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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 has an APU hood. It’s listed as a 1948, but doesn’t appear to have frame/bumper gussets on the front.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/423920254950594/
“1948 Willey’s (Jeep) priced and ready for restoration. Vehicle is located in Gustine, CA. Please serious enquiries only.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2500.
Here’s another possibly-O.E.-Szekely-built Ford-Powered 4WD APU similar to one that was posted a few years ago. It’s not clear whether the one below has a O.E. Szekely data plate or not. The seller suggests this as a 1946, but this is more likely a 1953.
“SUPER RARE BEAST MODE WILLYS GP V8 4X4 THAT RUNS AND DRIVES OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY FIRST 2500 TAKES IT”
Nick shared this video of a 1955 airplane test that included multiple shots of an Valentine APU-equipped jeep. You can see some other updates here: https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/time-capsule-navy-cj3a-by-valentine-apu_topic37074_page6.html
Carl and Marty spotted this APU. It appears to be missing the extra gauges, but does have the original data plates, the hood, and the correct engine. The soft top seems to be a Dualmatic, as it has the large square rear window and the two-part doors with snaps (thanks Pascal!).
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/1952-willys-jeep/6710903591.html
“Clean and mostly original 1952 Willy’s Jeep.
Was my grandpa’s since mid 60s.
Most of it’s life spent in Utah – always garaged.
I took it to Portland in 2012. Since then, it’s spent time between here and rural WA (always garaged both places).
Oregon titled. It runs very well. New hoses, radiator in last 1000 miles.
New battery.
Please see pics. If interested, email me and we can set up a time for you to check it out.
$7,000 or best offer. Serious inquires only please.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3500.
(05/10/2018) Has an APU hood, but doesn’t look to have been an APU.
“1951 WILLYS JEEP 4X4. Original 4cyl. 4 speed. Has been converted to 12 volts already. Just installed new ring gear. Newer tires and wheels. Seats just redone. A nice straight little jeep. Has tow bar. Original black and yellow plate. I just have too many projects, time to liquidate. No time wasters please..”
This includes some interesting historical info about why no M-151s were built to be APUs. The question seems to be, was this a motorpool modification or someone’s backyard customization.
https://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/d/1965-m151a1-mutt-apu-ford/6654432656.html
“Not much is known about the history of this little MUTT except that it was an original Ford built M151A1, produced in 1965.
On the back is a rather elaborate electrical generation set up, that includes replacement of the transmission with another generator unit. Power comes from what is believed to be a Continental flat head 4 cyl. The vehicle moves by an Autronic Unit transfer gear set-up that hangs off the front of the small “jeep”. A shaft coming off the front of the crank runs a chain that drives the “transfer case” that powers the front axle. Continue reading
Nick’s on a roll this week. His tireless search efforts have paid off with another Valentine-produced APU, but this time it’s a 3 wheeler.
You can read his update on the end of this thread: https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/topic37074_post416567.html#416567
Nick just obtained some wonderful archives about APUs and other items. Check out the pics and other info here:
https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/topic37074_post416173.html#416173
UPDATE: Price dropped to $2300.
(03/02/2018) Bill shared this ad. There’s no sign of the extra gauges, so I can’t tell if this was an APU jeep or if the hood was appropriated from an APU jeep.
https://goldcountry.craigslist.org/cto/d/1951-willys-jeep-body-type-va/6532457077.html
“1951 Willys Jeep Body Type VA Flat fenders is not running fly wheel is broke. Owner says it has new tires, rims, brakes, seat.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1200.
(02/15/2018) This has an APU hood, so it may have been an APU.
“Not a clean one owner, bad engine”
This M-38 has an APU hood. This must have been swapped onto it when the F-head was installed (maybe from the same APU?).
“1952 Jeep m38 need radiator, and maybe engine overhaul. See pictures needs to be restored but good project for someone. Asking $500 but look and let me know,”
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/d/1952-jeep-38/6446847055.html
UPDATE: **SOLD**
“This is a solid 1952 Willys Jeep. It runs well and is drivable, but will need some brake work before it’s ready for the road. It has the overhead valve engine. The hood scoop is because it was updated by the military to the overhead valve engine from a flathead, and more room was needed for the carburetor.
I’m no expert, but here is a brief description of the APU conversion. They were converted by two companies for the military, O.E. Szekely and the Valentine Welder and Manufacturing Company. The APU stands for auxiliary power unit, and they were also called jet starter jeeps. The military converted these Jeeps for use in the Navy and Air Force. They were used among other things to start jet aircraft. There were a few variations, they made both 3 and 4 wheeled versions.
The right seat and factory toolbox underneath it were removed, and a pto was run up thru the floor towards the right seat well, to power the generator. I will attach a picture showing one, and here is a link to get you started:
http://warjeeps.com/articles/APUnavyJeeps/apu-jeeps.html [ed note … fine but slightly dated article at this point. I need to update that]
Continue reading
UPDATE: Still Available.
(07/18/2017) The one has an APU hood. Maybe it was an APU jeep?
“1953 Willys Jeep. M38A1 Chevy V8, 4 Speed, Edelbrock intake manifold & carburetor, 8000# warn winch, 1 ton full floating rear axle, full roll cage, headers and dual exhaust, front lockout hubs and brake master cylinder rebuild new brakes, 32″ BFG mud terrains.”
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/d/willys-jeep/6222856466.html
UPDATE: **SOLD**
(06/15/2016) I emailed the seller to let them know it’s an APU.
“52 willys with solid tub, original engine/ running gear, it runs drives and stops. Needs a gas tank to run it though, it had a keg gas can that I took out. Also needs wiring for lights to drive on the road. Last tags on it were 2009. Has driver seat and a soft top cover, Dana 44 rear. I got it to restore but things changed and have to get rid of it.”
UPDATE: this is still for sale Vince wrote a post about this at the DailyTurismo.
Rudy’s selling this rare purpose-built APU on a jeep chassis.
“Very Rare 1953 limited production 4X4 specially built for the U.S Military by O.E Szekely and Associates. This is an all aluminum body, tub, fenders, and hood so theres no cost for rust rot work and repair . Dual Aluminum gas tanks so theres no need to worry about rusted out tanks. The Chassis is Jeep. The engine is a Lincoln (ford) 317 V8. This is not Frankensteined, this is the original way it was built for the Navy to jump start, run system checks, and tow jets. Do not have the generator equipment. does not run and is for restoration or customize purposes. As is where is. Unique, rare and easily bad ass potential. Add seats, swap motor, take the paint off and pollish the aluminum body, run through the chassis. pink on hand. first $3600 obo takes it.”
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/5951291204.html
This photo shows one of these “in action”
Nick spotted this very interesting early APU conversion of a GPW by O.E. Szekely that is for sale at D&L Bensinger.
Nick, who’s become very knowledgeable on the APU jeep, noted that the GPW was “converted to an APU in 1947. To date, this is the only Line Maintenance GPW survivor. This specific model is “B” and the generator outputs 28.5 DC volts for starting jet aircraft. These retrofitted Jeeps served as prototype models to the later 2A/3A’s. Nearly all the equipment is present. The only part I can see is missing from the photos is the wire reel. Notice how the governor system appears to be under the carburetor, and the hood is modified above it.”
Here’s the ad info: “This is a late war GPW. Vehicle hasn’t been run for over 10 years. Body is rusted. Has one rear axle shaft broken. This jeep came from Omsted AFB in Harrisburg, PA which closed in 1969. It was modified in Philadelphia with Flight Line Maintenance Generator Set. In 30 years of jeep collecting, I’ve never seen another jeep with this equipment. GPW still shows yellow paint inside and a radio mike on the shop-made aluminum half cab. The cable reel to aircraft is missing as are some other parts of the kit. This is a great project for someone who wants an air field jeep.”
More photos here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/DarylBens/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1175895105782477
Tom Sterndale has been building a database of existing APUs, a challenging task given how little they’ve been documented. As part of his effort, he hoped to identify these jeeps which were once listed on eBay.
Tom writes, “Help me prove that ebay is not a black hole out there some were sucking up all the Szekely APU’S.
I am trying to keep a data base of all units that I can find any body with a Szekely of any type I would like to be put in contact with them.”
1. Four Wheeled APUs:
2. Three-Wheeled APUs:
Brian shared this photo that shows a couple APUs with the hood bumps.
This photo that Dan spotted shows an l-head powered 3-wheeled APU. I can’t remember seeing a bracket over the grille like that on other APUs.
Nick’s jeep was just featured in the most recent issue of Dispatcher Magazine.
View all the information on eBay
Where do I even begin? This is a very rare and authentic piece of military history; it may be your only chance to own a vehicle like this. If you search “APU Jeep” this very Jeep is all over the internet. It is a 1951 Willys Jeep CJ3A, but was specially contracted by the US Navy to be used as a mobile power unit. This is known as an APU (auxiliary power unit). It’s sole purpose was to start early jet-aircraft as they did not have on-board starters. It utilized a PTO-driven generator off the transfercase and fed power through cables to the jet. The equipment was so heavy duty, the Jeeps were equipped with larger engines that weren’t even available to the public yet. Two different manufacturers built these Jeeps: A company named O.E. Szekely which a handful of Jeeps are left, but none have any of the original jet equipment. They are only known by their data plates. The other company was Valentine Welder & Co.
UPDATE II: Another of these surfaced in 2019.
(12/18/2016) Rudy just purchased this rare and unusual O.C. Szekely-built Ford powered four wheel drive APU. It’s got a an Szekely badge and an O.E. Szekely stamped transmission. I don’t recognize the transfercase, which falls to the driver’s side rather than passenger side.
Thanks to some careful research, Rudy discovered that this vehicle was one of eight deliver to the military on August 25th, 1953. Specifically, “”The vehicle is a specially built two passenger 4X4 truck powered by a FORD eight cylinder engine. . . . A generator mounting chassis, located between the seats, supports the two generators and generator drives” and the “transmission that incorporates the transfer case is designed to transfer engine power to the generator drive”. O. E. Szekely dropped off eight of these vehicles to a shipping service on August 25th, 1953.”
Nick & his Valentine APU
Nick’s got an update on his APU:
“Last week the stars aligned for the Valentine APU. For months, Tom and Arno have dug through vintage photographs and literature to see what the correct generator was for the NA-4 APU. We finally had it figured out: a Jack and Heintz G32. What would you know, a single G32 was actually for sale on eBay! It was unreal.
The owner purchased the generator from California where it was completely rebuilt. His original plan was to build an electric car with it, but the project was never started. Having original paint was the cherry on top!
This weekend I pulled the PTO system off my Jeep and unseized the shifter. Everything else worked great. The generator slid into the shaft like a glove, and the bolt pattern was perfect. I still can’t believe it.”
Nick and tom have been continuing to research the APUs. They have some additional photos and documents to share, along with a story from Dennis Flynn, a former driver of an APU. Below is his tale, along with a photo of him now and of his former self in an APU.
Dennis Flynn photographed in an APU jeep and one of him now.
Dennis wrote,
I was 18 I made 3rd class Petty Officer and was put in charge of a 12 man start/tow crew working the flight deck on the USS Hancock CVA-19, Essex class attack carrier built in 1944 scrapped in 1976.
Early version of the jeeps used in the 40’s and early 50’s, the yellow ones were mid 50’s through mid 60’s. and cut down quite a bit. The rear axle was moved to the front and steering was done using two small wheels mounted in the center rear, the hood bulge was done to clear the carburetor since the body was lowered. ( it was like driving a tricycle backwards ) and they were pretty squirrelly to drive. A governor was placed on them to keep the top end at about 14mph.
My friend of mine and myself had one torn down for a valve job and had the ships machine shop mill the head, port the intake and exhaust and we made up a split exhaust manifold and removed the governor. While at sea and when we were not flying we tried out our work. Jim took off at the front of the ship (The flight deck was 888 feet long) By the time he got to the Island he was going 65mph. Then trying to stop (this had brakes on the front axle only and they were not all that great to begin with). He was doing pretty good with getting it stopped when he started running over the 1” arresting cables on the rear causing the Jeep to bounce and really get sideways. Jim did manage to stop it about 8 feet from going over the aft end of the deck. We were going about 20 knots at the time and the flight deck to the water is 68 feet down. We both got a super royal ass chewing from the ships executive Officer but neither of us got busted. (I didn’t lose my Petty Officer stripes that I had just made, but I was also the Ships Captain’s driver so that might have saved me)
I made up a “Bragging Card” for us stating that we set a world’s record for a gas driven vehicle on a flight deck while at sea. Jim is still alive and is one week older than I am and I turned 74 last October. When you are young you think you are invincible, It was a great memory and thankfully no one was killed.”
Dennis’ “Bragging Card” for setting a speed record in an APU.
Tom unearthed this government quote for 75 Valentine APUs, one of which would have been Nick’s. Given this info, Nick’s Valentine modified APU (#19) might be the only one left in existence.
Here are some APU related photos:
UPDATE: **Not For Sale**.
Looks like it has an APU hood and a blue star hardtop.
“Very Solid Willys, NO RUST!!!!!
OHV 4 Cyl.
31″ tires. Have stock wheels and tires.
Blue Star Aluminum Hard top.
Mastercraft seats.
Very fun to wheel, but sat in the garage last couple years.
Clean Title! So no dealing with trying to get a title.”
Tom Sterndale is looking for more APU jeeps. He’s go some information to help people understand if they have an APU jeep. You can contact him at tosternd@gcasda.org
DO YOU HAVE OR KNOW OF AN APU JEEP?
Description — Auxiliary Power Unit : Shelf Propelled Electric Power Plant : Jet Starter
Data Plate Name — O.E.Szekely & Associates or Valentine Welding Company
Body Alterations:
Hole In Floor Behind Shifters
