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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 .
Mike shared this photo of an FC-150 wrecker in New Jersey that was posted to Facebook. Mike actually remembers seeing this same FC in New Jersey back in 1961.
Ann took the opportunity last week to fly to Ohio to visit some of her relatives in Greenville, Ohio. So, I took the opportunity to make a big push to get a bunch of interior painting completed, hence why there were limited updates last week.
The interior (and exterior) of the house was themed with white, a light gray and medium blue. For our tastes, it was a bit cool on the inside; so, we wanted to warm it up and dress it up some. Having done a bunch painting during my college years, I’m pretty efficient when I get going. Two weeks ago we repainted the living/dining part of the house, then hung curtains. So, last week my goal was to paint the dormers, the hall, the kitchen nook, the foyer, and the hall way. Mission accomplished. Here are some pics for your amusement.
Here’s one of the living room and dining room during the painting process:
This is afterwards:
Here are the dormers beforehand: (and, no, I didn’t climb onto the ladder while it was on the scaffolding; instead, I used the bottom two steps of the ladder to make it easier to climb down from the dormer floor … but, I posted this pic to FB without explaining it because, you know, it is social media and I know some people would flip out …)
While visiting with relatives in Western Ohio, Ann didn’t neglect her ‘jeep’ duties. When she spotted this Jeep Grand Wagoneer in New Paris, she made her cousin pull over so she could take photos and meet the owner. She learned it is owned by Jarad Simpson and is his daily driver. He bought it out of Detroit. It was pretty rusted on the outside, but had a good interior, so he cleaned up the outside and runs it as is. He also owns a 1942 GPW. Great work Ann!
Steve shared this cool photo/slide of a mid 1950s Willys Truck operating for a Shell gas station in Forest Park, Illinois. The photo is dated June 21, 1964.
View all the information on eBay
“RIGINAL COLOR PHOTO TRANSPARENCY (2″ x 2″ SLIDE) TAKEN 1964 WITH 1950’s WILLYS JEEP TOW/WRECKER TRUCK. TOWING 1958 PONTIAC. THE SHELL SERVICE STATION IN FOREST PARK, IL GAVE S&H GREEN STAMPS WITH PURCHASE.”
This video from the Ontario County Historical Society. It shares some of John North Willys’ early history. Note that the historian uses the Williez pronunciation of the nation, which likely will grate with some folks.
Bill shared this article on a resto-modded-truck posted to MotorBiscuit.com.
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/1955-willys-overland-restomod-needs-jeep-gladiator/
UPDATE: This video is making the rounds on FB, again, so, I figured I’d repost it.
Original Post March 2017: Listed as a 1940s promotional film, the inclusion of CJ-5s and the exclusion of DJs and FCs suggests to me it was created in 1955. There’s an extended look at a cargo personnel carrier near the end of the video There are also a variety of specialized equipment and hardtops shown.
Sam spotted this photo with an 1946-1947 CJ-2A (and other photos) at the Digital North Carolina archives. According to the description, the photo shows “Van and George Watson hauling seed corn to dryer plat at Watson Seed Farms INC. with World War II Surplus Willy’s Jeep. Watson Seed Farms had 2 jeeps.”
https://lib.digitalnc.org/record/8919#
This article and photo was published in the September 25th, 1943, issue of the Calgary Herald.
I snagged one of these 1956 Willys Export Wagon Brochures Form W-253-6X from eBay.
Ann and I spent a night up at Leavenworth on Thursday. While walking the cold, wet streets (it isn’t snowing there quite yet), we found ourselves warming up by entering various shops (big mistake, as we found ourselves buying stuff). However, one of the cooler items I found was this t-shirt with a “hockey stick” wagon on it. If you like light, cotton/polyester blend shirt, this is a nice one. However, I had to go X-Large as the Large fit perfectly, but likely would have shrunk.
The shirts are available online, so check them out here: https://moorecollection.com/products/willy-wagon-tee-dusty-blue?_pos=2&_sid=a0494a1b3&_ss=r
At least they had the Christmas lights up! Crowds were light, so that was perfect for us.
This is a rare matchbook cover of an early jeep pulling logs with a chain. The matchbook was for the Kansas Willys-Overland, INC, dealership.
View all the information on eBay
UPDATE: It’s no longer on ebay.
Well, some idiot (perhaps too kind of a word) has copied a version of the 1956 Jeep Family poster that I re-created (see also a comparison between the original brochure and the poster), reduced the size from 22″x28″ to 12″x15″, mounted it in a cheap frame, and is selling it for $49 plus $17 shipping on eBay. Whether the seller did all of that work or just bought a reproduction of my poster isn’t clear….
Worse, they are suggesting the “vintage” poster is from the 1950s (the content is, the poster isn’t), though the description also indicates it is “new”. BTW, the original size of the brochure was 18″ x 24″.
There are multiple differences between the original 1956 brochure and the poster I created, the most important of which is that I inserted a small, subtle “eWillys” into the poster so I could track it. There are a few other differences as well.
View all the information on eBay
I bought this unusual Yakima Ridgerunners Belt Buckle off of eBay. Whether the club was the first club or not is debatable, as clubs formed early in Southern California, too, but it seems my research indicated the club was the first incorporated jeep club.
Steve spotted this photo that included a Ford GPW. This photo and its accompanying article was picked up and published in newspapers across the country. Carless Tuesdays was an attempt in 1942 by Peoria to save rubber by encouraging folks with odd-numbered license plates to live their vehicles at home on Tuesdays.
View all the information on eBay
“7.5 x 9.25 in fair condition with average wear and tear of handling.
PEORIA, ILL., NOV. 24–‘CAR-LESS TUESDAY’ GETS TRIAL–Peoria’s so-called “Car-Less Tuesday” doesn’t worry Arthur Locker (left), who uses his children’s shetland pony and cart to drive downtown today with G.A. Louthan (right). Derby hats and lap robe give pre-auto era atmosphere. Jeep proves contrast in rubber-saving traffic experience to see if workers can get to jobs with many cars “at rest.” ”
Here’s one example of the photo and article in the November 25, 1942, issue of the Decatur Herald out of Decatur, Illinois.
UPDATE: Donald was kind enough to share example pics of the Kelly/Braden data tag and serial number tag.
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Originally Posted July 16, 2016: I never knew Kelly private labeled Braden PTO winches. Here’s a rare brochure that covers the products.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $500 (best offer accepted).
The Green River Valley Jeep Club launched in 1965. It was a well-known club, especially since the Brooks were heavily involved in the PNW4WDA. I vividly remember the last Green River Valley Jeepers playday I attended (likely due to the kissing of a girl). I was a newly temp-licensed driver, so was 15 years old (so 1980). It was held just north of Enumclaw along some power lines; No doubt the area is surrounded by homes now. But, back then, it was rocks and mud and water holes.
“Old & Original. We believe this to be one (1) of only two (2) known signs handmade by the club’s founder 50yrs ago (circa 1970s).”
Phil’s father’s 1943 MB(?) was stolen from his father’s property in Philipsburg, MT, around October 1st.
“This Jeep was stolen from my Dad’s property in the Philipsburg area on or around October 1st. The Jeep is a 1943 Willy’s Military Jeep. It is a unique custom build with a lifetime’s worth of work done to it. One of the most notable features it has a 3.3 Cummings diesel motor. Reward if found!”
Here are two pics. Other features not mentioned by Phil include the CJ-2A windshield, a replacement body with an M-38 fuel tank, CJ rims, a slat grille and a square-tubed roll bar.
Chris has this Jeep sign up for auction on eBay.
View all the information on eBay
“Vintage AMC Jeep Dealership Sign 10ft X 2ft Good Color Displays Well No Reserve.
This sign is an original dealership piece. It has been repurposed. If you look closely at pictures you will notice older letters that once spelled out “Shafers Exxon PH 392-5646 Jeep”. Obviously it was used once as this advertisement but was repurposed to what you see now. As you can see it displays well either outside or inside. The photo of it on top of white table is backlit and displays good. It does not have a lightning element. I simply placed a flashlight behind it for photo. The ghost letters do appear in direct sunlight as shown by photos. Also the aluminum frame around the sign is in good condition but is missing an end cap on the left end. Please look closely at the pictures and if you need to see more please let me know. This is a rare one off for any Jeep sign collection!
As for the history, it came out of rural WV and was on display at a dealership near Rupert WV according to previous owner. I have attempted to do research on the phone number and dealership with no success. This is a local pickup only auction. Sign is located approximately six miles off of I-81 in SW Virginia. No reserve auction. Please do not ask me to end the auction for some ridiculous offer. If you’re that interested in the sign simply place your max bid and let the auction play out.”
In 1954, as part of the newly developed marketing campaign following Kaiser’s purchase of the Willys assets in 1953, Willys Motors created ‘Jeep’ Fire engine brochure SX-229-4, the front page of which is seen below (thanks to the CJ-3B page):
This is the front page of brochure Form SX-229-4. The other pages can be found on the CJ-3B Page.
I was able to finally purchase the subsequent version of the ‘Fire Engine’ brochure, Form # W-229-5. It’s essentially the same brochure as the 1954 version, accept they’ve replaced the 3B with a CJ-5 Fire Jeep. The rest of the art work uses the same CJ-3B images from the 1954 brochure.
This weekend Bill Falconer and NEWJO will be hosting a swap meet and get together in Deering, NH on Saturday October 30th. There’s more information available on their FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/808459766507203/ … 134 Deering Center Rd, Deering, NH.
My son spotted this throwback photo posted on Utah’s DOT (aka UDOT) twitter page. It shows 9 jeeps parked in a circle around the Four Corners area of the southwest. He correctly noted that one of the vehicles was an FC (he’s learning, lol). There is no date associated with the image.
PHOTO CREDIT: Utah State Historical Society
I finally obtained a 1954 CJ-3B brochure, Form # SD-201-4. There is also a version of this brochure with showing a CJ-3B fire engine, but I haven’t gotten that one yet.
UPDATE: This was relisted on eBay and ended up selling yesterday for $26.95.
This print block depicting a Willys-Overland jeep with attached sprayer was on eBay. It’s pretty small, but the grille and tool indents suggest it’s an Agrijeep to me. This and similar small blocks were used to create newspaper ads illustrations. Below the block is an example of it used in an October 03, 1945, advertisement.
Here’s the ad example:
![Evening Star. (Washington, D.C.). 1945-10-03 [p A-17].](http://www.ewillys.com/wp-content/uploads2/2021/10/1945-cj2a-printing-block-wood-ebay1-example1.jpg)
![Evening Star. (Washington, D.C.). 1945-10-03 [p A-17].](http://www.ewillys.com/wp-content/uploads2/2021/10/1945-cj2a-printing-block-wood-ebay1-example2.jpg)
Doug had a Porter & Reed Hardtop for sale a couple years ago. He took some great detail photos of it and it represents a classic example of the Full Econo-Body-Type “E” model, so I’ve included them all in case someone tries to restore one of these (I have higher res photos, too). For example, in Doug’s photos you can see the pull down sunshade and bracket on the driver’s side and just the bracket on the passenger side.
I’ve also included both brochures from the 10/1/1948 First Supplement of the Willys-Overland Special Equipment book (Besides full and half tops, Porter & Reed also manufactured bed extenders). (Learn additional info about the tops on the CJ-3B site)
The odd thing about Porter & Reed tops is that there were a multitude of variations, from no small side windows, to small side windows to larger side windows, or from a single back door window to dual back windows, and from rear doors that opened up vertically, to a couple that opened sideways, to a set of barn doors (custom)? There may have been a change in the doors as well, as a couple tops have angled bends at the lower front edge rather than the standard vertical bend where the body bends. What was factory and what was customized is likely lost to time ….
Some of these variations are evident in the Deluxe (Type “A”) vs. Econo Body (Type “E”) full top models, but others are not. For example, the Deluxe model had a rear door that swung sideways, rectangular side windows with rounded corners, while the Econo model had a rear door that swung upwards and square side windows. Meanwhile, the deluxe half top (Half body — Type “B”) had a rear door that swung upwards, while the econo half top’s (Half Econo-Body–Type “H”) rear didn’t open at all.
You can see all the full and half top examples I have here: http://www.ewillys.com/?s=Porter+%26+Reed … I’ve also included a few at the end of this post.
Here’s the basic hardtop brochure:
Now for Doug’s ad:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/533087846854829
“I have a full hard top for a CJ2A for sale. It’s in pretty good shape. It needs glass or plexiglass. $450, I am coming north on the east coast November 3rd, from Florida to New York, can help deliver”
