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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 .
If you haven’t read this, take a look at the CJ-3B page and check out this story on the Australian CJ-3B Gala.
https://www.cj3b.info/Finds/FindsSurreyAustralia.html
UPDATE: **SOLD**. Was $1650.
(11/06/2017) It’s rough, but has a variety of DJ parts, including the original air cleaner!
“Rare dispatcher model. 2 wheel drive, column shift 3 on the tree. Has most of the original parts, air filter, side steps, 4 full Willys wheel covers and 5 matching 4 lug 15 inch rims. Has the hard to find curved rear bumper, front is missing. Engine runs and yard drives on a small gas can. Frame solid. Body rough. 12v system. Clean title. Build a surrey jeep. Call anytime.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1200
This unusual Jeepster is for sale through Facebook. There are enough unusual things about it that I began to wonder if it is a prototype of some type. It seems to have the top from a wire gauze air cleaner typically seen on the Kaiser Darrin and some DJ-3As (surreys and converibles in particular). The sliding windows on the door are also interesting. That’s what got me thinking that there might be something unique about this rig, possibly even a prototype of some sort??
“I saw this (what was) 50 Jeepster today. It’s for sale at Brandy Brow Auto in Plaistow, NH. $1200. It looks to be very solid.”
UPDATE II: There are more photos of the DJ-3A “mobile bar” in the February 1962 Jeep News.
This 1966 brochure for the Las Brisas resort included some pics of Surreys.
Here’s a DJ-5 with hubcaps.
We’ve seen this DJ-3A “mobile bar” featured in a photo from another angle.
This is the booklet’s cover. 
I’m not sure why this has a Surrey top and tire cover? I think it detracts from the vehicle.
View all the information on eBay
“1966 Jeep CJ5A Tuxedo Park Mark IV
Indian Ceramic w/Black interior.
Barn find with 2,965 miles since new
Rare Model 8322 CJ-5A Tuxedo Park Mark IV
Original Indian Ceramic paint
4-wheel drive
Dauntless 225 CI OHV V-6 engine
Floor-shifted 3-speed transmission
Surrey Gala Top option
Garage kept since new
Never driven on the dirt road
Side mounted spare tire with cover
Chrome front and rear bumper
Chrome hood badges
Chrome license plate holder
Chrome headlights and tail lamp surrounds
Windshield clamp catch
Chrome hubcaps and whitewall tires
Black bucket seats and floor mat
Original oil bath air cleaner
Continue reading
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3950. Might have been a Pepsi Surrey.
Per Colin, 56337 18392 1960 DJ3A Yellow, floor shift, some modifications, bucket seats, chrome windshield grab bars, chrome front bumper. Could this have been a Pepsi Surrey? Very close to numbers of other Pepsi Surreys.
This is owned by Sherri and had the DJ featured in a magazine (Four Wheeler?). At some point, this jeep was stolen. It was returned to her in poor shape. It needs some restoration. (At least, that’s what I understand based on the text below).
“Willys Jeep flat head 4 NOT 4Wheel drive, 3 speed shift
Old military style clean engine like new, needs tires & seats mounted, have bikini top,
I have owned 40 years originally restored (40 yrs ago) & was in magazines “jeep was stolen & left in a wash for few years” when I got it back I started to restore again! Was told 1945 registered & pink slip 1960.
Have original hubs W cromed, & more cromed parts for jeep!
Photos show older pics & current pics”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2600.
(05/12/2017) Body looks great. Needs an engine and some other pieces. If this doesn’t come with the gas inlet, there’s one for sale on eBay. It’s a good price, too. Seller also had a 1963 DJ chassis for sale. Interesting that it has a 0-10 speedo, which, if original to the jeep, would more likely make it an early 1956 model.
“1957 Jeep – Willys DJ3A. Rare 2w.d. “Dispatcher” model. Great candidate to restore as Surrey beach car. Major metalwork completed and presented in treated bare metal. Ready for finish bodywork and paint. Very complete except missing original engine. Has two transmissions, factory steps and curved front bumper. Rolls and steers. Clean Ariz . title. $2900.00. Also have another DJ3A rolling frame with matching 1963 title for $600.”
Patterson looks ready for the big tow to Eastern Washington.
Claiming that Sunday was “Tow Hell” day might be a slight exaggeration, but I wouldn’t call it a winning day either. Let’s recap the last couple days as I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to photograph some of it.
I finally got the jeep running well on Friday after determining there was an air leak in a short piece of hose (let air in, but did not let gas out). I then timed it by ear and feel, rather than diagnostics, and that seemed to do the trick. On Saturday, I built a tow setup that utilized existing holes in the front bumper. I wanted some thing strong, but didn’t want to drill into the bumper.
Once the tow setup was ready, I turned to the exhaust. I’d already had Ann go to a muffler shop to replicate the 1.5″, 7′ section of tailpipe I needed (thankfully I had an original end section leftover from one of the DJs to use as a template). I combined the tail pipe with a Walker muffler I bought off Amazon and some Oreilly’s clamps and assembled the exhaust with relative ease.
I thought we were ready to head for Pasco on Sunday morning.
The early DJ-3As has an exhaust that pretty much was straight. The only bends needed were 1) the bend on the front piece from the manifold down to the cross member, 2) the exhaust piece has to bend over the rear axle, and 3) the exhaust bends to the outside past the gas tank (not pictured). (1955 DJ-3A manual). Good luck finding a shop that had this series of bends in their shop manuals or computer!
For comparison, this is the more likely setup that you’ll find at a muffler shop (if they have anything this old). It’s a more typical setup for 2As, 3As, 3Bs, etc. This doesn’t work for the DJ, because the muffler is positioned where the rear gas tank is installed.
We spent the first part of Sunday morning cleaning up the garage. It was a bit of a mess! Once that was done, we hooked up Patterson and began slowly towing him. We didn’t make it through the first intersection of my parent’s quiet neighborhood before I realized that the jeep wasn’t tracking around the corner. When I turned slowly right, it began to turn slowly left, forcing me to hit the brakes.
What the hell? I’ve towed a number of vehicles and never, ever run into this type of trouble.
We carefully tried a couple more corners and each was the same. The jeep began to turn the opposite way. I’d have to hop out and correct Patterson’s direction. After a trip around the block, we arrived at my parent’s house once more.
Testing the tracking at a very slow pace.
I pulled out my googler, but couldn’t find anyone having a similar problem. I concluded the drag link/ross box was somehow interfering with the jeep from tracking properly. I did read were “Dr. Verne” (aka Verne Simmons) would remove his drag link to tow it, but my custom radiator made that strategy near impossible without disassembly of multiple items. I was just about ready to remove the drag link when I decided, on a lark, to unscrew the control screw(could be the wrong name for this) on the Ross box. My assumption was that this would loosen the Ross mechanism, freeing the drag link to spin the steering wheel more easily.
Me trying to work through the steering problem.
Listed as a 1951 body, it might be an aftermarket body. It’s got the solid back and a civilian floor, but lacks a gas tank outlet on the rear, which means it isn’t a DJ-3A convertible or surrey body. It might be an aftermarket body.
“For Sale 1951 Willy-Jeep Body
Has good Arizona Title.
Call Mike for info. Selling for $700”
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/6152204396.html
Charles spotted this Surrey-like jeep. It looks to me like an early, basic DJ-3A to which someone added some surrey trimmings. No price or description provided, other than the seller describes it as a “1953”, which would be three years before the first DJ was introduced. Still, it looks like a fun rig to drive around town. It’s for sale the weekend of May 12-14.
https://www.estatesales.net/TX/Valley-View/76272/1501800
UPDATE: Still Available.
(04/11/2017) This DJ-3A is actually a 1962 that sold in 1964. The trim ID indicates that it may have been a Surrey. Though it has an L-134, it’s a former industrial engine. The jeep has a few other modifications, including four wheel drive. Still, looks like a good price.
Re-posting as I was away for 2 weeks , 1964 3A flat-fender 4×4 Jeep last year of production, was used as a hunting Jeep, no rust in the body and well cared for. 134 stock motor , has new water pump, radiator, valve job. 60 amp alternator, 12 volt, starts on the first click ( started on first turn after just sitting two weeks) and runs very well. Has a rebuilt transmission and transfer case. Vintage 5 leaf Rancho 2 inch lift springs , 11″ bendix brake conversion ( stops on a dime) with rear axle parking brakes that work. has factory 3/4 -1/4 front seats, (was originally a column shift) vintage Ramsey PTO winch with front and rear pto output . all electrical and gauges work perfectly, including “gas gauges”, turn signals back up lights spedo and digital tac also , two gas tanks ( came with factory rear tank) is set up to tow and tows perfectly , has a rear tow receiver. Floating rear axle and has 4:88 gears. Roll bar, hubs and bikini top, has factory rear seat. All mechanical parts in great shape. Current registration so “Wild Willy” can be driven away… at 50 mph…ha.. $4,500 B/O Just a real rare stock great running Jeep. In person pickup and cash only.”
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/6081922285.html
UPDATE II: This jeep is now for sale in the UK on eBay for 10x what it was and it doesn’t include the spraying equipment nor the front hub caps. Price was originally $1500.
“Willys 1948 cj2a jeep
Runs and drives
New tyres, brakes etc
We have screen surround, seat covers and hood included
Fuel tank is present
Converted to 12v but all original parts kept
Original paperwork and nova certificate present
Based in chertsey surrey
Sensible offers considered
Any questions please ask”
Sylvia Porter was a financial guru of some renown in the 1960s. We think this might be an actual Gala from Las Brisas.
No pics provided.
“I have 2 front axles for DJ3A/Surrey models.
One complete with brakes, one without brakes.
For your restoration, sand Jeep, rat rod. etc.”
This pink surrey-like vehicle looks fun. A blue version of this same vehicle and same year sold for $27,500 at a Barret-Jackson auction.
“Gateway Classic Cars of Tampa is proud to offer this eye-catching 1974 Volkswagen Type 181… aka, the Volkswagen Thing. With looks somewhere between an Army Jeep and a Volkswagen Beetle, the Volkswagen Thing already stands out, but this particular example was built to look like the ultra-rare Acapulco Edition. These cars were built in very low numbers but they are instantly recognizable, and that Caribbean look is transferred to this 1974 Volkswagen Thing Acapulco Edition Tribute with a two-tone pink-and-white paint job, matching interior and the Surrey soft top. If a canvas roof isn’t quite your style, though, this car also comes with a full open-side hard top and removable roll bars. Powering this 1974 Volkswagen Thing is a rear-mounted 1,584-cc horizontally opposed and air-cooled four-cylinder, and this engine is backed by a four-speed manual gearbox. Drop the top, remove the doors and flip down the windshield, and this 1974 Volkswagen Thing is a perfect beach cruiser, parade vehicle or show car!”
View all the information on eBay
I picked this up a few weeks ago.
UPDATE: The seller is selling the rest of the DJ collection as well.
This convertible DJ-3A looks pretty stock. Note the flatly in the back ground of the first pic. Looks like it might be a DJ-3A or Surrey that someone modified. Also of note, the rear top bow has an extra piece across that top of it.
“Selling a nice Willys dispatch jeep. 2wd have paper work reflecting over 4 k worth of work. Runs/ drives. Sweet little runner”
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/5919732939.html
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2200.
This might be the first DJ-5 “surrey” I’ve seen.
“1979 Jeep. Inline 4 cylinder engine with 3 speed automatic transmission. 2 wheel drive, right hand steering vehicle. The top & top frame are removable for a full open top. Tires have plenty of tread. This is a retired postal jeep DJ5, with lots of updates and it is fun to drive. It smokes a little when first started, needs the fuel gauge hooked up, and needs a passenger side seat-belt. Good Texas title. No trades. The price is FIRM at $2200 cash, don’t offer less, I won’t take a penny less than that. If you are not willing to pay that then don’t call.”
A pretty correct looking dry air or wire gauze filter from a 1954 Kaiser Darrin. Not the diagonal wire mesh on the exterior and the two prominent lips on the lid. The rubber piece on the top is unique to the Darrins. The DJ-3A did not use the rubber top piece.
UPDATE: This modification of the Oil Bath system into a dry air system by installing an air filter inside the oil bath canister might interest some readers: http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/ar/t1267.htm
On DJ-3As, the stock air filter is a “Wire Gauze” or “Dry Air” filter type. The oil bath filter commonly seen on earlier L-134 engines was an upgrade option on the DJ-3As. When I looked to see whether my firewall had the holes necessary to mount the oil bath filter, I found the firewall had not been drilled. So, Rusty must have been equipped with a dry air filter.
As far as we know, Willys Motors only installed the dry air filter on the DJ-3As. This same filter appeared chromed on some 1953 & 1954 Corvettes and some 1954 161 Darrins (perhaps other years, too). It’s likely that if someone has one of these lying around, they probably don’t know what it is. If you happen to have one, I’d be interested in it.
Below is one example of a filter about to be restored with a modern mesh in the middle. Charles explained how the NOS filter material can be reproduced: “A NOS corvette, Darrin, or DJ filter core is rare and expensive. Once in a couple of blue moons they show up on eBay. However, they can be made easily . The inner and outer ring are made of extremely thin expanded metal. Make the inner ring, wrap around some air filter grade copper mesh wrap (eBay) and then wrap the outer ring and secure. Unfortunately, the copper would deteriorate over the years and has been talked about badly. Even though they were called dry air filters they were supposed to be kept oiled.”
According to Bill Brown, there’s a K&N filter that can be used. He couldn’t remember the part number, but the “OD of it is 6 3/8″; the ID is 5 1/4″; and the height is 1 1/2”. This is a filter with an accordion fold all the way around with a molded “rubber” top an bottom. Molded into both the top and bottom are a pair of K & N marks the Identification AO62B4 and the words Oil Type.”
This photo shows some of the parts to build a custom dry air filter. The bottom is original. The mesh left and right should be criss cross in diamond shapes rather than circles. The air filter at the bottom is meant to replace the shredded copper originally between the circular mesh. The felt circle helps seal the top lid to the tops of the mesh. The item on the lower right compresses the felt onto the mesh.
Here are examples of the filter installed. The diameter of the top lid is about 6 3/4 inches:
This rebuilt unit has the incorrect mesh and an aftermarket filter.
This one could be original. I can’t tell what kind of mesh surrounds the shredded interior.
I’ve spent some time over the last couple of days assembling information on what I have/needwant for Rusty. I’m throwing this info up for questions/answers/comments:
1. AIR CLEANER: Bill has hooked me up with an air cleaner. I just need the horn, seal, and tube – http://www.jeepsurreygala.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/oil-bath.jpg … cj3a looks the same to me? From 3A forum: http://www.cj3apage.com/cgi-bin/3Ayabb26/YaBB.pl?num=1303907998. Nice writeup on air cleaners here. Walcks has an air cleaner sticker, so that takes care of that.
2. IGNITION SWITCH: Early ignition switch http://www.jeepsurreygala.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/KeychainEmilBruce.jpg. I don’t know if this style was used on any other jeeps? It dishes inward with the word “START”on it.
3. PARKING BRAKE: I will need parking brake parts: http://www.jeepsurreygala.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/62-hand-brake.jpg. Are the later 3B T-handle parking brake setups the same as the DJ cables and parts? I have a handle that is salvageable, but lack the rest. The image below is from a 1962 book. I’ve seen nothing to indicate this changed from early DJ-3As.
4. TRANNY CROSS MEMBER: I need a transmission cross member: http://www.jeepsurreygala.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/55-dj-frame.jpg (image http://s247.photobucket.com/user/64_Surrey/media/rearmount_zpsee48cf46.jpg.html) Should be the same as a 3A/3B/CJ-5? Note the cross member does have the transfercase mounting hole (far bottom) so it may be the same as the typical cross member.
This undated postcard is for sale on eBay. Note the wagon in the right lower corner. At first I thought that was a Parkway Conversion, but given the setup on the truck behind the wagon (the bend seats) I think this could be a Traveller. I’d have to guess this photo was taken in the early 1960s. It’s only photo I know of that shows a wagon at the Las Brisas Resort in Mexico.
The fact the wagon isn’t quite pink, kind of more purplish, might mean it didn’t belong to the resort, but just ferried visitors to/from it. Hertz Rentals did a similar thing by renting blue colored surrey-looking DJ-3As to visitors (see bottom of post).
View all the information on eBay
Back of card:
Hertz Rental Jeeps in Mexico:
This promotional jeep is similar in size to a brass one discussed here. It could have been related to the Hongkong gold jeep display shared here: http://cj3b.info/Siblings/SurreyGold.html
I recently ordered a biography called Brandy: Our Man in Acapulco as part of some research into DJs at the Las Brisas Resort in Acapulco. I was surprised to see the cover included a color photo, one I’ve never seen, of nine DJ-5 surrey/galas in Las Brisas. There’s an entire chapter on Las Brisas, so I’m hoping for some good research information.
I’ve only gone through the book briefly, but the book credits Brandsetter with taking over Las Brisas in 1959 and turning it into the world’s top resort by 1972. They also claim Frank instituted the resort’s no tipping policy, but that policy was actually implemented by founder Juan March and existed for more than a year before Brandsetter entered the picture as evidenced in a Feb. 28, 1958 Milwaukee Sentinel article. There is an entire chapter devoted to Brandy and Las Brisas, so hopefully there will be some interesting tidbits and research vectors.
Article from 1958:
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $8000.
(03/01/2016) No pics provided.
“59 Gala Surrey 2wd Willys Jeep limited editionDJ-3A
a little over 1000 Surrey Gala Packages were produced, until 1965, 3 SPEED
has 24,000 original miles
has been stored for over 10years indoors and will need 160.00 gas tank and fresh fluids to get running properly
The willys has custom tan safari exterior and interior, have all soft window covers and soft panels.”
