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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 .
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.”
“Antique vintage new old stock Models of Merit by Ace Products jeep jeepster kit no.7r Balsa Wood Model Kit Condition is nos In box complete with instructions”
These pics are a little nicer, but from a different eBay auction:
This 600lb jeep-like vehicle was built by O.L. Munding of Glendale, California. It was included in the October 1953 issue of Popular Science (page 124). On the same page, the magazine also featured a rat rod vehicle built by Munding that was powered by two air-rolled Ranger engines, war surplus items originally used to start big bomber engines.
On August 04, 1949, the Wolcott Beacon out of Wolcott, Indiana, published directions on how to build a toy Willys Wagon for kids. The length of this toy is about 7″.
Our normally dull lives were upended last week as a neighbor dog we watched during the day passed away, then our dog Zollie suffered a slipped disc, meaning he needs some special attention, and one of Ann’s relatives suddenly landed into the middle of a messy divorce, with Ann lending a hand in that process.
Amongst all of that, on Wednesday I spotted an unusual model jeep for sale for only $15. The seller lived a few hours away from me in Portland, so I expressed interest and sent her an email, asking if she could mail it. A 67-year-old woman named Jan responded with an email explaining that it was her deceased husband’s jeep and that she has some medical issues that would prohibit her from mailing it. This led to more emails between us, as it took me a while to identify the jeep (A Dale Model Co. jeep, which is a derivative of a Fromburg model jeep). As we got to know each other better, I decided to drive to Portland and meet her. She just seemed like a nice person.
I ended up spending a couple hours with Jan, learning about her much older husband (he was born in 1914), about his teenage years working in the CCC in Oregon, his Navy experience in Hawaii during WWII building plane hangars and his long work as an engineer with the city of Portland, erecting buildings, parks and fountains.
We also walked through some of the stuff she has left to sell (she’s downsizing), most of which isn’t really worth much. However, she does have an cool machete from her husband that has a leather sheath. I had a suspicion that it might be something of value, as it has a great weight to it. She was willing to give it to me and have me pay her once we figured out a value. I told her I was concerned that it was quite valuable and beyond my budget, but I took some pics and promised I would figure out what it was.
#128 Collins & Sons Legitimus Machete and a #13 Leather Scabarrd.
Last night when I returned home I did some research, discovering the machete is a Collins & Sons Legitimus 27″ Machete #128 with a number #13 leather scabbard. It was likely made around 1941. Values range from up to a couple hundred dollars, though that’s someone’s asking price on eBay. I reported my findings to her and we struck a fair deal, one that includes returning to Portland to help her with some more of her stuff.
So, in the end, that little $15 jeep will cost me more than $200 after gas, food and the cost of the machete! But, helping someone out and making a new friend seems worth the cost.
Size comparison between the Al-toy CJ-2A and the Dale Model Co WWII jeep.
