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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 .
Check out this Wornom Jeep Company Sign that looks in great shape.
“Rare Willys/Jeep Sales and Service Porcelain Sign
Wornom Jeep Co Dealership 27″ x 25″
2 Sided/Heavy Porcelain! – Good Condition/Great Color! – NO RESERVE! – Quick Shipping!”
View all the information on eBay
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.
http://www.bramvanbuuren-jeeps.nl/index.php?lang=en
Based on this brochure, getting more profits doesn’t sound too difficult.
“Original dealer’s part color folder , 8.5 x 11 folded , 17 x 11 unfolded , no cars shown .”
View all the information on eBay
UPDATE: This is back on eBay. A couple new pictures were add, too.
When I first noticed this ebay ad, I was confused about it. It took me some digging to understand that this family out of Entlebuch, Switzerland, once sold jeeps. Then, some members turned to making toy jeeps. Apparently, there are about 50 toys left? They have listed the toys, the website, and photos for sale if I understand correctly.
According to the seller, “Shortly after the war (1945) Family Enzmann imported 60 Jeeps to Entlebuch, where they were rebuilt and sold to the farmers as commercial vehicles. At the weekends my father together with his classmates from university, drove the vehicles from Geneva to Schüpfheim. ( Which always turned into a big party afterwards.) My grandfather organised special events on which the Jeeps were presented to all customers.
Besides the garage my grandfather also owned a cinema and a hotel and he liked to advertise his garage and Jeeps in between the films. After a while the Jeeps were also sold with a closed driver’s cabins due to the very hard winters in Entlebuch.
The images below are from the website that is part of the auction:
And a couple images of the toys:
I found this quiz from a sales training meeting from 1951. The quiz is available on eBay if you want to purchase it. I had planned to create an interactive quiz, but for some reason my theme isn’t cooperating with any of the quiz templates. Of course, I was disappointed, because I planned to have music, flashing lights, amazing colors, audio tracks, balloons, spaceships, prizes, and so much more . . . Instead, just use pencil and paper and imagine everything else . . . And thanks to Colin for organizing the answers for me!!
=====================================================
1. There are ……….. different Willys chassis.
(1) 2
(2) 5
(3) 6
(4) 8
2. In the Jeepster, the basic rugged frame is made …………………… to compensate for the open-type body.
(1) more flexible
(2) stronger
(3) more streamlined
3. Planadyne suspension provides a comfortable, big-car ride without ……………………..
(1) shock absorbers
(2) unsprung weight
(3) excessive weight and long wheelbase
4. Hotchkiss drive uses the car’s ……………………………… to transmit the push of the drive wheels to the total car.
(1) drive line
(2) rear springs
(3) torque tube
5. A measure of long clutch-life is ……………………, and on this basis, Willys clutches are outstanding.
(1) frictional area per horse-power handled
(2) horsepower per cubic inch of piston displacement
(3) area of clutch throwout bearing surface
6. The Hurricane engine’s ………………….. is in the cylinder head, resulting in better control of the temperature of the air-fuel mixture
(1) intake manifold
(2) carburetor
(3) exhaust manifold
7. The F-head design of the Hurricane engine permits ………………..
(1) a larger intake valve
(2) a smaller exhaust valve
(3) location of the exhaust valve in the cylinder head
8. The Hurricane engine has the high compression ratio of ………………… yet premium priced gasoline is not required.
(1) 7.2 to 1
(2) 7.4 to 1
(3) 7.8 to 1
9. In the Hurricane engine the arrangement of intake and exhaust valves is ………………..
(1) both in the cylinder head.
(2) both in the block.
(3) intake valve in head, exhaust valve in block.
10. On the basis of horse-power per cubic inch of piston displacement, the Hurricane engine is the ………………….full-sized American-built automobile engine.
(1) lightest-weight
(2) most efficient
(3) highest compression
11. All of the Willy chassis are designed and built …………….
(1) identical in construction.
(2) to do their particular transportation jobs.
(3) with excess weight to get comfort.
12. The Willys ………………… is universally recognized as the most dependable 4-cylinder, L-head engine in the history of American motor cars.
(1) Hurricane engine
(2) Lightning engine
(3) ‘Jeep’ “Go-Devil” Engine
Click here for the page of answers ===============>
UPDATE: David Silberman has filled in some gaps from a story told by Jacques yesterday.
David writes, “Ira Fryer was an associate dealer, did not have a franchise. He was located at 714 Walnut Street in Reading. During the mid to late 50’s into the early 60’s he also sold Simca and Goliath cars. They knew their product, had a good service department and an excellent parts department. Mr. Fryer wore a shop coat while at work, something you don’t see now.
His son, Robert, also worked there. They had a 1940 Willys pickup and a 3-wheel Harley Davidson for the parts/service department. They went out when Hettinger Brothers got the franchise. The building was torn down to make way for a parking garage.
I seem to remember that he also sold Renault Dauphine at the time. It was an old fashioned garage, showroom in front, passage to the rear along side of the showroom. Mack, the parts guy, rode a motorcycle.
Hettinger Brothers got the franchise and Mr. Fryer disappeared from the scene when the building was torn down to make room for a parking garage. I think that was in 1965.
Hettinger Brothers didn’t last long as the Jeep dealer, as they had the Chrysler/Plymouth dealership and didn’t push the Jeep line. J.F. Kohler ended up with the dealership in 1963, and had it until the Renault fiasco of the early 80’s, at which time many of the dealers turned in their franchises due to the actions of the company.
An interesting side note on Hettinger Brothers. They had the Chrysler/Plymouth dealership for many years, and when the building was demolished they didn’t even take the time to remove the old parts inventory from the basement.”
Unlike the advertising by Willys Overland, this ad by New York City based A.W. Pickett is sedate and forgettable.
View all the information on eBay
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
There’s a neat drawing of a dealership on the back of this program. The Schotts owned a Willys Dealership (more than 1?). This is the same Schotts that would eventually own the Cincinnati Reds. There are a few items from their dealership still around, including this altoy jeepster and this ashtray plate.
Bill forwarded the picture of a St. Petersburg Dealership below. That got me searching the net for a few more.
This picture is from Boerne, Texas. I found it here.
This picture is from Spokane, Wa, and the Spokesman Review (and current good view):
Rikk shared a picture of a great old lighted sign that still hangs at Brileya’s Chrysler Jeep Dealership, 1253 US Route 7, North Rutland, Vt. It still works and flashes between blue, pink, and white. So check it out the next time you are in Vermont. http://www.brileyaschryslerjeep.net/index.htm
UPDATE: Price dropped to $1500 (thanks Steve!)
It appears unusual.
“This is an original glass dealership window with gold leaf paint beautiful from a 1946 Jeep Overland Willys dealership awesome for your collection roughly 4ft by 4ft but for exact size I will have to measure it 2500. 781 334-3640”
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/clt/1631041997.html
