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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.
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: Bill shared this article about the DJ-5Es, the electric postal jeep.
https://carbuzz.com/forgotten-jeep-first-electric-fleet-vehicle/
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Originally posted January 21, 2020: Thanks to Gayland for sending me this brochure of the Electruck, an electric powered DJ-5E made by AM General.
These images were from an eBay auction in 2015:
Where are they now?
Believe it or not, there was one foe sale about 4 or 5 years ago, I remember it being parked outside somewhat neglected, may have been advertised here on EWILLYS. The Post Office made a big deal of this when first announced, I still remember the black and white pictures in the NY Daily News. My father was amazed and asked me what I think about it. And here we are, some 40 year later, still guzzling gas, and the postal system running a deficit year after year.
More things change, the more they remain the same.
Googling it will bring up some good info on the DJ5E including a 1977 NASA study of the vehicle. Something that stood out to me and to that study was the heavy weight of all those components in the system shown above. Battery alone was over 1300 # and made the vehicle very front heavy compared to the current gas engine offered. Less than 400 were made and with a mandatory spare parts inventory, I imagine this was an expensive trial by the post office. Built in 1974 keep in mind it was no doubt done within the context of the 73 Arab oil embargo.
Battery issues were a challenge on the early vehicles (and the newer ones, too). A friend of mine had an early “wedge” electric car. To save on weight, the body was built thin and flimsy. I would never have wanted to get hit in that car. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilIozuRmTQs
Dave, it dates me, but I remember those wedge electric cars from when I was in Stockton CA 72 – 76 (Owned Jeeps out there also). Never saw any on the road, but remember the introduction in the news and seeing them as an extra on dealer lots. I’d sure hate to get hit in one.
Mail delivery is perfect for electrifying. Check out the stats / facts: https://greatbusinessschools.org/usps-long-life-vehicle/
Cool infographic: https://greatbusinessschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/USPS-LLVs.jpg
Thanks for posting this, Dave. Makes you wonder what could be done with the tech of the day. The USPS currently is searching for a replacement for its LLV, but I think only one of the five semi-finalists is electric.
Barney, it was very jolting. You stepped on the pedal and it jolted forward. Let off the pedal and it jolted to a stop. Nothing very appealing about it, but my friend’s father drove it 10 miles to work and back daily for several years.