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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 .
Robin Smith has been busy building a great assortment of brochures, photos and press photos. Below is one of a Willys MA .
He has posted his photos at Flickr —
Press photos :https://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157647046139314/
Non-press photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157648960517757/
Brochures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157630706512810/
I found a 1961 article in the Chicago Tribune announcing the Willys Convertible Jeep. In actuality, it’s an announcement of the Tuxedo Park series of CJ-5. Interesting that it was positioned as a convertible.
http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1961/08/13/page/45/article/c-e-i-looks-to-l-n-for-merger-bid
Greg tells me that a few years ago he was half-heartedly looking for a flat fender when found an old, modified (or perhaps more accurately hacked up) 1956 DJ-3A for sale. He bought it and began a complete refurbishing of the jeep into something he could dependably drive on-road and off-road. He credits Randy Ellers, his boys, and eWillys for a variety of the ideas he employed in his rebuild. The real credit goes to Greg himself, as it looks like he’s done some great work on this rig.
Greg writes, “I had been seeking a flat fender Willys off and on for several years, and had taken to surfing several jeep sites on the net in search of a suitable candidate for my goals.
I wanted something that I could keep true to the character of the Willys, but improve on the dependability and capability over time. When I found my jeep, the condition of the body is primarily what attracted me. The body was in better than typical shape for its age and I thought it would be a good start point for my vision. In fact I thought it would be roadworthy enough to make it a long term project while having fun jeeping it as I enhanced things.
As purchased, it was a 1956 DJ3A body on a late CJ3A chassis with an owner built roll cage, Vintage 8000# Ramsey winch, 10.50 x 31 Michelin tires on 7×15 wheels. After service as a runabout delivery vehicle in/around Auburn, AL, it eventually became an unlicensed farm vehicle for many years. Evidently the original hard top can be credited with limiting typical rust damage.
Shortly after I got it, I rebuilt both the three speed and transfer case. I also found a full set of 4 NOS 11” brakes to significantly improve stopping power. Soon after, I discovered the engine block was cracked so the search for acceptable re-power was on. Ultimately the Chevy 4.3L Vortec and TH350 transmission got the nod.
Over the course of the past 5 years or so, I’ve essentially gotten the jeep close to where I want it both in character appearance and performance. I’ve had it on a few club and Jeep Jamboree events and to date it continues to impress me. While it doesn’t have the creature comforts or modern flex suspension of the newer jeeps, it still does rather well on the trails, and we have loads of fun with it.
Marines used amphibious trucks as a base for this bridge.
“WW2 ORIG USMC PHOTO MARINES USE AMPHIBIAN TRACTORS ON BRIDGE FOR JEEP GUADALCANAL”
View all the information on eBay
One of these sold in 2011 for $142.
“trench art jeep made by me. wwii 50 cal shell for wheels 30.06 for steering wheel. 30 carbine for head lights, all head stamped from wwii I am rebuilding my collection. witch I sold. I am building 3 at a time. takes for ever to find shells.i will be years befor i make any more.”
View all the information on eBay
Steve spotted this on ebay. It sold yesterday. It may reappear as it is a reprint.
View all the information on eBay
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $200.
Seller will take best offer.
“8 BIG TONKA JEEPS IN GOOD TO FAIR CONDITION FOR DISPLAY…. ONE OF THEM IS FOR PARTS.
2 SMALL TONKA JEEPS WITH TOPS…. ONE OF THEM MISSING ONE HEADLIGHT.
BEST OFFER . BEST OFFER . BEST OFFER. BEST OFFER. BEST OFFER
GET THE JEEP SIGN AS A BONUS….. CA$HOLA ONLY….. THANKS.”
This article from April 1956 highlights the time and money savings the jeep provided a ranch in Texas.
A M-38 carried sand bags to aid the fight against an April 1969 flood in Jackson, Minnesota.
View all the information on eBay
If you like guitars and jeeps, this might be for you. I don’t know if these are rare or not, but this is the first one I’ve run across.
“***HARD ROCK CAFE MAKATI PHILIPPINES***
JEEPNEY TAXI ROAD JOURNEY LES PAUL GUITAR
TAC BACK GOLD TONE PIN”
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The button celebrates the 26th anniversary of Walt Disney World.
“Due to financial necessity I am selling a VERY large collection of Disney pins. This collection contains numerous RARE pins, so check back often!
2 1/2″ round button shows Mickey Mouse driving a jeep with Goofy at his side holding a camera and Donald Duck holding on at the back. All three are wearing Safari outfits and Pluto is running along side the Jeep. Happy 26th Birthday in red letters at the top and Walt Disney World in Black letters at the bottom.
This is a button that was given to Cast Members on the 26th birthday of WDW.
Shipping is $3.00 first pin or pin set. Additional pins for .50 each within a 7 day period only, please Payment MUST be received within 7 days of auction. In order to receive shipping discount, items MUST be paid for in one transaction. Please contact me if you would like a combined invoice.”
View all the information on eBay
Willys made a showing at an international oil show. The Jeep-A-Trench and Jeep-A-Drill were particularly interesting to the participants. This appeared in the May 1955 issue of Willys News.
UPDATE: Was $8500. **Status Unknown**
JAAP correctly noted this was built from an Allis-Chambers M7 Snowcat platform. Here’s a restoration of a M7 for comparison: http://www.robertsarmory.com/M7-snow-tractor.htm
“Here is your opportunity to get a great piece of American ingenuity and history. This is a one of a kind train built back in the 1950’s by hand. I do not know anything of the man that built it but believe he must have had some railroad experience or a great understanding of how a train operates on the tracks. The train is built with front suspension that allows it to turn with the tracks along with allowing it to float into the turns with the spring suspension. The rear of the train is designed with the same setup. The drivetrain is built of a war time 1944 Willys Jeep. It has the L-head 134.2 cubic inch inline 4 cylinder Go Devil Engine. Followed up with a T-84 3 speed transmission. The transmission has what looks to be a custom transmission brake on it for slowing the train. The transmission is followed up by a shortened drive shaft to a narrowed rear-end to which came from the same jeep.
The motor spins free and everything looks to be in place as well as the transmission shifting. I have not tried to start it. Last time it was reported to be ran is when it was parked about 20 years ago. The rest of the train is built with a stout frame and a beautifully done engine cover hand formed from numerous sheets of skins to give it a period correct look of its time. The head light is from a 1941 Chevrolet car.
Just a few posts tonight.
This jeep is featured at a Brussels military museum (Royal Armed Forces Museum?)
Here are some miscellaneous photos:
The Austin Bantam Society shared a link to this interesting story about the use of a laser scanner by Direct Dimensions, INC, to scan what they describe as the Bantam BRC frame, but is really a BRC-60 frame according to Bill Spear. I’d read that the frame broke after heavy testing, but I don’t see any obvious breaks. I didn’t know it had been saved. It definitely has decayed.
http://www.laserdesign.com/project_news/200/
Bantam BRC original prototype frame
At the bottom of the last photo check out the jeep with the cement mixer.
View all the information on eBay
This modified jeep reminds me a great deal of Wally Cohn’s jeep. The photos was posted on G503’s Facebook page.
Photo of modified jeep from 1946 Germany
Wally Cohn’s modified sedan jeep. Kind of an original jeepster
Blaine discovered a thread at SCALE MOTORCARS about a guy named Barry who builds scale car wreck dioramas. Included in the different dioramas is a pretty neat scale model of a jeep graveyard. Barry built it based on photographs of an actual location. The setting and condition of the jeeps look a lot like the photo I shared earlier this month from Price of Wales, Papau New Guinea.
Click here and scroll to the bottom of that page to see all the photos
UPDATE: I first published this in 2009. I thought it was worth an update, so I’ve added some better photos.
Note: Some of these photos are posted online as being at the Coolidge wreck when they are really from the nearby Million Dollar Point dump. I believe I have the photos under the correct locations, but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
1) Wreck of the SS President Coolidge. Built in 1931 as a luxury liner, the SS President Coolidge was drafted into WWII service and painted gray. While navigating the islands of the Republic of Vanuatu in the Pacific during the war, the Coolidge hit a cluster of recently deployed American mines. The ship listed to the right as more than 5,000 troops were forced to abandon it, leaving behind guns, helmet, jeeps, tanks, rations, medical supplies — all of which sank with the ship in 70-to-240 feet of water about 100 yards from shore.
This jeep is entombed in hold #2 at a depth of 110 feet:
The Yacht Lorelei Blog features these photos from 2012:
2) Million Dollar Point is another area in the Republic of Vanuatu where jeeps and other equipment was dumped. Located just off the coast of Espirito Santo Island, the area is full of “jeeps, six-wheel drive trucks, bulldozers, semi-trailers, fork lifts, tractors, bound sheets of corrugated iron, unopened boxes of clothing, and cases of Coca-Cola….” dumped by American troops as a way of disposing of the items. Learn more here. Below are two photos of jeeps:
The Yacht Lorelei Blog shared these two jeep photos from Million Dollar Point:
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on ebay
Looks like both jeeps no long have windshields.
“You are bidding on an original press photo featuring . Photo is 6” x 5” in size.”
