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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 list of 30 images of epic failures from Jalopnik.com was funny. I’m sure we could all add a pic or two to this list.
“We’ve seen some pretty crappy DIY craftsmanship before, but these examples take the cake. What’s amazing is these DIY’ers know how to post on the internet, but not how to research.”
Here’s a couple images:
As I mentioned in a post when I first launched eWillys, which appears to have disappeared in last year’s database disaster, one of my favorite Jeep Cartoons was drawn by Bill Mauldin and placed on the front of the November 1992 issue of the Smithsonian Magazine. You can see that one to the right (or see a larger version here). No doubt many of you have seen this before. At the time I wrote the post, it never occurred to me to search for any other cartoons by Bill.
However, for mystical reasons that remain unclear, it occurred to me tonight to search for other ‘Willys’ cartoons by Bill. Here’s the results of my search. (send me others or links to others if you know of more ….
Th’ hell with it, sir. Let’s go back to the front.
Thanks
Why ya lookin’ so sad? I got out of it okay.
I’ll never splash mud on a dogface again (999) … I’ll never splash mud on a dogface again (1000) … Now will ya help us push?
It’s a habit Joe picked up in Rome.
Here’s more links about Bill
Today, as usual, I was browsing CNN when I came across a list of the ‘10 best’ car chases on film. I’m not sure if these really are the best 10, but one item that did catch my eye was the note attached to #10, the Cannonball run about George Baker.
I’d heard of the Cannonball Run, but didn’t really know anything about it other than the casual reference to a movie by that name until last summer. One day last summer I was browsing the new books section of my library and came across a book called The Driver, by Alexander Roy. That provided me some background on the race, with which I’ll end this post.
Note: I’m no expert on rally racing or it’s history, nor much of an expert on anything at all, but I’ve never let that stop me from writing anything else. So, here’s a brief Cannonball history for those that like this sort of thing.
Mr. Cannonball Express:
In 1915, Erwin George Baker drove a Stutz Bearcat across the country in only 11+ days (this was one of 143 driving records of various kinds he set). The next year he drove a Cadillac 8 from LA to NY in only 7 days. This feat earned him the nickname (or a reference of) the Cannonball Express.
The Cannonball Express was a reference to the fastest train, at least at the turn of the century, that motored between Chicago and New Orleans. It’s the same train that was operated by the immortalized Casey Jones, who would be killed at the reins of the train, attempting to slow it before it crashed into boxcars.
So, I’m doing my best to avoid going out to my parents very cold, damp garage to finish fixing my mom’s car. Of course, the internet is one of the best avoidance tools ever invented.
FLAT FENDER BABES:
On a lark, I typed in ‘Flat Fender Babes’ into google just to see if anything came up. While most of the links were garbage, one link lead me to a list of significant production automobiles, created by Angry Stan at AngryStan’s blog. Naturally, one of the vehicles listed was the Willys MB. What was interesting about the MB’s inclusion was Stan’s comment that the MB was “very loosely based on the Austin 7”.
Whoa .. news to me. What you talkin’ ’bout Stan?
Here’s a good history of the MB-CJ3B Willys-Viasa with a variety of pics.
“In the late 50’s, Willys Overland gave the rights to the V.I.A.S.A. firm to allow them exclusively to build the Univesal Jeep in our country. In 1959, the first permit to import parts and machinery is given by the Trade Ministry, in order to assemble the first units in the V.I.A.S.A’s factory located in Zaragoza. These units weren’t launched until 1960.
It seems that that permit let V.I.A.S.A build the CJ3B model, with different engines and features from the original American model …”
David and his friends transport themselves back in time each each fall by getting out their jeeps, heading to the woods, and cleaning brush, trees and other obstacles out of the way in preparation for winter snowmobiling in New York.
David’s owned his (the gray ’51 CJ-3A) for six years. His friends have owned their 1947 CJ-2A and 1949 CJ-3A for about 25 years. Thanks for sharing David.
While reading through the extensive history of the half track, I stumbled on the fact that the owner of the rarest of these half tracks was Fred Smith of the UK. Having recently read that Fred Smith also owned and nicely restored the Ford Budd prototype, I got curious about who Fred Smith is. At this point, I don’t know anything about him other than he’s got quite the jeep collection. Here’s an approximate list (this list is a guess based on what I’ve read online):
Not a bad collection! Apparently, Fred shows these on occasion (or often) at the War and Peace Show at Beltring in Kent, UK.
I spent some time earlier to day trying to track down what came before the Spicer 18 transfer case. Unfortunately, I can’t find anything such as a Spicer 12 or a Spicer 3 anywhere. If the Spicer 18 was the Dana Corp’s first try at a transfer case, then it’s entirely reasonable to say they hit a homer with it, as it stayed in the jeep (though ratios and other minor changes were made) from 1941 to 1971, when the jeep started using a center pumpkin and the Dana 20 transfer case.
So, here’s some interesting facts I learned during my searches.
Here’s some other links about this early history:
I was searching for an image of original CJ-3A gauges when i stumbled upon this article. Both of these are well modified, good looking road and trail jeeps. One of the more interesting features of the ‘Oklahoma Green’ Jeep is the number of gauges that are installed. One Bad Apple certainly has an usual paint job.
Here’s 2 excerpts from an Off Road Adventures Article; each one discuss a little bit about each jeep:
Oklahoma Green: “… Below the CJ3A Willys’ windshield is a dashboard that would be more than adequate in a J3 Super Cub airplane of the same vintage. The aircraft-like dash sports a full compliment of gauges: fuel, fuel pressure, oil pressure, oil temp, water temp, vacuum, and air pressure gauges along with a voltmeter, hourmeter, and altimeter by Hobbs. A Lev-O-Gauge rounds out the impressive array. Lights and buzzers backup the critical gages. From the dash, Ken can switch on the fuel pump, fast idle solenoid, headlights, heater, and winch. Indicator lights report the status of 4WD, seat belts, ARB, emergency brake, and air compressor…. ”
One Bad Apple: “… The frame was lengthened 6-inches to incorporate a GM 4.3 V6 CMFI 195 hp at 4500 rpm engine with K&N Air Cleaner and Painless Wiring, a GM 700R4 with a manual shift kit, and a Dana 300 transfer case with CV driveshaft. With 4.88 gears, the final crawl ratio is 80:1. The front axle is a Dana 30 with an ARB Air Locker and disk brakes. The rear axle is a Dana 44 with a Detroit Locker. Four-inch lift springs, an off-road track bar, and Rancho 5000 Shocks control 33×12.50 BFG Mud Terrain T/As …..”
William, a reader from Costa Rica, contacted me this weekend with a question. After exchanging a few emails, he offered to share his project with readers. The 1st picture was taken in April of 2005 and the second in November of 2007. He has made some nice improvements that have made this jeep look much better. You can see all the pics here at cardomain.com. Thanks for sharing William!
