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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 .
This French-Canadian ad was published in the August 1947 issue of Le Bulletin des Agriculteurs.
This press photo looks a bit staged, but still a goo photo of the General.
View all the information on eBay
“1944 Press Photo Allied Commander General Dwight Eisenhower in Military Jeep. This is an original press photo. General Dwight Eisenhower, supreme Allied Commander, sits at the wheel of his jeep as he prepares to drive to meet representatives of each Allied country to deliver his Christmas message to all Allied forces.Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 12-28-1944.”
There’s no date or form number related to this colorful brochure. You’ll note that sometimes “Deluxe” with a small “l” is used and in other places “DeLuxe” is used. It may be the first brochure that highlighted the “DeLuxe” model (see a later one here).
Mario posted these photo on Facebook. After using Google image search, I determined they may have originated on the website OMNIA, a site that aggregates digital collections (a site I’ve never seen before … looks like a useful resource for me).
I’m not sure what this is worth. It is currently priced at a buy-it-now price of $92.
View all the information on eBay
“Wonderful artist rendering of CJ-5 Jeep. 1970s in a coffee plantation or cocoa plantation setting. (I’m thinking inspired by the popular TV icon Juan Valdez). Not sure if this was done for Ford Brazil or AMC given that Ford do Brasil built these for the South American market. In any event, this is a fantastic, original rendering on artist board of the era. You can see pencil lines underneath paint. I’m not an artist so I don’t know if it’s acrylic paint or watercolor or ???
Measures approx 16″ x 11″ and is in very good condition for its age. There Issa bit of very faint spotting in the yellow sky area but it’s barely noticeable; corners are bumped but framing will cover that. The blue strip at bottom of rendering appears to be painted tape.”
This is interesting, as this 1961 photo must have been part of the early introduction to the Tuxedo Park CJ-5 trim package concept.
https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1484597/
From the site: Photograph of a window display advertising for Jeep. A large sign in the middle says, “Newest PAAR star! New ‘Jeep’ Tuxedo Park, exciting new 4-wheel drive sports utility vehicle, see the new ‘Jeep’ Tuxedo Park in action on the Jack Paar show NBC-TV.” A small picture of Jack Paar is placed next to the sign in the window. Another smaller sign sits below the picture that says, “as advertised on WBAP-TV Channel 5.
This hard-to-find April 1949 Jeepster brochure has a form number of VJ 3m-I-500M-4-49.
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“Original automobile literature, very good condition”
UPDATE: Originally published on February 02, 2014, the pop sci links no longer work, so I’ve now added the complete scan of the article.
This Bantam BRC-40 T2 article was published in December of 1941 in Popular Science (and possibly Mechanix Magazine) under “Tanks CAN Be Destroyed”. In it the author explores different machinery that can stop a tank. You can see variations from what could be the same photo shoot in this Bantam T2 & T2-E1 post.
UPDATE: Apparently, I never published all the pages in this circa 1947-1949 booklet. Also, there’s another one of these booklets on eBay right now: View all the information on eBay
This was originally posted October 23, 2014: Eddie Devlin of the Willys Overland Engineering Art Department sketched a variety of drawings of the factory. Some were published in a book called “WHAT I SAW AT WILLYS OVERLAND”. I’m not sure if the booklet was sold or used as a promotional device.
Here’s another early French Canadian ad for the universal jeep.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $19,990.
(12/11/2020) This is certainly unusual build.
“f Jeep would have started building these in the 70s, they would have never had financial issues. Look at this rare piece.The Jeep was built using all CJ5 parts. The front door is modeled off of a CJ7. The rear door is modeled off of a CJ5.
The bed is extended to the length of a CJ6 or CJ8 Scrambler. The frame is stretched 36 inches in the middle and 14 inches behind the rear axle. The frame was boxed from the front to the rear spring perches. It has Dana 30 and Dana 44 axles (both are open diffs). The transfer case is a Dana 20. The transmission is a 3 speed. I believe it is a T150.
The engine is an AMC 360 from a 1972 Wagoneer. It was rebuilt about 20,000 miles ago. It was bored over. The crank was turned. It got all new bearings, new pistons, new valve guides, and hardened seats. It has an RV cam, an Edelbrock SP2P low rise dual plane intake, and a Holley Street Avenger 570cfm double pumper carb. Skip White electronic ignition/distributor. Warn 8274 Winch. Heavy duty steel front fenders. (Matching Rescue Green CJ5 OEM fenders also included.) Rear corner guards. The motor has more than enough power for a vehicle this size.
Major General Jacob Devers made multiple appearances in newspapers across the country. On February 05, 1942, he announced at Fort Knox that the armored forces could begin personalizing their peeps, jeeps, tanks, and other equipment with names, though they could not be objectionable names. The order does not indicate approval to put names on the windshields, but apparently that became allowed at some point.
On October 17, 1942 (Appeal Democrat out of Marysville, California) the Major General was photographed with other senior leaders discussing issues while sitting in a jeep:
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Originally Posted March 13, 2018: Interesting discussion on peep vs. jeep within the caption. The caption claims it has been misnamed “peep”, but then claims it has been erroneously called a “jeep” and that a “jeep” is a larger vehicle (Command Car, though in this case it is a Willys MA). As we’ve discussed earlier, there was a great debate about the proper term for the vehicle.
“WWII Maj. Gen. Jacob Devers in Willys MB Jeep Original Press Photo”
Mike shared this bulletin from March 11, 1958, that notified dealers a brochure was available for the Koenig-made ‘Jeep’ hardtop. For some reason, the company did not produce a brochure for the top; it took dealers requesting a brochure for them to make one.
Here’s another early French Canadian ad for the universal jeep.
Bidding starts at $40 (down from $50). Though the illustration on the box suggests the is a slat grill MB, the grill in the box is the standard looking grille.
View all the information on eBay
“Rare Chicago Kempro All Star Jeep Model Kit Wood. Condition is “Used”. Box has staining as shown. Appears complete but see photos and ask any questions. Box measures 14×6.”
These look like they’ve never been mounted. What’s most interesting to me is that associated docs, which affirm Selectro hubs were made by Husky products (there is a short discussion of Husky making Selectro hubs on this very long page). These documents would have been produced after 1972, as that was the Heavy Duty Selectro hubs were released.
This ad March 05, 1949, ad in the Beatrice times (Beatrice, Nebraska) from M. O. Trindel, and authorized Jeep Sales and Service provider underscores his enthusiasm for the Willys 1949 line-up of vehicles. His argument that Willys-Overland’s lack of innovation (models didn’t change yearly) was a competitive differentiator that I hadn’t considered, but this meant there was much internal innovation. I would argue that instead of Willys-Overland and Willys Motors innovating internally, they left the innovations to the special equipment folks, from tops and hubs to winches and other pto equipment.
UPDATE: **SOLD** for $12.00 on eBay (plus $15 shipping).
Anyone recognize this toy? It is in rough condition.
“Vintage 1940’s Era Pressed Steel Willys Jeep, Metal Wheels. Condition is “Used”. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. Couldn’t find the makers mark it may have deteriorated over time, I am not an expert on steel pressed toys it looks like it was modeled after the Louis Marx Pressed steel jeeps but it is 6.5″ long and i have been told that Marx Jeeps were 11″ long. The steering wheel is missing and the pop-up window is missing”
Thanks to Blaine for spotting a Craigslist ad for six unique tool posters. They are each almost 2ft square and made of a plasticized (?) paper. There is definitely a weight to them. I suspect, given two of the posters have a number (Transmission & Clutch 2) that there were additional types of posters.
The text of the ad explains them well, “Set of six 1970’s vintage Jeep Kent-Moore special tool dealership posters. The six posters include special tool diagrams with associated part numbers for the “Body”, “Transmission & Clutch 2”, “Brakes”, “Axle & Propeller Shaft 3”, “Transfer Case & Overdrive”, and “Steering & Suspension”. Each poster measures 23.5” x 23.5” and has 4 punched holes in each corner for hanging/display purposes. All posters are in very good condition with some very minor paint wear on a few of the diagrams. The posters were found in the basement of an old jeep dealership in Montana and believed to have never been used.”
I picked these up Saturday afternoon, knowing that the proceeds were going to help restore vintage Yellowstone Tour Cars, but more about that in a moment.
The sellers, David and Cheryl, were a delight to speak with and I felt like we became fast friends. They explained that David’s grandfather owned a garage on the Main Street of Red Lodge, Montana. After WWII, his grandfather started selling jeeps, which meant David spent his youth driving a CJ-2A, so he is pretty familiar with jeeps. In fact, David and Cheryl still own two Wagoneers, both of which came from the family dealership.
These days, the garage is no longer a garage; instead, it houses the Buses of Yellowstone Preservation Trust, Inc., a 501(c) nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the history of the early Yellowstone tourist vehicles. If you are interested in making a donation to their efforts, you can do so here.
David and Cheryl are also restoring the garage and former gas station back to a 1930s feel. One item they are still seeking is an original or good quality reproduction of a large Mobilgas Pegasus sign/horse. If you have any signage like that, I know they’d be interested in discussing it with you.
Once we can travel again, we’ll be stopping by Red Lodge, as they’ve offered to give a us a tour of the old station.
In the meantime, here are some pics of the tool posters:
Continue reading
This is the first of a series of French Canadian ads that I found on eBay. This first one was published in the April 1947 issue of Le Bulletin des Agriculture.
A couple good photos of a modified jeep used by Generals, including General Hodges, General Bradley and/or General Eisenhower. The cowl on the second jeep below is particularly unusual (armor plating?).
1. View all the information on eBay
“ITEM: Original WWII Photo of GENERAL COURTNEY HODGES (1st Army Commander), GENERAL OMAR BRADLEY (in back by Hodges) and GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (in front seat) all in the same JEEP at REMAGEN just after the 9th Armored Division captured the LUDENDORFF BRIDGE in tact, March 1945. I cannot tell who the Major General is that they are talking to, but it is probably John Leonard who commanded the 9th Armored Division. See the other Remagen related photos that I have listed separately.
Photo is from Sergeant Robert L. Lambert who was in the III Corps Inspector General Section. III Corps participated in the Tennessee Maneuvers. Later they processed troops arriving in Normandy during the invasion of France and organized the Red Ball Express to supply the drive across Northern France in 1944. Before and during the Battle of the Bulge, III Corps was in Patton’s 3rd Army and consisted of the 26th & 80th Infantry Divisions and the 4th Armored Division which Patton thrust into the flank of the German Bulge to relieve the 101st Airborne Division surrounded at Bastogne. In 1945 III Corps was assigned to the 1st Army and included the 9th Armored Division which captured the Ludendorff Bridge in tact at Remagen, Germany.”
2. View all the information on eBay
“ITEM: Original WWII Photo of GENERAL OMAR BRADLEY in JEEP and GENERAL COURTNEY HODGES (1st Army Commander, extending hand) in REMAGEN just after the 9th Armored Division captured the LUDENDORFF BRIDGE in tact, March 1945. Note the three stars for Lieutenant General on the Jeep. I am guessing that the smiling major (who Hodges is reaching to shake his hand) must have been one of the principles taking and securing the bridge, but I do not recognize him. See the other Remagen related photos that I have listed separately.
Photo is from Sergeant Robert L. Lambert who was in the III Corps Inspector General Section. III Corps participated in the Tennessee Maneuvers. Later they processed troops arriving in Normandy during the invasion of France and organized the Red Ball Express to supply the drive across Northern France in 1944. Before and during the Battle of the Bulge, III Corps was in Patton’s 3rd Army and consisted of the 26th & 80th Infantry Divisions and the 4th Armored Division which Patton thrust into the flank of the German Bulge to relieve the 101st Airborne Division surrounded at Bastogne. In 1945 III Corps was assigned to the 1st Army and included the 9th Armored Division which captured the Ludendorff Bridge in tact at Remagen, Germany.”
The jeep has four speeds forward? This article appeared in the Abilene Reporter-News out of Texas on March 02, 1941.
UPDATE: These pics are from a previous eBay ad. This mailer brochure rarely comes up for sale. It folds out to 8.5″x11″. There’s no form number printed.
View all the information on eBay
UPDATE II: Maury forwarded an updated video about the Sand Ship Discovery that was posted to youtube in January of 2020. Loren’s wife provides information on some of the unique details of this CJ-5, modified for difficult terrain and the 6’4″ Loren Upton.
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This post was last posted December 26, 2017: This just appeared in our local newspaper. A couple local folks are helping him out. Here’s an accompanying video:
ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM MAY 10, 2017:
An article from Spokane’s Spokesman Review alerted me to the story of A World Odyssey-The Epic Voyage of the Sand Ship Discovery. This is actually a local story (for me) as Loren Upton, the man at the root of the adventure, has lived in Yakima and the Tri-Cities and worked at the nearby Hanford nuclear reservation.
Between 1984 and 1989, Loren piloted a CJ-5 around the world, surpassing 55,000 miles. The jeep holds a Guiness book of World Record for being the first vehicle to cross the Darien Gap. Some of you might remember the 2014 post about the 1959-1960 venture across the Darien Gap in a Willys Truck and a Land Rover. However, some of that trip was done by floating part of the river.
Loren’s nephew Laurence would like to restore the CJ-5 back to it’s former glory and then take his Uncle on one more world trip. They’ve set up a go-fund-me page and a website with lots of information and photos. Good luck to them!
http://www.outbackofbeyond.com/index.html
These ads were published in conjunction with Willys Limited of Canada.
View all the information on eBay
“You are bidding on a lot of 4 different ads for the Jeep Willys FC-150 from 1957. Ads are in excellent condition. Check pictures carefully.”
