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 .
Roger Martin also snapped some photos at the WWII American Experience Museum in Gettysburg. I don’t know how Ann and I missed going here. As you can see, they have a pretty good jeep collection! A big thanks to Roger for all the photos!
Original, unrestored MB:
This is one of several Sessions images, which I assume are original paintings?
Graphics are wanting. Windshield indicates jeep was stationed with the 1st Pursuit of the AVG (in the CBI theatre). street sign leaning on bumper says ‘Carentan’, of the ETO. I doubt it was driven all the way!
The unrestored MB and GPW appear to lend more evidence of a limited amount of crated jeeps available after the war. I would like to go there someday and see any additional documentation and history they have on those jeeps. I assume that only new or refurbished jeeps would be crated as it has been stated that it was an expensive operation.
Also, and I’m not pointing fingers here..
but what kind of real documentation is there.
I can see family stories being inadvertently corrupted over the years to where a nice Jeep that Grandpa bought in the 50s becomes a “brand new in the crate Jeep bought for $500”.
The “Jeep in a crate” story is so well known (even outside the hobby) and unquestionably accepted that it would be a prime source for family fables.
Actually, Dave has posted several articles dealing with the War Assets Commission, that seem to verify some jeeps in crates were sold of the docks in California after the war. I have heard the jeep in crates stories for over 50 years. That is why these items are so interesting to read about.
John,
Find original documents is indeed key to separating the family stories from the truth.
There are a variety of discussions about crated WWII jeeps on the G503 forum. Here’s one example: “One of 1588 crated Jeeps sold new” https://forums.g503.com/viewtopic.php?f=96&t=318818
It’s never been clear to me how many new crated jeeps were sold as surplus and I doubt many records exist.
I doubt that any used jeeps were re-boxed overseas and returned home. It would have consumed time and resources to bring jeeps back from the various fronts, let alone box them up. Moreover, I believe I ran across an agreement between the the government and Willys-Overland that discouraged releasing too many surplus jeeps after the war, because it would have an impact on Willys-Overland’s post-war sales.
– Dave
The last documented crate Jeep I know of was sold at auction about 7 years ago at the Greenwich CT concours, a pretty prestigious event. If I recall correctly it was sold as newly assembled, on behalf of a client by Wayne Carini, owner of F40 Motorsports (TV show “Chasing Classic Cars” fame) and appeared on that program.
JohnfromSC … good to know!
I am told, from a reliable source, that there is an original crated Jeep that is part of a very large, private collection. I have not seen this collection yet.