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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 FJ-3A brochure Form No. 61-05.
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Originally published October 31, 2015: This is an interesting FJ-3A brochure. It is Form No. 61-14. The ladder holder is something I haven’t seen anywhere.
“Here I have a 1961 single sheet advertisement issued by Willys for the Willys Jeep Fleetvan. There is some wear along the top and some light creasing (See Scans) but it still displays very nicely.”
Blaine spotted this 1947 adorable photo of Lance Borman that’s located at the Smithsonian Institution. It shows Lance in a Good Humor Ice Cream-themed toy jeep.
http://edan.si.edu/slideshow/viewer/?eadrefid=NMAH.AC.0451_ref15
“Lance Borman / Baby Parade / Lake Mohawk [ink on verso)] [photoprint], July 1947
Photograph of child, wearing Good Humor unifrom and cap, in toy truck with “Good Humors” [sic] ice cream sign. Photographer unidentified. Lake Mohawk, New Jersey?
In Box 1, folder 6.
Silver gelatin on paper, 10 x 8″.
Local Numbers: AC0451-000003.tif (AC scan no.)
This article was published in the October 26, 1941, issue of the Birmingham News.
UPDATE: Another version of this photo and caption are on eBay.
View all the information on eBay
“1941 Press Photo Colonel Herbert Lawes & the Duke of Kent ride a jeep in MD camp. This is an original press photo. George. Duke of Kent. The Duke of Kent, youngest brother of King George VI, inspected defense facilities in the Baltimore and Camp Holabird, Maryland area today. He toured the Glenn L. Martin airplane plant which is making millions of dollars worth of aircraft for the Royal Air Force, and later inspected Canadian troops at Camp Holabird transport school. Photo shows left to right: seated in an Army reconnaissance car: Colonel Herbert Lawes, Commanding Officer of Camp Holabird, Maryland, United States Army Quartermaster Depot.; Duke of Kent. Photo measures 8.5 x 6.75 inches. Photo is dated 8-26-1941.”
The press photo was published in several newspapers, including the Charlotte Observer on August 29, 1941.
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Originally Posted 12/16/2019: The Duke of Kent got a ride in a Ford GP as part of his visit to Baltimore, Maryland.
“1941 Press Photo Colonel Herbert Lawes shows The Duke of Kent an Army Jeep in MD. This is an original press photo. George … Duke of Kent. The above soundphoto, transmitted to San Francisco, shows The Duke of Kent, youngest brother of King George VI, when he toured Glenn L. Martin airplane plant at Baltimore, Maryland, and Camp Holabird, Maryland, during inspection of defense facilities in this area. Shown inspecting Army reconnaissance car “Jeep” – near Camp Holabird transport school. Left to right, Colonel Herbert Lawes, Commanding officer of Camp Holabird and the Duke of Kent.Photo measures 9.75 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 8-26-1941.”
Originally Published November 03, 2019:
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Originally posted in September of 2018:
Blaine spotted a discussion at the Ford-Trucks.com forum on Auxiliary transmissions that included the rare Warn Auxiliary Overdrive. A user named “38 Coupe” shared a bunch of smaller Auxiliary transmission documents that included a Parts and Instruction manual for the Warn AO. So, here it is, along with some photos of a Warn unit that was for sale in April of 2015.
This jeep family brochure is one of that last of the “animal series” that I didn’t own. The brochure includes plugs for Maverick, Hong Kong and Jack Paar Shows. It is Form No. DM61-04.
This is how it looks when fully opened:
This is the back:
This is the entire back when opened:
According to this first document, there was a need for more detailed information about Meyer Hardtop parts. So, the company created Form No. 1-387.
Below are the instructions for installing a Meyer Half Cab on a CJ-5. It is Form No. 1-383.
These are supplemental instructions for CJ-5s & CJ-6s Meyer Full Cabs. This first is Form No. 1-182-S.
This is Form No. 1-396-S for the CJ-6 and CJ-6A Meyer Full Cab.
This toy jeep includes the packaging.
View all the information on eBay
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A PLASTIC ANDI GARD BRAND “UTILITY JEEP” IN ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
JEEP AND BOX HAVE GOOD COLOR AND GRAPHICS.
JEEP IS COMPLETE WITH NO BREAKS.
BOX HAS WEAR FROM AGE, STORAGE, AND PLAY. TEARS AND FOLDS IN BOX AND PLASTIC WINDOW.(SEE PHOTOS), BUT STILL PRESENTABLE.
A NICE, RARE, JEEP TOY”
This rare Megow wood model US Army jeep is currently priced at $40.
View all the information on eBay
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR ONE/1 MEGOW WOOD AND CARDBOARD JEEP MODEL KIT – IN ORIGINAL BOX. LOOKS COMPLETE.
THE BOTTOM PIECE OF THE MODEL IS APPROX. 5 INCHES LONG TO GIVE A SCALE TO THE SIZE OF THE MODEL JEEP.
KIT CONTAINS BOTH WOOD AND CARDBOARD PARTS
A NICE EXAMPLE OF THIS NICE JEEP WOOD AND CARDBOARD MODEL KIT. HARD TO FIND IN THIS CONDITION.”
I spotted this plastic jeep on a buy-it-now eBay ad, but didn’t recognize it. It looked unusual due to the spare tire placement (CJ-2-like), so I made an offer and scored it. After some research, I learned it is pretty unique.
According to Fred Coldwell (you can see his collection of these below), “in 1945 California Moulders, Inc., Los Angeles 11, California, produced plastic models of the 1944 CJ-2 jeep named the “Agrijeep”. These first 20 CJ-2 civilian jeeps can be identified by their spare tire mounted mid-body on the passenger side, as faithfully reproduced in the plastic models below. These CJ-2 models came in a variety of colors, and the red and white and blue and white model pairs shown below have opposite colored hood, bodies, tailgates and tires. I have yet to find the complimentary models to the blue and yellow and white and green plastic CJ-2 jeeps. These very first plastic models of “The New” Civilian Jeeps are not easy to find, but over the decades I have collected the ones shown here. Enjoy!”
Mine is all one color (I have yet to find a comparable one on the internet), but lacks the windshield. It seems like it got too hot (see the front bumper), so it’s hardly a perfect specimen. There are no markings on it, other than “39” is printed on the box; I’m unclear what that signifies (no company name on the box either).
Other California Moulder models:
This first photo shows Fred’s collection (from this link):
This is an unusual item that Maury shared. It’s priced at $99. A similar type of jeep sold without the lucite for $57 in August of 2020.
View all the information on eBay
Bill shared this trailer. No reserve with starting bid of $395.
View all the information on ebay
“Selling my unrestored WW2 Willys 1/4 Ton trailer. Needs to be restored. Needs handbrake and brake linkage, wheels are post war, needs landing leg. I have two fenders which are included. Original paint on back side which has not been cut for tailgate. Bottom panel needed. Please look at the pics and ask all questions before bidding. If you want more images, please ask. A;; sa;es final no returns. Located in Central Tennessee, near McMinnville 37110, pick up only. Can arrange delivery a short distance for fee to be negotiated before sale. TN Bill of sale as TN does not title trailers unless used for out of state commercial use.”
This full page article published July 22, 1941, in Baltimore’s Evening Sun includes photos of Bantam BRC-60s and Ford GPs.
This is a second full-page article on the jeep, this time with two large photos in the May 04, 1941, issue of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
It doesn’t run at the moment. It has a Missouri title for some reason. There’s nothing to indicate it is a 1946 or was ever a WW2 jeep.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/687047558645517
“$15,000 Here is the real deal WW2 willys Jeep Jeepney from the Philippines. Was built in the 1960’s with old war Jeeps left behind. This is a real deal with Isuzu diesel and 4 speed transmission. Old owner was a maga millionaire that took his family in the annual parade every year in this. It was part of the Schats bakery collection. Has a clean Missouri title and had over $5000 invested in the running gear years ago. Been sitting maybe 4 years and will run and drive in a few hours.”
UPDATE: This article from August 28, 1941, published in the Daily News (New York City), describes the Bantam BRC-40 T2E1. This is the second generation of of the T2E1, (reportedly, the first generation of the T2E1 had a the full body, which itself was a derivation of the T2, an anti-tank jeep that had the gun between the seats; however, there apparently is some debate on how to define the versions).
Also mentioned below is the Ford Swamp Angel. I’ll have more info on that in an upcoming post.
This is a T2E1 from an angle I’ve never seen. It was published yesterday on the Quest Masters Museum Facebook page:
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Originally published May 31, 2020:
An article from 1941 appears to describe the T2E1 Bantams shown in photos below (a few more photos here also). The article describes the rifles as 47mm, while the photo captions correctly describe the rifle as a 37mm. Perhaps the difference is that the article was written in July, while the photos were taken late in August? So, maybe, 47mm rifles might have been initially considered? (47mm anti-tank guns were developed by France as early as 1931)
This article was published July 21, 1941, in the Lansing State Journal out of Michigan:
#1 Originally posted 01/31/2014:
This is likely a reprint, but still a good photo of the Bantam BRC-40 T2E1.
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#2 Posted August of 2018:
Not many of these Amphibious jeep Ford GPA models around.
View all the information on eBay
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR ONE/1 REDYCUT U.S. ARMY AMPHIBIAN JEEP WOOD KIT IN ORIGINAL BOX
THE KIT LOOKS TO BE COMPLETE.
DIRECTIONS INCLUDED
A NICE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE WOOD AMPHIBIAN JEEP MODEL KIT.
HARD TO FIND IN THIS CONDITION.”
The seller indicates these were from M*A*S*H toy sets.
View all the information on eBay
“Metal diecast US military jeeps and trailers, 18 Jeeps and 16Trailers, made by Zylmex, 1983. 12 are OD green, 6 are desert camouflaged. First time I saw them was in the 1980’s they sold as part of M*A*S*H* sets. Selling to reduce my collection of soldiers and vehicles. Scale is possibly HO scale. Condition is “Used”.”
UPDATE: Philippos has created some newer jeep models, this time building it based on a pic of a Ford GP that was modified into a crane. However, instead of a Ford GP, he made it a Bantam BRC-40. Here’s the original pic:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WWIIG503/permalink/10157377382976046/
Here is the model (FB link):
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay. This photo was floating one of the Facebook groups, but didn’t include the caption, which describes the passengers. This was originally published here Dec 23, 2014.
The question of the license plate came up on Facebook (as in, why does it have a license plate), while the question of “giant jeep” came up in a previous post on eWillys. The thing that’s been a head scratcher for me is that this jeep is carrying three grown men in the front, with space between the driver and the two passengers.
What is for certain is that in May 1941 Charles Payne (exec assistant to Bantam President Frank Fenn), was in Washington to promote Bantam’s efforts (see newspaper article at the bottom of this post).
So, thinking out loud, is it possible that the below verbiage is true, that Bantam made a “giant” or larger jeep to promote its effort to obtain a contract? It would explain why it has dealer plates (as it wasn’t owned by the military). Here’s a comparison with another face-front Bantam:
Photo on the left is a press photo with a standard Bantam BRC-40. The one on the right is the press photo with Congress men and Bantam Rep Charles Payne.
The angle of the jeep on the right going up the steps makes it appear a little larger, so that’s not helpful. One unusual aspect is that it seems to sit taller, with a greater distance between the tires and the front fenders; yet, the spring shacks still have more play in them than the photo on the left. However, all this could be the effect of being on the stairs with six people piled in it.
The license plate, unless enlarged, suggests that the jeep on the left is not giant, but rather a standard sized jeep. Therefore, my suspicion is that this isn’t a larger jeep. So, why the “giant jeep” comment was used by the reporter is still a mystery to me. Thoughts?
From the original eBay ad: “A Vintage1941 Original Photo depicting a Giant Jeep carrying politicians in Washington D.C. The vehicle was made by the makers of the U.S. Army’s newest midget to promote their new vehicle to the suits in Washington. The small four-wheel drive utility vehicles would become an icon of World War II. Original press stamp and caption with a MAY 25 1941 stamp date are on the verso.”
This photo was published in the May 26, 1941, issue of the Star Tribune out of Minneapolis, Minnesota:
This article from May 04, 1941, published in the Dayton Daily News (Ohio) provides additional information on Charles Payne’s visit, but doesn’t elaborate on the “Giant Jeep”, which may have been an Associate Press reporter creation:
This first column describes seven different uses for the term ‘jeep’. It appeared in the November 15, 1941, issue of the News Journal, out of Mansfield, Ohio:
A few days later, this blurb was part of a column called the Daily Knave, published November 18, 1941. It highlights some of the alternative uses of the term “jeep”.
This photo was floating around Facebook. It shows a Chicago Fire Department FC-170 dressed up as a clown carrier. Anyone know where the photo originated (the FB poster didn’t know). He did have a date of 12/5/1962.
UPDATE: We have a video update to David Tracy’s FC-170 adventure
https://jalopnik.com/i-bought-the-worlds-most-hopeless-jeep-bringing-it-bac-1846836392
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Originally published April 1, 2021: (no, this is not an April fools) … This Sunday, David Tracy of Jalopnik plans to buy a vehicle in Chicago, drive to Seattle, pick up an FC-170 he’s bought, get it running, then attempt to drive it home. I’m sure nothing will go wrong with this plan. You can read all about it here:
https://jalopnik.com/my-5-000-mile-road-trip-in-a-275-000-mile-fancy-toyota-1846591932
Here’s an interior look at the FC:
