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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 May 02, 1943, article in the Evening Star excerpt shares the news of two newly-named jeeps: “Al Neale” and “Mount Vernon Spitfire”.
I am surprised that there was so much scrap on the ground. It sounds like this device could have paid for itself in tires alone. This was published in the August 20, 1943, issue of the Key West Citizen.
UPDATE: Steve obtained copies of article #2, so now this list is complete!
Nine years ago there was a post about “Jivin up the Jeep”, which referenced a series of articles in Mechanix Illustrated Magazine. At that time, I could only locate articles #3 and #4. Steve Zamell just shared the earliest of the four with me (Thanks!). And, I found a poor image of article #2 So, below you’ll find information about all four articles.
According to the information on this Modern Mechanic Post, the October and November 1946 issues of Modern Mechanic magazine each included an article titled “Jivin up the Jeep” that shares various modifications. Those articles were a big hit across the US, as readers from all over sent in follow up suggestions and ideas. That led to an additional two articles, one in April of 1947 and one in November of 1947. I’ve shown the pictorial portions of the articles below. There’s additional content on the 1947 links.
From October 1946 Part I – A few Jeep ideas:
From November 1946 Part II – I just bought a cheap issue of this magazine. I’ll update these poor pics found on a current eBay ad once I receive my copy of the magazine. Looks like this article covers the creation of a custom hardtop:
From April 1947: Custom Tops
This short article in the January 02, 1948, issue of the Arizona Post featured a photo of this father and son team to “prove” they were in WWII together. There time in WWII did not quite go as planned, but you can read that in the article at the bottom. There’s more on Sam’s life, including his time as South Tucson’s mayor, in the book: What They Saved: Pieces of a Jewish Past.
Here’s the October 03, 1947, story that led to the photo published above …. (note the next to the last paragraph is cutoff in the original article for some reason; only one line shows “Kipnis are trying to forget … “).
1958 Photo of Arthur Gaeth: Source
Arthur Gaeth had a career that ranged from being a pre-WWII LDS missionary and tour conductor in what is now the Czech Republic/Slovakia, to reporting on displaced citizens in Europe. In 1946, he reported on the Nuremberg trials. In 1947, he provided more details on his life during a Senate hearing where he encouraged the loosening of travel restrictions in Europe. He subsequently had his own radio broadcast and Washington Correspondent for the Mutual Broadcasting System. In the 1950s he became the “Voice of the Denver Post” and a News Commentator for Denver’s KBTV News.
The reason for the background information on Arthur Gaeth is that In January of 1950 he delivered a scathing review of Willys-Overland’s management, which was printed out in the January 1, 1950, issue of the Arizona Sun. While there’s likely some exaggerations within, it still provides some interesting tidbits, such as Mahoney’s Technical Services, Incorporated, side deal. Also, if the name Empire Securities isn’t familiar to you, I’d suggest reading this 1946 Fortune article.
This ad was featured in the Dillon Daily Tribune on May 06,1947.
This July 25, 1945, article in the Dillon Examiner highlighted the newly released CJ-2A.
This 1943 image shows a crowd gathered around a jeep as it carries a wounded American. There are several articles about the war with Japan in this August 23, 1943, issue of the Daily Illini, but what caught me by surprise was Northwest Airlines’ attempt to secure a direct air route from Alaska to Tokyo even almost two years before the war eventually ended, as if we weren’t at war with Japan! Talk about advanced planning.
UPDATE: Barry explores this topic (future of the jeep) more on his Farmjeep site: https://www.farmjeep.com/2020/01/14/who-would-want-a-jeep-predictions-from-1943-and-1944/
This article on the future of the jeep was published in The Daily Illini on February 14, 1943.
This February 2, 1951, photo in the Sycamore Tribune was front page news and highlighted the effects of a train hitting a jeep. I wish the photo quality was better.
