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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 .
Roberto tells me he is practicing his French. Here’s an illustration he made the other day. I believe it roughly translates as, ‘it is so cold even ducks will freeze’. Yes, winter is here! Of course, as always, Roberto slipped in a jeep . . .
Len says he became a jeep fan while watching episodes of MASH. Despite being interested in jeeps, he waited to buy his first jeep. Finally, three years ago, he took the plunge and found a 1942 GPW in Eastern Oregon. He brought it back to his home near Seattle to start a rebuild. He thought it would take one year. But, as many jeep enthusiasts learn, it took him more time than expected. Now at the end of year three, he is almost done. Though he has learned a lot, he swears he will never do another jeep rebuild.
The jeep itself had a pretty rough body, probably because it was raced for a short while. However, the front of the frame and frame horns were in amazingly great shape and original. Every part of the jeep has been pulled apart and rebuilt. His goal has been to build a jeep out of original, rather than replacement parts. The engine runs well and sounds great.
Len believes the small pits and dents in the body and fenders adds a nice historical feel to the project. Amazingly, he has managed to locate a variety of parts out of junkyards around the Seattle area. For example, he has found two original pintle hitches from junk yards. He has found all kinds of F stamped bolts. He found a prototype, pre combat, rim. He found a headlight bucket. The list of parts he found was surprising!
One of the most amazing stories he told was that the jeep didn’t come with a hood that matched the original body. Since the hood was in poor shape, one of the things he began looking for was a better hood. One of his buddies mentioned that his father had a GPW hood. Len picked up the hood and was stunned to see it had striping similar to his jeep. When he got it back to his garage he discovered the hood matched the body exactly! After Len investigated things further, it turned out his friend’s father had sold the jeep to the guy in Oregon. So, Len now had the original hood of the jeep. Even better, the original hood numbers were still readable. Talk about a small world!
Len’s goal with his jeep is to complete the rebuild, drive it for a few years, and then donate it to Fort Lewis, because the Fort’s museum doesn’t have a WWII jeep in it, though it does have later models. Len still needs a few more items to complete his build, one being a ford script driver’s seat. I’ve got a lead on one for him, but if anyone knows of any others, please comment below.
Len mentioned that his wife has been a big support of his effort, though their agreement includes one demand by her: She gets to drive it first. Congrats on the great rebuild.
Glenn forwarded this unusual toy on eBay from Vietnam.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250887002550
Ted dropped me a note today thanking me for helping sell his CJ-3B. He also offered to share some pictures of his jeep collection. After seeing the pictures, I thought everyone else would like to see them too, especially his 2A which has more gadgets on it than a swiss blade knife! Thanks for sharing Ted (and looks like the kids enjoy the jeeps, too!).
The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival organization received official recognition from the Guiness Folks that they set the Parade record. Read more here.
It seems to be a Willys/Jeep Truck and Wagon day. So, let’s start with this old brochure Glenn forwarded to me. I’d like to see a brochure that shows all 50 options referenced in the brochure. Note this is a brochure put out by Willys of Canada.
Robin spotted this nifty truck with a rare towing package. He has shared a bunch of pictures on Flickr. Here are a few below. Cool truck!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157628165251197/
Ann bought me this M&M Jeep from the M&M store when we were at Times Square (the last one there). While a cool little toy, it seemed a bit overpriced until I spotted the same toy at Amazon.com for TWICE the retail price! http://www.amazon.com/Military-Vehicle-Candy-Dispenser-Jeep/dp/B002XOBIWU
For a better price, go straight to the online M&M store
Ann was having fun, too
Greg wrote me with a question for readers.
“Been researching tires for my Dad’s CJ3A restoration project lately. The closest thing I’ve found to a mid-sixties style mud tire that he want’s to use is a Deestone D503. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this tire (7.00 x 15), or perhaps has a more economical or even modern tire with similar tread characteristics. For our purposes with this jeep, visual is as important as off road performance. Oh, price is a consideration too. These retail for around $130-145, plus tubes, mounting, shipping, etc etc. One issue I’m having with this tire at the moment is the diameter. 29.8″ versus the 26 or 27″ it’ll replace. I’m ok with slightly larger, but I worry about getting too big.”
Howard wrote to me this morning, sharing the news that his father George passed away yesterday. In remembrance, Howard wanted to share an article from Stars and Stripes about the time his father jumped out of a jeep just before it was shelled. You can read the article below. He noted that his father always referred to the jeep as a peep, even the Wranglers!
Howard writes that his father George was “an advanced scout in A Troop, 94th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) of the 14th Armored Division. They earned the official designation of “The Liberators” because they liberated about 200,000 allied POWs from German prison camps, as well as several concentration camps. It’s interesting reading if you ever have time to google it, as is their involvement in the Battle of Hatten-Rittershoffen.”
I asked him if they had jeeps while Howard was growing up. He wrote, “We never had Jeeps growing up, though he always mentioned them when we saw one. My 18-year-old son got a beat up 1989 YJ a couple of years ago, and even through his Alzheimer’s Disease my father would enjoy riding with no top or doors and would always mention driving across Germany in one. My son has developed a strong interest and is reading up on restoration, and has said he intends to always keep a project going on when he gets out of college. I guess that means he’ll always stay broke!”
So, this post is a tribute to George.
