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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 .
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
I can’t tell for sure, but that might be a Ford GP. The hood doesn’t look very tall to me. The date makes it probable.
“This is an original press photo. New River, N.C. — Jeep splashes shoreward from a marine landing barge during maneuvers of the Marines Amphibious Force. Sturdy little car tows a light field piece.Photo measures 8.75 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 11-25-1941.”
John stopped by the Military Air Museum in Pungo, Virginia, the other day. There he found this nicely restored Ford GP. I asked him how he liked the museum. HIs response was,
“Dave, The whole facility is extraordinary! Two surprises, 1) a hanger from Cottbus, Germany, was found intact but damaged. The guy bought it, had it disassembled, shipped to the states and restored and reassembled. Every thing inside is German with one Italian with some of the stuff experimental.
2) Same for a British control tower, every brick was shipped here, rebuilt, and what was broken or missing was replaced from Britain, not the States.“
Additional pics:
The Henry Ford Museum’s digital collections contain a few interesting photos. It appears all of them can be purchased:
2. These images appear to be frame drawings for the Ford GP. The images aren’t reproduced well:
https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/430077
3. This image purports to be a December 1941 drawing of a set of GP springs, but by that time, Ford was gearing up for the GPW.
https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/429633#slide=gs-377168
4. There are a few more jeep-related pics int he digital collections database at The Henry Ford: https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/search-results#terms=jeep&years=0-0&perPage=10&pageNum=1&sortBy=relevance
This 2015 article in the York Daily Record shares the story of York-Hoover’s construction of the two original Bantam BRC bodies in 1940.
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/history/blogs/yorkspast/2015/12/07/earliest-jeeps/76956416/
UPDATE II: Here are pics of the Ford Pygmy and Ford Budd to use for comparison with the jeep in the movie. To me it looks like the film makers built a custom vehicle based on the Ford Budd, which Maury points out, in the comments section below, was in Hollywood at the time.
FORD BUDD:
FORD PYGMY:
Note the differences between the two above and the “jeep” below: Angle of the steering wheel, position of the front fenders vis-a-vis the hood, length of cowl at the step, the rolled edges of the body (same as Budd, Pygmy didn’t have them), short rear handle of the Pygmy (Budd had long hand), incorrect hubs .. I wonder if that is a Bantam chassis?
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ORIGINAL POST … these photos were sold on eBay: Thanks to Maury for spotting these pics from the Jeep Herders movie. There are a couple Ford GPs pictured. I’m not sure what’s going on with the side of the Ford GP. Looks like it is similar to the original Pygmy GP.
“Originally by Planet Productions, 1946, re-released by Astor Pictures in 1949. Story is returning vets use Jeeps to herd cattle.”
Mario shared this on Facebook.
The bottom is a more familiar photo. I can’t remember if I’ve seen the top one.
View all the information on eBay
“1940- Ford Pygmy during testing at Camp Holabird. The Ford Pygmy is the pilot vehicle submitted by Ford Motor Company in response to the U.S. Army’s requirement for a “light reconnaissance and command car” during the military buildup prior to World War II. It is the only known survivor of the original pilot vehicles built by Bantam, Willys, and Ford and tested by the Army. Photo measures approx. 6 3/4″ x 8 3/4″ ”
Seth just finished his winter project: a VW diesel conversion on his CJ-3A. Last November he bought a 1949 CJ-3A, but didn’t discover it had a bad block until he pulled the engine apart. So he decided to install a VW engine, while keeping everything else as close to original as he could; it still has the t-90, Spicer-18, Saturn overdrive, Dana 25/41 (lockrite F/R). As a result, the new engine produces 110hp/190ft and he is averaging 38 miles per gallon!
I asked Seth a few questions. Here are his answers:
1) What gave you the idea to us that engine?
I’ve always been a fan of diesel swapped jeeps. My CJ-5 has a Mercedes diesel in it. When I started rebuilding the CJ-3A I realized the l-head would need some work. So, I thought rather than spend money on that, why not put a TDI in it? The engine was already sitting under the work bench as a spare for my daily driver (TDI jetta wagon). I have a small lathe & mill in my basement. It took endless nights making chips and taking measurements. But it’s in and it works!
2) Did you run into any unexpected issues?
I ran into many issues. Some were expected, others were a total surprise. My biggest challenge is that this was not a previously documented swap. So, I was on my own. Honestly there were a few times I almost threw in the towel. The biggest issue was just physically fitting the engine in the jeep. My goal was to keep the jeep as untouched as possible. that meant leaving the drive train in the stock location. I wanted all original driveshafts, cross member and trans cover, etc.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $16,000.
For those looking for GPW/MB parts, at the end of this post Josh notes that he’s willing to sell groups of parts:
“I should also mention if you want to make it a full load, I have a very large number of GPW mb parts (windshields, fenders, gas tanks, transmissions.transfers, tandem tow bar and many little pieces about 6 large totes full.) As well as a few WW2 trailers that I could put into a larger package deal. I don’t currently have time to sell these things individually.”
“For sale: 1941 Ford GP #9714 dod 5/2/1941 first series project. The GP has all three data plates and the frame and tub #’s match. Engine is also first series GP #8966 but not matching.
The good:
Original data plates in good readable condition.
original pintle hook
Original solid wheels x2
Original spare tire carrier
original front seats (slightly altered)
original voltage regulator
brown coil
original radiator
original scalloped axles
original Knee shocks x4
original windshield frame, inner, and clamps.
original transmission hump (cut but not missing material)
Frame is very good condition
original transmission/ transfer. transmission is free, transfer case levers are not.
I believe to be an original jack is present.
3 partial 0-100 instrument clusters.
GP engine turns and looks good inside.
most major and minor body components are present and dash is intact nice fenders
reproduction front brake line
Rolls and steers very easy.
Continue reading
Here’s evidence of Ford GPs in Brazil.
View all the information on eBay
“1942 Press Photo American Jeeps in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is an original press photo. “Jeep” cars of U.S. manufacture pass through a Rio de Janeiro street February 13, as Brazilian War Minister General Gaspar Eurico Dutra reviewed units of Brazil’s motor-mechanized forces before their departure for Recife. (Brazil – Defense). Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 02-13-1942.”
Looks like a Ford GP to me.
View all the information on eBay
“1944- A U.S. Army soldier in a jeep watches a Piper J-3C 65 Cub, re-designated L-4 Grasshopper, liaison plane take off from a gravel road. Photo measures approx. 8″ x 10″”
This is a great press photo.
“1940- Ford Pilot Model GP-No. 1 Pygmy, during initial testing after delivery to the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps at Camp Holabird in Baltimore on November 23.Photo measures approx. 7 1/4″ x 10”
