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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.
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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.
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There’s a lot of early jeep here. The 0-8 KS speedo has the orange needle; I’m not sure why some are white and some are orange. This also has an early top that looks in good shape and a set of early, period correct even, Free-Lock hubs. It still has the reversed front shackles, too.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/271183628411177
“Running, in need of minor TLC.. carburetor & tires. Truly all original just in need of a tune up. Serious inquiries only!”
UPDATE IV: Barney sent a photo of his rare Whitco Bikini Top attached to a 1971 CJ-5 (with his dog Manny smiling in the back). While not exactly like the bikini tops we saw in the later 1970s, it likely represents the first production example of what became the bikini top (if defined by attached to the windshield in the front and held in place by straps in the back)
UPDATE III: It appears the definition of the Bimini top is that it is open in the front, which isn’t consistent with the tops we’re discussing below …. I’m trying to determine when/where the top cover originated that, in the front, connects to the windshield, then goes over a mid-bar (usually a roll bar), and, in the back, is held in place by two straps from either side of the top.
Here’s a DIY Bikini top made from a 4-by-4-foot canvas tarp via Four Wheeler Mag: https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/diy-bikini-top-willys-jeep/
UPDATE II: This Whitco brochure shows that the company was advertising a “Bikini” top during the 1960s, though it isn’t the design of top (like the one below) I was hoping to document. This top is closer to a Surrey top design.
UPDATE: Vernon notes that these were also called Bimini tops, a term I think came from the boating world?
Maury asked me if I knew when bikini tops were first produced. I don’t have any information on this. My guess is they arrived for jeeps in the mid-1970s as none of my earlier parts catalogs show the bikini top as an option. Anyone remember when they first started seeing them?
Pic for reference:
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $350.
Looks like a good price. It’s likely a Bestop.
“Black soft top for the early jeeps, like new. I bought this jeep from an old man, and I am certain it never spent a night outside. the windows are clear and not faded, no imperfections anywhere, Its like new. You get all the hardware to mount it just like it looks in the photo. Its on an m38 now, not sure what else it fits, you do the research. I see these go for about a grand on line, 350 come get it ! I do not respond to texts. I repeat.. I do not respond to texts. Wheels and tires available soon”
This May 1962 article in Four Wheeler magazine highlighted a few things. First, it’s a really clean build. I wish the pics were in color, as it’s deserving of some great photos.
Second, if I understand correctly, the rear bumper is actually a gas tank. I’m not sure I like that plan so much.
Third, given this jeep is near Colorado Springs, it probably has the Thor Electro-matic hubs, which allow a push button engaging of the front hubs. And, because they are short hubs, the front wheel covers can be placed over them.
Fourth, this has an early vacuum brake assist. Herm carries a newer version of this.
Fifth, the White top on this jeep is beautifully styled in my opinion.
UPDATE: The October 1962 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine included an ad for the Harris top and doors, along with an article.
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Originally Posted October 07, 2017: Here’s a rare Harris Dura-Door one-page brochure on eBay. This fiberglass half door produced out of Bakersfield, California, for CJ-5s was also advertised in Four Wheel Magazine (see ad at bottom).
This ad appeared in several Four Wheeler issues, including the June 1966 issue. I’d have to guess that by 1966, Harris had dropped its soft top product and focused on the dura-doors for jeeps.
UPDATE: Still Available.
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/d/black-canyon-city-jeep-dispatch-dj3a/7278137833.html
The top bows are $700 a set. A price for the top clips were not included. Both the both bows and the clips are for the DJ-3A convertible model (solid back and CJ-3B-like windshield with twist-knobs across the top). The seller only has a few sets made. He notes that he isn’t making any money on them and has been more than willing to share information on the insights he gains trying to make his top.
The soft top is something custom the seller had made by an upholsterer. It took him some work to redesign and properly fit the top so that it would fold up and connect to the windshield properly, yet also fold down and attach to the body.
Here is pic of the reproduction bows vs. the original black bows:
Here’s a pic of the soft top:
Seems a good price.
https://corvallis.craigslist.org/pts/d/lebanon-cj-jeep-soft-top/7262980264.html
“I have a brand new soft top for a CJ3a Tigertop from Bestop.
It’s never been mounted. I got it before this summer.
Bestop Tigertop Item#5140401 retail for $979.99
This is New.”
Seems a good price.
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/pts/d/oceanside-jeep-soft-top/7266831287.html
“Purchased in 2016, never used, includes Installation instructions/Owner Manual
For Model CJ3A, 1949-1953”
Not sure about the price on these, but I doubt there are many of these around.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/d/oem-jeep-soft-top-boots-whitco-willys/7227271346.html
“OEM Jeep Special Equipment Soft Top Boots
Red, White or Blue
Vintage Whitco Items from a Closed Willys / Kaiser Dealership
$250 Each”
UPDATE: Price dropped to $6700. It’s a Szekely APU jeep.
(09/30/2018) Carl and Marty spotted this APU. It appears to be missing the extra gauges, but does have the original data plates, the hood, and the correct engine. The soft top seems to be a Dualmatic, as it has the large square rear window and the two-part doors with snaps (thanks Pascal!).
https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/d/beaverton-jeep-willys-cj3a/7172184334.html
“Clean and mostly original 1952 Willy’s Jeep.
Was my grandpa’s since mid 60s.
Most of it’s life spent in Utah – always garaged.
I took it to Portland in 2012. Since then, it’s spent time between here and rural WA (always garaged both places).
Oregon titled. It runs very well. New hoses, radiator in last 1000 miles.
New battery.
Please see pics. If interested, email me and we can set up a time for you to check it out.
$7,000 or best offer. Serious inquires only please.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $8500.
(02/08/2020) I would guess the body is a replacement body. The front roll cage loop rests atop the step. I hope there’s something connected to the frame underneath the step. The soft top looks custom and doesn’t use the windshield channel. It kind of looks like it snaps on the front? No description provided.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $500.
Could be a good price. You’ll want to verify how the front of the top mounts to the windshield [channel mount (3A or M-38) or twist fobs (MB/GPW or CJ-2A … yeah, I know that’s not the right name for them, just can’t think of the right name at the moment)]. The top is resting on a CJ-5, but that’s just for show.
“Best Top for Jeep CJ2A 1945 to 1949 and MB 1941 to 1945 with bows. This is a top I received with a 1948 CJ2A that I am restoring and chose not to put a top on it. It is a new top that has not been installed, in new condition. Have the original installation instructions and owners manual, both soft doors, bows, bag of parts. We displayed this topper on our Jeep (which does not fit) for pictures only. Any questions please email.”
