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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 .
I won a HiBid online auction yesterday that included this Mobile Drilling Inc., operation and parts booklet. I am hoping this proves an interesting document!
This was included in an odd assortment of jeep and non-jeep docs.
UPDATE: Geoffrey won this Al-Toy body auction on eBay and then got the lights working. He’s wondering if anyone has a parts to help make it into more of a complete model?? It appears he needs wheels and a windshield at the very least.
Previous pics from ebay:
This truck brochure from Canada caught my eye on eBay, because it labeled the truck as a 2WD DJ-226. I suspect the brochure is from about 1960.
UPDATE: This post now contains better photos of the brochure.
I purchased this Japanese Formula Desert Dog brochure. I thought it was interesting that both solid and outlined version of the tires were offered simultaneously. I’ll update the pics when I receive the brochure.
We stayed up extra late Friday night and were rewarded with clear, active skies! I took these photos with my iPhone (no filters, no adjustments later). However, the phone made these look much more colorful than they were to my eyes. Once I realized how cool the skies looked while using my phone, I walked around the property taking photos. We have a bunch of solar, motion detector lights, so they just added background light also.
But, before the night pics, I have one from Saturday. I was in the garden and looked over to see what I thought might be a dead cat … but, no, it was just sleeping.
Other notes … more progress was accomplished on the FC. The oil cooler fan bracket is all done, the cooler and fan attached, and the wiring ready for install. The gas pedal is nearly done, though I want to lighten the pivot portion of it.
One additional note. It seems the eye surgery I had last August has accelerated the cataract in that eye, which has resulted in some loss of vision. I’ve got new glasses arriving this coming week, so I hope that allows me to see good enough to race. Otherwise, I will have to get and recover from cataract surgery before racing … if not one thing, it’s another!
Okay, now the sky photos:
Bill shared this video of what I think is a customized tracked vehicle with a vintage jeep body and an inline six possibly from a jeep. I don’t know enough about these to comment on it.
The big spring project, operation Raised Garden #2, has finally concluded. The auto irrigation system is ready to go. Now, Ann just needs to finish planting and I need to put away the tools leaning against the shop (and paint the fencing around the propane tank).
Since first buying the place we’ve struggled with what to do with this dead zone between the shop and the guest house. Ann’s idea for 2nd garden area there looks like it will be a good idea. Here’s a before and after photo:
On Sunday, I returned to working on the FC. I finished a cover plate for the Wilwood hole (formerly the original shifter hole), and I built a bracket for the oil-cooler/electric fan setup (no pics just yet). Though I need to catch up on other projects waylaid as a result of the garden, I should have more time to work on the FC again.
Bill shared this article on MD Juan and some of the recent updates to their product line, along with some infrastructure updates. I know folks mock MD Juan at times, but their ability to manufacture inexpensive bodies means the company can’t invest heavily in additional equipment (chicken and egg situation). Nice to see the company continuing to support the vintage jeep community.
Here are three Willys Overland Export Corporation mailers in Spanish distributed in Ecuador. The look to be printed around 1960 given the blue ‘Jeep’ dot and the single-pane willys wagon. These are priced at $18.00 and are pretty rare.
Bill also shared this article regarding some new jeep-branded watches by Marathon. Maybe it will interest someone?
I haven’t worn a watch since about 2001 (by then I had a portable phone and computer as constant companions). I found over the years I didn’t like wearing watches, jewelry, bracelets or anything on my fingers. I don’t even wear my wedding ring often (thankfully I have a patient wife). I recently discovered my aunt has had a life-long aversion to wearing items on her fingers and wrist, so maybe a DNA thing?
This thread of a 1956 truck rebuild was shared by Bill. It looks like this has become a non-stock rebuild.
UPDATE: This was first published October 14, 2019. The videos were dated as 1948, but Bill noted that the actual date of release was 1945.
Brendan, who used to run This-old-jeep, posted this 3-part video back in 2010. The video was produced by Willys-Overland to help sell the new CJ-2A. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them.
Part I:
Part II:
Part III:
I can’t tell if this was a limited production item or a one-off creation. Anyone seen others like this? Currently priced at $199.99 or Make Offer.
View all the information on eBay
“Here is a rare vintage, Willys Overland Jeep Jeepster pen and pen stand. The pen and pen stand are in very good condition. The pen does not write. It stands about 10 3/4 inches tall. The base measures about 3 7/16 inches wide, 2 inches deep, and about 2 1/16 inches tall. I am not sure what the base is made of, it is fairly heavy.
It continues to be a busy month. Yesterday felt like a 2-step-forward, 1-step-back kind of day. The new raised garden is about done, as seen below. Still some details to complete, such as adding some plastic sheets at each corner of the raised beds, because, as it turns out, the corrugated sides create gaps at the corners, which allows dirt to fall onto the ground. So, we will need to dig up each corner and add some plastic sheets to stop that. Once we get all the plants in and gravel laid, I’ll take some final pics.
Yesterday morning I spent some time working on the FC. My goal had been to create the cover plate for the mini-gauges and power switch that will sit on the angled area of the dog house.
I cut a raw piece of 14 gauge steel, rounded the edges (not shown), then, to test the size and look, placed the plate on the dog house. That’s when I noticed the plate didn’t lay flat. After testing some flat edges, I eventually concluded that there’s a slight twist in the dog house at the very spot I want to put the gauges. It’s not undoable, but I’d rather the plate sat flat (passenger side is flat).
This pic shows the angle. You can see the slope increase as the angled portion moves to the front.
That problem led to me removing the driver’s seat (for the first time) so I could better evaluate my options.
I eventually concluded that it will take some clamps and braces to straighten it (if even possible). Since i didn’t feel like tackling that project right now, I turned to the driver’s seat.
First, I installed an original driver’s seat just to see how it fits vis-a-vis the steering wheel, which proved to be a comfortable angle (whew).
I removed the seat, then pondered the areas where the seat originally mounted. It was immediately clear that the original driver’s side seat mount areas had been patched and welded. My guess is that the area had been fatigued over the years. In addition, a portion of one seat mount bolt remained in it’s original hole, while the other mount area holes had been filled entirely. Continue reading
Bill shared an updated article on the Jeepney situation in the Philippines. The push to eliminate Jeepney’s isn’t popular, which isn’t surprising given the cultural significance of them.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/29/jeepney-strike-philippines
Here’s an oddball item.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1402417757064972
“just dont have the time to finish. has nice honda pacific coast 800 twin. also ford fiesta 5 speed. new tires and wheels. needs someone with some fab tools and time.”
The price is $99 or Best Offer. Given these include serial numbers, maybe one or more of these vehicles is still around?
View all the information on eBay
“Original 1950 & 1951 Jeep Willys Sales Orders Reciepts Lot Of 21 w/ VIN NUMBERS.”
This first receipt is for a 1951 CJ-3A #GB1-13591, motor #3J-63567.
This next one is for a 1950 Willys Station Wagon 4-73 #473SW-16751 with motor #P19118. Looking at the VIN records for 1950, it appears this would have been a sedan delivery model. Note that payment included the trade-in of a 1947 station wagon.
This receipt is for a 1950 station wagon #673SW-12848 and motor #1S-14109. The receipt includes the trade-in of a 1940 Chevy station wagon.
This receipt is for a 1951 CJ-3A #GB1-11975 and motor #3J-62439. The deal included the trade-in of a 1947 CJ-2A.
The seller wants $59 for this, which seems a bit crazy, but the reason these photos caught my eye is that they show DJ-3A Galas crossing entering (crossing?) the water. Unclear whether this was for fun, for experience or a purpose. It may be some kind of beach-based road that floods at high tide? No description provided.
View all the information on eBay
This unusual ad appeared in a Buffalo Auto Show program in 1955. The CJ-3B was only two years old at this point, yet doesn’t make the cut for the ad. Clearly the emphasis was on the CJ-5.
View all the information on eBay
“Buffalo Auto Show Program 1955. Original magazine ad / page, source issue & date stated when known. Two-page ads noted. 8 1/2 x 11″ +/-. Dimensions given, if any, are approximate. Scans large to show any defects. Unseen defects described. VG or better condition. Item complete as issued unless otherwise stated.”
This FC-150 just sold for $25,000 at a Bring A Trailer auction. Lots of good interior photos.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1961-willys-fc-150/
“This 1961 Willys Jeep FC-150 has been refinished in green and yellow and features a front winch, dual side mirrors, and a drop-down tailgate. The truck is powered by a 134ci Hurricane inline-four linked to a three-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Further details include a side-mounted spare tire, a cab heater, locking front hubs, and vinyl seating surfaces that match the exterior color scheme. It was acquired by the seller in 2018, and subsequent work included performing fluid services and replacing ignition components. This FC-150 is now offered with a bed cover and transferrable New York registration in the seller’s name.”
Now that I have the longer, six foot cable, I had a chance to continue with the transfer case shifter. The bracket that was provided by JB Customs, caused the shifter cable to run into the engine, which didn’t seem like a valid strategy, so I roughly calculated the angle, then made two cuts into the aluminum bracket. This allowed me to re-mount the bracket and then bend the bracket into the right position, but maintain the correct bracket-end distance.
Here are two pics of the original bracket:
This pic shows one of the two cuts plus the new angle. Even with that small bit of metal holding up the bracket, the shifter could easily shift through the gears. So, next I’ll repair that gap.
Here you can see how the cable angles upward, the veers toward the driver’s side. I haven’t determined where I’ll be securing the cable.
The shift boot needs to be reattached under the bezel. The bezel is the original bezel with the colorful surface sanded, which turned out to be exactly what I wanted. I’ve painted it red since this pic was taken.
Here’s the shifter all the way forward. It’s surprisingly (to me anyway) easy to shift.
Next up I was going to build the final parts for the transmission oil cooler and fan bracket, but I have misplaced a couple pieces that I created and now can’t find them. So, I’ll work on the 1.5″ gauges next. Then, the gas pedal.
This rare model of an early 1960s Willys Wagon by Authenticast just sold on eBay for $184.45.
More pics of the blue one in a moment. In 2022 there was a red version for sale with an asking price of $425. I don’t know what became of that one. You can see pics at the bottom of this post.
Now, back to the blue one.
Nine years ago, April 24th, 2015, we began our weeks-long exploration of Texas following an unexpected illness that sidelined me for a week in New Mexico. If you haven’t taken the time to circumvent Texas, we highly recommend you do!
http://www.ewillys.com/2015/04/11/messin-w-texas-in-april-may-2015-summary/
Visit at the Border Patrol Museum:
Meeting Lee and Sam in Texas’ Hill Country:
Exploring the The USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier was fun:
After departing Texas, I was surprised when I happened upon Sagauche, Colorado:
UPDATE: Still Available.
(05/05/2023) Bill shared this link to the seller of a variety of posters. I’ve bought some of his rare items off of eBay. I’d spring for the 5 Great Willys Values poster if it wasn’t ripped. I’ve only run across one other.
https://hartford.craigslist.org/atq/d/middletown-vintage-original-ww2-and/7724796927.html
“WORLD WAR 2 ORIGINAL POSTERS, AND MANY WILLYS JEEP RELATED POSTERS.
PRICES VARIED ACCORDING TO AGE, SIZE, AND CONTENT.
ALL POSTERS AND RELATED JEEP ITEMS ARE ORIGINALS AND IN GOOD SHAPE.
SOME ARE FRAMED AND SOME ARE NOT.
SOME OF THE SIZES OF THE ITEMS ARE LISTING IN THE PHOTOS ON A PIECE OF PAPER ON THE ITEM.
PRICES RANGE FROM $800.00 TO $20.00
WHEN RESPONDING PLEASE INCLUDE A PHONE NUMBER TO DISCUSS POSTERS OR RESPONSE WILL BE DELETED.”
Blaine shared this MB rebuild video by Al’s Garage. There are a few deviations from stock, but still it’s clear a lot of time was put into saving this old MB. Kudos for documenting this as getting the light and other details correct while focusing on rebuilding is a tedious task!
To view the video, you’ll need to go to Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5XbCjy4nW4
