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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 .
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was No Price. Has Budweiser decals.
(06/04/2011) This looks well done.
“This jeep in good condition. Has a removeable top. This jeep runs and drives, is stock except for the engine. The engine is v-6 Buick. It is red, has new tires on white rims. This jeep was donated to Waukee VFW and we are going to sell it”
<– Day 10 & 11 – Mon. May 13th Rest & Tue. May 14th: Crust, Raisins, and Smoked Pork | Trip Overview | Day 14 – Fri. May 17th: Day 1 of the Midwest Willys Reunion –>
Wednesday, May 15th: We spent all of Wednesday at Ann’s Great Aunt Alice’s place in Greenville, Ohio.
Thursday May 16th: We drove from Greenville, Ohio, to Hudson, Ohio. Along the way, we made more new friends!
Me and Roger Martin in front of his CJ-2A.
This morning we were back on the road. Our ultimate destination was Hudson
On Thursday we drove from Greenville, Ohio, to Hudson, Ohio.
We began the morning heading to the Kitchen Aide Experience. Having never been, I pictured it as part tour and part museum in the Kitchen Aide factory itself. Instead, it’s a giant Kitchen Aide store where you can buy new or used Kitchen Aide products of every color and kind. Downstairs there are some beautiful refurbed mixers and blenders. Those ‘in the know’ tell us the refurbs are actually better than the new ones. They certainly were better prices.
Next to all the refurb machines in the lower level was a mini-museum. Since Ann assured me we didn’t have room to bring a refurbed 6 quart 575KW mixer with a glass bowl home, I had to make due with the mini-museum. What amazed me most about the museum was how little some of the attachments had changed. Here are a few pics from the museum:
Ed wanted to share these pictures. As you can see, he was in quite a pickle with that jeep. The last picture shows his son.
“Thought you might be able to use these. Couple of old photos from the late 60’s. The couple of me standing in front of the jeep in a creek were taken in Turnback Creek outside of Halltown Mo. on our family farm. The one of the jeep in a pond was also from the farm. The one of my son was taken at our home in Ormond Beach Fl. He is learning what a match book cover is properly used for. Yep, you guessed it, setting ignition points on his 67 CJ-5.”
<– Day 9 – Sun. May 12th: Tuckered Out? Then Visit a Firehouse | Trip Overview | Day 12 & 13 – Wed. May 15th & Thurs. May 16th: Mixers, Foodies & Heavy Equipment –>
Monday May 13th: Instead of trying to squeeze in a long day at the Ford Museum, we decided to take a day off instead, as we have a busy week coming up. So, Monday was a day of rest at Brian’s house in Fenton. Thanks to his hospitality, I was able to finish the 6th draft of the Amber Panels of Konigsburg book.
Tuesday May 14th: Today, we left Michigan for the state of Ohio.
That’s the former Willys Overland Smokestack behind me. As you can see, there isn’t much left of the old Willys plant.
On Tuesday May 14th we drove from Fenton, Michigan, to Ann’s relative’s house in Greenville, Ohio.
We started the morning bidding a fond farewell to Brian, who’d opened his home to us for several days (Thanks!).
Brian and I posing behind his beautiful 1923 Buick. Unfortunately, it was so cold, we couldn’t take it out for a ride.
One of the places Brian recommended we visit before we left was a bakery in Fenton, MI, called CRUST. As soon as I looked up the website and examined their menu, I was hooked. Most of their breads are made with starters rather than commercial baking yeast. So, I HAD to visit the place.
I wasn’t disappointed. Everything looked so good, we walked out of there $37 poorer. I can’t recommend the place highly enough.
After the bakery, we’d planned to head for the Ford Museum. But, at the last minute, we changed our minds. I knew we had to be down in Ohio by dinner time, so I was concerned we’d have to rush through museum. Instead, we had the opportunity to take our time to drive south. It proved to be the right decision.
As we drove south, Ann’s cousin recommended we visit the River Raisin Battlefield National Park in Monroe, MI, from which the War of 1812’s “Remember the Raisin” call-to-action originated. At the battle of River Raisin the Americans thought they’d won, but then the Brits & Indians regrouped and beat the US troops. American’s were shocked by the loss, hence the rallying cry of Remember the Raisin. Ann’s cousin claims that one of the men captured was a distant relative of Ann’s. To capture the feeling of Ann’s relative, I put her behind bars.
Congrats to Hugh for completing his fiberglass build. Just in time for summer! Next on his plate is a M-151 Mutt project.
Hugh wrote, “Just got my fiberglass bodied cj2a back from my cousin who painted it. Chose olive drab because we figured if we scratched it off road it wouldnt break our hearts like a shiny paintjob would. Well i consider this jeep done so now we can start on the 48 cj2a with the m151 mutt drivetrain. That jeep is going to be an interesting project.”
The price is only $2.99 on this weathered model.
“Vintage hand made wooden army jeep.
It is a bit worn and there are a few missing parts, please look at the pictures closely and let me know if you have any questions.”
View all the information on ebay
Tim found the a link to a Russia site that has this photo and others.
http://beutepanzer.ru/Beutepanzer/us/car/Willys-MB2.htm
<– Day 8 – Sat. May 11th: Fire Engines, 16,000 Toys and A Destroyer | Trip Overview | Day 10 & 11 – Mon. May 13th Rest & Tue. May 14th: Crust, Raisins, and Smoked Pork –>
On Sunday we spent the day sightseeing.
Sunday’s drive was a short one down to Ypsilanti and back.
On Sunday Ann and I drove down to Ypsilanti, MI, which is about an hour south of where we are staying in Fenton, MI. Our goal was the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum (aka Miller Motors), which has a real Tucker and a fiberglass fake Tucker (or so I’m told) made for the Tucker movie.
Ever since I learned Ypsilanti was home to Preston Tucker, I’ve wanted to visit this museum. So, I triple checked the website to make sure it was open on Sunday. The site confirmed this was true. Confident the museum would be open, we arrived at noon Sunday, only to find the museum closed. I was bummed.
So sad . . . I looked in all the windows.
Brian had mentioned the Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsi was worth a look. So, we decided to check that out. It consists of an old renovated fire station with a building extension that housed different types of fire trucks, fire fighting equipment, and information. It is a fine exhibit, but after Saturday’s experience with Jim Dobson, our fire-museum quality bar was set pretty high.
Ron shared this classic jeeping picture. Thanks for sharing!
“Here’s an old picture from one of my jeeping trips, back in the day. This was in September of 1969. Pictured here is a friend of mine at a place called Cultus Hole, which is west of Yakima, Washington in the Cascade Mountains. He is now a rancher in the Columbia Basin and the last I heard he still has the Jeep sitting out by one of his barns, and he still fires it up occasionally and drives it around the ranch. It is a CJ3B of course, and I think it is a 1953 model, but I’m not positive on the year. The modifications on it were pretty standard for that era; a small block Chevrolet engine (283 cubic inches), an overdrive unit, a roll bar, and oversized tires and wheels are some of the things I remember, although I’m sure he had made many more modifications. The trips he and I made in our Jeeps were always memorable, to say the least.”
Marc spotted this photo marked August 24th, 1945. This must be a really early VEC.
“ADDITIONAL DETAILS: This is an original press photo. Credit – NEAPhoto measures 9 x 7inches. Photo is dated 09-14-1945.”
View all the information on eBay
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
How about this unusual photo.
“You are bidding on an original press photo from 1962 featuring Fruit Fly Spraying Dick Burke getting things set on jeep sprayer before going out to the home where fruit flys were found . Photo is 10” x 8” in size.”
This looks like a nice set.
“This 1960s CRAGSTAN (Japan) JEEP CJ3 WITH “QUEEN” BOAT AND TRAILER are in Near Mint original condition, in their original box. The 15.5-inch long tin toy has a few minor paint abrasions and box rub. The 7.25-inch long Jeep has a working friction motor. The interior is nicely detailed and lithographed, and the top is nicely fringed. The rubber tires are like new, and the tin hubcaps are lightly age tarnished. The 8.25-inch long boat and motor are lightly scuffed and scratched. The crank up motor works well. The 7.25-inch long boat trailer is like new. The colorful original box is complete, but has minor edge tears, scuffs and a few light stains.”
View all the information on ebay
<– Day 7 – Fri. May 10th: From Iron Mountain to Mackinaw City | Trip Overview | Day 9 – Sun. May 12th: Tuckered Out? Then Visit a Firehouse –>
On Saturday morning May 11, we hoped to escape the cold of Northern MIchigan’s Mackinaw City by driving south. Our goal was Brian’s house in Fenton, MI, where he planned to take us out to dinner at the French Laundry (more on that tomorrow). He’s outdone himself with his generosity and hospitality, so many thanks to him!
On Saturday we drove from Mackinaw City to Bay City, then southward to Fenton.
Saturday’s first stop was the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum in Bay City, MI. I can’t remember how I learned about this museum, but it was a wonderful treat.
When we arrived, there was only two other vehicles in the parking lot. We took a few pictures of the outside and headed into pay. When we stepped inside the door, the foyer was empty; there was no one was around to take our money. I yelled, but didn’t get an answer. I checked the door to make sure the open-sign said ‘open’; it did. I checked the prices and discovered it cost $7 per adult, but they were running a mother’s day weekend special, so Ann didn’t have to pay. Therefore, I laid $7 on the museum’s till and we began our tour.
Wow. Wow. Wow! There were toy automobiles neatly arranged everywhere. We’d later learn that more than 12,000 toy vehicles were displayed. Another 4,000 were awaiting display. As Ann and I looked around a man in a scooter and a young boy appeared, said hi, then went to the front. We told them we’d paid, and the man didn’t say much, he just continued to the front.
As we made additional progress through the different rooms a man in a wheel chair appeared. He was very friendly and began to explain the history of the different items. After a while, it became apparent that this wasn’t just a museum, it was one man’s collection: Jim Dobson. The man who was helping us (I missed his name) pointed out one wall where Jim had placed signs related to some of the companies he’d founded or been involved with. It was a long list.
Anyone know the history behind this wild rig? This auction ends soon.
“This auction is for SIX original,vintage c.1950 B/W film photo negatives showing trailer Jeep.The negative was converted to positive to see the image.Enlarged at a scan for better viewing.As shown at a scans.Please see DETAILED scans for condition”
View all the information on ebay
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This appears in great shape.
“This auction is for a terrific LOUIS MARX & CO. Willys Jeep with trailer and LIGHTS!!. This thing is new in the original box and is untouched by any kids. The battery area is pristine and has never seen a battery. The trailer hitch on the bottom of the jeep has never been swung out to accept the trailer. The original instructions are included and they are in the box(they are very yellow and very brittle). The pictures show some of the condition of the instructions. The outside box had water damage at one time but it’s not bad as the pictures show. The colors are terrific and there are very few chips and scratches. This truly is a choice piece that I found.”
Seth discovered this one-of-a-kind boat for sale. Perhaps the builder was inspired by the Panther water car?
“This is a 1972 All Fiberglass Jeep CJ5 Tub built up on a Fiberglass hull. It has a 50hp Johnson outboard on a custom bracket with power trim & tilt. It has all nautical lights for running at night plus all the vehicle lights work including head lights, tail light and blinkers. This is a 2014 build.
So let me tell you, this thing is an absolute blast, grab a friend turn up the stereo and you will be turning heads everywhere you take her and you can take her anywhere because its great in any water due to the two 12 ft wind surfing boards that act as outriggers so its real stable and not tippy at all plus it has a full windshield. This thing is custom everything from the beautiful paint job to the detailed shifter console and dash board.
Also comes with custom fitted boat trailer.”
<– Day 6 – Thurs. May 9th: Rain Rain Go Away | Trip Overview | Day 8 – Sat. May 11th: Fire Engines, 16,000 Toys and A Destroyer –>
Whitefish Point Lighthouse and the Shipwreck Museum on Lake Superior
Well it worked. I wished the rain away and we didn’t see any all day. However, I forgot to wish the cold away. But, I’ll take the cool temperatures over the rain.
Today, Friday May 10th, our first goal was to drive to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point near Paradise, MI, where a light saving beacon has been maintained in one form or another since 1849.
On Friday May 10th we drove from Iron Mountain to Mackinaw City.
On our way to the museum, we encountered a couple different jeeps. One was in the form of a wooden jeep at a Big Boy Burger restaurant in Manistique, MI. This one included a slide. Ann tried real hard to get a shot of me on the slide. Unfortunately, our memory card lost the pictures I took of the front of the wood jeep (time for new memory card).
The next jeep we saw at an old motel near Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Michigan. There was a dog near the jeep that wasn’t too happy to see me taking photos, so I kept my distance. It looks like someone took the time to fabricate a custom hardtop.
We finally reached Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point around 2pm. It was later than I expected to be there, by at least one hour, because we crossed into another pesky time zone. I always thought Michigan was in the Central Time Zone. It turns out only a small portion of it is (to be fair, this is my first visit to the great state of Michigan).
The museum costs $13/per adult. However, if you have an active military ID, you and a friend can get in free. However, they don’t advertise that fact, so you’ll have to ask about it. We had a nice time looking around the exhibits.
There are plenty of harrowing stories of sailors freezing, drowning, and dying. To be fair, many people were saved by life-saving crews as well. If you are in the area, it’s worth dropping by to see. The fact that of the 550 known major shipwrecks lying on the bottom of the lake, at least 200 of them are in the vicinity of Whitefish Point, underscores the importance of alerting sailors to the dangers of the area.
Here we are at Lake Superior. You can just see Canada behind us in the distance.
This CJ-5 looks a little bit surreyish with its striped top.
“Vintage original snapshot, circa 1950’s.
Dimensions: 5″ x 3 1/2”
Condition: Very good, light corner crease, never glued in album, see scan.
“ebay scan” watermark does not appear on actual photograph”
View all the information on ebay
HOG spotted these manuals for passenger cars. Maybe someone can use them? The ad is listed in Pennsylvania, but it appears the books are in Colorado.
“1950’s Willys-Overland Motors OEM Manual’s
OEM Mechanic’s and Body manuals for Willys-Overland passenger cars. Models 685 Super DeLuxe & Custom, and 675 passenger cars, vintage early 1950’s.
Complete coverage of mechanical, technical and body specifications.
Both manual’s are in very good condition, and have had seen little to no use. Crisp clean pages with detailed photos and technical specifications.
$30.00 for the pair.
Email for further information, include your phone number, and put Willys OEM Manuals in the subject line.”
http://york.craigslist.org/pts/3734222543.html
<– Day 5 – Wed. May 8th: Don’s 1962 Wagon and Mr. Jangles | Trip Overview | Day 7 – Fri. May 10th: From Iron Mountain to Mackinaw City –>
Following a night at a St. Paul Super 8 that we can’t in good conscience recommend — maybe it was the guy we saw peeing outside near the front door that dampened our enthusiasm for the place — we awoke to rain. It rained all day and into the evening. It can stop anytime!
In the meantime, we started the day by returning to the Minnesota History Center to complete our research. After finishing, we spent some time touring the Minnesota History Museum. The museum’s building is beautiful and many of the exhibits were cleverly designed. We shared the museum with 1,000 grade school kids who must have had sugar injections before they entered. Ok, maybe it wasn’t that many, but it sounded like that many!
We even located a Wurlitzer Juke box, so of course had to take a photo:
We definitely had a ‘blast’ at the museum:
By the time we completed the museum it was lunch time, Ann and I headed to a meeting with Jonathon McDonough, who with his brother Jim, operates the web company and data center out of St. Paul that powers eWillys. Jonathon is a jeep enthusiast who owns a yellow M-38 he’s had since he was 14.
At Jonathan’s urging, we met for lunch at Cossettas in downtown St. Paul. He made a great choice. Ann and I both loved the place. We both chose a lasagna packed full of tasty sausage and covered in a rich tomato sauce. It was fantastic.
After our lunch, we toured the market area of the restaurant. I feel fortunate that we aren’t towing a trailer, because it would now be full of italian food. Forced to limit our selections, we bought some freshly baked italian bread, a small chunk of sheep/cow cheese with black truffle, and some specialty butter. If you are ever near St. Paul, check out Cossettas. It’s a treat for the eyes and the stomach!
Picking one loaf of bread wasn’t easy.
During our meeting with Jonathon I received an email from Adam. He’s got a 1951 CJ-3A that has a pretty beat up body, but a strong power train. It’s even been featured in JP Magazine. Adam suggested we stop by Max-Bilt in Eau Claire, WI.
Max-Built is a jeep rebuilder and product manufacturer that was started a few years ago by Adam’s good friend Phil Norvold. The company’s first shop was the basement of Phil’s home, but after many late nights of basement work, Phil’s wife strongly urged him to find a space far enough away from their home so she couldn’t hear him working at 2AM.
So, in November of 2012, Max-Built moved into its new shop at 6129 Sandstone Road, Eau Claire, WI. It’s located on highway 93 one mile south of I-94. If you are driving by, you can’t miss the place with all the jeeps out front. So, thanks to Phil and his father Mark for entertaining us and showing us around.
Phil and I outside the Max-Bilt shop
<– Day 3 & 4 – Mon. May 6th & Tues May 7th: Bismarck, North Dakota | Trip Overview | Day 6 – Thurs. May 9th: Rain Rain Go Away –>
We started Wednesday morning in Fargo, North Dakota. Ann had been driving more than usual, because I’ve been typing. And typing. And typing.
Wednesday May 8th’s drive to St. Paul.
Because she’s been driving a lot, I’ve become aware of two things. First, she swerves to the side of the freeway it she sees a large spider scamper above her head and race towards the windshield. We never did find the spider; our nerves are back there somewhere, too . So was my heart.
Second, she stops for jeeps using a technique strikingly similar to her spider-veering-off-the-freeway maneuver. I bore witness to her using this technique yesterday after she spotted a flattie just south of Albany, MN, next to a fence along Interstate 94.
Now, I don’t remember how fast our jeep goes from zero to 75mph, but I can say without reservation that it can brake 75mph to 0 in the time it takes my wife to say, “there’s a jeep!”.
And, I’m not saying she backed up along the shoulder of I-94 to get this shot, but I am saying she’s the kind of wife who’d do that for me so I could share a pic like this with all of you! (funny story, this was shot with my iPhone, which I’d done as a backup shot. The ‘real camera’ with the zoom lens apparently didn’t have the disc inside it . . . sigh). Through the zoom lens I could easily see the CJ-2A’s bow holders on the driver’s side. It actually looked in decent condition. There was no evidence of a for-sale sign.
A couple of readers later commented on this jeep, one writing: I think I spotted it. … 45.61396,-94.511097 (near Albany, MN) .. Looks like its on the edge of that property but what an odd place to park it and leave it.
The other reader added: We checked on this a few years ago and at the time this jeep was owned by the same people who own the Chrysler/Jeep dealership in Albany MN that you guys passed through. They own this property where the jeep sits on and use it for groups to drive around with jeeps and 4 wheelers. They also owned a 3B jeep painted like a military jeep that they would take to car shows and parades in the area.
(In March of 2020 Ann and I through the area, but did not see the jeep … it no longer appears on Google’s street view.)
A CJ-2A was parked for several years just off of the southwest side of I-94.
When we mentioned we were heading to St. Paul, MN, to do some research before heading to Michigan’s Upper Penninsula, Don dropped me a note and suggested I drop by to meet him and his wagon. So, after Ann and I got done at the Minnesota Historical Society (more on that tomorrow), we dropped by and visited with Don.
He’s got a 1962 Wagon sold in 1963. Don said the original owner of this wagon was named Don (I’ll call him Friend Don). One day, just before Don was old enough to legally drive the wagon, Friend Don gave the wagon to Don. That was 1980. Don had owned it ever since. He used it as his daily driver throughout High School. Eventually, Don decided to add the stenciling to the side of the wagon, so a buddy of his just down the street painted it on. It give is a great look.
The wagon is nearly bone stock, though there have been a few minor repairs to keep it running. Don seemed to waffle a bit about whether he wanted to fix some of the rusted body. He likes the idea of it being original, yet he wouldn’t mind have it fixed. At one point Don said a jeep can only be original one time, so I suspect this wagon won’t see a body shop for some years to come.
Here’s a great shot of some early Jamboree folks. The seller mislabels Georgetown, CA, as Georgetown, UT.
“STANDARD SIZE CHROME ERA POSTCARD VIEW – 3.5″ X 5.5″
Published by Eastman’s Studio (Susanville, CA).
CONDITION: Minor corner nicking. Clean and good original color. Postally unused.”
View all the information on ebay
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Here’s a rare Surrey in Jamaica.
“Chrome postcard is in very good condition with chipped corners and edges, a scuff at the top near the left side and corner wrinkle at the top right. Back is numbered H-10 and 72397 and is addressed to M. Forward, Beverly, MA. Publisher is Novelty Trading Co. and photo is credited to Hannau.”
