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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 .
Here’s another batch of photos courtesy of Charles.
original photo korea .. looks to be an M-170.
Christian shared the news that the jeep-group he started is heading to Italy this year. He wrote, “Right now we’re about to prepare for a trip down to Italy, where they celebrate the Liberation (Liberatione) on April 25th and a group of Jeep-enthusiasts started una colonna della liberta in 2006. Every year it takes place in a different region of Italy. This time it’ll be in the Padova area. We’ll roll down to there with a group of 11 Jeeps to join the Colonna with its about 150 WW2-US-military-vehicles.”
You can learn more here (in German) http://www.willys-am-tegernsee.de
Start with the peak of tulip season, add 75 degree, blue-sky weather, and throw in a dash of spring break. What do you get? A train wreck of a visit to Mt. Vernon, Washington, to visit their tulip festival.
It started out fine. We spent the night in Mt. Vernon so we could get to the tulips early. The first farm we visited wasn’t crowded at all. That’s where I took these photos:
Happy wife … :-)
Rows of different colored tulips. I don’t have Ann or Daniel’s photos downloaded just yet, but I’ll post them Saturday morning.
Despite their beauty, I asked myself multiple times, What was I doing here??? Because, as soon as I saw a single tulip, I was done. Okay, been there, done that, pretty flower and all …. now let’s move on. But, I knew my darling and patient wife wanted to see the tulips, so I bravely marched along with her, showing off my sherpa skills as I carried two of three cameras she had with her. When we finished with the field, we left for a second destination.
By then it was 11:00 am and half of Seattle had descended into the Mt. Vernon valley. Parents were letting their kids run into the tulip rows (a no-no posted all over). Adults also wandered into the fields and, after someone told them to get out, they’d go back into them! At one point we got stuck in a traffic jam on the way to “Tulip Town“, only to learn that it was closed (full up). These people really were maniacs, suggesting little has changed since the tulip economic bubble of the 1630s.
After the hordes descended, Ann, Daniel and I were all done with tulips and we left in a rush.
We drop to Anacortes, then booked it for home, with a stop in Leavenworth where I had some pork and spaeztles.
PROST!
We didn’t arrive until late tonight, so no updates until Saturday morning.
UPDATE: Guy found a Youtube of Stevie Coyle’s Stairway to Gilligan:
Original post: Ann and I and her son Daniel joined my aunt and her beau for the 2016 Moisture Festival in Ballard (northern Seattle). The vaudeville celebration is always fun. Among the magic, juggling, comedy, and acrobatic acts my favorite was Stevie Coyle, a guy from San Francisco who played Stairway to Heaven on an acoustic guitar, but managed to sing the lyrics to Gilligan’s Island at the same time (A little research on Google showed this combination was first done by Little Roger & the Goosebumps in the 70s, but Coyle’s is far better). It was an unforgettable comic blend that worked surprisingly well!
So, no updates Today. Meanwhile, today we will be tiptoeing through Mt. Vernon’s tulip festival. This will make my wife very happy 🙂
In line at the Moisture Festival next to Hale’s Brewery in Ballard.
After the Festival and on our way out of Seattle we spotted this mural near Dick’s Drive-in on 45th in Seattle. Of course, I had to join them. My wife got creative with the extra images.
This January 1958 article from Willys News tells the story of how East Stroudsburg was able to get a Rescue Truck.
Ted’s selling a variety of items on eBay. Here are a few. See all the jeep related stuff he has for sale via this link: See all of Ted’s items on eBay
1. IKA Brochures: View all the information on eBay
2. Dealer Manuals: View all the information on eBay
This January 1958 article in Willys News shares the story of Gordon Kohl and his satisfaction with his FC-170.
St. Marys High School in Eugene, Oregon, purchased this jeep, christened the Galloping Gael, as part of the war effort. The name is memorable enough that maybe someone has seen an old photo of a jeep with the name on it? The article came from the March 28, 1944, issue of the Eugene Register-Guard.
Enjoy your Sunday everyone!
Looks like the driver doesn’t want to give up his jeep just yet …
Netherlands
Palenberg, Germany
Malmedy, Belgium 1944
The 1947 Craftsman Annual Project Magazine contains forty-four wide ranging projects for the builder who was to try constructing everyone. Of course, there’s a battery toy jeep project among the items (directions shown below), but also included in the magazine are plans for building from scratch a welder, a battery-less telephone, a Jolly Roger boat, a hand vise, a rocket, a farm tractor (from car parts), and much more.
This short video shows a much quieter jeep safari than the one we drove through in Moab last week.
Moab Jeep Safari – 1970 from Dee Gardiner on Vimeo.
Roberto is trying his hand at FCs. I suggested he try an FC Tour Jeep next 🙂
Tim & Cathy’s rental jeep
Tim and his wife Cathy rented a jeep in San Antonio and explored the city. Tim wrote, “We rented a Jeep (again) wrangler and visited many area attractions, including the River Walk, and the LBJ Ranch. At the Army Medical Department AMEDD Museum at Fort Sam Houston we found Jeeps in medical service, including an M-718, M-170, and a 1942 Willys.”
1942 MB Slat Grille
M-170
M-718
Early Ambulance
Scott Lehman and Tom Smith both posted photos from the FC Roundup. Scott’s are listed at http://fcroundup.blogspot.com and Tom has his at http://jeeptruckstories.blogspot.com/2016/03/2016-fc-round-up-phoenix-az.html
Credit: Tom Smith
John Ittel bought this hydraulic lift a few months ago and has already restored it. This unit, sold through Mellen, began life on a 1948 CJ-2A from Northeast Washington State. The jeep and lift were barely used before the jeep and hydraulic unit were stored. There they sat for decades. Eventually, the lift was removed. Note that the green dual hydraulic piece shown was not a part of the system, but reportedly was installed on a different jeep that ran an extra large post hole digger installed on a 2A that operated in the Seattle area.
BEFORE RESTORATION (see more pics at the end of the post):
John provided details on the restoration:
I started the final mounting of the Farm Aid Lift. It is attached to a ’46 CJ2A. The rear unit mounts simply by using the existing bolt holes for the jeep draw bar.
The only problem was the two center bolts. This unit was designed without a consideration for using a PTO. I had to notch (cut off) one of the mounting holes on the lift because the PTO used this hole.
Since the hydraulic valve mounted between the seats I decided that rather than drilling holes in the floor for the hydraulic hoses I would run them along the floor and up through the firewall. The engine compartment is getting rather cramped.
Since the jeep has a Koeing crankshaft driven winch in the front I couldn’t use the crank to drive the hydraulic pump. I fabricated a bracket for the pump and strapped it to the generator. This is similar to the way a Hi-Low pump mounts.
The hydraulic reservoir is well designed.
–Unbolt the voltage regulator from the fender.
–Attach the tank to the fender using those holes.
–Mount the regulator to the tank by the provided tapped holes.
–Attach one tank bracket to the air cleaner bracket.
–Then attach the other to the battery hold down stud on the fender.
I had to have a new barrel made for the hydraulic cylinder because of severe pitting. I put in oil and fired up the jeep. Everything works.
Observations:
1. I see no way to mount any 3-Point tool (plow, post hole digger) to this unit.
It only extends about six inches beyond the rear bed of the jeep.
2. The hitch points are too high compared to other jeep hydraulic hitches.
3. There is no provision to bolt the front of the unit to the bed of the jeep.
4. Perhaps the only designed use is with the Mellon plow that is on your site.
After spending a few sleepless nights trying to figure out some good use for the Farm Aid I decided to make a little boom pole for it, but it only lifts about 18″. I can see why the previous owner removed it from his jeep.
The good news – This most likely is the only working Farm Aid Lift in the world, and is the fifth, now known, factory designed hitch along with Love, Monroe, Newgren and Stratton.
Seth spotted this unusual toy combo.
“Vintage Corgi Flying Club set
Mint in box
Let me know if you have questions
See pics for best description”
View all the information on eBay
Here’s an unusual brochure that makes the argument for the FJ-3A vs. the GMC, Ford, VW, Corvair, and International Vans. This is on eBay.
Thanks to Charles for sharing these.
DINANT (belgium -battle of the bulge) as the text mention the jeep on the right side is driven by germans dressed as american soldiers
DINANT (belgium -battle of the bulge) as the text mention the jeep on the right side is driven by germans dressed as american soldiers
village of ‘foy'(belgium-battle of the bulge) aid station for the 101 th airborne 1945
Tim shared this link. I’ve shared the FC video made by head quake, but not this RC jeep video.
UPDATE: A similar photo and caption was on bay in 2015 (see pic and caption at the bottom & don’t know if it sold). The description in the ad, photo, and caption are the same. It appears the check marks are different.
View all the information on eBay
<– Day 15 – Wednesday March 23rd: Blizzards & Balloons | Beginning –>
On Thursday morning we left Cortez, Colorado, bound for Salt Lake City and dinner with my kids. There was no messing around on the way home. Based on the weather report, we had a slim window between Friday and Saturday to get through the Blue Mountains in Oregon, so we didn’t want to linger anywhere.
We arrived in Salt Lake with time to spare. My kids left it up to me to decide on dinner, so I checked yelp and found Mi Lindo Nayarit, a Mexican seafood restaurant. They were fine with hit, so, long story short, it turned out to be an excellent choice. Ann and I ordered the Molcejete, a meaty delight of shrimp, beef, chicken, cheese, cactus, and more. It was awesome! In fact, everything we ordered was great. The yelpers were right, this is a hidden gem.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mi-lindo-nayarit-salt-lake-city
The Molcejete, a two-person meal.
After dinner, we drove to Twin Falls for the night. On Friday we raced home, hoping to dodge the snow expected in the Blue Mountains. We did hit some snow, but it wasn’t sticking yet.
That ends another adventure, though the end came a few days earlier than we’d planned (bad blizzards, bad!). Thanks to everyone who helped make the trip another memorable one for us!!!!
The next trip will likely be a jaunt down to Salt Lake in early June to celebrate the high school graduation of my youngest son. That’s the last of my high schoolers. They grew up fast!
<– Day 15 – Wednesday March 23rd: Blizzards & Balloons | Beginning –>
<– Day 14 – Tuesday March 22nd: Wind & Range | Beginning | Day 16 & 17 – March 24-25th: Homeward Bound –>
Lost as usual.
Today’s goal was to drive from Albuquerque to Pueblo, Colorado (See yesterday’s post here). Mother Nature had a different idea.
Today we drove from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Cortez, Colorado
We awoke on Wendesday morning to learn that Mother Nature had decided to spoil the Coloradoans early spring by sending a wintery blizzard through the Denver area. Winds accompanied the snow (it remained very windy in Albquequerque as well), causing a snow plow to tip over at the Denver airport. We didn’t have to read much of the news to decide that we were ready to save Colorado for another day. So, we altered our plan to drive up the eastern slope of the Rockies in favor of driving the short route home through Utah.
However, another issue appeared when we made that decision; it seemed that we only had a narrow window through which we could get over Oregon’s Blue Mountains (on I-84) between storms. This meant we couldn’t mess around too much on the way home. We had to get going. But, first we wanted to stop by The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History’s gift shop (Ann wanted some bomb shaped shot glasses) and then visit the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, aka the Albuquerque Balloon Museum, before heading for Cortez, Colorado.
We visited the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History during our trip last year. They had some cool gifts, including a set of shot glasses and wanted to buy. When we walked into the gift shop, look what we found! 1956 CJ-5 (serial number 10006) purchased by the federal government, complete with a data plate. One of the more interesting mods was the RPM gauge on the grille and a custom bump on the hood. When I saw those mods I got very curious about what was under the hood, so I pulled the “I run a large vintage jeep website” card. Of course, they had no clue who I was, but they let me open the hood anyway. It was all stock, except for the mice droppings; someone hadn’t cleaned under the hood in a while. I concluded the gauge and hood were likely not original to the jeep, hence they were painted black.
Joe’s got a couple events happening this upcoming weekend. If you like jeeps and planes, head to Mesa, Arizona! The open house is Saturday only, but the SMTS is all weekend.
<– Day 13 – Monday March 21st: Food Testers | Beginning | Day 15 – Wednesday March 23rd: Blizzards & Balloons –>
Me, Benita, and Scott at the Range Cafe in Albuquerque. Benita has been test reading the book. She’s read about a 1/3 of it so far and is really enjoying it!
Today we drove from Tularosa to Albuquerque (See yesterday’s post here, or look below today’s post). Along the way we didn’t do much sight-seeing, but the winds had picked up … a LOT! I had Ann drive while I worked. Part of the time she was driving into the wind causing the jeep (and the laptop on my knees) to rock. However, she did well and we were soon at the University of New Mexico.
A month ago I discovered that only the U of NM and Yale University had a fourteen page report that I hadn’t known existed, an important one that will help shape the one of the final chapter in the book. The document was stored at the campus’ business library among the general books. If I had a little less character, I would have walked out with it, especially because I doubt no one else on the planet appreciates its significance. Damn you Conscience!! Alas, I settled for photos of it.
Elihu Root was the Guggenheim’s legal counsel, while simultaneously pretending to be an independent arbiter of the fight between the Guggenheims and the Eilers. I knew he’d been quoted in the newspapers, but there was never any mention there of a physical report.
The stop was a quick one, which worked well for us, because our next appointment was jeep-related 🙂 A half hour later, we were in downtown Albuquerque meeting with Benita. She and her partner Scott own multiple FCs and are regulars at the FC Roundup. First she showed us their unique camper FC, one that was used for years at a mine. It’s got horns, a bell, and a hoist on the front. The back of the FC had camper shell made by an unknown builder, but it appears to be professionally made. A hole in the rear of the FC’s cab allowed access to the camper. They’ve pull off the camper shell and are restoring it.
The next FC she showed us was a cow painted one. It was used as a search and rescue jeep. Unfortunately, the person who owned it had died, so no seems to know for sure why it was painted as a cow. Continue reading
<– Day 12 – Sunday March 20th: High Plains Drifters | Beginning | Day 14 – Tuesday March 22nd: Wind & Range –>
Enjoying an evening fire under the New Mexico stars.
On Sunday night we landed at the home of Ann’s aunt Cindy and uncle Fred (See yesterday’s post here). It marked the end of our trip, meaning we’d be heading home the rest of the way.
I shall avoid boring you with the details of sleeping in and lounging around until noon. Yes, it was good to be off the road for the day. I even found the time to get out the guitar and play some music for my wife. Then, we took a quick trip into Tularosa to pick up a new planter, because one we had bought two years ago broke a month ago. Of course, we had to get two ….
However, reality set in by mid-afternoon. I wanted to complete some eWillys, while Ann left with Fred and Cindy for a community service project (no, they weren’t in trouble for anything). They do a lot with the local community of Alamogordo. On this afternoon, they had volunteered to decorate a room at a senior center for a senior citizen prom. Accompanying the three of them were students from the local First Robotics team, which Fred and Cindy also mentor. Funded by a local bank, there was enough money to make the place look pretty nice.
As soon as they were done at the senior center, they picked me up, and we all went to downtown Tularosa where a restaurant is set to open soon. Called Grill 49 the place is a French Grill/Brew pub. Powering the kitchen menu is the former chef from Casa De Suenos, the most popular Mexican restaurant in the area. Their pork chops, a brine marinated, spicy, juicy treat is a favorite among regulars. I tried it yesterday evening at Casa De Suenos and it was delicious! Continue reading
