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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 .
Like we saw with the 1948 ads in the Montana Farmer-Stockman, the ads run in the Chronicle-Star out of Pascagoula, Mississippi were more sparse. Moreover, two different dealers posted ads. The first half of the year it was the Runnels-Wiggins Willys Dealer publishing ads. The second half of the year it was the Stewart Motor company out of Mobile, Alabama, publishing ads.
RUNNELS-WIGGINS: February 13, 1948:
RUNNELS-WIGGINS: March 05, 1948:
RUNNELS-WIGGINS: April 09, 1948:
1958 Photo of Arthur Gaeth: Source
Arthur Gaeth had a career that ranged from being a pre-WWII LDS missionary and tour conductor in what is now the Czech Republic/Slovakia, to reporting on displaced citizens in Europe. In 1946, he reported on the Nuremberg trials. In 1947, he provided more details on his life during a Senate hearing where he encouraged the loosening of travel restrictions in Europe. He subsequently had his own radio broadcast and Washington Correspondent for the Mutual Broadcasting System. In the 1950s he became the “Voice of the Denver Post” and a News Commentator for Denver’s KBTV News.
The reason for the background information on Arthur Gaeth is that In January of 1950 he delivered a scathing review of Willys-Overland’s management, which was printed out in the January 1, 1950, issue of the Arizona Sun. While there’s likely some exaggerations within, it still provides some interesting tidbits, such as Mahoney’s Technical Services, Incorporated, side deal. Also, if the name Empire Securities isn’t familiar to you, I’d suggest reading this 1946 Fortune article.
Not much of the jeep shows in this photo showing a soldier hoping for some sleep in the back of a jeep.
View all the information on eBay
“1950 Press Photo a soldier sleeps in his jeep while battle rages near Kumchon. This is an original press photo. South Korea — American troops grab their sleep whenever possible in the battle area near Kumchon. Here one soldier sleeps on the back seat of his jeep.Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 08-04-1950.”
These were built as pedal cars, but optionally included a 6 volt motor upgrade. Some of these were also adapted for kids amusement rides. You can learn more at the CJ-3 page: https://cj3b.info/Toys/RidingToysJuniorPro.html . Not many have come up for sale, so the value is hard to ascertain.
“This is a 1947-57 junior pro products 6 volt electric jeep. JPP used to build carnival rides and then built these as pedal cars and later on optioned them with 6v power. Very rare jeep. Not a lot of info on these and not very many like this one were sold. This one came from a cushman dealership in Altoona PA. It had never been sold and was still being stored since the 50s. I’m offering it up for sale for $1200 OBO. The motor still works in forward and reverse. The tires have flat spots on them and it’s missing the v-belt for the motor and the hood. Feel free to message me if you have any questions. Thanks the price is shipped within the United States.”
Here’s the 1948 Report On The Universal ‘Jeep’ in Conservation I mentioned last week. At twenty-three pages, it’s larger than I expected with lots of photos. All but three of the photos were taken at the Rio Grande College Farm in Ohio (see last page for more info).
No date on this photo of Joseph K. Brown checking this 1952/early 1953 M-38A1. There’s a possibility that this could be Joseph K. Brown who served in the Korean War and died in 2013.
View all the information on eBay
“Press Photo Joseph Brown checks the motor of a jeep for the workout. This is an original press photo. Sgt. 1/c Joseph K. Brown checks the motor of a jeep in preparation for the workout during the three-day exercises.Photo measures 10 x 8.25inches. Photo is dated –none.”
UPDATE: SOLD. Joe in Mesa snagged this one.
This Oglesby model is missing the trailer and the windshield. The front bumper is broke as well. But, it’s only $29.99 (with $15 shipping) or less with the Make Offer option. Bidding ends at 4:19PST today.
“Vintage 1950’s Oglesby Cast Aluminum Willy’s Jeep . Condition is Used. Shipping priority need a little dusting has bumper damage on the corners missing windshield has paint loss hub caps little loose but can be fix it rolls great sold as is”
Mark shared this article about bumper ropes by Gene Olsen, who also sells ropes he makes through various dealers including Army Jeep Parts.
http://warjeeps.com/articles/BumperRope/WJBumperRopeArticle.html
I can’t imagine there is much value here. I’ve never seen one of these. Looks home made.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1375313335985314/
“Wooden and metal Jeep for sale. I don’t know much about it due to receiving it as a debt payment. I am open to offers.”
UPDATE: A reader named Jim actually served on the USS Slater. He spotted this post from 2013 and had some insights into the real history behind the USS Slater jeep:
I was pursuing the many facets of ewillys when I found a page with our jeep (the USS Slater jeep) ! I got a good laugh when I got to the last picture of it (the plaque).
This is why:
First, this is our jeep a number of years ago in a parade.
Way back when, some “idiot” member of the board thought it would be an idea to auction off the jeep. No one knew what happened to it after that. Then, several years ago I went on a hunt for it. I found it! Where? The Chrysler Traveling Museum”! Apparently, the auction winner had sold it. (to a museum?)
Then, in the picture on eWillys I see on the plaque (last pic below) where it says “This particular vehicle was owned by the US Navy and served on the USS Slater”(during Korea).
Well just to correct their version of history, during the Korean War the Slater had already been given to Greece where she served for the next 45 years in the Hellenic Navy! DE’s (Destroyer Escorts) did not usually have jeeps. because they couldn’t fit them onboard!
My search for the jeep got me to Chrysler and I emailed them. Not that I would expect them to give it back, but…. Then I get this email back:
The funny thing is all this is happening just months after the posting on your site in October of 2013! I especially like how a so-called “historian” believed how it came to be!
Well, according to this letter they were still touring the country in 2014 (which answers your “where is it now” question from 2013)!
When I am finished with my jeep and she is all lettered up as the USS Slater jeep, I think Chrysler may have a little competition!
Ciao for now,
Jim
==========================
Originally Published 2013:
Joe shot these photos back in May of 2005. He writes, “I visited this DiamlerChrysler Corp. traveling exhibit in Virginia Beach, VA back in 2005, photographed it and posted the story on the G503.com website back then. (when the ewillys.com concept was but a dream for sometime in the future.) I’ve included the link for you to read as background and to share with your readers. I found the follow-up comments by other G503 members the most interesting based on their expert knowledge/experience of the subject.”
Anyone know if they still run the traveling exhibit?
http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=105&t=61931
UPDATE: This post has been updated with more pics. Also, there is currently a Kelly Hub brochure on eBay.
In May of 1957, DA Ruben L. Beck filed a patent for a new hub design. Beck was a dreamer and like many dreamers, some saw him a genius while others thought him just plain crazy. Beck’s goal was to create a simple, but effective, four-wheel-drive hub.
Beck had already made an early impact in the jeep world, when he founded D.L. Beck Manfucaturing in Middleport, Ohio, a company that made hardtops (see Beck hardtop history here).
No matter when the sale occurred, Hubert took control. It wasn’t long after the patent filing that Mike Kelly, Hubert Kelly’s descendent, remembered seeing the hubs for the first time. He thought that was about 1958. I asked that he review the patent and Mike sent me the following notes:
“The Kelly Self Locking Hub I knew a was little different than the one pictured in the patent drawing. The housing was larger in diameter and had reliefs milled along the outside to allow clearance for the mounting bolts. The internal parts looked very similar to what I remember. I’m pretty sure the final Kelly product was a Beck design. I don’t recall anyone else working on it.
The hubs were manufactured in Charleston West Virginia. We already had an large machine shop there on Broad St. So moving production from Ohio to West Virgina was only logical. I know the assembling the hubs could be “interesting” if you weren’t watching what you were doing. Putting the internal workings together with the ball bearings being under spring pressure woke up more than one man who wasn’t paying attention.”
This was taken shortly after the start (06/25/195) of the Korean War.
View all the information on eBay
“1950 Press Photo US patrol jeeps move along the Naktong River dike. This is an original press photo. South Korea — A U.S. patrol jeep moves along the dike of the Naktong River on the lookout for North Korean infiltration. First Cavalry patrols crossed the Naktong to assess damage done by a B-29 attack on Communist positions.Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 08-16-1950.”
