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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 .
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A WILLYS MOTORS INC, BROCHURE FEATURING “THE MECHANICAL MULE” ALSO KNOWN AS THE WILLYS XM 274 1/2 TON WEAPONS CARRIER.
THE X IN THE VEHICLE TITLE MEANS PROTOTYPE AND EXPERIMENTAL.
IN GOOD SHAPE. COMPLETE, INTACT, WITH GOOD COLOR AND GRAPHICS. WEAR, FOLD LINES, AND WRINKLES FROM AGE AND STORAGE, AND USE, BUT VERY READABLE, COMPLETE AND CLEAN.
THE BROCHURE CONTAINS PHOTOS AND DESCRIBES FEATURES AND USES OF THE VEHICLE. BACK PAGE OF BROCHURE HAS THE SPECIFICATIONS ON THE WILLYS XM274 1/2 TON WEAPONS CARRIER (MECHANICAL MULE).
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A RARE, ORIGINAL WW11 POSTER TITLED “YOUR BONDS WILL BACK THE ATTACK”
ORIGINAL – NOT A REPRODUCTION.
DATED 5/17/1944
D’ARCY PRINTING AND LITHOGRAPHING CORP, NY
POSTER HAS PHOTOS OF MANY WW11 TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES INCLUDING:
PT BOAT, DUCK, JEEP, TANK, PLANE, LST, LCUP, LCI, FLAME THROWER, RADIO, ETC.
18X24 INCHES “
The Tactical Personnel-Cargo Carrier (TPCC), also known dryly as the XM443E1, isn’t a vehicle I’ve discussed at all, mostly because I really didn’t know much about it. I figured it was just another prototype. However, given how far along in the production process this design lasted, I figured it was worth a close look. I recently bought the four-page brochure below off of ebay, along with a press release for the TPCC, which sheds some additional information on this vehicle.
In fact, the TPCC was far enough along in development that it was featured at the 1959 Chicago Auto Show (February 1959 Jeep News):
From the February 1959 Jeep News — 1959 Chicago Auto Show where the jeeps were all featured in white.
and later in the year at the Association of U.S. Army’s Convention.
Willys Motors even created this 4-page brochure, which was likely published in 1959 (it lacks a date). So, why didn’t Willys do more with this vehicle? According to this post, numerous maintenance issues uncovered by the military doomed the vehicle.
The current price for these four model Tactical Personnel-Cargo Carriers os $5999 or best offer. As far as the seller knows, there are no other examples of these models. One is in pretty good shape. The other three are in disrepair.
“Ultra Rare only 4-of a kind known to exist and here they are. These are Kaiser/Jeep 16″ US XM 443E1 Platform Truck Promo-really more of a Prototype. Never put into production. The prototype is made with metal/resin/rubber by the Kindred Industrial Design Company. The one that is complete does have some issues 1) The rubber tires have flat spots from being sat for a long period, 2) The steering wheel is bent 3) The drives seat hinge has popped off is the best description. The hinge pops into place like a watch band does to the watch and should be an easy repair. The features of this prototype: The lever in the middle of the front seats raises and lowers the height of the vehicle and works perfectly. All of the seats flip over to be hidden. The vehicle comes with two tops. The vehicle pieces are all removable the steering wheel,windshield, top, bed rails. The other 3-vehicles are in various stages of disrepair. One is fairly close needs a steering wheel, 4-tires and a seat hinge. The final two are really only parts vehicles. Here is a rare chance to truly own a one of a kind piece ”
Page 2 of this June 1957 issue notes that some vehicles experience a front end shimmy (I expect no one is surprised by this news). The article provides some thoughts on how to deal with that.
“Professionally Restored. This is an original. They don’t make a reproduction for this model. Cash only. No venmo. This collectible toy is 70 years old. PLEASE STOP ASKING IF STILL AVAILABLE but rather offer a date and time for pickup. Located near 38th and Gilpin in Denver.”
This weekend we tried pulling the trailer and jeep with the Alpine; I could rarely feel back there. I expect it will pull the tour jeep well also (when the time comes).
We spent part of this Labor Day weekend at the OverBored race, which is always a fun time. Unfortunately, the poor cell reception meant I couldn’t do updates while there, hence the delay in them.
While the jeep performed well, especially the power steering, thanks to the modifications I made to the pump, my deteriorating eye sight proved to be an insurmountable obstacle to success.
A year ago I had the detached retina. Prior to surgery in late August of 2023 I was warned that the surgery could cause the quick onset of a cataract. Following the surgery, everything seemed fine, but by Feb 2024 my left eye’s vision changed (cloudier with poor vision clarity) enough that I needed a new prescription. By May of 2024, the cataract rose to a 3 on a scale of 1-4, necessitating a new prescription, again. By late July, my eye sight declined further, so the eye-doc set me up with a Cataract clinic consult, but that won’t be until the end of October.
Nonetheless, I decided to try racing this weekend, as the jeep (and the Alpine coach) needed another shakedown, even though I figured the poor sight in the left eye might play into slow times. Sure enough, during my obstacle course run, while the jeep was raring to go, I hesitated quite a bit, as my glasses, which fit snuggly in my helmet, still vibrated slightly, leading me a few times to momentarily be unable to see where the course led. Though I completed the first race without making a mistake, I also knew I didn’t go as fast as I thought the jeep was capable of going.
For the second run, this time on the Cross Country course, I decided to be more aggressive. For example, I wanted to see how well the rear end kicked out around barrels, so I was more liberal with my sharp turns and gunning it, which, indeed, caused the jeep to spin nicely around the curves at time. Unfortunately, the speed caused me to make two mistakes. The first time I started to turn where there wasn’t a turn, but that time I just backed up, then got back on course. The second time I rocketed out into the open, only to lose track of which direction to go (it wasn’t well marked, but it’s still my fault). As a result, I ended up going around the outside of the course for about 50ft rather than staying in the correct lane. Basically, I guessed wrong.
For those times I could see, I was having a blast. I could feel what Leftovers was capable of doing and that felt great.
Rob Stafford and I talking while I waited my turn at the Cross Country course.
So, for me, that’s the end of the racing season this year. Hopefully, the cataract surgery occurs without issue (lots of folks report that it’s the best thing they’ve had done) and I can return next May with more success and more aggressive runs.
Anyway, here are some photos from this past weekend, thanks to Ann. We’ll start with a few valve-cover racing photos. Overbored runs this event each year. As the name implies, you build a rolling car from a valve cover. The valve car weight limit is 10lbs. The kids run their cars first, followed later by the adults. Here are some of the kid photos. The first shows Rob and Diana Stafford setting up the track.
A group of vintage jeeps spent several days exploring and camping in the Cascade mountains. I first ran some of these trails (Naches in particular) back in 1966 on my mother’s lap. Years of rigs running these trails, more than a few bigger than old jeeps, have made some of these trails much easier, but there are still some great, challenging trails that can only be done with upgraded equipment like lockers. Kudos to these guys for doing this the old way.
This four-page August 1956 issue includes a mention of the hydro-vac, noting that on vehicles with fresh-air vents that the unit should be mounted on the driver’s side fender.
Life’s been busy this last week. I’ll update as soon as I can!
Improving the steering was one project I addressed this week. First, I worked through both Heim joints and the quick-steer, cleaning and lubing as much as I could. Then, thanks to Rob Stafford’s suggestion, I modified the power steering pump, first by drilling a slightly larger hole through the servo valve, then I lengthened the spring that controls the actuation rate. I felt this was the least invasive of the modification options.
I also spend some time looking at the rear axle, as I thought it had shifted. After making additional measurements, I concluded that my initial estimations were wrong. The axle hadn’t moved; when at the race, I’d mis-measured. Anyway, I was happy to make a dumb mistake, as it meant I didn’t have to address the issue.
“6-cyl. Super Hurricane Engine 4-wheel drive. Converted to Brush Fire Truck from new by Howe Fire Apparatus Company in Anderson, IN. Model HRS-F No. 10249.
It is fitted with a dual snorkel front pump from Waterous Company in St. Paul, MN. Model No. CF-3 Serial No.17739, also with rear hose reel.
Included is a 1996 S10 Frame. Frame and A.Arms have been glass blasted. All brackets and welds are removed and ground smooth. Frame has been epoxied primed. Upper and lower A.Arms have MOOG brand bushings and ball joints.
New serpentine billet specialties along with vintage air unit. Never has had fluids in it.
305 Chevy Truck Engine with new gaskets and freeze plugs – 700 transmission.
Five (5) new steel wheels 15×8 and Five (5) new BF Goodrich Silverton 288/70/R15 Tires.
Clear title. Ready to sell – $20,000.00
Must pick up (does not include transportation)”
