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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 .
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3500
I can’t tell if this is a DJ-3A or a mis-marked 1947 CJ-2A.
“I have a 1957 Willys jeep for sale. It has a chevy 350ci engine, the rest of the drive train is original jeep. 3 speed tranny with 31 inch tires. Newer jeep seats and fuel tank. brand new bikini top. Has a 9000lb winch mounted on front with receiver hitch out back. Goes just about any where you would want to go. ”
Bruce forwarded me links to two images of Surreys he has posted.
The first one is from the Virgin Islands in 1958 and shows a DJ-3A in the center of the picture and a DJ-3A Surrey at the lower left. The second image shows 5 or more Surreys sitting at rental lot Hawaii, the surrey in center front
is a 1963 with 13″ tires and babymoon hubcaps.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
Bruce spotted this unusual jeep utility addition. The seller notes they scrapped the jeep, but then says he was just kidding and is keeping the jeep (in other words, jeep is not for sale). Anyway, the hotdog vendor unit is certainly an unusual feature!
“Up for sale is a hot dog cooking insert for a willys jeep. Scrapped the jeep(was a little rusty) but thought the hot dog unit was worth saving. Has lots of places to cook stuff and it fits like a glove. Check out the pics. some modification to the wheel well on the drivers side to accomodate what looks to be a sink.probably could remove this piece so no cutting wheel well.Has all the valves and burners I think never tried it out. could use some nobs for the temp control. from the front of the jeep you can not tell this is in the back, and from the back you can not tell its a jeep. from the side it looks like it should be there. happy bidding ! Only kidding about scraping the jeep, the jeep does not go with it. pickup in howell nj only. Pay in full and will hold inside as long as needed. this thing would be the hot diggity dog of the trail rides. good luck! Bill”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2000
No year mentioned, but this is definitely a DJ-3A based on the speedometer. However it has been modified into a 4×4. It looks like a good price.
“Fun for hunting off roading or every day use…Willys Jeep Dispatcher Flat Fender 4×4 , four speed, four barrel V-6 , Headers ,Great tires runs good even has leather electric seats.”
UPDATE: Rich reports that this sold today for $1400 on 4/1/2010.
“Selling a stock 1957 Willys Dispatcher Jeep. Flat head L 4cyl. motor with 3 speed transmission. If you are familiar with the DJ3A you know that it would have been a 2 wheel drive, column shift jeep. This one was converted to four wheel drive with a T-90 transmission and transfer case. The Jeep starts instantly, moves and shifts perfectly through all 3 gears plus the 4 wheel drive high and low operates with no problems. The brakes work 100% however the brake lights and turn signals do not. It will need a windshield, tires, rocker panel repair, and floor repair. The L head motor has the original 6 volt system with a generator that charges as it should. There is a cabin heater under that dash with a variable speed electric fan that works perfectly. The seats are in pristine condition and may actually be original. The original Data plate is on the firewall and the frame numbers match. The odometer reads just over 28,000 miles. I have a clear PA title in hand and have driven the jeep down the road at 45 miles per hour. It does need work but is a great foundation for restoration.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $12,000
“1963 Willys US Navy jeep, DJ3A, 25,000 original miles, completely restored, rebuilt engine, drivetrain, brakes, new tires, new canvas top/seats, hitch on back, new grey/black paint with US Navy markings on hood, jeep originally came from military base in Virginia, with original Navy Dept. plaque on dash, 3 speed column shift, NO rust, drives great, would be great for driving around, for showing, or for re-enactments. $12000 “
(10/16/09) Here’s another hunting jeep.
“1963 Willys jeep, 4 cyl GO-DEVIL engine, 4WD, Standard, Brush guard with light rack, winch mounted on removable boom ( to raise deer for field dressing) with lights for after dark cleaning, removable front basket to hold deer, seats moved back and lowered, removable roll bar, removable high seat, 3 receiver hitches at rear 1 up front removable air drive feeder, 6 gun racks, 1 bow rack, extra springs in rear suspension, tires slimmed, gas tank relocated to frame, have Title, runs good $2800 or cash and guns?”
I’m not sure what this was (cj3a/dj3a/cj3b/cj5), but it’s a flattie now.
“nice running chevy 283 motor,lucky if there is 100 miles on it fiberglass body,all lights work,geared very low,4 wheel drive ,have all receipts for everything from motor to body axels,would be fun to run dunes,very light,may trade for newer 4×4 quad with plow, or cash send me an e-mail dendog231@yahoo.com”
http://muskegon.craigslist.org/cto/1619229673.html
1. The typical 3A type with the vent that opens up;
2. It also came with what is referred to as the 3B WS frame. That green jeep (see below) probably has it’s original WS frame;
3. The 3rd style is the ventilating WS frame that is similar to the 2a frame in
that the glass tilts outward. This 3rd type is very rare and I have only
seen one DJ with the 3rd style
OVERVIEW
I’ve been meaning to write this history of sorts about the DJ-3A ever since I received this information from Bruce last October. Many thanks to Bruce for his tireless effort to understand the DJ-3A and his desire to share this information with the world-at-large.
I would still not consider this post finished, as I’m sure a few of you have some interesting details to add or correct.
THE GOAL:
My goal here is to take Bruce’s information and organize it in a way to make sense of this strange thing called the DJ-3A Dispatcher Gala Surrey Not-quite-a-CJ-3A colorful Jeep. I want to differentiate between these three models — DJ-3A/DJ-3A dispatcher, DJ-3A Gala, and the DJ-3A Surrey — so that I can better evaluate these vehicles when I run across them for sale.
So, let’s begin:
One of the more confusing series of jeeps I’ve encountered are the DJ-3A, the DJ-3A Gala and the DJ-3A Surrey. However, thanks to both information from Bruce (who also supplied Derek Redmond with much of the DJ-3A Gala Surrey information and pics on the CJ-3B Page) and an article in the December 2009 issue of Vintage Truck Magazine, I *think* I have a much better feel for this topic.
Importantly, and for clarification, based on all the research I have reviewed, there appears to be no such thing as a DJ-3A Gala Surrey (and I’m as responsible as anyone for describing them that way). The literature I have received from Bruce refers to either a DJ-3A Gala or a DJ-3A Surrey. The Gala’s were promoted as Gala’s at the international resorts and Hawaii (which became a state in 1959, which might explain why this was being handled like an international sale).
THE DJ-3A & DJ-3A DISPATCHER:
The DJ-3A was introduced in 1955. It used the body style of the older CJ-3A, along with the L-134 engine. Unlike the CJ-3A, it came with either a column shift or top loader three-speed T-96 manual transmission. It was offered with many different body options including a soft top, hard top, or even a full van body. Some of these body options made changes to the body necessary, including some that had no tailgates so the spare tire could mount in the rear.
Others, like the DJ-3A Dispatchers, had differently shaped passenger and driver sides to allow easy entry & exit of the vehicle (I assume those were the reasons). With all these different body options, it is no wonder many of us, and yours truly as well, were confused about what constitutes a DJ-3A.
Thus far, everything I’ve learned suggests that there were no 4wd DJ-3A’s produced. So, if you encounter a 4wd DJ-3A, it’s been modified.
Probably, the most distinctive, unique, and consistent body attribute of a DJ-3A is the large speedometer, similar to the CJ-5 and the post-1955 CJ-3B speedometers. It was the only ‘low hood’ flat fender produced with the large speedometer.
EXAMPLES:
Below is a Convertible DJ-3A. You can see the lack of 4wd in the front. Click on the picture to see more pictures. Though I thought the below windshield was from a CJ-3B, Bruce provided a correction to that statement. He says some DJ-3As came with a 3B SW Frame, and he believes that’s what we are looking at in this pic.
Here’s an example from Chris of a DJ-3A without a tailgate.
Here’s a DJ-3A Dispatcher example (note cutout sides) with a tail gate:
And here’s another nice dispatcher with a top:
THE DJ-3A GALA:
In early 1959, the DJ-3A Gala was introduced and marketed to vacation locations in an attempt to offer rentable transportation solutions for vacationers visiting resorts. According to the article below, the idea was the brain child of the Las Brisas Resort in Acapulco, Mexico, which painted a few jeeps pink and offered them to consumers. Louis Yocich, a Willys dealer, spotted them and brought the idea back to the factory. To this day, the Las Brisas resort and hotel still refers to itself as a ‘Pink and White Paradise” (see quality control comment).
MUCH MUCH More information. This post was simply too big to put on the front page:
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $42,500
“This example in the rare colors of Cerulean Blue and Glacier White is probably the best completely restored example in the world. Everything has been done to the highest standards from the paint and chrome to the bright waterproof fabric upholstery and surrey top. The underhood presentation is exceptional and no detail has been ignored. Much more practical than a Moke or Jolly with legendary Jeep reliability this is a superb and entirely practical vehicle for bright summer days at the shore lake or ranch and will vie with Bentleys and Ferraris for pride of place in valet parking lots in Hollywood the Hamptons or South Beach. $42,500”
