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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 .
Prior to the finalization of the MB Jeep, The American Bantam, Ford, and Willys all created pilot and prototype jeeps in an attempt to win Army contracts. Bantam built the very first jeep, the Bantam BRC. They also built the BRC-60 and BRC-40. Ford built the Pygmy, the Budd, and the GP. Willys built the Willys Quad and the Willys MA. Checker appears to have built one based on Bantam parts. Finally, are rumors of a jeep by York-Hoover, but I’ve never nailed down actual pictures. See this post: http://www.ewillys.com/2010/03/14/york-hoover-all-terrain-prototype/
“1942 Press Photo U.S. Army Soldiers ride down London street in Military Jeep. .This is an original press photo. Four American doughboys ride down a London street in a peculiarly American vehicle, one of Uncle Sammy’s jeeps. Note how they are overshadowed by the familiar London double-deck bus. U.S. Army in London Photo measures 6.25 x 9.5 inches. Photo is dated 03-15-1942.”
This version of the photo was auctioned in 2013 on eBay. It has the date of March 13, 1942. The caption includes the verbiage, “A ‘Jeep’ comes to London Town”.
Over the past ten years a number of photos of the Willys Quad (the first ‘jeep’ produced by Willys-Overland) have emerged from dusty files, library depositories, and photo archives. Assembled below are the photos that have been published on eWillys, as well as some others that help tell the Quad story.
I’ve seen it mentioned in a couple places that five Willys Quads were manufactured. While I haven’t seen any specific evidence to back that claim, we do know that two prototype Quads were delivered to Holabird: one was 2-wheel-steer and one was a 4-wheel-steer. I *think* the one with the “3211” license plate on the front was the two-wheel-steer model, while the one marked “USA QMC 1/4 4×4” on the bumper was the four-wheel-steer (but I could be wrong).
Later, circa 1943, one of the Quads was rebuilt with an MB windshield (was this an early Holabird test model or what that didn’t go to Holabird?) and appeared in a few photos. What happened to the rebuilt Quad and the remaining four Quads (if there were really that many)? No one seems to know.
1 (From July 18, 2019):Mario Maipid shared this great photo taken on the steps of the DeKalb Post Office. According to him the sign reads,
THE WILLYS OVERLAND
GO-DEVIL QUAD; U. S. Army Mobile Machine Gun West;
Same Motor as WILLYS Americar
2. (From May 20, 2019): This press photo was produced in 1990 (mostly likely from an original negative) probably for the 50th anniversary of the Quad. It was featured for auction on eBay.
“This is an original press photo. 1940 Jeep Willys Quad – The original Willys-Overland pilot model delivered to the US Army on November 11, 1940 Photo measures 10 x 8 inches. Photo is dated 10-08-1990.”
Here’s another version without the lettering:
3. (July 17, 2018): This photo was auctioned on eBay.
“1941- U.S. Troops Testing Willys Quad Prototype Jeep on Rough Terrain. Photo measures approx. 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2”
4. (Feb 28, 2017): This was auctioned on eBay: “1941- Sen. James Mead driving Willys Quad prototype jeep up the U.S. Capitol steps in Washington, DC. Photo measures approx. 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2”
And, a slightly different, smaller version that doesn’t show the senator twisting his head:
And, from what I believe is the same event, but from a different angle, we have this photo.
I’ve posted something similar to this video, but not this specific one (at least that I can find). This early 1941 film reel is narrated and shares the news that Ford’s Reconnissance Cars would be joining the Army. The video is located at the National Archives.
“U. S. Army Signal Corps. Jeep Soldiers Out For Refreshments.”
Original Post February 20, 2014:
“You are bidding on a vintage 1943 photo postcard of a Jeep, soldiers and a lady. The card reads, Photo by U S Army Signal Corps. The card is postmarked Camp Pickett, VA 1943. The card is in very good condition.”
“One family owned 1955 CJ3B Willys Jeep with Warn Hubs and Ramsey Winch. Jeep is in very good condition, and has been lovingly maintained and kept garaged for more than 60 years. 1/4 ton 2 door, 4-cyl., F-head engine with 3 speeds, 4-wheel drive and compound low. She had an engine and drive train overhaul, exhaust manifold and brake replacement with all records available, and she has been repainted.”
Tate and I behind his Ford GP. On the right of the pic is his Willys MB.
Ann and I are In Salt Lake City through Saturday morning, then we’ll be heading down to Moab for our Sunday trip on the White Rim Trail.
On Thursday in Salt Lake we met up with Tate, a young man who now owns a Ford GP to go along with his Willys MB. He recently bought it out of Wyoming.
The former owner had been inundated with offers after listing it for sale (no surprise there). He’d owned it for fifty years and wanted it to go to someone who would treasure it for another fifty years. Tate assured him he was the guy, so the owner sold it to him. Given Tate’s passion for jeeps and learning, I have no doubt the owner made a good decision. (By the way, Tate’s looking for a windshield .. if anyone knows of one, feel free to email me at d@ewillys.com and I’ll forward the info to him).
“Rare Military Classic Vehicle.Matching #s tub and frame,i do have the motorpool replacement motor.At present time it is powered by a freshly rebuilt Ford 9N tractor motor.Front and rear diff have been completely gone through.All new brakes/hardware/lines/master cyl.Still needs to be finished.Steering box has been rebuilt.$15,000 or best offer.May be interested in a trade of whatever.No motorcycles or boats”
On pages 48-29 of the August 15, 1942, Saturday Evening post featured an ad by the United State Rubber Company titled “Here’s Where Your Rubber is Going”. The ad included a Ford GP.
