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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 .
In the spring of 1961 Kelloggs offered a contest with prizes that included DJ-3A Surrey Jeeps. At least two of those winners were from California: N. E. Eastmoore, Sr, out of Bowman, California, and Mrs. Maurine Vogel, out of Pasadena, California. A third, Richard P. Varalin, out of Drums, Pennsylvania, is pictured below.
I find this ad from the June 22, 1964, issue of the Staunton Leader out of Staunton, Virginia, a good early example of a begining move from the jeep as a utility vehicle to it as a vehicle for outdoor recreation. Though the ad still focuses on the jeep as a way to get to these fun endeavors, it wasn’t too much longer before an inflection point where the jeep-journey itself was advertised as fun.
Remember that by 1964, Four Wheeler Magazine had been out for two years, a publication that helped spread the message and the hobby of four wheeling pursuits (clubs, jeeping, modifications, and racing).
Scott spotted this unusual item. If I understand correctly, this has been made to provide a fuel source (out of charcoal) for a jeep engine. I’m not sure what makes this specifically unique for a jeep, as similar systems have been attached to cars. According to this document, a gasifier has been fueling a jeep since 1981 in Laos.
“1940 ww2 Charcoal Gasifier Gas Generator For 4-6 Cylinder Engine Willys Jeep Wc. Condition is Used. It work with only charcoal and work good, extremely rare item, it is very old with som rust and dent look at pictures over all look good , I can ship it via fastenal, it is 300lbs fit on a wood pallet.”
UPDATE III: Charles Chips — What happened to Bill Barriere, continued (see more info in below updates). (two years after the photo in UPDATE IV) In 1981 Bill launched Charles Chips of Palm Springs, a franchised(?) business that has specialized in home delivery of cookies, pretzels and other snacks in the United States since 1942
The next week, this photo and caption was published by the Desert Sun in Palm Springs, California. Bill’s adventurer-look was gone, replaced by a more casual-business-looking persona.
UPDATE II: This photo shows Bill on top of the jeep.
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Original Post January of 2019 …. UPDATE: Another photo of Bill Barriere and his jeep appeared on eBay (see below). That find sent me once again on the pursuit of the question, “What happened to Bill Barriere’s jeep trip?”. It turns out, he didn’t make it very far. During the early portion of his trip, he crashed into a bridge in the Yukon, which left him with a $7000 repair bill and $1700 tow bill (Yukon to Fairbanks). He decided to abandon the trip idea and, instead, become a mercenary fighter in Nicaragua (and drive his jeep there). Maybe some day I’ll figure out how his life as a mercenary fighter panned out.
“1953 Jeep Willys · Other_body_style · Driven 300 miles FOR SALE $6,500 obo 1953 Willys CJ-3B • Complete restoration • Upgraded to 11” brakes • 12 volt system • Modern oil filter • Restored Kelly hardtop with roll up windows”
“1948 Jeep Willy’s. Very fun to drive. Starts and drives great. Clean title. Current registration. Not a show vehicle by any stretch. Fun to use as is – or make it a project”
“1943 Jeep for sale V8 Chevy engine & Automatic transmission Runs and drives & new carburetor Clean title in hand Tags good till March 2021 Asking price $4400”
