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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 .
I bought this August 1953 issue of Cars magazine for the jeep article, but it also has all kinds of interesting information in it. The article “The Jeep Goes International” by Evan Jones highlights how various companies in different countries were capitalizing on the demand for jeep vehicles by manufacturing jeep-like vehicles of their own. The story discusses the new Austin Champ, the Fiat Campagnola, the Land Rover, and the Delahaye V.I.R.
The jeep-related story in the August 1953 issue of Cars Magazine was interesting, but what really caught my eye was reading a letter-to-the-editor by someone named Nick Jenin. In his short note, he mentioned that he owned five Tucker Torpedo cars and operated a museum called “The Fabulous Tuckers” in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
August 1953 issue of Cars Magazine. Nick Jenin’s letter-to-the-editor.
January 23, 1953, in the Fort Lauderdale News
Jenin purchased a total of ten Tuckers between 1952 and 1957. Jenin loved his Tuckers, enough to operate a traveling Tucker show that was also called the “Fabulous Tuckers”. TheOldMotor.com website has some great vintage photos of the traveling road show.
Photo Credit: http://www.tuckerclub.org/contact/
In 1959, Nick Jenin was interviewed by the Miami Herald:
February 27, 1959, in The Miami Herald.
This “3 of American’s Most Useful Farm Vehicles” ad was published in Cappers Farmers Magazine in February of 1949.
View all the information on eBay
“DESCRIPTION:.. Original magazine ad from 1949. This taken from a magazine called Cappers Farmer so was directed toward the farm community. Shows various uses of the Jeep on the farm. A little bit of natural age tones —the item shown is the item you will receive–please look closely. The size is about 10 x 13.50″ ….”
This April 21, 1943, ad in the Victoria Advocate, out of Victoria, Texas, might just be the first organized ‘jeep club’. Though, to be fair, this was organized to buy a jeep for the military rather than to organized a group of jeep owners.
This Willys Audio-Visual Unit brochure is undated and lacks a form number. I’d guess this was published circa 1956.
This short article appeared in the June 24, 1946, issue of the Daily Times out of New Philadelphia, Ohio. I assume that the 30,000 production number relates to CJ-2As. Interestingly, 35% of jeeps were for ‘agricultural’ uses while 43% were heading to ‘industry’. The remaining 22% fell under the ‘miscellaneous’ category.
This isn’t jeep-related, but can you imagine towing this behind a jeep? Ann spotted this Atomic-themed camper from Alaska. It even has a ‘ray gun’.
Go here for pictures: https://www.motor1.com/news/276837/atomic-camper-crazy-cool-spaceship/
And go here for information on who built it and what he hopes to build next: https://www.motor1.com/news/276837/atomic-camper-crazy-cool-spaceship/
On Monday I received an unexpected and wonderful letter and gift that brightened my day.
A reader named Kerry sent me a box. Inside the box was a letter, some postcards, and a CJ-3B ‘yipao’ toy from Colombia. The letter explained that Kerry, who lives in Wisconsin, had visited Santa Rosa de Cabal, Colombia. While there he discovered some garages that only serviced jeeps; so he began taking photos to share with all of us (sadly, the photos were later lost).
A local man approached Kerry and asked him what he was doing. Kerry responded, telling him that he was taking pics for eWillys. Upon hearing that, the Colombian smiled. He said he reads eWillys every day.
Realizing they had eWillys in common, the Colombian gave Kerry a tour of the area. At the end of it, the Colombian asked Kerry to transport the toy jeep to the US and mail it to me.
So who was this mysterious Colombian? He said he did not want to be named or photographed, which only adds to the mystery of the tale.
A big thanks to Kerry for everything and to my unknown Colombia benefactor; I home I can repay the kindness some day!
In the meantime Kerry, you should watch for a thank you package….
The three postcards:
This first postcard contains several images of the market and plaza in Santurario, Risaralda, Colombia. I most definitely want to visit Colombia, but I’m not sure if I would enjoy the jeeps, the coffee, the people or the markets the most!
Lest you think there are only CJ-3Bs in Colombia, check out these round-fendered jeeps from what I believe is the same square as shown above. They look to be either CJ-6s or a variant of them:
Time Magazine seems to have had some unique ads that only appeared between its covers. Here’s another example. There’s no corresponding ad that appeared in the Saturday Evening Post or Colliers Magazine.
December 09, 1946, Time Magazine.
Gayland shared this do-it-yourself boat project that’s designed around a jeep-engine. It’s called the Chum. Below is the first page. Download the PDF to see all the instructions. There’s even a Willys marine engine for sale right now.
