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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 article appeared in the July 1952 issue of Popular Science (pgs 79-82). This is article is interesting in that is covers some of the complaints GIs had about earlier jeeps and how the M-38A1 attempts to address those issues.
Here’s a 1952 French ad for underwear that includes a jeep.
View all the information on eBay
“This is an original 1953 print ad size : 6.7″ x 5.1″”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4800.
Ken shared this cool custom utility wagon.
“Custom Willies with manually operated snow plow, dump bed, hydraulic boom lift. Chevy 283 V8 engine. Ready to plow. Cash.”
Over the past ten years a number of photos of the Willys Quad (the first ‘jeep’ produced by Willys-Overland) have emerged from dusty files, library depositories, and photo archives. Assembled below are the photos that have been published on eWillys, as well as some others that help tell the Quad story.
I’ve seen it mentioned in a couple places that five Willys Quads were manufactured. While I haven’t seen any specific evidence to back that claim, we do know that two prototype Quads were delivered to Holabird: one was 2-wheel-steer and one was a 4-wheel-steer. I *think* the one with the “3211” license plate on the front was the two-wheel-steer model, while the one marked “USA QMC 1/4 4×4” on the bumper was the four-wheel-steer (but I could be wrong).
Later, circa 1943, one of the Quads was rebuilt with an MB windshield (was this an early Holabird test model or what that didn’t go to Holabird?) and appeared in a few photos. What happened to the rebuilt Quad and the remaining four Quads (if there were really that many)? No one seems to know.
1 (From July 18, 2019): Mario Maipid shared this great photo taken on the steps of the DeKalb Post Office. According to him the sign reads,
THE WILLYS OVERLAND
GO-DEVIL QUAD;
U. S. Army Mobile Machine Gun West;
Same Motor as WILLYS Americar
2. (From May 20, 2019): This press photo was produced in 1990 (mostly likely from an original negative) probably for the 50th anniversary of the Quad. It was featured for auction on eBay.
“This is an original press photo. 1940 Jeep Willys Quad – The original Willys-Overland pilot model delivered to the US Army on November 11, 1940 Photo measures 10 x 8 inches. Photo is dated 10-08-1990.”
Here’s another version without the lettering:
3. (July 17, 2018): This photo was auctioned on eBay.
“1941- U.S. Troops Testing Willys Quad Prototype Jeep on Rough Terrain. Photo measures approx. 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2”
There was a crisper, cropped version of this photo used as part of a 2011 Toledo Blade article.
4. (Feb 28, 2017): This was auctioned on eBay: “1941- Sen. James Mead driving Willys Quad prototype jeep up the U.S. Capitol steps in Washington, DC. Photo measures approx. 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2”
And, a slightly different, smaller version that doesn’t show the senator twisting his head:
And, from what I believe is the same event, but from a different angle, we have this photo.
UPDATE II: More Hamm’s stuff thanks to Maury:
UPDATE: Maury shared a TV commercial that accompanied the Hamm’s beer ad campaign shows in the stickers below. For those old enough to remember Grizzly Adams, which I watched as a kid, it sure feels like an episode of that show. It turns out there was a John “Grizzly” Adams (1812-1860), upon whom the movie/show may have been based, who lived a pretty wild life.
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Original Post November 2012: Is this evidence that a Bear is a Jeeper’s best friend? There are two different ebay auctions for this sticker.
1. This seller is offering two stickers for less than the ad below
“2-Vintage Hamm’s Beer Stickers
RARE SET Grizzle w Jeep & Grizzle w Canoe
Cool set with both stickers included.
These are new-unused stickers!
Thank you for looking!”
2.”Up for auction is a rare vintage Hamm’s Beer sticker with a bear riding in a Jeep. Very cool. New old stock. Measures approx. 5.25″ x 5.25″. Multiple available. Please email any questions prior to bidding. Thanks!”
This unusual envelope was printed with the briefly promoted “J” logo, used by Willys-Overland during late 1945.
View all the information on eBay
I’ve posted something similar to this video, but not this specific one (at least that I can find). This early 1941 film reel is narrated and shares the news that Ford’s Reconnissance Cars would be joining the Army. The video is located at the National Archives.
It’s a good photo of a BRC-40.
“1941 Press Photo Wartrace, Tenn. US Army jeep & Pvt NR McDougle of MPs. Photo measures 9 x 7 inches. Photo is dated 6-7-1941.”
Perhaps this license plate belonged to Del and Ann Parker?
View all the information on eBay
“Here I Have A 1950’s -1960’s Vintage JEEP PLASTIC license plate East Penn Jeepers AMC JEEP WILLYS.Very hard to find in this condition.3RD pic is as found (DIRTY). the rest of thE PICS are cleaned. no chips, rips, or brakes. some rust around mounting holes. there is names printed on tag DEL & ANN PARKER .”
UPDATE: Thanks to Ted, below I’ve added an article and more images from a March 1953 Popular Science article about the little fire fighting jeep, also known as the “Little Squirt”.
This video from the National Archives Catalog shows a special-purpose fire fighting jeep the Navy was testing. The video is divided into two parts. The first part shows the jeep fighting a fire. The second part shows the jeep from various angles. I’ve also included some images from the video below. (If the video is slow or doesn’t work, go here to download the video).
