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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. This section used to be split into jeeps, parts and other categories, but recent changes to eBay will require this information to be recoded.
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 Union Defence Force video was titled Look Out! This was apparently filmed in South Africa. There are multiple clips of jeeps. No sound provided.
“Various shots of soldiers in training. We see them doing exercises, jumping over walls and doing forward rolls with bare chests. Then they seem to be receiving instruction on how to handle a jeep. Several shots of men driving jeeps and tanks over rough and bumpy ground. Some soldiers in a jeep crisscross over the path of a tank in motion.”
This very short video looks staged to me. But, it does show a good shot of a jeep with “MESSENGER” written across the windshield.
“An American Messenger jeep drives up road past soldiers. Various shots as they take carrier pigeons out of basket. C/U swastika on paper tied to pigeon’s wing. C/U message American soldier is writing ‘Adolph (sic) Hitler, Berchtesgaden. No Happy Returns on your birthday but see you soon. Ninth U.S. army.’ Various shots as they tie message to the pigeon’s leg and release it. We see various takes of the same scene.”
Scott spotted a hardcover book called The Willys Dream Kit by Jan Novak that’s for sale on eBay ($49.49). The price for a new hard copy is similar on Amazon, but the used ($25) and paperback ($20) editions are much less on Amazon.
Reviews of the book from the Chicago Tribune and L.A. Times in 1985 suggest it’s a good read.
My ‘new’ race jeep
I owe Marty Tilford a hearty thanks for spotting this jeep on the local Yakima Craigslist. I never saw it, because it was listed in the wrong category (tires and wheels), so it sat there for a few weeks before Marty sent me the link. Long story short, I showed Ann the jeep and she said, “buy it; you deserve it”. How can I argue with that?
On Sunday we drove to Naches, Washington, where we met Don and Ruth, the owners of the jeep. They are members of the Yakima Valley Timberwolves club. We enjoyed meeting them and swapping jeep stories. They loved racing the jeep, and were sad to see it go, but the pounding of racing the jeep was too hard on Don, so he thought it best to pass it along.
This is the Yakima Valley Timber Wolves club sticker.
This race jeep has a built and bored Chev 350 with a Ford Toploader four-speed and a Dana 20 transfercase. The engine is a fresh 350 Chevy bored 30, with 202 summit heads, and an Edelbrock intake with a Holley 4-barrel carburetor,
The body is a narrow body fiberglass. The rear springs were outboarded (DJ-5 or FC mounts still there), but have since been moved underneath the axle; I’d like to move them out again. The front springs are reversed. The rear Dana 44 axle is from a scout. The front is a narrowed Dana 44, but I can’t remember from what.
Here’s a pic of the jeep with the front clip removed:
I didn’t have to look it over much before I was ready to jump in and drive it onto the trailer:
When we arrived at our new place, we discovered one of the rear tires was flat. The rear wheels have spacers on it meant to widen the stance but that also meant the jeep barely fit between the rails of the trailer. We suspect the tire may have lost its bead, which caused the air to go out.
It’s not a big problem, as I plan to a couple Desert Dogs on back anyway.
Below you can see it parked in the new shop. It’s officially the first item moved into our new place (the Roadster in front is the seller’s):
One of the biggest changes I need to make is to redo the seating so I fit more comfortably. The other thing is to finalize the name. I am told this jeep was originally built by Brian Wylie (sp?). At some point it was known as the Red Delicous (the red paint can still be seen in a few small places).
One name we had in mind was to name it the “Cosmic Crisp” (an apple invented by nearby Wash State Univ) as a nod to the early name. While I like the name, it isn’t one that rolls off the tongue.
OR, because the jeep has Marvin the Martian mud flaps, we thought about calling the jeep “Marvin” and theming it with a Marvin the Martian theme. It turns out that is one of Ann’s all-time favorite cartoon characters. But, I also think there may be another Marvin race jeep out there (it seems I remember one from the 80s, but I could be wrong).
Note the Marvin the Martian mud flaps.
I likely won’t get to making changes on this for at least a few weeks. In the meantime, here are a few more pics from the ad:
UPDATE: Price dropped to $8000.
(07/12/2018) Has a variety of upgrades.
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/d/alpine-jeep/7303819761.html
“1948 Willy’s Jeep $9,500
2.3 liters Ford engine upgrade
4 speed with overdrive upgrade
Upgraded brake master cylinder
Locking front hubs
Custom tires and wheels
Custom soft top
4 point seat harnesses
Upholstered seats“
Solid looking M-38A1.
https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/bar/d/palm-springs-1953-m38a1-willys-jeep/7306020391.html
“Very stock original parts: CA and AZ owned. Basically rust free, small surface rust here and there.
Starts, runs and drives as it should. 4×4 engages easily. Most gauges work, voltage not always.
Has solid bolt on roof, doors, and glass not currently mounted that comes with it.
This is not the jeep to put a V8 in and build your dream rock crawler.
Unbolt the roll bar and change the tires and its back to stock.
In the first three months of 1953, Willys built the new improved military Jeep with three distinct differences.
Early 1953 have two piece front fenders, front grill has two hinges for easy maintenance, and the hood battery cover has four straps not the two that all others have. By April 1953 changes were made and those three characteristics were dropped.
Title in hand, currently on CA non-op Zero snog needed, Zero back DMV costs
Looking to trade for something sporty and I’m willing to add cash to the deal up to 10k.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6800.
It doesn’t mention whether the trailer is included or not.
“Very Rare 1952 M170 Korean War Jeep. 80 percent original Needs to be restored. $6800.00.”
Engine (f-head?) runs.
https://wyoming.craigslist.org/cto/d/powell-1948-cj2a-jeep/7306287280.html
“1948 cj2a Jeep. Engine runs like a top needs a clutch”
Rebuilt engine, good rims, a roll cage, and other parts … there seems to be value here.
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/pts/d/chandler-old-willys-jeep/7305268438.html
“Here’s a project. Old Willy’s. Has the hood and fenders but they’re not pictured. Rebuilt Ford 302. Make a nice rig when complete.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $8000.
It doesn’t currently run, but does have the cold weather heater setup.
“1952 Willys M38 with aluminum “Arctic” doors and top. Willys Straight 4 (L134) with a 3 speed manual(T90)?, four wheel drive with low.
Gas heater that pulls from the main tank, was able to get it working for a while but currently not functioning.
Swapped to a 12v electrical system, lights, wipers, horn all work. Numerous new parts through out.
25k miles currently, not sure if it’s rolled over or not. It’s spent all but the last 4 years of its life in Alaska and has been a ton of fun to work on/drive. Family is growing and don’t have the time to take it any further, Kaiserwillys.com has everything you could ever need to restore her, or keep her as is for a ranch jeep.
I’m sure I’m forgetting plenty of info, call or text with questions or offers. Asking 8,000 OBO”
