Check out Brendan’s “Hardtops and the Civlization of the Jeep, Part I“. It’s a great early synopsis of attempts at topping the early jeeps.
Website Research Archives
eCrater.com Auction Site
I ran across an online auction site called eCrater.com. Smaller than eBay, it has some vintage jeep items for sale. In some cases the prices are a little lower than ebay. Part of the reason for the lower prices is that it is free to list items and to use their commerce system. I purchased a brochure off the site and will report if I run into any issues.
http://www.ecrater.com/filter.php?keywords=willys+jeep&x=0&y=0
Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers History
Here is the story of George Adler and the launching of Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers in 1961. Starting at the kitchen table making catalogs, the company grew into an off-road parts empire.
Bram Van Buuren Jeeps in the Netherlands
Mike forwarded a link to this jeep dealer. The Van Buuren’s launched their shop just after World War II ended. It is still family owned. The website has jeeps for sale, projects they’ve completed (including the restoration of a seep), and more.
Paratroopers and Paratrooper Vehicles in Carentan, France
Jeff was vacationing in France and Belgium when he ran across two businesses located in Carentan: Paratrooper and Paratrooper Vehicles. He thought I might have known about them, but nope I did not know about them. Carentan is a small rural town near the north-eastern base of the French Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy. If anyone else has been here (or can translate the website better than I), feel free to comment!
Jeff writes, “I was just in northern France and Belgium with the family on vacation and was in the Normandy area which incorporated a D-Day beach tour. Stayed in Carentan and came across Paratrooper. I am sure you may have known about them. I visited both businesses which are in different locations. I took some photos of the restoration location, Paratrooper Vehicles and thought you would like to see them.”
Thanks for taking these. I will add this to my list of must visit places when we do our Great European Jeep Tour. When are we doing this tour? I’m hoping in time for the the 70th anniversary of DDay.
Jeeper Vineyards and Champagne
Gerald forwarded this story of the Jeeper Vineyards, the full text of which is on Autoblog. The story is from spring 2011.
“To help commemorate the 60th anniversary of Jeep, vineyard Jeeper has teamed up with Delta 4×4, a company well-known in Europe for aftermarket wheels, tires and other offroad accessories, to produce a limited-edition champagne.”
Hanson Mechanical’s New Blog
Merlin has launched a blog for people who’d like to follow Hanson Mechanical’s projects. Merlin has also moved the shop into a new garage, which looks nice.
Lars’ Jeep Service in Sweden
DC forwarded Lars’ website. Lars runs “Willys Service” in Sweden and has been working with Willys for over fifty years. He has some beautiful jeeps, too.
Custom Shift Knobs
American Car Brochures
HOG forwarded this unique website. There are a few Willys brochures in there, too.












