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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 .
Darron spotted this APU jeep for sale. It still has the dash gauges.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1095410271291496
“1946 Willys Navy Jeep no engine but rest of drivetrain there, has been used as yard art and started to build rat rod at one time.”
UPDATE: As of July 13, 2021, this GPW APU is now in Stefan’s hands in Germany. As you can see, by the time he acquired it parts had already been removed (see original post from 2017 at the bottom of this post). He does not want the APU parts. I figured it is a long shot, but that I would check to see if anyone had an interest in the APU-related parts (some are O.E. Szekely); Stefan is willing to part with them. Comment below if interested or email me at d@deilers.com and I’ll connect you with Stefan.
Here’s how the jeep looked prior to pulling the parts:
Here are the parts related to the PTO:
PTO APU Cover:
UPDATE: Price dropped to $6700. It’s a Szekely APU jeep.
(09/30/2018) 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/wsc/cto/d/beaverton-jeep-willys-cj3a/7172184334.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: Still Available.
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.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3074780559266476/
“1941 FORD WILLY JEEP V8 4X4 BEAST THAT RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT PROJECT WITH ALL YOU NEED.BILL OF SALE S D AS EQUIPED”
UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $25,000.
I don’t see any of the APU equipment left, so while it’s a rare jeep, it’s also no longer an APU jeep. I don’t see anyone paying the asking price for it. That said, it’s got some interesting mods, including a custom lengthened rear cargo area, a custom spare tire well and holder, what appears to be the Hudson steering mod, and a custom modified top (shortened CJ-6 top perhaps). This also utilizes doors from a late model CJ-5 hardtop by Kelly. The rear portion may even be a modified Kelly CJ-6 top.
“Up for sale is a CJ3A Willys APU Jeep .
This APU Jeep was built for the military Navy and Air Force to start jets by the Valentine Welding Co. they made a total of 75, this is one of two know to still exist, and the only one with a windshield and top .
The newer F head engines were placed in and a custom hood made by the manufacturer
Asking 25k”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(10/16/2019) This looks to have an Szekely APU hood and possibly a DJ-3A body (I can just make out the DJ-3A parking brake hole on the dash).
https://winchester.craigslist.org/pts/d/bluemont-1947-willys-jeep-project/7083676648.html
“1947 Willy’s project
On a 1969 jeep chassis with mounts set up for the 1947 body.
327 Chevy motor
Dana 18 transfer case
1969 jeep axles
A bunch of other new and used parts.
The fenders, hood, body, etc is not bolted to the frame. I just set them on for the pictures.
I was planning on buying a new steel tub for it or you can fix the one it has. It comes with a title.”
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.”
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
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: **SOLD** “Was $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.
“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: **SOLD** Was $3600. 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.”
This photo shows one of these “in action”
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.”
