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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 .
John shared this one. Bill Spears contributed an article on the early days of the Bantam Jeep at Camp Holabird. It’s based on his book War Baby.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This is an unusual Dispatcher brochure. Looks more like a case-based look at the DJ. It’s located in Russia. Seems pretty pricey given its location.
“Original brochure, 4 pages, A4
Payment through Paypal. Condition in the image. Mail service with the number for tracking. All very well packaged.
When purchasing multiple items, the postage will be combined.
If you are interested in a combined payment, please do not pay immediately, buy a few items and ask for the bill
Up to 500 grams (one pound) – $ 9
Up to 1 kg (2.5 lbs) – $ 14
Up to 2 kg (5 lbs) – $ 22 is the maximum cost of delivery. The greater the weight, the seller compensates for its own account.
Postal delivery in Russia is free!”
I found this cool brochure on eBay for almost nothing. It’s printed on very thin paper. It’s 8.5 x 11, but part of the left side folds over, bringing it’s width down to about 6″. I believe it is was created in 1946 or 1947. The photo below as an early grille and a column shift. One illustration has tool indents.
The Fun Furniture Collection’s website features not only a children’s MB bed, it also has VW, Land Rovers, and other bed types.
David has run into problems with his starter and generator. Read more about the update on his build here: http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/this-latest-setback-could-doom-my-1948-jeep-off-road-pr-1793370087
Photo Credit: David Tracy
Roberto created this thoughtful illustration. Many Thanks!
Just a few updates tonight ….. This early video shared by David shows a few modified flatties. The film footage was taken by Frank Parks of Rockville, Maryland, in Florida in the summer of 1960.
Nice vintage CJ-5 commercial shared on Facebook.
Sylvia Porter was a financial guru of some renown in the 1960s. We think this might be an actual Gala from Las Brisas.
It was a long, but productive day yesterday at the swapmeet. We had the opportunity to speak with a wide variety of people about eWillys and the Alaska Or Rust venture. I was pleasantly surprised at how many people (old, young, men and women) agreed that it was a cool idea. Many folks wish they had their old Willys together so they too could make the run with us. Still others had driven the highway and had lots of suggestions on places to see. It was a great way to spread the news about the trip.
Even better, four of the participants (me, Rob, Marty and Wade) had a chance to all meet at the same time. Somehow, we never got a photo of all of us though. Here’s are a few photos we did get:
Me and Wade (he’s in full beard mode .. I was hearing rumblings that it will be coming off soon????)
Me and Paul Barry of Willys America, who had a booth a few rows down.
Marty Tilford, me and Rob Stafford at the AOR booth. (from Saturday)
My poor attempt to show the crowd size. All the rows were full of shoppers and lookie-loos. Pics are like this are one reason I miss having Ann along (of course, there are many other reasons, too!)
I don’t think I’ve seen this one in a press photo.
“1943- Ford GPA amphibious jeep at the Ford Motor Company plant in Dearborn, Michigan. Photo measures approx. 7″ x 9”
View all the information on eBay
Charles is wondering if anyone recognizes this air pump? There are no marks and the foot is pliable. He is hoping to get model information, the production year, or any other kind of info.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $25,000.
This unique build started life as a rare DJ-6 (not many of those were made and even fewer are left). Ed Holbrook has steadily made improvements to it over the years, making it into the ultimate elk hunting jeep. If interested, contact Ed @ eholbrook3@canby.com.
You can read more here: http://www.jollyjeepers.org/members/pages/eholbrook.htm
“1966 6×6 CJ6 Jeep, 300 Buick V8 Engine, Turbo 400 Trans, Special Dana 20 Transfer Case with dual rear outputs, 456 gears, all 3 diffs are Spicer 44 with 11” brakes on all 6 wheels. PTO wench, Power steering & Whitco soft top. Asking $25.000 Negotiable”
I had a nice time with Rob, Marty, and their friends last night. When I got to my parents, I learned that it was time to set the clocks forward, which meant I was losing an hour. Since I have to get up early, there won’t be many updates today.
Marty, Rob and I got our photo taken at the Alaska Or Rust booth. All three of us will be going to Alaska!
The Alaska Or Rust event continues to fill much of my time. This weekend I’ll be in Puyallup at the Moonshiner’s 4×4 Swapmeet at a booth explaining to visitors what we are doing and why. If you plan on going, drop by the booth. Just look for the posters below. I’ll have some books, eWillys t-shirts, and a pile of brochures you can browse. I’ll also have some Blaster products on hand.
We’ve gotten some additional sponsors on board. As I mentioned before, Kaiser Willys will be a sponsor. You can take advantage of their discount by going to Kaiser Willys, purchasing items, and entering “ALASKAORRUST” into the shopping cart. You win and we win!
We also just signed up the B’laster Corporation, perhaps best know for their PB B’laster penetrating spray. If you have a can of that or any other B’laster product, put it on your jeep and take a photo of them, then twitter or instagram with the hashtags #alaskaorrust, #ewillys, and #BlasterFreakinWorks. Or, post it to the Alaska Or Rust Facebook page. Or, email the pics to me and I’ll do it on your behalf!
Chris McKay Vintage Jeep Parts and Jay Hinton WWII Jeeps also are pitching in as sponsors. We greatly appreciate their support. And, thanks to Allied Jeeps and Overland Diesel, who are sponsors I’ve mentioned previously.
It’s not a long video, but this is a fine looking CJ-5 fire jeep.
This brochure from March of 1961 discusses the “Complete Line” of Jeeps, but only shows five on the fold out section. This is Form No. DM61-03.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $150.
(02/16/2017) Set of 2nd generation “summer” hubs. You can see various summer hubs here.
“Warn vintage aftermarket hubcaps for Willy’s Jeep
Also comes with the box and the instructions
Hubcaps are in nicely used condition and would polish up nice
Box is filthy and damaged on one side
But still opens and latches well”
Guy happened upon a photo of an FJ-3 while looking at the Internet Movie Car Database. This movie features a variety of vehicles. You can view all the cars from the movie here.
http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_580929-Willys-Jeep-FJ-3-Fleetvan-1961.html
Paul’s made more progress on his M-100 trailer restoration/transformation into stainless steel.
He wrote, Twelve cut and bent stainless steel tie downs for the M100 trailer with two original tie downs (one has been straightened) along with four replacement stainless reflector bodies just above an original reflector body.
The old reflector and the new replacement reflectors. The replacement tie down hooks and the reflectors will join the other repaired or fabricated parts in the crawlspace under the house until needed.
Also in the crawlspace are the duplicate sides and front and rear panels (18 gauge stainless steel) for the M100 trailer box. The gnarly looking hunk of what appears to be a dinosaur bone just to the right of the metal panels is actually an odd piece of wood from a coffee tree.
Kaiser Willys will be generously contributing to the Alaska Or Rust venture by giving buyers a 5% discount on purchases and then sending 3% of said purchases to Alaska Or Rust! So, you save and we receive! Even better, they’ve offered to throw in a free vintage poster (from certain categories) with your purchase.
Just enter in the code “alaskaorrust” into your shopping cart. Please note that there are three exceptions to discount products, which are body tubs, tub kits, and tires. The 5% off will apply to all other products.
UPDATE: We had a busy, long weekend, Normal updates resume on Tuesday morning. In the meantime, here’s a rerun from 2010.
Eureka, Utah is a very small town. I imagine it was even smaller when Frank Zamboni was born in 1901. From those humble beginnings, Frank grew up to create one of the most iconic service vehicles ever: The Zamboni® Ice Resurfacer. I’m not sure why they have entered the public’s imagination in the way they have, but if you say Zamboni®, people know what the vehicle does.
In fact, the Frank J. Zamboni company is legitimately concerned about the name Zamboni® passing from being a description of an Ice Surfacer into a noun, which can spell death for a Trademark. You’ll note on the website that Zamboni® is quickly followed by Ice Surfacer for that specific reason. In addition, there’s an extensive discussion of the Zamboni® trademark here.
By now, you are probably asking yourself what all this has to do with jeeps? For about 7 years, from 1942 through 1949, Frank Zamboni attempted a variety of experiments to create a good ice resurfacer, mostly using different Jeep models. Below is a summary of the Zamboni® history from the company’s website coupled with pics I’ve found all over the web. The CJ-3B Page also has some information.
2. Model B introduced the jeep to ice surfacing. In 1950, apparently Frank decided he needed something more portable, so he came up with Model B, which used a War Surplus Jeep (I’m assuming MB?). If you look closely below, you can see Frank connected a U joint to the steering column and then added another steering rod so that you could steer from behind the jeep. According to the Frank J. Zamboni Corp:
In 1950, Olympic skating star Sonja Henie’s traveling ice show was practicing at Paramount Iceland, and she saw the Model A in action. She had to have one and asked Frank if he could build one in time for an upcoming Chicago performance. The deadline was tough, but Frank worked day and night, then loaded all of the resurfacer parts into a U-Haul® trailer. He towed the trailer to Chicago behind the Jeep he would install the parts on and assembled the Model B there.
The Moonshiners swap meet is this weekend. It’s 9am to 4pm at the Puyallup Fair Grounds. Thanks to Rob Stafford, I’ll have a warm, indoor booth in the main building to promote eWillys and Alaska Or Rust. Admission to the event is $10. Here’s more information: http://www.moonshinersjeepclub.com/swapmeet/.
Limited updates for Sunday. We are having our annual Oolie Christmas gathering, which means lots of mayhem. In the meantime, here’s a story that Alaska Paul spotted about a family who traveled around in a custom motorhome towing a CJ-2A
http://bundlings.com/galesvillelimited.htm
