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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. 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.
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 .
Mark Smith was the leader of the 1978 Jeep Expedition of the Americas (also known as the Expedicion de Las America), a 20,000-mile, 120 day odyssey that covered the Americas. Much of the trip was on roads, with the offloading of the the Darien Gap, the section of land between Colombia and Panama, the focus of the trip.
The narrator in the movie notes, rather dramatically and erroneously, that the Gap had only been crossed once before by the British Army. In fact, the Darien Gap had been crossed at least once before in 1960 by a group in a Landrover and a Willys truck, the story of which was published in National Geographic and clearly titled “We Drove Panama’s Darien Gap“. Though Frank and Helen Schreider drove the entire length of the Americas in their SEEP, Tortuga, in 1954, one place they didn’t attempt to drive, but instead floated around, was the Darien Gap.
Fortunately for us, the 1978 trip was captured on video, so we can enjoy some of what they saw during their adventure. Vimeo currently has a twenty-seven minute video of the trip. It’s a little dated at times, but still interesting to watch:
“1950 Willys CJ3A Civilian Flatfender. 95% stock, Flathead 4 cyl. 4 wheel drive, stored for 20+ years, few new improvements, Koeniq “Tin Top”, half roll cage, Diamond Plate corners and steps. Willys ready for restoration back to original or modify to whatever level. Has heavy duty detachable tow bar included. Have more photos, send email address if serious restorer / collector / hunter. Vehicle has not been started in 15 years. Was running when last parked. Front brake system currently partially dissembled. $4,995″
Funny how these builds end up sometimes. This one is a shadow of what it was.
“I’m the current owner of the “Army Jeep Tractor Puller” that was built by Jesse James and a group of guys on the tv show Monster Garage. It aired in 2003 and is episode 3. Forty two various vehicles were built during the run of the series. This vehicle was later sold at Barrett Jackson in 2008 for $18,000. The engines were removed by the previous owner. What you see is what you get. If you do a search on youtube you can find the episode and watch the Jeep being built. This crazy ride could be built as a promo vehicle, a raffle prize, a collector could display it, or a builder could get it back on the road and show it. I can help ship it, will help load it, and can possibly deliver it on your dime. It’s located in Chandler, Az. Asking price is $5,000”
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Originally published April 2011:
If Jesse James and West Coast Choppers were to build a jeep, what kind of jeep would he build? Well, we have the answer from remarkablecars.com. This unusual build was available for auction in 2008. I can’t tell if it sold or not. He did manage to use some original parts. For example, that left fender sure looks like a WWII fender and there’s some original frame used too (you can make out the transfercase undercarriage mount near the rear tire).
“SUMMARY: This authentic WWII Willys Jeep transformed into a twin-engined tractor-pulling behemoth is sure to bring home the Big “V” both on the race track and the front lines. Sold on a Bill of Sale only. Special conditions apply.
DESCRIPTION: In the Summer of 2003, Jesse James accompanied Kid Rock to a USO Show for the troops overseas in Iraq. While there, Jesse was bit by the inspiration bug and set his mind towards his next build, the transition of an authentic WWII Willys Jeep into a twin-engined tractor-pulling behemoth using a team composed entirely of Army gearheads (well, with the exception of a couple of civilian experts). It wasn’t just a walk through the park, or even a walk through the front lines. Nearly every piece had to be fabricated for this build. Plus, the rear end and rims had to be modified for pulling. The biggest modification was comprised of extending the Jeep frame from 86″ to 180″. Over twice it’s original length.
THE DESIGNERS: Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers in Long Beach, CA, Joe Eder, multi-engine tractor-pull builder from North Collins, NY, Keith Kaucher, industrial designer, Kaucher Design Werks in Santa Monica, CA, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Sargent, utilities operations and maintenance technician, Headquarters Company/1st Engineer Brigade in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, 2nd Lt. Brian Johnson, armor officer, 1st Battalion/16th Cavalry Regiment in Fort Knox, KY.
THE BUILDERS: Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers in Long Beach, CA, Joe Eder, multi-engine tractor-pull builder from North Collins, NY, Pfc. Jesse Dugan, wheel vehicle mechanic, D Company/801st Main Support Brigade in Fort Campbell, KY, 2nd Lt. Brian Johnson/2LT, armor officer, 1st Battalion/16th Cavalry Regiment in Fort Knox, KY, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Morin, light-wheeled vehicle mechanic, Headquarters Company/187 Ordnance Battalion in Fort Jackson, SC, Tim Porter, single-engine tractor-pull builder from Louisberg, KY, Master Sgt. Darrick Preston, mechanical maintenance supervisor, 16th Ordnance Battalion/Aberdeen Proving Ground in Abingdon, MD, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Sargent, utilities operations and maintenance technician, Headquarters Company/1st Engineer Brigade in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and Spc. Benjamin Smith, metalworker, D Company/801st Mechanical Support Brigade in Fort Campbell, KY.
VEHICLE SPECS: Make: Willys Model: Jeep MB Year: 1943 Height: 64″ Width: 85″ (including rear tires) Length: 211″ Ground Clearance: 6″ to headers (1′ to frame) Horsepower/Torque: approximately 2,000hp /2,1000 torque Moving Parts: Includes the engine coupler, primary transmission, secondary gearbox and dual supercharged 502 engines. Special Welds: The guys performed heavy-duty welds on the body-frame extension and towing hitch. Additional Acquired or Machined Parts: The team fabricated the engine coupler, towing hitch and straight rims.”
“44 tapered offset rear. dana 44 front with 30 ends and axels, New Master cylinder with 11″ brakes, brakes worked good when i bought it. Two desert dogs on super offset wheels, buckshots in the front. Fiberglass willys body and nose, both need some fiberglass work. Roll cage ready to weld back in as soon as you throw on the body. ”
“1941 Press Photo Army lieutenants give new jeeps test drive at Fort Bliss, Texas. This is an original press photo. Fort Bliss, Texas. Under modern conditions of mechanized war, the once lumbering and awkward tank has emerged as a machine of many types and variations, from small steel speedsters to the huge 80-ton land battleships which flatten trees and grind buildings to powder. These have created new problems in defense, and Uncle Sam’s new army is not going to be caught napping in this department.
One outfit devoted to blasting the blitz battle-wagons is the new anti-tank troop of the First Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss. Formed only last January with 31 regular Army men, the troop now has 4 commissioned officers, 31 non-coms, and 121 men, all of whom are draftees from Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. Most of the men have had mechanical experience working in automobile plants, which stand them in good stead in operating and caring for the scout cars and motorcycles with which the troop is equipped.
These pictures show the outfit in action during a recent tactical problem. Lieutenant Jack Berg (left) and Lieutenant M. M. Roland send one of the new jeep reconnaissance cars hurtling over a bump on a test drive. The baby blitz buggy is a Ford-built Bantam with four-wheel drive. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 07-16-1941.
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Originally Published Feb 11, 2013.
“This is an “ORIGINAL PERIOD GLOSSY PHOTO BY ACME” of THE BABY BLITZ BUGGY IS A FORD-BUILT BANTAM FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE GP JEEP WITH THE FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION AT FT. BLISS TEX., photo date – 1941. The condition is very good and measures 7″ x 9″.
UPDATE: This post from 2013 originally consisted of a brochure from eBay, but for this update I’ve added some additional brochures and Tom’s video showing how he uses the Blackhawk snow plow in Northern Wisconsin. The Arps Corportation manufactured these plows out of New Holstein, Wisconsin. Near the end of the video he shows how he mounts the plow and manual adjusts the angle using a chain.
This was mailed to the Anderson Willys Company in Portland, Oregon, at some point. This is one of the 1955 mailing pieces as part of the Kaiser Willys advertising push. It was one of several targets mailers produced for dealers.
“11946 CJ2A Willy’s Jeep, Good condition, runs well. 44k original miles.Started off new at Squantum Air Base, Quincy, Ma. $10,000. or trade? Used in many Memorial day and Veterans day Parades. Trades considered. No campers or boats please. Last used in Veterans Day Parade. Also comes with vinyl top and temporary doors.”
UPDATE: This ad originally appeared in 2013, but recently I was able to find all three ads.
In 1947, some Queen Anne Jingle Bar Wrappers included the opportunity to complete a jingle to win all kinds of contest prizes. It appears there were at least three different contests and each included a chance to win a Station Wagon.
1. This ad is on eBay, but the date is not listed. The Jingle goes:
JIMMY GOT A JINGLE BAR
HE LOVED EACH LUSCIOUS BITE
SAND HE, “QUEEN ANNE’S JINGLE BAR ___________________________” (fill in the final line)
2. This Ad was on eBay with the following contest circa September 1947:
MARY BOUGHT A JINGLE BAR, SHE THOUGHT IT REALLY NEAT. NOW SHE GETS ONE EVERY DAY, ___________________________ (fill in the final line)
3. This ad appeared in the November 30, 1947, issue of the Sunday Star. This Jingle was different:
FOLKS HAVE FOUND A JINGLE BAR
TASTES JUST AS GOOD AS PIE!
MILK CHOCOLATE, NUTS AND CARAMEL ___________________________ (fill in the final line)
