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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 .
This image of a modified jeep is part of the “Portal to Texas History” digital collection.
https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth476250/m1/1/?q=%20date:1940-1960
Reference: [Soldiers on Jeep], photograph, 1944;(https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth476250/m1/2/?q=%20date:1940-1960: accessed February 7, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.
UPDATE: Congrats to Alphamav for finding someone who could identify this location. It is Snake River Canyon near Twin Falls.
A few years ago Blaine downloaded this image from the internet. He’s always wondered where it was located.
The location today:
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5000.
Funny how these builds end up sometimes. This one is a shadow of what it was.
“I’m the current owner of the “Army Jeep Tractor Puller” that was built by Jesse James and a group of guys on the tv show Monster Garage. It aired in 2003 and is episode 3. Forty two various vehicles were built during the run of the series. This vehicle was later sold at Barrett Jackson in 2008 for $18,000. The engines were removed by the previous owner. What you see is what you get. If you do a search on youtube you can find the episode and watch the Jeep being built. This crazy ride could be built as a promo vehicle, a raffle prize, a collector could display it, or a builder could get it back on the road and show it. I can help ship it, will help load it, and can possibly deliver it on your dime. It’s located in Chandler, Az. Asking price is $5,000”
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Originally published April 2011:
If Jesse James and West Coast Choppers were to build a jeep, what kind of jeep would he build? Well, we have the answer from remarkablecars.com. This unusual build was available for auction in 2008. I can’t tell if it sold or not. He did manage to use some original parts. For example, that left fender sure looks like a WWII fender and there’s some original frame used too (you can make out the transfercase undercarriage mount near the rear tire).
“SUMMARY: This authentic WWII Willys Jeep transformed into a twin-engined tractor-pulling behemoth is sure to bring home the Big “V” both on the race track and the front lines. Sold on a Bill of Sale only. Special conditions apply.
DESCRIPTION: In the Summer of 2003, Jesse James accompanied Kid Rock to a USO Show for the troops overseas in Iraq. While there, Jesse was bit by the inspiration bug and set his mind towards his next build, the transition of an authentic WWII Willys Jeep into a twin-engined tractor-pulling behemoth using a team composed entirely of Army gearheads (well, with the exception of a couple of civilian experts). It wasn’t just a walk through the park, or even a walk through the front lines. Nearly every piece had to be fabricated for this build. Plus, the rear end and rims had to be modified for pulling. The biggest modification was comprised of extending the Jeep frame from 86″ to 180″. Over twice it’s original length.
THE DESIGNERS: Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers in Long Beach, CA, Joe Eder, multi-engine tractor-pull builder from North Collins, NY, Keith Kaucher, industrial designer, Kaucher Design Werks in Santa Monica, CA, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Sargent, utilities operations and maintenance technician, Headquarters Company/1st Engineer Brigade in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, 2nd Lt. Brian Johnson, armor officer, 1st Battalion/16th Cavalry Regiment in Fort Knox, KY.
THE BUILDERS: Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers in Long Beach, CA, Joe Eder, multi-engine tractor-pull builder from North Collins, NY, Pfc. Jesse Dugan, wheel vehicle mechanic, D Company/801st Main Support Brigade in Fort Campbell, KY, 2nd Lt. Brian Johnson/2LT, armor officer, 1st Battalion/16th Cavalry Regiment in Fort Knox, KY, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Morin, light-wheeled vehicle mechanic, Headquarters Company/187 Ordnance Battalion in Fort Jackson, SC, Tim Porter, single-engine tractor-pull builder from Louisberg, KY, Master Sgt. Darrick Preston, mechanical maintenance supervisor, 16th Ordnance Battalion/Aberdeen Proving Ground in Abingdon, MD, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Sargent, utilities operations and maintenance technician, Headquarters Company/1st Engineer Brigade in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and Spc. Benjamin Smith, metalworker, D Company/801st Mechanical Support Brigade in Fort Campbell, KY.
VEHICLE SPECS: Make: Willys Model: Jeep MB Year: 1943 Height: 64″ Width: 85″ (including rear tires) Length: 211″ Ground Clearance: 6″ to headers (1′ to frame) Horsepower/Torque: approximately 2,000hp /2,1000 torque Moving Parts: Includes the engine coupler, primary transmission, secondary gearbox and dual supercharged 502 engines. Special Welds: The guys performed heavy-duty welds on the body-frame extension and towing hitch. Additional Acquired or Machined Parts: The team fabricated the engine coupler, towing hitch and straight rims.”
Here’s another of my favorite issues of Willys News, as it includes a photo of our good friend Hugo Vidal as he and his two traveling companions (only Charles and Hugo are shown in the pic waving good bye) were about to depart Philadelphia in their trusty CJ-3B for their drive to Alaska.
Also in this issue is an image showing some of the brochures available to dealers. There are two new brochures added since the January 1955 Willys News showed these brochures: 1) The Willys Utility Wagon Brochure and 2) the introductory 1956 DJ-3A Brochure (not available to dealers until 1956).
UPDATE: A second version of this press photo out of New Guinea is on eBay.
View all the information on eBay
“1942 Press Photo US jeeps driving through New Guinea jungle during World War II. This is an original press photo. World War II – New Guinea – Dispensing with recognized traffic rules, American “peeps” wind their way single file through this New Guinea jungle. Yesterday Japanese troops were in headlong retreat through New Guinea’s Papuan Peninsula with Americans and Australians in grim pursuit. Photo measures 7 x 7.5 inches. Photo is dated 11-15-1942.”
===================================
From June 5, 2017:
“1942 PRESS PHOTO WWII American Army Jeep Convoy Jungles of New Guinea 5757 Measures 6.5 X 8 inches”
This will surely delay the honeymoon! These images are from the “Portal to Texas History” digital collection.
1. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth688891
“Photograph of a newly wed officer and his bride being towed away in their jeep by a wrecker. A sign on the back of the jeep says, “Just Married?””
2. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth689737/
Roger Martin spotted this book on Facebook. It looks like it’s been up since July.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1559268460802697/permalink/2509192215810312
“This book contains invaluable knowledge from the experts themselves, to shape the future mechanics of WWII. They understood the competence of the students could be a matter of life and death. This incredibly scarce, all original book is entitled “Service School for U.S. Army Instructors on Ford U.S. Army Vehicles 1941”.
It was put together by Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan to be used by the school at the Rogue Plant, as well as traveling schools at military posts around the U.S. The contents of this book include:
*The service school program for U.S. Army Instructors on Ford built U.S. Army Vehicles at Rouge Plant
*Program for traveling service school for U.S. Army Instructors on Ford built U.S. Army vehicles
*Ford equipment-specialized services
*Universal equipment-specialized services
*Universal equipment-general shop use
*Individual mechanics equipment
*List of tools – U.S. Army Reconnaissance Car
*List of tools – U.S. Army Staff Car (Fordor)
*List of tools – U.S. Army Bomb Service Truck (Tonner)
*TM10-1101 Maintenance Manual for Ford Truck Model G.P. 1/4 Ton 4×4 for the U.S. Government *U-7434 Service Requirements Ford Army Reconnaissance Car
*To remove front door glass – Staff Car
*Remove and replace w/s glass – Staff Car
*Ford parts numbering system
*Ford Fordor Sedan Body Parts and Price List for U.S. Government
*TM10-1100 Parts Price List Special Model G.P. 1/4 Ton 80″ Wheelbase 4×4 for U.S. Government *Ford Form #7084 Ford and Mercury Chassis Parts and Price List 1938-39-40-41 Passenger Cars and Trucks
Adding further nostalgia, the first page includes a hand written message “Put it back where you found it It’s property of Neil Goldsmith Co A 27th Bn Camp Croft, S.C.” (which was dismantled after the war) The paper cover of this book is in rough shape (shown in pictures). However, the contents are remarkably clean and is a complete set. There is some damage to the back few pages (shown in pictures) but none of the print has been compromised (picture shows the page with the most damage).
Considering the rarity of this collection, aesthetics are variable. Here’s your chance to own a rare piece of American history! Asking $750″
This rare 1980 Malotte Manufacturing brochure for fiberglass bodies was an interesting one to run across, as it includes a couple eastern dealers (see bottom image). This might explain where some of the older fiberglass bodies in the PA/OH area originated.
These four pages were inserts into the brochure:
Roger Martin shared the news that the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum in Bay City, Michigan, is selling some of their extra fire trucks including a 1958 fire jeep (see the Barn Finds post about the sale), though the fire jeep has sold already (I have no pics of it). Ann and I visited in 2013 and had a wonderful tour courtesy of the owner Jim Dobson.
Our 2013 visit: http://www.ewillys.com/2013/05/13/fire-engines-16000-toys-and-a-battle-ship/
Here’s some pics of some of the toys jeeps he has, which I ran out of room to post previously. He has more than this:
Steve spotted this set. On ebay (example here), this stuff seems to be priced higher than the asking price of this set. I don’t know much about these prices, but maybe it’s a good price?
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/tag/d/lincoln-park-ww-ii-british-jeep-and/7065286087.html
I thought I’d posted this issue already, but apparently I’d only posted portions. So, here’s the full issue.
This ad was produced by Willys-Overland of Canada Limited.
View all the information on eBay
“1947 Canadian Willys-Overland print ad Willys Jeep. Original paper item measures 10 X 14 inches (approx.).”
This Willys-Overland of Canada Limited wagon ad is listed as a 1945 ad, but given the wagon wasn’t introduced until mid-1946, I’d say that date is a mistake. The text mentions the “new, rugged Willys Trucks”, which weren’t introduced until mid-1947. That style of wagon was used in numerous 1948 ads and the Willys-Overland graphic made an appearance in some of the 1948 ads, too. The lack of any mention of the wagon being a jeep is curious, as Willys-Overland didn’t make a big push on dropping ‘Jeep’ from its advertising until late 1949.
View all the information on eBay
“1945 Canadian Willys-Overland print ad Station Wagon. Original paper item measures 8.5 X 11 inches (approx.). Any shades or shadows are from the scanner and do not appear on the actual ad.”
UPDATE: There’s an interesting story about the making of this commercial; it almost didn’t happen. It was shot in the same town where Murray shot Groundhog Day, just two weeks before the SuperBowl. Murray calls it his first and last national commercial.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/03/how-jeep-landed-bill-murray-for-its-groundhog-day-super-bowl-ad.html
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Original Post Feb 2, 2020: Maury alerted me to this funny commercial. Hope you all enjoy it.
This ad appeared in the February 20, 1948, issue of the Oxford Leader, out of Oxford, Michigan.
UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $2500.
(02/11/2019) “You may have a cool jeep but you dont have one made into a bar. The only bar ever made from an original 1945 Willys jeep. Great for a patio bar or man cave. seats eight comfortably. Jeep is pretty small compared to newer version. The interior is wrapped in stainless steel for outside commercial food service. Can fit coolers under the dash
and propane grill in back area. Seats 8 or 12 standing. the stainless speed rail is located at the passenger side opening. rolls easily Call 517-599-178six. The only bar made from an original WWII era Jeep.”
This Willys News issue was memorable for me because when Hugo Vidal was visiting our home from Brazil in 2017, prior to the Alaska trip, I shared some of the Willys News issues with him. He thoroughly enjoyed looking through them because he recognized some of the sales people. When he saw Hickman Price’s photo on the front page, he said, “Oh him, I remember”. That is when I realized that the history I’d collected was a history he’d experienced!
Diego’s father bought this jeep (1958 CJ-5) and trailer in Argentina in the late-1950s/early-1960s. The trailer lacks data plates and Diego has no idea who manufactured it. I don’t recognize it. Does anyone else?
Mud’s a pain, but better than freezing temps that soldiers had to deal with during the winters.
View all the information on eBay
“1951 Press Photo U.S. Army Jeep is maneuvered through deep mud in Korea. This is an original press photo. An Army Jeep is maneuvered through deep mud, during recent operations in Korea. Photo measures 10.25 x 8 inches. Photo is dated 05-01-1951.”
This soldier has a jeep and a wife, but now finally has the toaster he’s always wanted. I guess life is complete?
View all the information on eBay
“1944 Toastmaster Toasters Appliances Just Married Jeep Vintage Magazine Print Ad 5-1/2″ x 13″”
I don’t remember where I obtained this unique flyer, but I don’t think I ever scan and posted it. I’d guess it is from around 1955. It’s quite later, approximately 11″x20″.
If you collect prototype images and other things, the unusual card in the middle of the three below would be a cool find.
View all the information on eBay
“This is a set of 3 cut out and color cards from Nabisco Shredded Wheat on How America Travels. It includes an Army Jeep, Navy Battleship, and Navy Patrol Bomber. They are in good condition with some light stains. The cards are numbers 27, 33, and 36.”
This driver was having some fun.
View all the information on eBay
“1943 Press Photo US soldier drives jeep through standing water on Amchitka, WWII. This is an original press photo. Amchitka Island – Aleutians – An unidentified Yank spurs his jeep through soupy goo, the result of spring thaws, which blankets newly constructed “road” through Uncle Sam’s new Amchitka Island base in the Aleutians Photo measures 9.25 x 6.5 inches. Photo is dated 06-02-1943.”
No indication as to which island. It could be the Eastern Solomons.
View all the information on eBay
“1942 Press Photo Marines and Jeeps land Ashore from United States Landing Barges. This is an original press photo. …up on the beach and the marines have landed. Bottom left, a seagoing tank plows its way through the jungle. Bottom right, more marines pour ashore from landing barges bringing with them jeeps and other equipment to reinforce the beach head. They quickly overcame opposition offered by the Japanese on island. Photo measures 6.75 x 6 inches. Photo is dated 09-01-1942.”
This 1955 Willys News includes a center article on the use of Jeeps in case of atom bombs.
