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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 .
Since we are on the topic, here are a few different jeep-camper ads from 1969/1970.
The ad below was published in the May 21, 1969, issue of the Courier Journal out of Louisville, Kentucky. This ad included Jeep’s 2-Car Cars ad campaign:
This third-of-a-page ad appeared in the August 7, 1969, issue of the Napa Valley Register out of California:
This much smaller ad appeared in multiple newspapers across the country. This screen shot is from the August 13, 1969, issue of the The Times Recorder out of Zanesville, Ohio:
Given the lack of other models and the early signage, these early jeep dealership photos were likely taken between 1945 and 1947. At first I thought the dealer has signs in the window, but I think the “signage” is actually window paint images (note the different fonts used for ‘JEEP’ in the window images). There is a nice early OFFICIAL 1946 “J” signage on the front of the building.
“I believe upsate new york, love the mobil oil gargoyle sign as well.”
UPDATE: The October 1962 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine included an ad for the Harris top and doors, along with an article.
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Originally Posted October 07, 2017:Here’s a rare Harris Dura-Door one-page brochure on eBay. This fiberglass half door produced out of Bakersfield, California, for CJ-5s was also advertised in Four Wheel Magazine (see ad at bottom).
This ad appeared in several Four Wheeler issues, including the June 1966 issue. I’d have to guess that by 1966, Harris had dropped its soft top product and focused on the dura-doors for jeeps.
UPDATE: The September 1962 issue of Four Wheeler included a full page ad for its new hardtop and half-top designs. The magazine included both a full-page ad and a short article. Given this info, it looks like the top redesign was introduced during the summer of 1962.
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Originally Published July 7, 2020: Sometime in the early 1960s, Kelly Manufacturing altered the design of its angular full and half hardtops. The new tops eliminated some of the horizontal bevels and the flat back design for a slightly more elegant design; but, the tops did retain the angled top-side that was so recognizable (As I don’t have much knowledge on any interior changes, this post will stick to the major exterior differences) (See Kelly’s connection to Beck and Kemco and an early Kelly brochure) (Also see CJ-3B page Beck and Kelly histories)
Interestingly enough, Kelly branded the Flatfender tops as 23-series, but not the CJ-5 tops. Here’s a 1962 Kelly brochure that highlights a wide variety of the rear-angled design for both the CJ-5 and the flatfenders, along with the model numbers:
To make the differences more clear, let’s take a look at the early Kelly design (these early hardtops were also marketed by the Berg’s as JeepKing hardtops). Notice the horizontal bevels along the driver’s side rear and on the rear latch. Also note the flat vertical back of the hardtop.
This ad cites Willys-Overland’s use of the Dictograph as part of an advertising campaign. Given the war references, this was likely printed between 1942-1945.
“This is a vintage original ad, not a copy or reproduction. Neatly removed from magazine. Would look beautiful framed. Measures 10 and 1/2 by 14 inches”
Mike spotted this ad posted by Andy Fuhrman on Facebook. I’d guess it is a late 1940s ad from a Dansville, Virginia, newspaper. It seems an odd promotion. Is the wink by “Lewis” supposed to mean that you can bet on the jeep breaking down, so bring it in for service today?
I thought the doors on the CJ-6 were interesting in this August 12, 1964, jeep ad. I’ve not seen those doors anywhere else, so maybe they were artistic license?
“WILLYS MB Ford Jeep – vintage keyring / keychain – El Salvador 1957
vintage keyring / keychain of a WILLYS MB Ford Jeep
standardized design for the United States and other Allied forces in World War II from 1941 to 1945
from a dealer in El Salvador: Salva Jeep Omnimotores SA – San Salvador
made in 1957”
UPDATE: I received this in the mail. It’s a surprisingly hefty booklet!
I had just enough time to win this brochure on eBay Sunday. It’s 52 pages. Willys even offered a DJ-3A for the military. I’m guessing this is a 1956 brochure, as it includes the CJ-6 and DJ-3A, but not any FCs.
Below are the seven pages posted on the eBay auction (it will be a while before I can scan this).
“Illustrates and Details;
An original part color folder sent to Willys-Overland dealers to announce the “Dealer Day”; a celebration designed to help dealers better promote their product.
Shows some of the models that were available – 4 trucks.
Excellent condition piece – perfect for Willys-Overland literature collectors.
Approximate size; 5″ x 7″; 12 Pages, printed in the USA.”
This set of brochures just sold for $154.50 on eBay. I’m shocked by that price. In May 2020 I paid $15 for my set!
This collection includes a letter (first time I’ve seen it) that provides a more specific date regarding when these brochures were released. The letter is dated May 5, 1952. Unfortunately, the camera used is poor quality, so the letter isn’t the easiest to read.
You can better see each of these brochures here. The one exception is the “Tool Bar Implements page, which may just be a header page rather than a brochure.
“lot of 6 JEEP Farm Tractor plow mower corn picker tool bar implements Brochures 11 x9 each a page or two showing the jeep and attachments and a rare letter from Willys Kaiser 1952 introducing the attachments for the Jeep. letter has some browning”
