emailNeed to contact me and don't have my email? Click on email button.
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 .
These two patches are on eBay. According to the seller, they may be from the 1980s, but someone else might be able to give a more accurate date.
On eBay the other day there were these two different technical sheets from Willys of Canada Limited. The truck spec seems pretty straight forward, though the company labeled it a 126″ Jeep Truck (named for the wheelbase length … why wasn’t it the standard 118″ wheelbase?). But, the wagon had me scratching my head. Given the split windshield of wagon (I can’t tell if the truck has it), my instant thought was that these were both pre-1960 vehicles, especially given they both used the Superhurricane L-head.
As we learned yesterday, Canada didn’t have it’s own production plant until mid-1959, so if these personnel carriers are earlier than that, then they must have been made in the US and imported into Canada. The lack of the ‘hockey stick’ trim suggests they were earlier than the Traveller. Are they a precursor to the Traveller or were they concurrent to the Traveller? If the latter, why the split windshield and why wouldn’t they have been named ‘Traveller’?
Meanwhile, searches for any reference to the 126″ Jeep Truck or the Ten-Passenger Personnel Carrier haven’t yielded any newspaper ads or brochures.
Here is the Ten-Passenger Personnel Carrier spect sheet:
Here is the 126″ Jeep Truck spec sheet. Was it a coincidence that the J-300 truck introduced in 1962 was also had a 126″ wheel base?
Over the years I’ve heard about two Willys truck bed sizes, a shorter one and a longer one, but all the info I’ve read indicated the Willys Jeep truck beds were all the same size. If a bed was made to fit this longer wheelbase, it may have meant the creation of a longer bed. This might explain the rumor of the longer beds?
This “Figment to Face” article about the jeep’s conception-to-reality story landed in a variety of newspapers across the US, though this is the best scan of it so far (which doesn’t speak too highly of the other scans, as it shouldn’t). I wondered how many other drawings were made that weren’t realized with the standardization of the jeep.
The article appeared in the Daily Reporter out of Greenfield, Indiana, on October 19, 1942:
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was listed at $175.
(03/01/2021) This rare package includes a plaque and the original box (pretty cool box). The starting bid is $175.
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A WILLYS JEEP MODEL FC 170 GOLD PLATED ASH TRAY IN ITS ORIGINAL BOX AND INCLUDES “CARE” INSERT.
WILLYS MOTORS INC. OF TOLEDO, OHIO
GOLD PLATED WITH 22K GOLD PLATE
THE ASHTRAY IS IN GREAT SHAPE WITH MINIMAL WEAR.
THE BOX IS IN GODD SHAPE ALSO WITH GOOD COLOR AND GRAPHICS.
50’S VINTAGE
A NICE, RARE, JEEP TOY”
UPDATE: Here’s an example of a Windsor, Canada, data plate, one of the CJ-5s that was imported from Canada to keep up with sales demand in the US.
===================
On August 21, 1959, the first Canadian-built jeep, a CJ-5, rolled out of the assembly plant in Windsor, Canada. Below are two articles and one advertisement that celebrates the acheivement.
This first article appeared August 22, 1959, in the Windsor Star and shows the actual first CJ-5.
This third item is an advertisement that appeared in the August 25, 1959, issue of The Province, a Vancouver newspaper.
Nate spotted this article in the 1st Responder Newspaper about the Kennebunk Fire Department’s 1947 CJ-2A, which is still in service.
There’s also a pic of the jeep on the department’s website:
UPDATE: In the comments section you’ll see a reference to another, similar Command Car on eBay. Yet, there are differences between the two. I’m not sure what’s going on with these.
Roger Martin spotted this hand built Command Car model. It is 15″ long, so it’s a good size. I told Roger that I’d buy it, but it’s not a good use of my budget.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/291299039023339
“Hand made Military Jeep by a WWII Veteran who served in North Africa. All metal Modeled after the Jeep he drove . One of a kind . Built meticulously no details left off. Great for Military collectors 15” L 7” h. 51/2 “ w .”
Bill shared this announcement: Jeep has Resto-modded a Commando for Easter Jeep Safari. Jeep calls it the Jeepster Beach. According to Hemmings, it is basically a Jeepster body on a Rubicon chassis. As much as I am a believer in safety, I don’t think the roll bar works. It looks like an after thought to me. Still, it looks like a fun ride.
Barney shared photos of this neat WWII Ashtray. Created in 1944, it celebrated the liberation of Holland prior to the end of the war.
This photo captures a jeep coming ashore on Guadacanal. I tried to find this image in a newspaper, but had no luck
View all the information on eBay
1942 Press Photo U.S. Marines landing jeep ashore at Guadalcanal in World War II. This is an original press photo. Jeep comes ashore at Guadalcanal —- U.S. Marines land a jeep from a new-type landing barge during their offensive against the Japanese on Guadalcanal Island in the Solomons.Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 08-30-1942″
I imagine this were part of a Jeepster Club? They are priced at $29.95.
“LOT OF ( 18 ) VINTAGE UNUSED STICKERS FROM WILLYS OVERLAND JEEPSTER CONVERTIBLE 40TH YEAR 1948-1988.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $11,111.
I suspect the price is just a placeholder. It’s been almost two years since the last documented Safari-Kai popped up for sale. Here’s a brochure about the short-lived Safari-Kai business.
“1975 Jeep DJ5. Summertime is the perfect time for open air cruising and this little Jeep gets you where you want to go in style. Like new in appearance, this 2WD AMC Jeep DJ5 was completely reconditioned 25 years ago by Safari Kar International – one of only about 500 units built. It is economical and easy to drive with a reliable AMC in-line six cylinder engine, power steering and brakes, and a floor shifted 3 speed automatic transmission.
There are less than 1500 miles on the odometer since its rebirth as it was stored for over 20 years and has just emerged to give joy to a new generation. This is a great utility vehicle with new seats, a sturdy roll bar, a bimini top to provide some shade, a flawless Shamrock Green paint job, and new floor coverings. The tires show virtually no tread wear and the 15 inch chrome Centerline rims glitter like diamonds.
This is not the kind of luxury SUV with power accessories, air conditioning, and a stereo system. It is the kind of fun machine that is perfect for beach cruising, backroad touring or just use it in the neighborhood as an eye catching grocery getter. This is the kind of vehicle that will lure lots of new friends who will want to know all about it. There is no rust and only a little bit of dust. It has always been garaged, and it starts easily and runs great. It does not have a full top or doors, but who needs ‘em? Just hop in this breezy ride and seize the day. Carpe diem!”
