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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 .
I wonder just how many versions of this press photo are out there?
“This is an original press photo. The Postwar Jeep, especially adapted for peacetime work, combines the four basic functions of tractor, light truck, mobile power unit and passenger conveyance. Photo shows the new Jeep, just unveiled to the public by Willys Overland Motors, operating a threshing machine. Among the many and various farm applications of this modern vehicle are: plowing, disking, raking, baling, shelling and grinding corn, operating manure spreader, filling silo and sawing wood. Photo measures 5 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 1-11-1946.”
This photo makes it clear that the US was aware of the use of Chinese as “Comfort Women” early on in the war.
“1941 Press Photo Burma Cpl L Gallagher of Britain with prisoners in his jeep. This is an original press photo. Burma With prisoners captured by British and Indian troops in south east Asia Command in Burma’s Wenwegon area along Toungoo Pegu road were Chinese girls taken into captivity at Canton and forced to act as comfort corps to Japanese soldiers.”
“1943 Press Photo Santa Claus Tracked Down Bouncing Along Mountain Trail in Jeep.
This is an original press photo. A Camp Carson scouting party on Christmas reconnaissance, tracked down Santa Claus, bouncing along a mountain trail using a jeep instead of good, old “Bunder,” “Blitzen,” and the rest of his traditional outfit. He told the soldiers that he was taking his new rig on a “shakedown cruise” and fount it would do the job very well. Santa forecasted a big Christmas for everybody—especially the boys at Camp Carson. Photo measures 7 x 9 inches. Photo is dated 12-21-1943.”
“This is an original press photo. An interesting method of fording an unformable stream is demonstrated in these picture by the men of the Fourth Division motorized at Upatoi Creek near Fort Benning. The quarter ton reconnaissance carps “jeeps” are literally floated across the stream as shown here. At the top, the jeep is backed onto a square of canvas, part of which rests on the surface of the water. The canvas is then pulled up and tied just as you would wrap a package and the jeep is tied up in canvas, which also contains water, then the machine, which weighs slightly more than one ton empty, then displaces enough water to float. It is then pushed across the stream and is ready for another go at the enemy. Photo measures 8 x 10.25 inches. Photo is dated 7-15-1941.”
I’m not sure how the reporter knew the sign was erected by New Zealanders?
“This is an original press photo. New Zealanders, who probably got their information from a close contest with Nazi Bullets, erected his sign which temporarily halts an American Jeep on famed Highway “6” which leads to Rome. “Achtung” is the German word for “attention” and the warning it headlines is situated a few miles from where the Rapido River crosses the highway south of Cassino. Photo measures 8.25 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-18-1944.”
“This is an original press photo. The jeep takes on cargo at the loading platform in an air depot. The jeep has only one small trailer. In jeep is Sgt. D. Kelly, of Betava N.Y. Private Ed L. Ward of Kenton Ohio, directs from the platform, while Pvt. Henry Martion of Great Falls, Mont. is in the truck on platform. Sgt. M. J. Bacciarina from Merced California stands at rear of trailer.Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 8-20-1943.”
UPDATE: The world can be such an amazing place sometimes. Last night we got to spend time with Hugo Vidal and his son Fernando. Hugo’s memories of his 1955 trip are very clear, enough so that he’s writing a book about the adventure. His book begins with Operation Pineapple and will end with Alaska Or Rust.
Hugo was enjoying looking through the Willys News periodicals from the mid 1950s. He recognized some of people in them.
Adding to those links, I have found a couple additional photos and more information about the trip. The first photo was published in the September 1955 issue of Willys News:
Note the missing tire on the spare rim. Hugo says they went through eleven tires. During their trip they had no mechanical issues.
California’s Lodi News-Sentinel published a story about the last leg of their trip on January 18, 1956.
Steve passed along this interesting photo of Willys wagon printed in a Summer 2017 periodical. The text seems to be unrelated to the photo and offers not information about it.
Jack’s son-in-law David Watson shared this photo of Jack when he was Staff Sergeant Jack L. Moore, USAF, pulling guard duty with his M-38 jeep, M-1 carbine and .45 pistol. The photo was taken at Aviano Air Base, Italy, circa 1956. Jack was a member of the 614th Fighter Squadron, a F-84 unit, at the time. Jack’s not 85 and doing well!