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 .
Here’s a jeep that is featured at the Pegasus Bridge Museum in Ranville, France. Credit for the photos goes to “mr_lovebucket” and were posted on Flickr. Click on the pics to see the full photos.
Hugh forwarded this photo. It looks to me to be very similar to the unidentified jeep (rusted white and blue one) from France at this link: http://cj3b.info/Toys/RidingToysID.html It’s got the high hood, the right wheels, a similar seat and more.
Tags: Christmas, holiday
Juan showing his grandson a CJ-3B. Juan is passing on the joy of jeeps.
Juan shared this neat story about restoring a pedal jeep for his grandson Francisco. The email was written in Spanish, so I translated it as best as I could.
Juan writes, I am pleased to talk to you about something incredible that happened to me. A few days ago a jeep friend, Alejandro Galvan, messaged me, telling me that there was a pedal jeep for sale in acoatepec bazaar. They were selling a pedal jeep like the one my parents gave me when I was almost two years old.
The next day my brother and I went to see it. We bought it, cleaned it and compared it with a photo of my toy jeep from 60 years ago. We were surprised to discover that it is identical, except for a few modifications such as different tires tires and a windshield. I plan to ask the person who sold me if they know the source. Maybe there’ s a chance it was originally my very own toy. How amazing that would be!
Since my grandson just turned on year old and it was his Catholic baptism, we gave it to him. To my great astonishment, when my grandson saw it I could see in his eyes the joy. After the celebration, my brother and myself began restoring it to look like my pedal jeep. I’m very pleased with the way it turned out. Warmest regards from Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico.
BEFORE RESTORATION: You can see the photos of Juan’s original pedal jeep in the photos in the first picture.
AFTER RESTORATION: (I wish I’d had one of those as a kid!)
UPDATE: Al explains more about these blocks in the comments section. And, below is what the photo might look like of the first block (thanks Ron).
Etched Negative blocks for sale on eBay.
1. View all the information on ebay
2. View all the information on ebay
Given the winter weather, Colin thought this would be an appropriate photograph to post. He writes:
I have attached a photo taken in December, 1967, in Holbrook, AZ. Arizona received record snowfall over the entire state, with Flagstaff receiving about 8 feet of snow over a 40 hour period. The snow just about paralyzed the state. The photo shows Arizona Highway Patrol Officer Paul Palmer sitting on the hood of Highway Patrol Officer Carlton Hill’s 1959 Jeep Station wagon. Both Paul and Carlton (as well as myself) are retired and Carlton still has that Jeep wagon. In that storm, Holbrook had about 3 ½ feet of snow. In southern Arizona, where I was, we had about the same, 3 ½ feet.
Last weekend Hugh and his father enjoyed the last bits of good weather in their jeep. As you can see, they found a fun hill to climb and photograph. Hugh reports the cold has engulfed the midwest and, as of Friday, there was a foot of snow at his dad’s place.
Old Trucks Babanagno posted the photo below on their Facebook Page. They have even more vintage photos at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Trucks-Babanango/422556771112707
Nick from Kibler Park near Johannesburg, with his ex SADF CJ2A, and Stalhud, from Ladysmith, Natal with his Ford GPA amphibious jeep at Richards Bay on the Zululand Coast 1969. Stalhud used his GPA for fishing
Here’s a rare piece of Gala history, but the jeep appears to be a Surrey.
UPDATE: Back on eBay.
This 1945 Ad appears to show Santa driving a Ford GP.
View all the information on eBay
Marc spent some time looking for an inexpensive Bending Brake when he ran across a set of free plans from Dave Clay. http://www.ch601.org/tools/bendbrake/brakeplans.pdf
Dave Clay’s Bending Brake. Photo is from Dave’s website.
Marc built the brake and shared his experience. He reports:
It does work well, but the I find the radius a little to large, I will make another top part once it has been machined square so I can reduce the radius. The standard angle iron edge does not give a tighter radius no matter how I filled it.
I used a smaller angle (2-inch x 2-inch x 0.650-inch) than what is called for in the plans but as I see it one can use what suits your needs.
I mounted mine on a section of square tubing (3-inch x 3-inch x 0.060-inch x same length as bending brake) with a angle welded to it for clamping the vice, the total length of the one I made is 47.5-inches.
The piano hinge remained the same except that I used 3/16 AD airplane rivets instead of steel pop rivets and doubled up on the rivets using a 1.250-inch rivet pitch.The adjustable top part (adjustable with slots to change the set back when bending) I made with slots cut into like the real thing would have (okay the real one has removable sections that look like teeth) but cut slots work just fine as well.
Please see attached jpeg of my version of this, called the “Marc 1 Field Bending Brake”.
The brake will work well if treated properly and not pushed by bending material that is to thick or to hard. I have bent 0.020-inch mild steel, 0.040-inch mild steel, 0.060-inch mild steel and some 0.40-inch T3 Alclad Aluminium.
I certainly would not go above 0.080-inch mild steel with the “Marc 1”.
The only weak point as see it is the piano hinge, the rest is put up with use.
Here are photos of Marc’s finished brake:
Speaking of projects, Marc forwarded these plans for a half-sized trailer. The plans are available from Google Docs. Below are a few of the pics and all of the links to the plans:
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame a.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame a1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame b.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame b1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame c.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame c1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub a.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub a1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub b.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub b1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub c.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub c1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub d.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub d1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub g.JPG
TJ relayed this story of his missing CJ-3B.
He writes, “So I have a scam, of sorts, to post. I had a beautiful 53 3B, 90% restored. Last major piece was an overhaul. I met a mechanic: Joe Jump here in Seattle, his references checked out and he towed the Jeep to his ‘garage’. Long story short, the guy is a meth addict and convicted car thief. So he has my Jeep probably somewhere between Seattle and Portland. My wife and I have been watching craigslist religiously with no luck. He has had the Jeep since mid August.”
So, if anyone sees this jeep, please let TJ (tj_wylie@yahoo.com) or I know. Here are a couple pics of it.
Glenn has run into an unusual insurance issue. He writes, “I was informed today by my MAJOR Antique Auto Insurance Co. that my newly purchased CJ3B is not acceptable under my Antique Auto Policy because it has a factory installed winch along with a trailer ball. I have been with this (Unnamed right now) company for about 25 years. I have insured several Willys vehicles over the years, never with a problem until now. To quote the underwriter employee:
Glenn,
We appreciate your longevity with (hidden), but although it is a collector vehicle, given our low rates we need to be sure the vehicles we insure are not be used for work purposes, i.e. to tow or haul anything, plow anything, pull anything with a winch, etc… We insure many types of vehicles, but the usage of each vehicle is the primary concern. This is why when we see vehicles with the type of equipment that is included on this Jeep we require the items be removed.
You can read more about it here: http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/index.php?showtopic=5351
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Marc forwarded this ghost town jeep tour brochure from Salida, Colorado. I can’t tell how old the brochure is.
I can’t imagine there are too many of these matchbook covers left.
“Oil is Ammunition – Use It Wisely, Havoline Motor Oil, Slim’s Garage & Tire Shop, Phone 270, Texaco Products, East Brewton, Escambia County, Alabama MatchbookNo town is indicated but I found a reference to this guy’s garage at the web site shown here.”
View all the information on ebay
This photo was taken during the Battle of Manila.
” You are looking at a non-original 8×10 photograph printed on FujiFilm Crystal Archive emulsion paper depicting a Jeep and crew from the 11th Airborne Division crossing the Pasig River in February 1945 during the approach on Manila, Luzon, Philippines.”
View all the information on ebay
UPDATE: II: Thie Buick shown below was featured in the Jan 1950 issue of Popular Science (pg 99)
http://books.google.com/books?id=vSwDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
UPDATE: Javier provided the following information. I guess there was some competition among the ranches? Below are two photos of other hunting vehicles.
He wrote, This is very similiar to one of the hunting cars used on the King Ranch. The Kenndy Ranch mentioned in the arcticle is adajcent to the King Ranch. Below is a picture of the car made for the King Ranch. (From this link to the University of Texas)
Here’s the hunting wagon from Texas featured on eWillys a couple years ago (seems I’ve deleted the original post related to it:
============
David Silberman forwarded this unusual photo from a rare April 1951 issue of Willys Salesbuilder. This one looks like it might have been build on a Jeepster platform.
From this same issue are these two parade float photos:
Not a great day for driving a jeep. This 1950 photo of Nightmare Alley was shot as these troops retreated. The temperature was estimated at -40 degrees. Read more about this LIfe Magazine photo here.
David Douglas Duncan / TIME & LIFE Pictures.
U.S. Marine crouching down next to his jeep while leading a convoy of vehicles during the 1st Marine Division’s retreat down canyon road they called “Nightmare Alley,” after being cut off by the Red Chinese and under fire from nearby hills in December 1950.
Doug forwarded this eBay photo that references Operation Deepfreeze. Given the number “14” is written on the side of the jeep it would suggest there were other jeeps there, too. Here’s a link to a few images on G503 from Life Magazine.
“Please note: Unless you are the winning bidder, I will not provide scans of the slides and negatives I sell. Also, I will not give out another member’s contact information or contact another member on your behalf.
Original 35mm film slide.
Subject: U.S. Navy Operation “Deep Freeze” Special Project Jeep #14 and a sign that says, “Smokey Says Use Your Ashtrays … Keep Antarctica Green”, at McMurdo Station.
Date: 1957
Mount/Film Type: Kodachrome, red border”
View all the information on ebay
Here’s an interesting map of the Walsenburg, Colorado, area.
“B369-W. [Travel Brocure]. Circa 1950s tri-fold black and white brochure for “Walsenberg in The Land of the Huajatolla Invites You”, (Colorado). Fully open brochure measures 8-1/2 x 11″. Front panel shows an aerial view of the city and Walsenburg at the Hub of spoked wheel showing distances to other attractions in Colorado and neighboring states. The two back panels have a pictorial map of southern Colorado showing National Forests and Monuments, cities, recreational activities and major roads. Points of Interest are located by numbers on the map and described in a Key. B/w photo of Spanish Peaks and Martin Lake.
The opposite side of brochure has descriptive text (Population was 5,500) and 7 b/w photos with keyed numbers referring to their captons in “Things to See…Things to Do!” Photos show spectacular rock formations; Greenhorn Mountain with Cattle ranching in the Valley; Man carrying rifle in a forest below Mount Blanca; pretty bathing beauty relaxing at the municipally-owned swimming pool; Rainbow trout fishing in a small stream; Seasonal Jeep hunting trips for deer, antelope, elk and bear; and Skiing at foot of Mt. Mestas, at the top of La Veta Pass, just off Highway 160.”
Pretty shot.
“This color photo postcard measures 3.5″x5.5″.
It is in good condition with only minor scuffs and light wear.
This has not been mailed and there is no writing on the back.
It is undated but the actual image dates from approximately 1960.”
View all the information on eBay
Here’s a good price on a heater that Glenn spotted.
“Made by stewart warner, model 796 a1 gasoline, jeep, willys, mb no crank, fare to good shape, call 1 916 706 4862”
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/for/4182177176.html
Can’t be too many of these for sale in Miami.
“visit us now at the link below for this excellent deal
http://www.salepricesstore.com/antiques_179028.html”
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/atd/4224698706.html
Paul forwarded a few photos for us to drool over. He’s getting closer and closer to ‘launch’. He recently completed building the stainless gas tank and installing it.
