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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: Still Available.
(01/03/2022) It seems a decent price given the inclusion of the trailer.
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/cto/d/imperial-beach-1953-willys-jeep-and-car/7425679048.html
“1953 Willy’s Jeep and car hauler for sale as is by owner. Jeep runs, but brake master cylinder is broken. The Jeep model is CJ-3B. Jeep is currently registered in Arizona through July 2022.”
The ad is posted in the Vegas area, but the trailer may be located in Montana.
https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/pts/d/las-vegas-jeep-willys-military-civilian/7420166199.html
“Jeep-Willys trailer in fair condition. Bed-box, fenders, tailgate, axle, and trailer tongue.
Currently all apart ready to recondition.
No title, parts bill of sale only.
Call or text for info. 8am-7pm.”
The body appears to be a 3A. I’m not sure why the chassis is being stored upside down? I figured that was just odd enough to post about it.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/332807685269404
“Willis jeep for parts. Frame and engine is bad. Yes it has a clear title. Message for info. $700 OBO ”
A few years ago Barry finally solved the riddle of which hydraulic lift offered by Newgren used a dash control. You can read about it here:
https://www.farmjeep.com/2020/05/27/the-old-newgren-control-on-the-dash-mystery-finally-solved/
Updates continue to dribble out, so sorry about that.
We are still working steadily on the master bedroom. I am hoping to be finished with the trim by Saturday, but little things keep delaying us (ex: Ann got a flat tire two days ago, which caused me to use up half-a-day getting it changed and fixed). Once that is done, we can redo the TV/study room (which is currently our bedroom). I hope to get all of the phase one interior changes done by the end of Feb. Phase II will be the remodel of the master bathroom (this summer or fall?). Phase III will be a major remodel of the common rooms of the house, but that is probably a year+ away.
I am also busy documenting the various issues with my sister vis-a-vis mom’s estate in case my sister goes through with her recent threat to sue the estate. The crux of the issue is that my sister doesn’t believe the horses, which she inherits and which my parents bought and owned (and she rode, trained and cared for), have any value to the estate and that she should be gifted them free and clear of the estate distributions. Given my parents put six figures into the horses over two decades, and the fact they own them 100%, the horses do indeed have value to the estate and, thus, part of my sister’s inheritance should include some value placed on the horses. Since she knows this means she will get less cash from the estate, she believes this unfair and is very upset about it (even though the current plan is to give her the horses at half the market value to recognize her contribution to their value, but she refuses to have any conversation about this). Ugh!
We are still awaiting a date for Ann’s semi-emergency gallbladder surgery, but our local hospitals are very busy with COVID patients, so we aren’t sure when she can get in. At this pace, it will likely be an emergency procedure at some point!
Perhaps the best news of the year is that I have the shop heater running … oh boy, does it warm up the shop quickly!!!
Vernon asked about the heater. It is propane powered (we have a 1000 gallon tank). It is connected to a thermometer on the wall: :
Nate got out his camera and his track-enabled CJ-5 named Snowshoe to see how it would do in the snow. He’s suitably impressed.
Bill shared this TWO-HOUR video of a 1949 Jeepster rescue. I haven’t had time to review it all, but it looks like in pretty good condition and will make a good restore or drive-as-is project.
Blaine shared this photo that includes this toy jeep. It was included in a thread on pedal cars, but I can’t tell if this is pedal or foot driven. There is no date on the photo.
https://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/featured-imagery/vintage-pedal-cars-your-posts-are-wanted!/
Adam spotted this unusual Topeka Highway Mower. I’m now sure if there are any Willys parts on this model.
https://appleton.craigslist.org/grd/d/hortonville-topeka-highway-mower-rare/7416846939.html
“I had this running a few years ago. Ran good for its age.
6 cylinder Ford engine in it. large steel blade on the front. A real great piece. For any buddies collection. You are not gonna come across another one of these very often if at all. good project .”
UPDATE: I’ve added information to the bottom of the post which discusses the shift of employees from the Transport Motor Company to the Kurland Motor Company in late 1948.
Unfortunately, I don’t have time to export this topic further, but Barry Thomas is doing research into California’s Transport Motor Company, which was the earliest supplier of Willys farm equipment in California. If anyone has more info about the company, Barry of would like to know about it. Comment below or email me at d@deilers.com and I’ll connect you.
Transport Motor was already a strong Willys reseller by the time WWII started, so they were were well positioned for post-war sales and service. This ad was published in the October 19, 1941, issue of the Oakland Tribune as part of a larger article:
After the war, the company pushed Willys Jeeps and the associated farm equipment, though it is unclear which specific models/manufacturers of the equipment was being sold, as evidenced by this October 27, 1946, classified ad in the Oakland Tribune:
This article from the March 28, 1947, issue of the Ventura County Star claims that Transport was the first company to make farm equipment especially for the jeep (I would need to see more evidence to believe that):
For unknown reasons, in late 1948 many key personnel from the Transport company left Transport for a new Willys dealer, Kurland Motors. Whether Transport survived this event is unclear (perhaps the Transport company was already defunct by this time).