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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 .
This 1991 booklet includes information on the Willys Farm Jeep. Not sure whether they mean the sparse CJ-3A version or something else. But, if you like jeeps and tractors, this might be for you.
“A COMPENDIUM OF LITTLE KNOWN AND MOSTLY FORGOTTEN TRACTORS 1930-1960 BY ALAN KING SOFTCOVER CONDITION VERY GOOD- COPYRIGHT 1991 PUBLISHED BY;INDEPENDENT PRINT SHOP CO. INC. -64 PAGES.. INCLUDING ;BROCKWAY,CENTAUR,CUSTOM, EAGLE, EARTHMASTER,FARMASTER,GIBSON, HARRIS, GRAHAM-BRADLEY, INTERCONTINENTAL,LAUGHLIN,LOVE,PORSCHE,SHEPPARD,SILVER KING,THOMSON AND MORE..11 NEBRASKA TEST RESULTS FOR THESE TRACTORS, SPECIFICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS DATA… CORBITT,GIBSON MODEL I & H,HARRIS POWER HORSE MODEL 53, HARRIS POWER HORSE FWD,INTERCONTINENTAL D 26 OR DE, AND MODEL DF, LONG MODEL A, FARMASTER MERCER FG 33 OR 30 CKAND FD 33 OR 30 BD, PORSCHE DIESEL JUNIOR L108, UNIMOG 30 DIESEL, WILLYS FARM JEEP… OTHER NAMES IN BOOK ZETOR KOVO, THOMSON MACHINERY CO, R H SHEPPARD CO, LAUGHLIN ROW CROP, FRIDAY MODEL 048, FERGUSON HI-40, FATE ROOT HEATH, ,CI CAPPS CO JT GO-GETTE, AVERY RO-TRAK,ALLIGATOR”
Finding an Empire Tractor is a rarity. Carl and I are finishing up a special post about them for eWillys sometime in May.
“Interesting little Empire tractor. These were built from left over Jeep and Willy’s parts from WWII. For the best source of information go to http://www.empiretractor.net – this one is almost complete, the engine, drive train, etc, is there. It’s missing some of the body/panels. Great project or if someone is restoring a 40’s/50’s Jeep or Willy’s, lots of good parts! $650 cash.”
This tractor looks in good shape. Brian has seen this work in person.
“Very rare and 100% complete Empire Tractor . Good running Willys Jeep components . Original tractor ( lights are stamped tractor ) . New front tires , good rear tires .This is an excellent collectors tractor and is very rare . Second seat added for parades but not yet painted.”
“The Empire tractor consisted of military power components from World War II-era jeeps. It had a 4-cylinder, 40 hp Willys-Overland engine, a Model T-84 Spicer 3-speed transmission, Spicer transfer case with high and low speeds, Willys rear end, steering column and gearbox. It also had PTO, individual clutch-type rear brakes with a stop provided for parking and a rear belt pulley. The fuel tank and an Empire-style seat were mounted on a large operator’s platform (made from Navy ship decking). Its simple, basic gauges (ammeter, oil pressure and temperature), ignition switch and starter button also came from the jeep. The Empire tractor was originally made for exportation in the Lend-Lease Program after World War II.”
“Have a very rare Empire Tractor model 90 I beleive it is a 1947..The Empire tractors were built with left over WWII Willys Jeep Parts.. “NOTE” It has been totally taken apart and restoration started.. The restored tractor picture is just to show what they look like when finished.. I just dont have the time to finish.. It is very complete with many extra parts, extra trans/transfercase, hood,dash, to many to list… The motor and tranny are mounted on a stand (stand not included) and runs great..It will need to be finished and you will have a very rare and enjoyable tractor…”
One source argues that the Topeka Hiway Mowers were built by ‘Shorty’ Meinhardt, who founded Meinholt Machine and Welding in Topeka Kansas. Shorty’s grandson Dean Fechter now runs the business. According to Meinhardt’s cousin, the first mower they built rolled over and broke Shorty’s back. But, that didn’t stop them from building more tractors.
Yet, according to at least one data plate, the Topeka Hiway mower was produced out of Irwindale, California, a product of the American Hoist & Derrick Company. Can anyone clear up the discrepancy between producers of the mower?
I have kept records of all of the people I know who have these mowers and information about the style, age and attachments. So far I have found three distinct styles. The oldest style appears to date to the late 1930s and uses Ford-style sheet metal and running gear. Examples are owned by collectors near Seattle, Wash., and Hartsville, Tenn.
The second style closely follows a CJ Willys/Jeep and uses a Continental 4-cylinder flathead engine, 3- or 4-speed transmission, and Dana 18 transfer case. The mower attachments on these were either a sickle bar or rotary. I think later mowers of this style included a windshield. I have found two examples of the later style Topeka Hi Way mower. One was recently sold by the Montana Highway Dept., and the other is in Lyons, Colo.
Most, if not all, of the mowers were painted yellow. To date, I have recorded the names and addresses of 11 owners in eight states. Just today I added two more contacts. By including my previous letter in your magazine, you have generated many of my contacts. I’d like to receive information from your readers about anyone who has one of these mowers or knows where one might be found. Thank you for producing such a wonderful magazine and assisting me in researching the Topeka Hi Way mower.
Here are some examples of the jeep version of the Topeka Mower:
“RARE WILLYS TOPEKA MODEL. ASSEMBLED IN TOPEKA KANSAS. ALL HYDRAULIC WITH POWER STEERING. HAS A CONTINENTAL FOUR CYLINDER INDUSTRIAL ENGINE WITH ABOUT 1100 HUNDRED HOURS. FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, TWO WHEEL DRIVE, HIGH LOW RANGE, FOUR WHEEL IN AND OUT AND HAND THROTTLE FOR THE REAR HYDROLICS SUCH AS LOG SPLITTER, DISC ETC. FOUR WAY PLOW, HEATER, WITH DEFROST AND REMOVEABLE CAB. GREAT FOR THE SUMMER ALSO. A SICKLE BAR OR ROTARY MOWER CAN BE ADDED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. HAS REAR HYDRAULIC REMOTES FOR ATTACHMENTS. TITLE NOT NEEDED AS ITS CONSIDERED AS A MOWER OR YOU COULD GET ONE AS IT HAS ALL THE STREET LEGAL ITEMS. NEW TIRES AND RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT.”
“For sale is a 1947 Empire Tractor S/N # 5582. This tractor has been fully restored and has brand new tires and a new battery! Check out www.empiretractor.net for more information relating to the history and specifications of this model.”
Brian forwarded this to me. Here’s an odd tractor with Willys running gear and 2 inline trannys.
“FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ALL TERRAIN ROCK CLIMBING MACHINE 18 HP WISCONSIN WILLYS JEEP RUNNING GEAR TANDEM TRANSMISSIONS WITH A HIGH AND LOW TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN SITTING AROUND FOR A FEW YEARS HAVE NOT REALLY USED IT. COME TAKE A LOOK. $1200.00 EMAIL ME WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND I WILL CALL YOU BACK I DO NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS WITHOUT A PHONE NUMBER. ”
Brian also included an interesting discussion about dual trannys from the WillysTech board.
