emailNeed to contact me and don't have my email? Click on email button.
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 .
I’m sure I posted this one, but not sure what happened to it. Thanks to Dan for pointing it out.
“This has been in the family since mid 1960s. Yes, it is in pathetic shape. It underwent a hack job to make into a pickup. Still has some decent body panels. Last ran ~2006 after getting new (non-stock) wiring, rebuilt knuckles/wipers, a Chevy 305 V8, and a bell housing adapter. Still has original 3 speed with lever overdrive. A new gas tank was installed at some point. Not sure if this is a parts car or if someone wants to bring it back to something functional.
Body style is 4×473 SW.
Serial No. is 12123.”
Bill spotted this tender-like wagon. Not much left, but still interesting to document.
“2wd willys. Station wagon made into a pick up. V6 engine (Ford I think) with automatic. Front end wrecked. Have replacement body parts and radiator.
$200/offer. Not tilte – bill of sale only”
Here’s another modified wagon in the ‘tender” style.
“1957 has been converted to a truck. No 4×4 hooked up right now. Has a Chevy 350 and a Chevy 4 speed transmission. Runs and drives needs some work to drive regularly.”
A great example of how a “Tender” might have looked had Willys Motors built one, though the bumpers would have been chrome. As we’ve learned, these appear to have been modified wagons. The best way to tell would be to remove the material under the top and look for a welded seam.
“1954 Willys Jeep four wheel drive Super Hurricane straight 6 cylinder motor pick up .Very rare uniside bed sides probably one of very few left in existence. I was told this could be one of very first 1954 willys off assembly line due to 0001 vin number
Frame off restoration including all mechanics and body restored done about 15 years ago but still looks and drives great, some pitting on chrome and a few scratches and chips on paint not perfect but real nice.
At time of restoration 15 years ago
rebuilt motor
rebuilt trans
frame off restored
new paint
new interior
This truck is center of attention wherever it goes , most people have never seen another one”
(10/07/2015) Looks similar to one of the “Tenders”. Looks good for the price. Might need a little work?
“This thing was built by a dear friend and co-worker at Gilbert’s Jeeps. He passed away this past April. He worked on Rat Willie for a couple of years. Being fair, I would say it is not exactly finished, but then that would be up to the buyer. Lots of differing ideas about such things.
The Willys body, which is a chopped down panel wagon, sits on a Chevy S10 Blazer frame. It has a 350 Chevy V8 with a Turbo 400 Auto transmission.”
On Sunday Ann and I went to visit Rich and the “Tender” jeep wagon/truck he has for sale. The truck is in pretty rough shape, but the shell of it could be re used. However, there are lots of bees. The bees limited my ability to take pics, especially of the inside. Yet, it was the inside of the truck that demonstrated the vehicle was definitely not a factory jeep.
My theory is that someone saw one of these Tenders in Israel. Inspired, when they returned to the states they built a few of these, hence the reason several look the same. They must have had some skills, because the top looks great on the top. It’s only on the underside of the ceiling that you can see the seam near the back. Moreover, it looks like a flat fender hood channel is used along the underside of the ceiling to provide support.
On the outside of the back of the top, there’s a crack in what appears to be some bondo. The quality of the work is again good and matches the other side.
It looks like the top of the sides of the former wagon has been capped. There appears to be cracks forming along the metal (see pic above … note crack about an inch below the top of the rear of the bed).
Other pics and notes:
The tailgate was not finished. The lip on the top of the tailgate was left as it was. The area underneath the tailgate window at the back of the cab looks like it might have been blocked with wood. I did not look too closely. This “Tender” was modified with a spring over axle, but the original spring perches were left.
I find the black truck interesting. It reminds me of a few other ‘Tender’ trucks I’ve seen around. I have one brochure from Israel that identifies them as a model type at some point.
“$3500. for both, They both run. I have 1 title and 1 number plate. “55” Wagon is original. “47” Truck has a 5.0 out of “91” Lincoln, Frame is “91” Ford F-150.”
(01/27/2012) This has been altered in the back, so it might be worth a look.
“Sell or trade.
This will make a cool old ratrod
You dont see these old trucks anymore
It is pretty much all original except where the top has been shortened
Flat head 6 cylinder with a 4 speed
This is a 4 wheel drive
Does not run
Does have rust in the floors, they will need to be replaced
Would be real cool when done
No title
No texting
Calls only 859-582-3710”
The seller refers to the wagon as a ‘panel’, so this is either not a panel wagon or it might be a Parkway Conversion Panel. Can anyone clarify that? Frank pointed out the truck might be a Tender.
“I have 2 Willy’s Jeeps for sale 1 is a 57 pick-up and the other is a 58 Panel, Both run but each has it’s own issue’s…They both have the flat head 6, the panel motor purrs like a kitten…The panel body is in excellent shape the floor is in great condition and it has the PTO ..The pick-up runs and is driveable ..But I was goin to use it for parts for the panel I can explain the reason’s for this ..I am selling them as a pair … will not split them up …I don’t have a shop to work on them and Would like to get them to somebody that has the means to do with what is needed ..for additional information give me a call 208-410-7676…Scott”
It was this Tender that came on the market by the previous owner that got me asking the question, what is this thing? So, it is with some irony that Bob forwarded this Ad to me and asked whether this isn’t a modified wagon rather than an actual Tender. The thing is, there is one other just like this that was for sale. You can view it here. So, I’m not as sure that it was a custom job.
“1951 Willys overland panel wagon that has been chopped into a pick up. Runs and drives, needs master cylinder, and front fenders bolted back on, needs new tires or tubes, 26,000 original miles, 4 wheel drive all fully functional and tight. Has currant registration and title in hand.”
Or, a reader from Israel, has been trying to locate more information (especially the model number) about the Compact Willys Truck I have temporarily labeled a Tender. While doing that research, he spotted a brief clip of some Willys Wagons, Trucks and the Kaizer-Ilin plant in Israel (but no Compact Willys Trucks visible).
