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About eWillys
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.
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 .
Blaine and Terry have identified this jeep as a Fix-it-All jeep. It’s missing multiple parts. Here’s a pic of how it should look:
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Blaine spotted this unusual plastic jeep that neither of us had previously seen. The fact that it is stamped “JEEP” on the hood and has a front weight are two unusual features that caught our eyes. Anyone recognize it? (this auction site has multiple premiums that will add to the cost).
“1960 Jeep Surrey, rare vehicle, only 1420 made between 1960-1965, original 4 cylinder flathead runs great, you have to see in person, it’s a put back to original project but has good bones to build on, a restored one like it sold for $48k, don’t have the time or $ to do it”
Chas has some nice M-38 parts for sale on eBay, some of which are shown below. So far, all parts start at .99 with no reserve. He’ll be selling additional hard-to-ship parts locally as well, such as a hardtop.
The body looks to be reinforced in the back, under the cargo area, and under the main part of the body.
“Willys Jeep heavy duty fiberglass body tub and one piece front end. Will fit CJ2, 2A, and 3A as well as any custom application. White gelcoat finish. Same as new been in storage 25 years. Lighter than steel. Stronger than steel. Cost less than steel and WILL NEVER RUST.”
“1946 Willey’s (Jeep) CJ2a VIN: 44654 condition: like new cylinders: 4 cylinders, but better drive: 4wd fuel: gas odometer: 8598 paint color: green size: sub-compact title status: clean transmission: manual type: other 1946 Willys CJ-2a This is the FIRST non-military model.
CJ-2a Complete frame on restoration on this vehicle. If you follow these Willy’s Jeeps closely, you understand that its very rare you see these early post-war jeeps pop up for sale. But, it’s even rare+ to see them restored to this condition. This 1946 Willy’s Jeep CJ-2a has an amazing color combination and 700 miles on it since its full restoration.
The CJ-2a was the first Willy’s Jeep used for non-war or peace duty (CJ = Civilian Jeep), but there is no denying the military forces influences on this early example. You cannot help but see the same basic style that brought victory in World War II. An icon like this does not need to be flashy, but the fresh coat of a deep green paint really adds a touch that is typically lost on these jeeps. Careful attention was made for the gaps, the paint is not wavy at all, and above the flashy green paint is a brand-new removable canvas top. Inside you will find black bucket vinyl seats, a 3-speed manual with a low and high-speed transfer case.
UPDATE: The M-38 sold. The trailer is still available.
Contact him at 785 452 2490 or via email kennyh5661 @ gmail.com (remove spaces around the @)
“1952 M38 Jeep and M-416 Trailer for sale. Runs great, 24v, new carburetor, new points less than 500 miles ago, original canvas enclosure with removable doors, new batteries, jerry can, spare tire, turn signals, Gama Goat taillight lenses installed, rebuilt transfer case, pioneer tools, manuals. Great start for someone to drive as-is or fully restore. Trailer in good original condition, some surface rust but no rust-thru’s, great candidate for complete restoration, or use as-is. Will sell as a pair or will sell separately. Feel free to call if you have questions. “
“If you are looking for a great restoration project, this is the jeep for you. This Jeep has been in our family for over 50 years and now needs a new home. Has the original 4L engine and very has very minor rust for its age. The total mileage is unknown. The seats are in great condition and are being kept inside out of the weather. Clean title. The Jeep does not run but that’s what you are for. Please look at all the pictures and feel free to ask me questions. Only asking $2,500”
“Runs and drives great..needs seats 4wd works great. New radiator Water pump Plugs and wires Cap and rotor Oil lines Fresh carb kit. Newer gas tank All in all it’s a fun Jeep and did everything I needed and wanted it to do.not in a hurry to sell.would much rather have a a sxs lol Asking 6000”
In March 1962, two different articles highlighted the introduction of the Jeep line of Tonka Toys.
1. Toys and Novelties Magazine: The article in this magazine noted that part of the reason the Tonka company had the financial and physical capacity to produce a wide variety of toy jeeps was that it had recently gone public.
As reported in this post, in 1962 the Tonka company launched the jeep models many of us owned as kids (and some of us still own as adults). It didn’t take long for Tonka to introduce specialized packaging as well. The August 1962 issue of Playthings Magazine highlighted three different Dispatcher Tonka Toys, with Hatari-themed boxes, that were for sale in the lobby of movie theaters while Hatari played in theatres.
In the Fall of 1963, Tonka introduced this three-vehicle package called the Outdoor living set, which included a jeep surrey, a jeep ‘runabout’, a jeep truck with camper, and boat.
“Steering wheel on the right side, Stock Chevy 305, Chevy sm465 4 speed, granny in 1st gear, new clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, starter, Dana 20 transfer case, Dana 44 rear with stock 4:27 gears with Detroit gear less locker, Dana 30 front 4:27 gears with Detroit gear less locker, warn 9000lbs winch, with rear mounting capability, Holley 2d projection fuel injection throttle body, on board air, Chevy power steering box, 75% 2 year old 3 ply sidewall bf good ridge mud Terran 35s, monotone mx6 adjustable shocks, electric fan, highlight jack, all new brakes, wheel cylinders, shoes and master cylinder, no worries on the rear axle I still have all the Inards from stock”
Bill spotted this solid looking M-715 project with a generator in the back. Looks like it has potential.
“You are bidding on a 1968 Kaiser M-715 Jeep. 27k miles. This Jeep had been sitting in a garage since 1999 before I bought over this past winter.. I put it in my garage and haven’t had time to go through it. It turns over but doesn’t run…. it has a good frame, solid floors, drivers side rocker below the door is rusty, but the body is otherwise in good shape, has the 6 cylinder tornado motor, manual trans, 4×4, high/Low. Comes with a generator in the back, which I have no clue if it runs or not. Please not that we are selling this vehicle today as is, with a bill of sale, to the highest bidder of this auction AND it will be that persons responsibility to pickup this truck from our location”
“1958 willys mule. Rare one of the first 11000 built. Missing engine and front seat. Pretty much complete of other components. You could put original 4 cyl or update to newer 2 cyl. Best offer.”
“Two military Gama Goat Vehicles off road aquatic capabilities diesel engine multiple spare tires and rims including lots of extra spare parts not counting the two gamma goats to start asking 7500 or best offer willing to hear”
Harmen-Jan of the Netherlands shared this video of farm life footage filmed in the Netherlands between 1920 and 1960. At the 15-minute-mark there is footage of a WWII jeep piling what I believe is hay(?) and at the 19-minute-mark there is a brief look at the same jeep pulling an overloaded wagon. In between (and before and after both marks), plenty of back-breaking-work is documented.
UPDATE: The article below is one of a number of articles highlighting the “JEEP” Tractor from Minneapolis-Moline Implement Company: The NTX. One or both units were also tested at Holabird, so the term ‘jeep’ used to describe a vehicle didn’t originate with the Bantam, Ford, or Willys prototypes.
Published in the Lansing State Journal, Lansing, Michigan, August 22, 1940.
According to a Hemmings article, the name ‘Jeep’ originated with Sergeant James O’Brian in August of 1940:
The UTX went to the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, but earned its place in history in August 1940 at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, when Sergeant James T. O’Brien of the 109th Ordnance Company of the Minnesota National Guard noted the overall proficiency of the tractors, especially when pulling a stuck howitzer out of the mud. Inspired by the “Eugene the Jeep” character in the Popeye comic strip, O’Brien first hung from the tractor’s radiator cap a sign painted with the word “Jeep,” then painted the word “Jeep” itself on the flanks of the tractor.
Minneapolis-Moline chronicled the christening in a wartime advertisement: “This new MM army vehicle was not a crawler, tractor, truck nor tank, and yet it could do almost anything and it knew all the answers. Because of this, it brought to mind the Popeye cartoon figure called ‘Jeep’ which was neither fowl nor beast, but knew all the answers and could do almost anything.”
However, the short comings of the NTX coupled with the introduction of the Bantam BRC in late September doomed the 6 NTXs produced to the role of a jeep footnote.
It doesn’t mean the NTX isn’t worth anything. An NTX in 2012 fetched $29,000 at an auction.
UPDATE: Vince shared an article from autoblog.com that provides more information on the Rainbow Sheikh (Sheigh Hamad bin Hamdan) who built the world’s largest running jeep. It had been many years since my last post on the subject, so it was time to update this post.
In 2010, reports were that Guinness Book of World Records had recognized the jeep as the largest running jeep in the world; however, I could not verify the record through the Guinness web site. Recently, a huge CJ-5 built by the same Shiekh for his offload museum may have surpassed the flat fender.
Published in April of 2009: I thought it was just a fake keep prop of some kind, but apparently it’s being built on the framework of a large quarry mining truck.
