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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 .
Mike shared this older photo of what could be a jeep ‘dressed’ in a sponge. Anyone know any history about it? The photo is supposed to be from 1964.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $275.
Roger Martin shared this unusual toy. If it is handmade, it is well done.
“Very high quality HANDMADE toy army jeep. All steel construction. This thing is rough and rugged. Has toggle switch to turn on the headlights, battery compartment under hood. Steering wheel actually turns the wheels. Windshield folds down. Has detachable plow and trailer. This thing is nice and one of a kind. I took it to a couple antique shops and they all told me they believe it has a higher price tag than what I’m asking. There just isn’t another like it to base true value off of. Asking $275 ”
UPDATE: Price dropped to $602.
(01/18/2019) Maury spotted this unusual print/illustration. From the description, I can’t quite tell if this is a print or an original illustration. The size is roughly 2.2′ x 3.25′
View all the information on eBay
“Mural Auto Mechanic Workshop Jeep Willysmb 99×66 ~ 1954 Vintage Mechanic Card (see more on eBay)”
As always, Paul’s detailed work has resulted in a work-of-art. Well done Paul!
Paul writes, “The earth has calmed down these last few months so I’ve made good progress on the M100 trailer rebuild. In fact, other than measuring the length necessary for the trailer safety chains and the electrical harness everything else is finished. While I still spent over 300 hours to build the stainless steel box and rebuild everything I planned on reusing it was easier than I’d anticipated. I had no idea I’d need so many 2X4’s but the local Home Depot store was happy to take my money.
This photo shows the jig I made to keep the trailer box in alignment while I fabricated the upper tube reinforcement and rolled the sheet metal before tack welding the edges.”
The upper tube has been fitted and held in place with strips of plywood and 24 6 inch C clamps.
I used a plastic hammer to gently form the sheet metal over the curve of the reinforcing tubing. The C clamps were repositioned often to allow hammer access to the 20 feet of 18 gauge stainless sheet metal around the upper edge of the trailer box.
The tack welds are complete so the 2X4 jig can be removed
The replacement box is bolted to the original trailer frame and tie down straps hold the frame to the work tables. I had to plan my work around earthquakes.
One of the places this Rice Krispies with a Jeep appeared was in the October 24, 1942, issue of the Saturday Evening Post, pg 6.
Matt spotted this jeep board game set on eBay. The only “jeepy” thing about this is that name, but still kind of neat.
View all the information on eBay
“This is a nice looking vintage pocket game from WWII..its called the Jeep Board and contains 15 games and 10 puzzles..its new in the box condition-still all wrapped up in cloth…all in good structural condition with no damages or excessive wear-box shows a GI playing a game..its never been played with and is 3 1/2 x 3 1/2…. looks and displays well and is guaranteed original and authentic”
I had this post all completed, then went to add some background information when I discovered that Craig had already added the first page of the patent to his post about the FC-170 Power Hoe. So, lots of heavy lifting in terms of content can be found here, while below you can view the whole patent. I think the illustrations are pretty neat.
Craigs FC-170 Power Hoe page: http://www.thefcconnection.com/Historical%20Literature/Custom%20Built%20Vehicles/The%20Lafian%20Powerhoe/FCaaca/FCaaca.pdf
UPDATE: Through Fred Coldwell’s “Selling the American Wonder“, Maury learned that this unusual ad featuring the Ford Pygmy was published in the August 18, 1941, issue of Time Magazine.
Given this brochure suggest the winch would fit on a DJ-3a, this must be post 1956. I didn’t realize the Ramsey was still advertising them so late.
View all the information on eBay
“Here I have an
Excellent Condition
Single-Sheet Mailer
NEW!
The Ramsey C7R Capstan
For
CJ-5 CJ-6 CJ-3B CJ-2A ‘Jeep’ Universals and DJ-3A ‘Jeep’ Dispatcher
Measures about 8 ½ x 11 inches
Has been folded
Bulletin 141”
I thought this was a strange photo.
View all the information on eBay
“You are bidding on an original press photo of Cute Macaw Bird Checks Under Hood of Jeep. Photo measures 8 x 10 inches and is dated 11/5/1967.”
On October 11, 1945, George W. Mork patented the first bulldozer attachment for a jeep as part of his work with Caterpillar Global Mining company. I don’t recognize the design, so I don’t think this was ever produced commercially, but maybe Caterpillar used it??
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
They look exhausted.
“Press Photo US soldiers rest next to Jeep during military conflict.
This is an original press photo. US soldiers rest next to Jeep during military conflictPhoto measures 5.5 x 7inches. Photo is dated –none.”
UPDATE: This is the original patent for the Jeep-a-Loader! The application was first filed on February 07, 1955, by the Minneapolis Freeman Mfg, Co. (Out of Minneapolis??). I am guessing that the Jeep-A-Loader Corporation was a subsidiary or offshoot from the above parent company. The drawing shows that the Jeep-A-Loader was designed to fit over a CJ-3B (perhaps a CJ-5 as well), though the only one I’ve seen documented is fitted on a CJ-3A.
The filing date likely means this was manufactured around 1955, plus or minus a year. The patent was granted February 11, 1958.
This photo is from 2009:
From June 2008: A reader named Ed sent me some pics of a rare find he just purchased: A front end loader for a jeep from a manufacturer called Jeep-a-Loader. The serial number is 1001. The hydraulics system is powered by a Hy-lo hydraulic pump, which has been used to power other Willys devices. You can see an example of a Hy-lo pump here and here. Here are some pics below.
This particular Wilmington, North Carolina, dealer was selling trucks, cars, jeeps, tractors, and much more. The ad appeared in the February 7, 1946, issue of the Wilmington Morning Star.
The front passenger jeep wheel looks like it is barely on the wood.
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“1943 Press Photo Mechanics work on Jeep at Birmingham Army Air Base.
This is an original press photo. U.S. Army, WAC, Birmingham Army Air Base Photo measures 8.25 x 10.25 inches. Photo is dated 08-20-1943.”
UPDATE: Nate’s hoping to gather some Stratton-related information. So, I’ll be using this post to gather that info. If anyone has any more insights into this lift, email me at d@ewillys.com or post it directly to Nate’s thread on the earlyCJ-5.com page. Also, Clint Dixon and Barry Thomas have authored a five-part series of articles for the Dispatcher Magazine titled “The Making of the Farm Jeep”. The Fall of 2018 issue includes information on the Stratton Lift.
As early as 1949 Stratton Equipment out of Cleveland, Ohio, was marketing hydraulic products. One example was their truck lift, a hydraulic lift used for placing cargo onto truck beds. The lift is pictured at the top of page 146 in the October 1949 issue of Popular Mechanics. This was just one of multiple patents filed over the period of three decades (1940s-1970s) by Alfred F. Foote, product designs both jeep-related and non-jeep-related.
1) On July 27, 1960, Alfred F. Foote filed a patent for the Stratton Lift with the Stratton Equipment Company as the assignee. Due to the lack of information related to Stratton lifts, it was unclear to most when this product hit the market. Given the patent date, the lift likely entered the market in late 1960 or later.
As part of his patent, Foote references both the Monroe and the Love designs. The patent for the lift was granted on Feb. 26, 1963.
2) This Stratton brochure is currently on eBay (Nate has better scans of this brochure):
3) These are two mailers that I think someone sent me .. was it you Barry? Continue reading
This ad with a CJ-2A sporting a canvas top was published in the November 24, 1946, issue of the Evening Star.
This cartoon appeared in the March 18, 1946, issue of the Evening Star.
This is an unusual item.
View all the information on eBay
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR ONE Original Vintage STICKY BACKED PICTURE OF A 1950 WILLYS JEEP STATION WAGON MODEL POSTER WITH DETAILS OF ITS FEATURES. THIS POSTER WAS TO BE USED TO CORRECT A SALES POSTER ALREADY PRINTED THAT HAD THE WRONG INFORMATION ON IT. THIS STCKY WAS TO BE PLACED OVER THE ORIGINAL POSTER TO CORRECT THE ERRORS. ERRORS HAD TO DO WITH THE FRONT END DESIGN, AND MOTOR.
THE POSTER COMES WITH A WRITTEN LETTER FROM WILLYS OVERLAND ON WHY THIS POSTER IS NEEDED AND HOW TO USE IT.
DATED MAY 20,1950
MEASURES 22 X 11-3/4 INCHES.”
Get ready for the sand and surfer early this year! Maury shared this vintage beach towel sporting a CJ-5.
View all the information on eBay
“This is a fun beach towel with a Jeep/beach/sunset thing going on. It’s woven into that pattern, so the picture appears on both sides in ‘opposite’ colors (more like reversed colors). This one is in very good shape with only a few very minor pulls – no big runs, tears, or stains. It is from a local estate so may have a history with smoking and/or pets. Our household has dogs so there is a likelihood of a pet hair of allergens. 59″ x 31″ Not super thick and plush but also not ridiculously thin like a cheap hotel towel.”
This November 14, 1943, Evening Star article highlights both the mystery armor plated jeeps and about how pretending to be crazy might just save your life.
Canada’s Maclean’s Magazine featured an illustrated jeep on the cover of its October 1, 1945, issue. Though there’s no specific article about the jeep, you can read the entire issue online (and many other issues) here: https://archive.macleans.ca/issue/19451001#!&pid=0_1
As a side note, though Canada and the US (and Great Britain) all declared war against Japan on December 8th, 1941, on December 7th, 1941, four hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 2000 Canadian troops along with 12,000 Chinese (and British?) troops, attacked a Japanese force of 52,000 strong in Hong Kong. The fighting lasted for three weeks. The Japanese prevailed, but they suffered significant losses.
The April 16, 1943, issue of the Evening Star announced the D.C.’s Woodrow Wilson High School ‘smashed’ the city’s jeep record by getting selling enough bonds and stamps to purchase 22 jeeps. 
On the same page of the newspaper was a nice story (nothing about jeeps) about a man who was blinded at his machine shop job, but managed to find work again due to his heightened sense of touch.
Blaine shared this video of a restored FC-170 Rescue Van in Germany doing some four-wheeling. It’s all in German. My only wish is that I’d like to see more of the van’s insides.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was Make Offer.
The seller on Facebook is trying to figure out a value for these Victory Toys out of the Netherlands. Here’s a post published about these jeeps.
“I’m trying to come up with an approximate value of these two cast iron WWII toy Jeep’s. What I do know thus far is that they were manufactured by Victory Toys out of Holland. I see pictures of them online and more than a few times I see the word rare. If someone could assist me with a fair price for them I’d truly appreciate it. Thank you! Will ship once I derive a price 49420”
