emailNeed to contact me and don't have my email? Click on email button.
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.
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: Barney corrected me. The tops in the first brochure were Whitco tops.
I bought this hoping for more Bestop info (thinking they were Bestop tops), but Bestop isn’t mentioned in this brochure at all. I’m guessing the date of 1975 based on the fact that I don’t see any later dates on ‘the facts’ list.
These are Whitco . Whitco was the factory vendor and dealer auth accessory for CJ and Commando from the mid 60s forward. The rear, one light window dates these 2 to at least 1974 (as do the smaller mirrors) when they switched from the 3-light rear window. A very good product, but so much improved when Bestop came out with the rail system to eliminate the snaps. The safari feature was so neat in appearance! Whitco also had a full-length safari bikini that used the existing top bows. We have one on our 71 at this time. The larger left side mirror on the yellow one was left over from 73.
Wanted to add also: Bought a 73 CJ new loaded up with the top, carpet kit and the swing tire rack. Hated that rack as it squeeked constantly and no amount of adjustment would eliminate it. But very popular today when people can find them.
Thanks for the additional info Barney. Much appreciated! I’ve updated the post.
– Dave
Totally off topic……I LOVE all the plaid !! My wife is putting together a photo album for our daughter as a “heritage” piece for future reading by our new grandson. She pulled up some pictures this weekend and we were BOTH wearing plaid slacks in several of the photos. Needless to say……our daughters got lots of laughs. To keep it 4wd…….one picture even had my soon to be wife and I standing next to my 1972 light green/white top Chevrolet Blazer……wish I still had that one.
I believe I was JUST young enough to avoid the plaid-pants period. I’ve had my share of wool shirts though.
I’ve never seen this before, but kind of scary, as lead photos depict how I refinished my ’69 CJ-5 in the mid ’90’s!!! I used what was a new color for ’89, called Spinnaker Blue Metallic. Looks 99.9% the same.
The PLAID! I was JUST young enough to have to wear plaid in my early elementary school years. Begged my mother to let me wear jeans….but nope, too casual.
As Barney Goodwin (of Barney’s Jeep Parts, who has been into Jeeps for many decades and is very knowledgeable) noted, the OEM tops in that brochure were Whitco tops.
This catalog also featured a roll bar that was made by Whitco, as documented in this thread: http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/earliest-cj5-o-e-m-roll-bar-designs.118781/#post-1273417
My guess is that everything in that brochure – tops, carpeting, tire carrier, etc. – was likely made by Whitco. Whitco sold all of these items in the aftermarket, and it would make sense that Jeep would contract with them to make those same products to sell as OEM from Jeep dealerships.