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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 .
Not sure about the price, but a fun idea.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/490500534981786/
“1950’s Willys Showroom. 1/43 “O” scale. Homebuilt as shown. 2 vehicles included. Removeable roof to reveal detailed interior. Nice display piece OR use on your layout.Total footprint of model 17 1/2x 13″ $150. will consider delivery,local–no shipping. P.M. for cell and details”
I got a great deal on this hard-to-find Fire Truck brochure on eBay last week. This is form W-240-5.
This photo of a Bantam BRC-40 advertising for the Butler County, Pennsylvania, war chest is undated. It was posted to Facebook by the Butlers Standard Eight, a group the preserves early vehicle related information pertaining to Butler County.
This WWII photo of the Willys-Overland Factory was shared with me by a couple different folks and was being shared on Facebook. Jerry Huber remembers driving on that wooden platform seen in the upper left of the photo.
Jerry wrote, “It was basically a wooden ramp supported with steel that ran from ground level to the roof of the 5 story structure of the main building complex. There are some pics of the MB’s parked on the roof that are also pretty cool. I usually drove that ramp daily when I was at the Plant and often parked up there. Going up and down that ramp was truly like being in a “time tunnel”.”
UPDATE: In 2019 I posted a patent filed in September 28, 1946, for a “body attachment”. Yesterday, on an unrelated search, I discovered the names of the same parties, under a different lawyer, related to a patent filed a month earlier (August 12, 1946) for a “body extension” for a jeep. The second patent is more detailed (seen at bottom) than the early one. Both were approved on the same date: June 5, 1951. See most of the body extensions produced over the years in this post.
Filed August 12, 1946:
Attorney Roy Whittington assigned half this patent to William Isler and half, jointly, to Julius Negin and Ludwig Gaspar, the two who also filed the patent at bottom. The whys are likely lost to history.
PATENT DESCRIPTION: June 5, 1951 R. D. WHITTINGTON BODY EXTENSION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed Aug. 12, 1946 A TTORNEY.
Patented June 5, 1951 BODY EXTENSION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Roy D. Whittington, Belton, M0., assignor of onehalf to William Isler and one-half to Julius A. -Negin and Ludwig J. Gaspar, J r., jointly, all of Cleveland, Ohio Application August 12, 1946, Serial No. 690,019 3 Claims. (01. 296-28) The present invention relates to vehicle-construction, and particularly to commercial vehicles such as trucks and the like, and aims to provide a practical form of extension for the body portion of such vehicles.
The invention has special reference tothe commercial type of motor vehicles such as have been known generally as jeeps in the army service, and which has a body of limited proportions and some forms of which have .an endgate at the rear end of the body. 7
Accordingly an object of the invention is to provide an extension of the body structure of this type of vehiclein the form of an accessory unit which is adapted to be mounted in the manner of a replacement for the endgate of the .vehiclebody and to receive said engate as a supplemental attachment serving the endgate function for said accessory unit….
Patent filed September 28, 1946:
I can only guess that this design was used by Newgren, as I *think* it was the only firm that built a collapsable body extension. The only thing is that Newgren had double supports, while the patent only shows a single support underneath.
PATENT DESCRIPTION: ATTORNEY Patented June 5, 1951 BODY ATTACHMENT FOR JEEPS Julius A. Negin, East Cleveland, and Ludwig J.
Gaspar, Jr., Cleveland, Ohio, assignors of onehalf to William Isler, Cleveland, Ohio Application September 28, 1946, Serial No. 700,006
11 Claims. 1
This invention relates, as indicated, to body attachments for vehicles of the type known as Jeeps.
As is well known, this type of vehicle, which was developed and extensively used during World War II, is coming into general usage for commercial purposes, but its use for such purposes is somewhat limited on account of its body shape and dimensions.
Another factor which has inhibited the use of this type of vehicle for commercial purposes is the fact that the spare tire or spare wheel of the vehicle is conventionally carried at the side of and adjacent the rear end of the body of the vehicle, in which position, it is so remote from the plane defined by the wheels of the vehicle as to constitute a hazard, particularly when attempting to park the vehicle in city streets.
The present invention has as its primary object the provision of an attachment or extension for the body of a vehicle of this type, which attachment or extension materially increases the carrying capacity of the vehicle. Continue reading
UPDATE: This brochure originally appeared on eBay in 2013. This image recently popped up on Facebook along side an actual Jack. So, I’ve included that image with this 1956 Brochure:
“Year: 1956
Type: Original Print Ad
Grade: Very Fine ++
Authentication: Dual Certificates
Image: Two-Color
Approximate Size (inches): 7.75 x 11
Approximate Size (cm): 20 x 28
Description and Condition
This is an original 1956 two-color print ad for the Jeep-Jack, from the Blackhawk Manufacturing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
UPDATE: Don makes some good points in his comment below as to why there might not be any MBs pictured.
The January 1942 issue of Scientific American included an article titled “Meet the Jeep”, one I’ve been waiting about 7 years to snag. For some reason, though MBs were already being produced, no images of the MB were included. Instead, the first image shows a Ford GP. The second photo shows a Bantam BRC-40 T2E1.
UPDATE II: This version of the Power-Lock brochure was posted to eWillys in May of 2023.
I hadn’t seen this version of the Cutlas Power-Lock brochure. Given the 1959 date, this is likely one of the earliest Power-Lock brochures. This brochure doesn’t not include a form number.
======================
UPDATE April 16, 2020: The bottom brochure examples show a brochure from 1958, probably Cutlas’ first one. You’ll note that the brochure (and the hub itself) was branded “Power-Lock”. However, the 1960 brochure (shown just below this text) lacks any “Power-Lock”branding. Perhaps someone else knows why, but I can find no reason why. Maybe there was some concern about whether the patent would be awarded? (It wasn’t awarded until 1962).
1960 Cutlas Hub Brochure:
============================
Originally posted Feb of 2019:
This Power-Lock was the first hub patented (1958), copyrighted (1958), and sold under the Cutlas brand. As I mention in my Free-Lock article, for reasons unknown, the president of Free-Lock became the president of Cutlas. Even more curious, the last two model of Free-Lock hubs were WL-57 and WL-58.
And, what was the Initial model of the first Cutlas hub you ask? That would be WL-6, shown below (1958 Cutlas Hub Brochure):
UPDATE: This was originally posted in 2012, but it’s worth a repost.
Dad never had an overdrive in his jeep, but did have this catalog (No. 1842). I suspect he built a few of these for Al Carroll.
I’ve attached a few random pictures below, but the PDF link includes all the pages and is downloadable to your computer.
http://www.ewillys.com/pdf/Warn-Overdrive-Parts-Catalog.pdf
I bought these two items off of eBay. If I understand correctly, these are mats, produced by the Congress Electrotype Company, were formed from an original engraving. They were then placed wrapped onto a cylinder with other mats to form a newspaper (or magazine?) page. A metal mold is then created from that, which is used to print the pages.
I had erroneously assumed when purchasing them that they would be thick, heavy metal plates (before I understood how the process worked), but they are actually extremely light and pliable. I assume these were extras, never used? They may be a paper mâché of some type (they are that light), which was one of the processes historically used, or something similar,
I’ve taken pics from above and at an angle to show the depth. I have to say that I’m not really sure these were worth buying, but I doubt many survived (these are the first I’ve ever seen anywhere).
This wagon ad is 10″ tall by 6″ wide:
I was able to locate an example of this ad, but it’s a poor example (If you have a newspapers.com subscription, you’ll be able to see it more clearly):
These are likely some of the first brochures produced by Bestop. Here’s a look at the company’s history.
View all the information on eBay
These are fabric swatches:
This is a 1956 price list:
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
I don’t remember specifically seeing these bumpers, but I suspect a review of the truck and FC categories would reveal some.
These 1957 Scheneker Iron Works snow plow brochures sold for $29 on eBay this weekend, more than I thought they’d go for.
This set of 1957 Arps snow plow brochures sold on eBay this weekend for $12.50. Learn more about Arps/Blackhawk plows here.
The June 24, 1944, issue of the Detroit Tribune shared the below caption and photo. I do with the picture is better. I was unable to discover any more about George Carr or the Jeep. Because the text is hard to read, I’ve transcribed it below.
YES, YOU’RE WRONG AGAIN!–But you’re correct when you say it’s a Jeep. The model of the famous 1/4 ton Army vehicle Brough two first prizes to Private George Carr, of Des Moines, Iowa, Negro member of a Quartermaster Trucking Company of the 13th Army Air Force at an “Ingenuity Contest” sponsored by the American Red Cross in New Caledonia, South Pacific. About one-twentieth the size of a real Jeep, this model has a hood that raises and latches, real springs, transmission, and rear differential, a windshield which may be raised and lowered, and a steering gear that actually moves the front wheels. (U.S. Army Signal Corps Photo.)
Maury shared this unusual item.
View all the information on eBay
“NOS 1969-70 KAISER JEEP CHEROKEE FAST ORDER PAD DEALERSHIP ADVERTISING NEW RARE
THIS AUCTION IS FOR A 1970 JEEP DEALERSHIP ORDER PAD
THIS ORDER PAD IS IN GOOD SHAPE BUT DOES HAVE SOME WATER DAMAGE TO THE PAGES
VERY RARE TO FIND ONE
THESE ARE HARD TO FIND
This explains the origin of some bumpers we’ve seen on trucks. I *think* I’ve also seen that winch a few times. Also, it appears that Kelly Manufacturing was a reseller of them.
“”Mobile Bumper Inc.” Brochures for Willys, Jeep and all Pickup Truck lines, by the writers and illustrators of Mobile Bumper Inc., Indianapolis Indiana. No copyright date, but the a Price List included is effective February 15, 1957. Published by Mobile Bumper Inc. NOT Ex-Library. No ISBN – there were none in those years. Note – the photos you see are of thess brochures – no ‘Stock Photos’.
Three splendid brochures and a price sheet, various sizes, drilled for a 3-post binder (binder not included). A trifle of roughening around those holes after 2/3 Century. Lots of good Illustrations, splendid information for these 1950s-era Jeep and other brand aftermarket accessories. Here was the equipment you needed, and a bit of ‘How-To’ for improving that vehicle.
The marketer, Mobile Bumper, advertised these items for sale – interestingly, the price list is titled ‘Mobile Bumper’ but was printed by Kelly Sales, Charleston WV. In many cases equipment for aftermarket Jeep applications was made in Toledo Ohio, home of Jeep, and was marketed by other companies. Not sure if that’s the case here.
Mobile Bumper Accessories – Truck bumpers for Farm, Delivery and Service trucks with many additions beyond just the bumper. 8 1/2″ x 11″, two-sided;
A new Truck Bumper – Combination Rear bumper – Step – and Trailer Hitch, Ring or Ball, 17″ x 11″, folding down to a 4-page brochure, 8 1/2″ x 11″, advertising equipment for Willys, Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, International, Dodge and Studebaker. Heavy steel, lots of extras;
Price list, blue-purple ditto printing, parts for Jeep, Willys, Chevrolet, International, Studebaker, Ford, Dodge – GMC & Chevy are interchangeable. One page, 8 1/2″ x 11″;
Mobile All-Purpose Winch advertising from Mobile Bumper Inc. Well pictured, heavy-duty, red accents, 8 1/2″ x 11″, one side.”
As I recovered in bed on Sunday, I forgot all about a host of items I was hoping to win on eBay. While this was not one that interested me, there were others …
<– Day 22 – Apr. 10th: Balboa Island and Pier | OVERVIEW | Day 24 – Apr. 12th: Dan’s FCs and The Lost Romanian –>
Restored 1903 Olds built to replicate one driven across the United States in 1903 from New York to San Francisco.I’m checking out the flywheel.
On Friday we left Fullerton to spend a couple nights in Thousand Oaks. Before we got to the hotel, we drove out to Oxnard to visit Murphy’s Auto Museum.
Today we travelled from Fullerton to Oxnard, before stopping at Thousand Oaks, California.
The museum began as a private collection. However, that collection was mostly sold off and replaced by individuals who wanted to store their vehicles at the museum. For the next few weeks, Murphy’s is having a vintage camper display.
Custom camper with a display that includes items found inside it. Okay, maybe the fake little girl wasn’t inside it, but the items (you can’t see well behind me) were in it.
This bright trailer includes a model that must be set up with the trailer any time it appears in public.
This 24-page Universal Jeep Brochure provides a look at both the CJ-2A and CJ-3A, with pics of both. That led me to believe this was most likely published in early 1949. Most of this appears to be images/info that we’ve seen bundled in other brochures and documents.
This photo and caption about boxing champ Joe Louis driving a jeep made the Detroit Tribune newspaper on October 02, 1943.
The biographical book Joe Lewis: The Life of a Heavyweight includes a short look (pages 193-196) at his time in the military during WWII. The book explains that he had a unique opportunity to advocate for black troops, due to his substantial connection inside the War Department. He took advantage of his connections to overcome discriminatory practices that he witnessed.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $9250.
Sold by Growler Manufacturing and Engineering in the early 00s, this 4×4 tactical vehicle was designed atop a new M-151A2 chassis and sold, at least for a while, in kit form. You can view an old version of the website from 2001 via Archive.org: Carolina Growler.
Feb 03, 2001, snapshot of the website from Archive.org
**SOLD** “For Sale M 151A2 Jeep, 2002 by Carolina Growler. Full cab, roll cage, seatbelts, heater, 5 New Hancock tires, no rust, runs as it should, Great condition. Clear AR title. Asking $9250 Located in Little Rock, AR” **SOLD**
The last issue of Willys News I posted was from the summer of 1956. I don’t have any others for 1956. I also don’t have the January 1957 issue, but I do have some eBay pics (from 2013). It looks like a good one (see post below this one).
UPDATE: This was on eBay.
Some good DJ-3A & FC-150 photos and some rare early swamp racing photos.
“Original salesman’s non color catalog , 11 x 17 , 8 pages , includes salesman’s messages , salesman’s contests , shows some models , etc.”
This jeep was up for sale earlier this year. Somehow, I missed this David Tracy story about it on Jalopnik.
https://jalopnik.com/this-one-owner-1946-farm-jeep-has-a-fascinating-but-mys-1841002113
