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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 a set of Ford GPs in Burma during WWII. The photo is from the June 08, 1942, issue of Life Magazine. The article, “Flight from Burma” on page 30, is a fascinating tale of the desertion of the Rangoon, as told by George Rodger, the photographer pictured in the photo with the two Ford GPs below.
Search for Life Magazine June 8, 1942, on eBay
Later in the issue (page 56) is this ad with a jeep:
UPDATE: Thanks to John for finding the full version of this movie short from 1949 called “Fuelin Around“, the 116th movie short they made. The CJ-2A appears in both part 1 and part 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl8qeEx30E0
Here’s the Spanish version that Steve found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P3Zl9kFPAg
Here’s an odd piece of Willys history.
“Original drawing blueprint for a 1956 Willys Motors safety strap. This drawing belonged to my grandfather and has been stored for many years, laid flat. Very good condition. Would look great framed for the Willys fan.
A “B” sized blueprint is the smaller print. A “C” sized blueprint is the large prints you’re used to seeing.
Any questions, please feel free to ask.
I do not ship outside the USA.
Payment due at close of auction.”
View all the information on eBay
This ad features a CJ-2A with square washers on the windshield.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/totallymystified/8467633530/sizes/c/in/pool-56738158@N00/
Marc found this photo that shows Mt. Vesuvius in the background.
“1943- Mount Vesuvius towers in background as U.S. troops stop for a meal in the famed ruins of Pompeii.”
View all the information on eBay
An Idaho summer trip with high school friends and their families. The Green CJ5 belongs to my sons’ friend Drew, he built this Jeep himself and is running an AMC 304 with a Dana 44-30 combo and ARB air lockers.
Longtime readers will remember the 2011 post about Randy and his boys’ jeeps. Randy shared how the three of them turned basketcase jeeps into viable, modified vehicles. They continue to drive and jeep them in Idaho. Since we last check in with them, they’ve made some updates to their jeeps. Randy describes the changes below (thanks for taking the time to write this up Randy!):
Randy’s Jeep before a summer trip.
Randy’s 46, CJ2a (blue):
In the winter of 2012 Dusty and I swapped in most of the running gear that was originally installed in his Jeep when we built it in 2004. We Installed the Buick 231, radiator, transmission, exhaust and drivelines. I did a Saginaw power steering upgrade and installed disc brakes on the front axle as well. The springs were re-arched and Bilstein shocks were installed. In order to make room for bigger tires I opened up the back fenders about 3 inches behind the tires and moved the rearend back 1 ½ inches. The fender trimming is not noticeable unless there is a stock Jeep around to compare it to. Last spring I purchased a new set of 37 x 13.5 x 15 Super Swamper Truxus MT radial tires and mounted them on the 15 x 10 Mickey Thompson aluminum wheels that were originally on Devon’s Jeep. Those tires made an unbelievable difference when running in the snow. I usually air down to about 3.5 to 4.5 pounds of air pressure and didn’t have any trouble losing tires off the bead on our snow runs.
This past year I installed a set of suspension bucket seats made by Corbeau that are designed for use in a side-by-side such as a Yamaha Rhino. They have the same dimensions as the Jeep seats that Corbeau makes but the bottom of the seats are shorter which makes it easier to get in and out of the Jeep. I also notched the front of my rear inner fenders and moved the front seats back about 2 inches. Seat heaters were installed in the new seats as well. It is a lot more comfortable to drive now.
Here are some recent pics Charles found:
That St. Bernard is about as big as a jeep!
This jeep isn’t for sale, but appeared in my Craigslist search (It’s the drift bike in front of it that is actually for sale). I thought the jeep was interesting enough to share.
KEYWORDS: Custom flattie, trike, Camas, jeep-rod.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
Here’s a rare ad showing a set of Willy MAs in a Rusco, Russell Manufacturing.
“1943 WW II U.S. ARMY JEEP Rusco Russell Mfg Middletown, Ct. Photo AD. Approximate size: 10.5″x13″”
You can buy this now for $15.00 or buy the whole issue of Time Magazine’s January 6, 1947, magazine for only $8.00
.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $12000
This seller has some beautiful signs.
“Owner selling part of his collection of very high quality signs and pumps.
Willys Original Neon & Porcelain Double Sided Horizontal Sign — 70″ x 34″ – $12,000”
Here are some directions for using a Whitco Top. I didn’t know that’s the way they folded down.
View all the information on eBay
This cartoon was published in the March 18, 1945, issue of the U.S. Army’s Yank Magazine illustrated by Sgt. George Baker.
Marc spotted this neat photo, but the price seems a bit steep?
“Large Photo about 8″ x 10″ from US Signal Corps. Censored on the reverse. This is General Henry Lewis, Chief of Staff for Bradley’s 12th Army. This is an original vintage WWII Photo.”
View all the information on eBay
That’s a good shot of a German plane.
“American Jeep Under Tail of Junkers Transport WWII Dispatch Photo News Service
This is thin stock, put out by the Dispatch Photo News Service in New York during World War II. Measures roughly 10 3/4 x 12 1/2. Blank back. Has caption along the bottom telling about the picture. A friend told me this is offset lithography (dot pattern)”
View all the information on eBay
Strangely, the cover of the jeep has GPW with a M-38 windshield on the front.
“About the Book: Illustrated operation, maintenance & repair guide for owners of the Willys Model MB Jeep and Ford Model GPW military vehicles. This is comprehensive and filled with lots of diagrams/drawings (including lubrication charts) to help you along the way.
Condition: In overall good condition with relatively light shelf wear – only major blemish is label taped to spine side of cover. Interior pages nice. Binding firm.”
View all the information on eBay
Following a successful 1954-1955 Pan-American trip and lecture series, Helen and Frank Schreider began working with National Geographic in the late 1950s. They apparently struck a two part exploration plan. First, the couple would travel along India’s Ganges River Plain in a Ford GPA from the mouth of the river to its source and report on their experience. Second, they’d head toward Indonesia for a much longer adventure, which they described in the Drums of Tonkin.
The 1954-1955 drive through Central and South America beat up their original Ford GPA, ‘La Tortuga’, badly. While they shipped La Tortuga back to California after reaching Tiera Del Fuego, it appears the damage was bad enough that they didn’t attempt to use that GPA to travel again. So, for their new adventure to India and Indonesia they modified a second GPA, calling it La Tortuga II. One way to tell the difference between I and II is the location of the exhaust pipe. On I it is farther behind the lights than it is on II. One reason for this is that the cabin extends farther forward on II than on I. Here are comparison photos:
Tortuga I – Pan American Trip Frank and Helen Schreider. Note the damage to the sides. It is for sale in Norway.
Tortuga II in India. Note how the cabin reaches farther forward and the muffler is closer to the lights. The fate of this GPA is unknown at this time.
Their five month 1960 India adventure from the mouth of the Ganges to it’s source filled forty-two pages of the October, 1960, issue of National Geographic. There’s a definite shift from reporting about their seep and their obstacles, as they did in their first book, to an emphasis on the people and cultures they encountered. In other words, they focused less on adventure and more on anthropology and biology. Still, there are a few photos of La Tortuga II as they explored the waters and plains of the region.
Here’s a range of photos Charles found on the internet.
This is from Armed Forces Day, 1950. Original photo is here: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Navy_Jeep_New_Orleans_recruitment.jpg
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
I don’t know why all the army regulars are so orange in this 1944 WW II Chase National Bank AD??
“1944 WW II U.S. ARMY JEEP Port of Balboa Panama Canal ~ Chase National Bank AD. Approximate size: 10.25″x13″”
Here’s a neat old ad for Willys Overland in French from Quebec, Canada.
View all the information on ebay
Paul Martz, Jr, from Somerset, Pennsylvania, learned he was a father of a boy, hence the new name of the jeep.
“You are bidding on an original 6 X 8 Press Photo of Paul Martz Jr France Father Somerset PA Jeep Paulette News. Small crease on bottom but is otherwise in very good condition. Please see scan for details. Thanks for looking. Photo is dated 1944.”
View all the information on ebay
I thought the paint job on this was interesting. It has a “Customs” insignia in the middle of the windshield. I don’t remember seeing that on other MP jeeps.
View all the information on ebay
UPDATE: Still Available
(10/11/2013) Bill’s selling this cool and rare CJ-5. You can contact him at bill @ limestreetcarriage.com
“1955 CJ-5
VIN # 57548 20474
Factory approved pto-driven Schramm 105cfm air compressor (1 of 3 made)
2 jack hammers hang on back, original tools included.
244 original miles
Original paint, top, etc.
It’s fully functional (Jeep, compressor & tools).
Never abused, always stored indoors.
VERY cool piece of history here.
2 owners (a nursery in NY from new until 08, local guy here in PA 08-current).”
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/4320617528.html
Here’s a brochure about the Schram 105 Compressor:
