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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 .
I bought this August 1953 issue of Cars magazine for the jeep article, but it also has all kinds of interesting information in it. The article “The Jeep Goes International” by Evan Jones highlights how various companies in different countries were capitalizing on the demand for jeep vehicles by manufacturing jeep-like vehicles of their own. The story discusses the new Austin Champ, the Fiat Campagnola, the Land Rover, and the Delahaye V.I.R.
The jeep-related story in the August 1953 issue of Cars Magazine was interesting, but what really caught my eye was reading a letter-to-the-editor by someone named Nick Jenin. In his short note, he mentioned that he owned five Tucker Torpedo cars and operated a museum called “The Fabulous Tuckers” in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
August 1953 issue of Cars Magazine. Nick Jenin’s letter-to-the-editor.
January 23, 1953, in the Fort Lauderdale News
Jenin purchased a total of ten Tuckers between 1952 and 1957. Jenin loved his Tuckers, enough to operate a traveling Tucker show that was also called the “Fabulous Tuckers”. TheOldMotor.com website has some great vintage photos of the traveling road show.
Photo Credit: http://www.tuckerclub.org/contact/
In 1959, Nick Jenin was interviewed by the Miami Herald:
February 27, 1959, in The Miami Herald.
This “3 of American’s Most Useful Farm Vehicles” ad was published in Cappers Farmers Magazine in February of 1949.
View all the information on eBay
“DESCRIPTION:.. Original magazine ad from 1949. This taken from a magazine called Cappers Farmer so was directed toward the farm community. Shows various uses of the Jeep on the farm. A little bit of natural age tones —the item shown is the item you will receive–please look closely. The size is about 10 x 13.50″ ….”
This April 21, 1943, ad in the Victoria Advocate, out of Victoria, Texas, might just be the first organized ‘jeep club’. Though, to be fair, this was organized to buy a jeep for the military rather than to organized a group of jeep owners.
This Willys Audio-Visual Unit brochure is undated and lacks a form number. I’d guess this was published circa 1956.
This short article appeared in the June 24, 1946, issue of the Daily Times out of New Philadelphia, Ohio. I assume that the 30,000 production number relates to CJ-2As. Interestingly, 35% of jeeps were for ‘agricultural’ uses while 43% were heading to ‘industry’. The remaining 22% fell under the ‘miscellaneous’ category.
This isn’t jeep-related, but can you imagine towing this behind a jeep? Ann spotted this Atomic-themed camper from Alaska. It even has a ‘ray gun’.
Go here for pictures: https://www.motor1.com/news/276837/atomic-camper-crazy-cool-spaceship/
And go here for information on who built it and what he hopes to build next: https://www.motor1.com/news/276837/atomic-camper-crazy-cool-spaceship/
On Monday I received an unexpected and wonderful letter and gift that brightened my day.
A reader named Kerry sent me a box. Inside the box was a letter, some postcards, and a CJ-3B ‘yipao’ toy from Colombia. The letter explained that Kerry, who lives in Wisconsin, had visited Santa Rosa de Cabal, Colombia. While there he discovered some garages that only serviced jeeps; so he began taking photos to share with all of us (sadly, the photos were later lost).
A local man approached Kerry and asked him what he was doing. Kerry responded, telling him that he was taking pics for eWillys. Upon hearing that, the Colombian smiled. He said he reads eWillys every day.
Realizing they had eWillys in common, the Colombian gave Kerry a tour of the area. At the end of it, the Colombian asked Kerry to transport the toy jeep to the US and mail it to me.
So who was this mysterious Colombian? He said he did not want to be named or photographed, which only adds to the mystery of the tale.
A big thanks to Kerry for everything and to my unknown Colombia benefactor; I home I can repay the kindness some day!
In the meantime Kerry, you should watch for a thank you package….
The three postcards:
This first postcard contains several images of the market and plaza in Santurario, Risaralda, Colombia. I most definitely want to visit Colombia, but I’m not sure if I would enjoy the jeeps, the coffee, the people or the markets the most!
Lest you think there are only CJ-3Bs in Colombia, check out these round-fendered jeeps from what I believe is the same square as shown above. They look to be either CJ-6s or a variant of them:
Time Magazine seems to have had some unique ads that only appeared between its covers. Here’s another example. There’s no corresponding ad that appeared in the Saturday Evening Post or Colliers Magazine.
December 09, 1946, Time Magazine.
Gayland shared this do-it-yourself boat project that’s designed around a jeep-engine. It’s called the Chum. Below is the first page. Download the PDF to see all the instructions. There’s even a Willys marine engine for sale right now.
Just this update for Tuesday.
April 22, 1956, Los Angeles Times. Strangely, this photo was published months after arriving in Los Angeles (they were likely here in late December 1955 or early January of 1956). See map below.
The trio began and ended their trip in San Paulo, Brazil. This map shows that they passed Los Angeles on their way home, then headed east towards New Orleans, the trio’s last stop in the United States.
Most folks are already familiar with this trip, but I wanted to add these news reports to the database of Operation Pineapple information. One of the articles noted that the three travelers did not try an American hamburger, because hamburger was fed to dogs in Brazil.
This first article was published shortly after Jan Stekly arrived in New Orleans, because he wasn’t allowed to travel through Mexico. It was published in the August 11, 1955, issue of the Shreveport Journal:
August 11, 1955, issue of the Shreveport Journal. Jan Stekly is shown in the photo.
UPDATE: I’ve got 20 posters of the Better Homes and Gardens ad I posted last month for sale. They are 28″ x 22″, the same size as the poster I sold a two years ago (I also ordered twenty additional 1956 Jeep Family posters that I plan on selling, too).
Posters are $25 each (shipping is included in that for the continental US). Two posters are $45 (shipping included). EMAIL me at d@deilers.com if you’d like one or more. I will accept a check or PayPal.
This better shows the size as compared to my guitar:
Here’s the other poster, one based a 1956 brochure;
This shows the original brochure (entire original brochure here) vs. the completed poster.
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Original post from June 2020: This June 1954 Willys wagon ad was published in Better Homes and Gardens. It’s such a cool ad that I thought it might make a good poster.
Neat old postcard showing a campsite in the desert with a CJ-3B. The photo was shot by Al Christman (presumably, there were at least two folks camping).
The buy-it-now price on these is $35. They are pretty tiny, but at least two of these look pretty old.
View all the information on eBay
This CJ-2A appears to have some kind of extended rear on it.
https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/rpc-smith-s-ferry-idaho-cougar-mountain-lodge_0754C92AD6/
“”Visit Cougar Mountain Lodge- Smith’s Ferry, Idaho” b/w RPC, street scene with frontal image of the Post Office, quaint picture, flag flying above the A-frame post office, with a jeep parked in front; Business district , Lynn’s Place, Boise Meat Co., Miller signs ; white border, clouds, with forest in background behind Post Office; vintage card; rear of card unused; no divider, stamp box has unusual EKC lettering looks like an anvil on an e-bar Provenance: Country (if not USA): State: Idaho City/County: Smith’s Ferry Date: unknown”
A July 19, 1945, article in the Dayton Herald, out of Dayton, Ohio, covered the jeep demonstration at Charles Sorensen’s farm. Two things about the article stuck out to me. 1) I was surprised to learn that there had been no sales price shared with reports as of the demonstration. 2) The reporter who wrote the article noted that the most interesting piece of equipment was the John Bean Haymaker, which apparently never became a Willys-Overland Special Equipment item, at least not one of which I’m aware. I did find a brochure from a few years later that covered the John Bean Haymaker (see the cover at the bottom of this post).
July 19, 1945, Dayton Herald out of Dayton, Ohio.
What the above article doesn’t mention is that Willys-Overland had hoped to build 20,000 jeeps over the remainder of 1945, at least according to an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer on July 18th:
July 18, 1945, News Messenger out of Fremont, Ohio.
So, why wasn’t the company able to see the 20,000 production figure and instead produced only 1824 CJ-2As? One big factor was that Warner Gear had gone on strike for 12 weeks, stopping production of transmissions that Willys-Overland needed to complete the jeeps. There were probably other reasons as well, but had W-O been able to produce over those 12 weeks what they subsequently manufactured throughout 1946, the company could have come very close to the 20,000 production figure for 1945. In other words, there likely would have been a lot more VECs!
December 22, 1945, Daily Times out of New Philadelphia, Ohio.
I’ve guessing the brochure’s year based on the lack of an intake vent on the grille of the Willys truck and the lack of any FCs appearing in this document. I like the underside illustrations on this brochure as well. This is Ramsey Bulletin 126-A
These are three separate one-page, two-sided brochures from Ramsey: Bulletin 134, Bulletin 135, and Bulletin 138. The Ramsey 600 R Wire Reclaiming Winch Assembly (page two of Bulletin 135) is a particularly interesting item. I don’t think I’ve run across one of those assemblies on a jeep for sale.
On the yellow sheets following this document are suggestions on how to overcome flat spots during acceleration of the F-head engines.
Steve shared this jeep-tailgate bench for sale in Pennsylvania.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/fuo/d/abington-jeep-tailgate-bench/7123426095.html
“EEP tailgate bench. Custom made.
43 1/2 long, 24 3/4 wide and 34 1/2 high
Poly coated. Pick up only. Can help load. $200 cash at pickup”
This article appeared in the Miami News on October 09, 1956. That seemed a late date for an “introductory” announcement. The article highlighted the low operating cost, the 30,000 mile maintenance guarantee, the four body styles, and the wide range of duties the new jeep could perform.
These photos come from the University of Texas at Arlington Digital Archives. You can see a some additional photos with jeeps here: https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery-beta/subject/jeep-automobiles
Let’s start with this photo of a Willys MA dash:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. 56th Cavalry Brigade war maneuvers. (1941). Retrieved from https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery-beta/img/20048164 … Brigadier General Walter B. Pyron, of Houston, Texas, commander of the 56th Brigade, shown behind the wheel of a jeep. He is wearing a military uniform and a small brimmed hat. He has his hands on the steering wheel and is looking behind him. Willys MA.
A lineup of Ford GPs:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. Camp Bowie Army Maneuvers . (1941). Retrieved from https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery-beta/img/20048968 … The 18th Field Artillery Brigade’s 77th Field Artillery joins in retreating from an attack during a military training exercise at Camp Bowie. The first battalion is lined up for an evacuation, riding on “blitz buggies.” This battalion is from Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The rest of the 77th is stationed at Fort D. A. Russell, Marfa, Texas. The 77th and 142nd infantry are howitzer units of the brigade. Ford GPs.
Good side shot of a Ford GP:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. Camp Bowie Army maneuvers: Lietenant General Walter Krueger with Major General Claude V. Birkhead and others. (1941). Retrieved from https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery-beta/img/20053219 … Camp Bowie Army maneuvers. Four military officers and one military personnel are pictured here. Lieutenant General (LIEUT. GEN.) Walter Krueger, seated in the front passenger seat, Third Army Commander, was in the field almost as much as the participating troops. Here he’s leaving 36th Division command post after a conference with Major General (Maj. Gen.) Claude V. Birkhead, division commander, standing by the baby jeep. In the rear seat are, foreground, Lieutenant Colonel (Lieut Col.) George R. Barker, Third Army G-3, and Captain (Capt.) R. H. Chard, Krueger’s aid. Driver is Private (Pvt.) Harvey Belote. All are dressed in military uniforms. Published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram morning edition, June 15, 1941. Ford GPs.
Here’s an early Slat Grille MB:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. Army Day Maneuvers: Rides in Dixie Jeeps. (1942). Retrieved from https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery-beta/img/20053248 …. Army Day Celebration. Jeep rides were given citizens when the 31st (Dixie) Division held open house here Sunday as part of the observance of Army Day. On this ride at Farrington Field were Alice McDonald (left) and Jaymie Dobbs, both of Fort Worth, Texas. Members of the Service Company, 155th Infantry, in the jeep are, left to right, Corporal (Corp.) J. H. Reeves, Private (Pvt.) Sam Burroughs, Private (Pvt.) Clyde Russell and Private (Pvt.) Hanson Dunegan. The group are riding in a jeep through Farrington Field. Background showing a goal post and stadium bleachers. Published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram evening edition, April 6, 1942. Willys MB Slatgrille.
Post WWII pic:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. Circle Park School Parent-Teacher Association carnival . (1946). Retrieved from https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery-beta/img/20058866 … Mr. R. M Baxter is giving a carnival preview ride to 2 pupils of Circle Park Elementary School, Donald Eagle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Eagle and Beverly Jean Burns, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. C. A. Burns. Mr. Baxter will run a jeepney-ride concession at the Circle Park Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association annual carnival. His jeep has a banner of the PTA. Published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram evening edition, October 16, 1946.
Page two of this issue highlights what service departments should do when replacing engines in WWII jeeps.
The article suggests that the Jeep Dispatcher only came in three models, with one listed as a “basic model with or without a top”. The marketing department must have decided that the single model with or without a top was better off as two models distinct models.
January 20, 1956, Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph
On the same page as the Dispatcher article was an ad for multiple jeep dealers in the Pittsburgh area. The new ad included the DJ-3A with the fiberglass-reinforced hardtop.
January 20, 1956, Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph
This June 1952 issue of Willys Service News is part service news updates and part ‘how to sell services’. This is one of three that was on eBay recently. The other two will get posted over the next few days.
Included with this Willys News are several supplements places, including 1) Suggestions on maintenance updates for vehicles (there were problems with the Aero car demonstration models not running perfectly, but these tips could apply to jeeps); 2) How to improve steering (again, directed at cars); 3) Passenger car door lock issues.
