I had the honor of driving WWII veteran Corporal Hoda Young, aged 101 years, in my M-38A1 at the Bowling Green KY Veterans Day Parade. CPL Young served with 3rd Armored Division in Europe. He had a an very memorable day looking over the Jeep and its engine and then riding shotgun in the parade. He was very knowledgeable about Jeeps, telling me that he’d purchased a jeep following WWII. He used it primarily as a farm vehicle.
Happy Veterans Day everyone and thanks to all the veterans for your service!
UPDATE: **SOLD** Were on eBay.’
These six ads are $9.95. Not a bad price.
“SIX original 10×13″ magazine ads in very good condition.”
I made it back to Pasco today after a few days with my kids in Salt Lake. Karson, my oldest, has become an avid rock climber, so he invited me to the Front Climbing Club where I showed my age … In fact I think I was the oldest person there!
Having never climbed, I gave it a go. It was not pretty, but I made it a little ways. I had plenty of arm and hand strength, but the holds that required a couple fingers doomed me.
Cool pic.
“1954 Press Photo Pfc Crousehora, Cpl Copeland with jeep mounted 105 mm guns. This is an original press photo. Pfc John D Crousehora at eft and Cpl Buel O Copeland, members of Co D 6th Inf Reg check their position with the jeep mounted 105 mm recoiless rifle as they set up a defensive perimeter during the annual combined training exercises of French, British and US troops held at Grunewald training area in Berlin, Germany Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 04-01-1954.”
View all the information on eBay
Another satisfied customer.
Ted included his farm jeep in his outdoor Halloween display. Meanwhile, his daughter bought a tandem bike and attached a skeleton to the back for Halloween.
Ted assembled these photos to highlight the differences between three different adapters: the Welliver, Floy Fox, and Rapport. You can learn more about adapters here: http://www.ewillys.com/2017/04/05/dual-wheel-adapters/
Ted’s also got a variety of parts for sale. You can see them all here:
View all of Ted’s parts on eBay (if for some reason that link doesn’t work, then use this one: https://www.ebay.com/usr/careyj103)
Ted writes, “I changed over from a set of Wellivers on my rear of the 2a to a set of Rappaport’s. The Welliver’s are very rare and nice in the fact that they fit on front or rear of Jeep. The third type I have are exact copies from an original set of Floy Foxs that I found on an old Willy’s Truck many years ago. A good jeep buddy of mine, who’s a really great machinist, makes them for me when he’s not booming with his other work. All three of these types bolt right up to original Willy’s rims and, importantly, do not require the second wheel to be mounted backwards like on the Hickey type and shorter versions like the pair that have been on ebay forever. I think the Willys’ guys are smart enough to see there too short .”
Welliver adapters:
This article appeared in the February 1955 issue of Kaiser Willys News.
UPDATE: It appears this endeavor didn’t work out.
Merlin reported on a NEW CJ-5 that will go into production (approx 5,000 jeeps per year) soon. One question that many folks have asked is how the new jeep can meet the current safety specs for new cars. According to Merlin, the short answer is it can’t, but it doesn’t have to meet them. In 2014 the feds passed regulations that allow low production auto manufacturers to only have to meet the specs for 1967.
“With Sema going on I am excited to finally announce the return of an old favorite, the Cj5. Universal Motors Corp (makers of the Allied Jeep L head blocks) has the new Mopar licensed Cj5 on display in booth 32326 at Sema. These sport the current Jeep engine, and there will be a diesel option as well. Bodies and parts will be manufactured by UMC, not bought from current parts and panel manufacturers other than Jeep. A kit version will be available as well. Assembly is done in Detroit. More info and pics will be posted as I receive more. http://universalmotorscorp.com/”
I can say the place looks a little nicer than it did back in ’42.
“1942 Press Photo Army Jeep passes the Dawson Creek muddy street.
This is an original press photo. Dawson Creek, BC. There are fewer spots these days than Dawson Creek BC. U.S. Army Troops and engineers are gathered there to lay out preliminary plans for building the highway to Alaska. Rain and mud are a set back but Army engineers say they will push her through”. An Army jeep is shown on the muddy main street of Dawson Creek. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-15-1942.”
View all the information on eBay
UPDATE II: There’s a newer, updated Dualmatic hub post with comments about the Watson hub here.
These hubs were created about the same time as the dual lever Dualmatic hubs. Moreover, we can state for sure now that there was a specific relationship between the Watson hub and the Dualmatic company.
How do we know this? Because both hubs share the same patent number 2854111:
You’ll note that the patent number 2854111 is the same in both the above items, with both connected to this single lever design: https://patents.google.com/patent/US2854111.
UPDATE: A 1967 Sears Jeep Parts Catalog had a set of hubs for sale that look suspiciously like the Watson hubs. One thing we’ve noticed is that some Watson hubs have “WATSON” imprinted on the hub, while other identical hubs don’t.
So, were these WATSON hubs that were private labeled, or had Dualmatic been making WATSON hubs all along, but now offered them for private labeling? It’s easy to think that Dualmatic might want to separate their Dualmatic branded hubs from private labeled ones. Changing the private-labeled version to this look would help that.
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Original Post: October 30, 2017:
Alaska Paul discovered this Watson Hub article in the 1958 issue of Science and Mechanics magazine. This suggests that the Watson hub was developed in 1956 or 1957, making the company a very early hub manufacturer.
The mechanism looks similar to the early Dualmatic hubs. In fact, the first Dualmatic hub patent filing was in 1956, for a single lever model. Whether that inspired the dual lever model by the California-based H. S. Watson company remains unclear. I have no evidence to suggest Watson ever patented its hub nor how long they sold their hub.
2 Examples of Watson hubs:
Another example from a truck listed for sale on Craigslist out of Redding, California:
This article highlights how optimistic Willys was going into 1955.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Having the box makes this one unique. But, it appears the bumper has been broken.
“Made by Comet for retirement gift for WILLYS OVERLAND EXECUTIVES. This toy is in excellent condition, tires show very little play wear. Hard to find with steering wheel intact. JEEP embossed in tailgate is crisp and clear. “Gold plating” is in great shape with some tarnish that I will leave to the buyer to clean. Only blemish is right front bumper is typically broken. Box is in equally excellent condition. Both have been kept under glass as long as I’ve owned it.”
This is a unique vehicle.
“1953 Willys Overland. Factory prototype. F head six cylinder. Right hand drive. This is the only one.”
https://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/d/willys-one-of-kind-prototype/6361551832.html
This photo from the October 1954 issue of Kaiser Willys News got me thinking. Anyone know when the first jeep trenchers were manufactured?
UPDATE: Here’s another one of these rare brochures for sale. Thanks to Bill Norris and Derek Redmond for the extra pics. This brochure has been for sale on the same eBay pager for four years. Its on sale at the moment.
This unusual fiberglass hardtop was created by the Reinforced Plastics Corp. I have yet to see one in the wild. Two journal articles (Chemical Week 1957, Volume 81 and National Defense Transportation Journal 1957, Volumes 13-14) both have announcements for the new top, pegging its inception around mid-1957. Unfortunately, Google will only provide snipped views of these University of Michigan scanned journals. The date of these journals suggests the lister of this brochure is probably wrong about the 1955 date for the brochure.
View all the information on eBay
Ann says they tilted the camera for this shot. I can’t tell for sure. This photo was featured in the March 1955 issue of the Willys News and shows Vice President Hickman Price descending a steep gradel in a CJ-5.
Here’s an unusual piece.
“Vintage Colorful Japanese Jeep Envelope or Sleeve — New Old Stock… Newspaper like paper has colorful illustration on one side and line drawing on the other… Colorful illustration of a woman officer driving a jeep, a small doll dangling in the wind shield and a rose… Back side has line drawing of a little girl riding a donkey… There is also Japanese character writing… Good condition, new old stock, both top and bottom open… Piece measures about 5 1/8″ x 7 3/8″… ”
View all the information on eBay
