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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 .
We’ve spent the past couple of weeks researching and viewing motorhomes (so much learned). We have decided upon one we like (powerful, 10k towing, easier to maintain, strong resell market, locally made, plentiful solar power), which I’ll unveil later this week, assuming everything goes well (we have a bit of a drive to go get it). I’ll discuss this more later.
It’s first ‘event’ will be in two weeks at the PNW4WDA summer convention. Here is a sneak peak (again, if all goes well);
All that time and research, plus more heat and Ann’s short vacation, definitely slowed progress on the FC. But, I was able to get most of the wires labeled using Ann’s label maker, though I didn’t realize until half-way through that I could create multiple lines (insert head exploding emoji here); so, for example, “Bat-to-Ign” on one line could be better labeled “Battery to Ignition” on three lines.
Once I complete that task, then I can bind the wires up more tightly and cleanly and begin testing systems. As you can kind of see below (not the best pic), the wiper knob, the light switch, the ignition switch, the dash-turn blinkers, and the speedometer are all connected using plugs. They all have labels, so identifying their corresponding plug should be easy. In addition, I tried to use different types of plugs so that plugging something incorrectly would be nearly impossible. The lighter is also easy to unplug. More difficult is the three gauges under the dash, as two of them are mechanical (I couldn’t find 1.5″ electric temp and oil gauges). So, the gauge panel has to be unbolted if the dash is completely removed.
Here, most of the wires have been labeled. I can’t wait to clean up the spaghetti!
This four-page service news has an interesting article on page two about one potential cause of driving vibration when traveling down grade. Page three includes an axle gear gauge block guide for various models. Finally, page four documents recommended service station colors, which isn’t something I’ve ever encountered.
This postcard from Wentworth motors of Alabama appears to show a CJ-5 with a PTO supporting a posthole digger. So, I *think* this is from around 1955-56, given the lack of DJs or FCs. Note the Willys Bermuda in the parking lot. This would also suggest post 1955.
UPDATE II: Here is a color version of the CJ-5 w/hardtop that appears in the brochure below. I found this on Flickr. One commenter there noted that, “Reinforced Plastics Corporation was in operation on Martha’s Vineyard from 1952 to 1959. They made these tops as well as other fiberglass items.”
UPDATE from October 26, 2017: Here’s another one of these rare brochures for sale. Thanks to Bill Norris and Derek Redmond for the extra pics. This brochure has been for sale on the same eBay pager for four years. It’s on sale at the moment.
This unusual fiberglass hardtop was created by the Reinforced Plastics Corp. I have yet to see one in the wild. Two journal articles (Chemical Week 1957, Volume 81 and National Defense Transportation Journal 1957, Volumes 13-14) both have announcements for the new top, pegging its inception around mid-1957. Unfortunately, Google will only provide snipped views of these University of Michigan scanned journals. The date of these journals suggests the lister of this brochure is probably wrong about the 1955 date for the brochure.
This February 1956 issue shows repair part kits for wheel cylinders. Unless I am confused, certainly nothing extraordinary, it seems the newsletter is suggesting that CJ-2A, CJ-3A, CJ-3B, CJ-5, CJ-6 and DJ-3A all used the same Wheel Cylinder kits, but actually the DJ-3A, unfortunately, is different from all those.
Andy spotted these three Al-Toys for sale for $4000 or best offer. One pic shows two Al-Toy Fire Engine, but, according to the description, they are not included.
“This Al Toy Toy Collection features a Jeepster, Truck, and Wagon, all in excellent working order. The intricate details of each vehicle will impress any collector or enthusiast. The collection includes toys from various eras, making it a great addition to any vintage toy collection. The vehicles are ready for display or play, and are sure to bring joy to anyone who owns them.”
Andy shared this Louis Marx “Build-Up” plastic jeep kit, which looks a lot like the domestically produced Fix-All jeep. Note that the windshield on this jeep is broken (passenger arm).
“Rear wheel axle plastic support broken missing as picks show plus front windshield one end broken missing.trolley jack missing.there are 5 wheels only 4 tyres. unsure if large red disc is for this?.the bonnet is very tight only opened as far as pics show didn’t want to force as might snap one or both lugs so beware on this.the grey tin lid with number eight will not come with this as I’m pretty certain it’s not for this”
This November 1955 issue points out service bulletin 302 (have to look to see if I have that one), which introduces a new part to repair the column shift mechanism in wagons and sedan delivery vehicles.
DASH: Yesterday was the first true relief from the past few weeks of hot weather, as we only hit 90 degrees. Moreover, there are no more triple digit days currently forecast. The cool weather will make working in the shop more tolerable.
And, while I haven’t made the progress I’d hoped, progress was made. A couple of the delays were part-related, as Ron Francis ignition switch was delayed a week. I also went ahead and ordered an NOS speedometer from Barney Goodwin at Barney’s Jeep Parts, which arrived on Tuesday (thanks again Barney). It looks fantastic!
Most of the wiring is complete, but still some loose ends dangling. It feels like for the two weeks I’ve been saying, “almost there …”
Anyway, below are photos of the dash, one with the fuse box down and one with it stowed away (lower left corner of pic)
One of the dash challenges that still remains is to build that lower flashing
DRIVE: Last Friday we drove over to the west side (and 77 degree temps .. nice) to look at a motorhome. It was a 36′ 1996 Holiday Rambler diesel with a towing capacity of 15Klbs. It used to be owned by Rob Stafford, before he upgraded to a bus. We were very serious about buying it, until Ann had an asthmatic reaction to the musty interior smell. So, we felt it best to pass on the deal. (and out was a deal at $12k .. it sold within a few days). We’ve decided to increase the budget and look for something nicer.