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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 .
UPDATE II: I got curious about the origin of this photo. I wondered if the story behind this marathon could be found. After examining the wagon closely, I noticed just to the right of the fellow with the hat that Hill Motor Company was in ——S, GA. After some searches, I discovered that a Kirven’s store was located in Columbus, Ohio. Unfortunately, I could find no article associate with the photo on the internet or within newspapers.com.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
I wish I knew more about the story behind this photo.
UPDATE VI: I located a set of Free-Lock hub instructions that are a pre-view for a later set of near identical Dualmatic instructions. This is clear documentary evidence that Dualmatic was linked to Free-Lock.
UPDATE V: I recently packed many of my father’s tools to bring them back to Prosser. I was a regular user of them when working on my bicycles, then my jeeps. So, I thought I knew them pretty well. That is why I was so surprised and did a double take when I removed this tool from a drawer and read the name stamped on it: FREE-LOCK WRENCH …
What??? Where’d that come from? I once asked Dad about Free-Lock hubs, but he didn’t know anything about them. So, I don’t know how he obtained it.
Anyway, given the primitive nature of it, I’d have to guess it was a first generation version of the wrench. As seen below, a second, more elegant curved-design with a better branding stamp was likely introduced after this version.
Here’s a reminder of the other version of the Free Lock Wrench:
UPDATE III: Thanks to Steve, we’ve discovered an additional version. It is now number 5, which seems to be an evolutionary step between 4 & 6.
UPDATE II: Thanks to Frank Day and his grandfather Merton, who saved this rare piece, here is a scan of an eight page brochure related to the Free-Lock corporation.
UPDATE II: Dinesh obtained these Thor-Automatic looking hubs, but on the cover they read Allstate Power Matic rather than Thor. I suspect they are Thor hubs rebranded for Allstate. Here are some pics:
Here is a the interior portion of a set of Thor hubs:
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UPDATE (May 24, 2021): The October 1963 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine include this Thor-designed product to make shifting the transfercase more convenient. It moves the shifter from the passenger-side of the transmission to the driver’s side. I imagine there are few, if any, of these shifters out there.
White Manufacturing Co. (also known as White Automotive and Whitco over time) was started in the late 1950s by Richard T, Bingman and partners. The company progressed at a modest level making, among other things, aluminum floral display stands. Eventually, White allied with Kaiser and began making tops. White filed for incorporation in 1959. One of the company’s earliest products was a white soft top for jeeps.
The next year, in 1960, Richard T. Bingham filed a patent for a pair of locking hubs. One set would automatically shift into gear when it sensed the axles were being powered (i.e., when the transfercase was shifted into four wheel drive). The second set of hubs added a dash-mounted button to allow for control of the hubs from the driver’s seat (assuming I have interpreted the patent correctly!).
The interesting thing is that Bingham never assigned the patents to the White Automotive Company. Instead, the patents and hubs ended up being used by Thor Products, which also operated out of Colorado Springs (though sometimes the address is Manitou Springs, a small town just west of Colorado Springs).
This suggests that Bingham had some time of relationship with Thor, but his exact connection to Thor isn’t known at this time (my guess is that it was a subsidiary or sister company of White).
1. The Thor auto-matic hub patent vs. the finished device: Continue reading →
This 1942 souvenir Comic Book titled JEEP was spotted by Micah on eBay. It sold for $22.50 (not to me). It also included the mailing envelope, which I’m amazed still existed. Here are some pics:
From the eBay Ad:
1942 Jeep Willys MB cartoon comic Book US Army WW2 Rare Vtg Ex++ Truck Croft 40s. Front cover has one small blemish on Bottom edge, otherwise the pagers are mint, no creasing or foxing or any signs of use, very crisp and edges nice, spine tight. Has been sitting in a drawer for 75 years. Comes in the original paper sleeve. Sleeve shoes wear and splitting but still displays nicely.
UPDATE: Barry worked with Periscope Films to get a higher quality version of the film and preservation of the original film. Read more here: https://www.farmjeep.com/revolution-in-farming/
Don’s got this wagon for sale. He plans to attend the Willys Reunion Fulton, Missouri, this weekend, so you can see it in person there.
“Very solid 1955 Willys Station Wagon from the dry western slope of Colorado. Powered by a 289 Ford V-8. The conversion looks to have been done in the 1970s. Perhaps the same same the 8-track player was added and the seats were covered with shag material. Original front and rear seats are all complete. The headliner and door panels appear original. The rest of the drivetrain in original with a T-90 manual 3 speed and a Dana 18 transfer case. It comes with an overdrive (not installed) that installs in the PTO window of the transfercase. It runs, drive, and stops. It was bought a while back from the widow of the guy who owned it in Colorado. Not much is known about how much it has been driven recently. The body is very solid. It wil need a patch on the flat part of the driver floorboard. All the rockers and fender wells are in very good condition for tis age.”
James B Barber had this article published in the August 14, 1955, issue of the Carlsbad Current-Argus. He’d had his time in jeeps and was preferred a smooth running car.
“1946 Willys cj2a with 134 ci flathead 4 cylinder.
Great condition, runs great. Has a lot of new parts and some rebuilt.
Also 1948 Willys cj2a with 134 ci 4 cylinder engine. No rust on either
Asking $12,500 ea.”
“1959 Jeep Willys Cab Over
Nice Project, It has rust but its all there
They were built from 1959 till 1965
Plowed snow every winter till owner passed away 2 years ago
I have not had time to get it started
Flat Head 6 Cylinder
Do Not Know Miles
Manual Transmission
4 Wheel Drive
Has Snow Plow”
“1954 Willy’s Jeep CJ3B
4 wheel drive, 3 speed, was restored in 2006 by Pioneer Jeep, Peabody,MA. Was recently gone thru – original radiator has been re- cored w/ new coil. New carburetor, fuel pump, distributor ,sparkplugs and battery. Comes with 6 ft snow plow and bench seat for back , also original mechanical manual, Chilton repair book and replacement parts catalog. **** Serious inquires only**** , PLEASE no trades or low ball offers.”
