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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 .
UPDATE: Herbert Lanks wrote a newspaper article with the same name that was published in February of 1944. You can read it here.
Here’s a magazine article from the September 1944 issue of Popular Photography. This must have been quite the trip, as the Alaska Highway had been completed less than two years previously in November of 1942.
The magazine was on eBay, so I decided to purchase it. You can view the article at Google Books.
UPDATE: David Silberman has filled in some gaps from a story told by Jacques yesterday.
David writes, “Ira Fryer was an associate dealer, did not have a franchise. He was located at 714 Walnut Street in Reading. During the mid to late 50’s into the early 60’s he also sold Simca and Goliath cars. They knew their product, had a good service department and an excellent parts department. Mr. Fryer wore a shop coat while at work, something you don’t see now.
His son, Robert, also worked there. They had a 1940 Willys pickup and a 3-wheel Harley Davidson for the parts/service department. They went out when Hettinger Brothers got the franchise. The building was torn down to make way for a parking garage.
I seem to remember that he also sold Renault Dauphine at the time. It was an old fashioned garage, showroom in front, passage to the rear along side of the showroom. Mack, the parts guy, rode a motorcycle.
Hettinger Brothers got the franchise and Mr. Fryer disappeared from the scene when the building was torn down to make room for a parking garage. I think that was in 1965.
Hettinger Brothers didn’t last long as the Jeep dealer, as they had the Chrysler/Plymouth dealership and didn’t push the Jeep line. J.F. Kohler ended up with the dealership in 1963, and had it until the Renault fiasco of the early 80’s, at which time many of the dealers turned in their franchises due to the actions of the company.
An interesting side note on Hettinger Brothers. They had the Chrysler/Plymouth dealership for many years, and when the building was demolished they didn’t even take the time to remove the old parts inventory from the basement.”
This is an unusual photo that shows MP jeeps parked in Oberammergau, Germany.
“1948 photo US Military M.P. Willys jeeps in Oberammergau Germany along with other Trucks The Photo has been handled a lot threw out the years but will still look great in a frame.”
Jacques emailed me yesterday with a digital copy from a color slide of a 1946 CJ-2A.
He writes, “I was raised in Reading PA but have been living in Australia for the last 37 years. Attached is a colour slide I scanned of my Dads 1946 CJ2A when very new. He bought it 1n 1947 as a demo model from a dealer in Reading who gave rides in it at the airport, now Spaatz Field to promote sales.
It was Harvest Tan with Harvard Red wheels. He had it until 1962 when he traded it for a new IH Travelall 4 x 4. Believe a mechanic at the IH dealership bought it.
Seem to remember the Jeep dealership in Reading was named Ira J Freyer. Wonder if it still exists?
Forgot to mention Dad so loved the military jeeps he used in New Guinea in the Signal Corps in WW2 that was the reason he bought a “new” CJ2A after the war.”
Bill spotted this unusual CJ-2A windshield the other day. He noted the welds look professional and as stock as other windshields he’s seen. Anyone seen anything like this one?
He writes, “It didn’t appear homemade and I didn’t see any welds or cuts that don’t look factory. I did roll it back and looked at the sheet metal on the front – it was neatly rolled and spot welded – very factory-like.”
This Warn brochure from 1955 highlights the differences between automatic and semi-automatic hubs. I didn’t know there were such things as the automatic hub.
After a 570 mile journey, Craig nabs himself “the ever elusive FC-170 with the ‘Jeep’ Factory Approved “Trav-L-Aire Camper.” See a brochure about the camper here. You can read more about the purchase at the Forward Control Forum. Congrats Craig.
Here are some exclusive pics:
When’s the last time you saw a drag race between a truck and a wagon? Ron Day forwarded this unique drag race photo from the early 1980s in Tampico, Washington. You may remember the Yakima Jeep Jockey photos he posted on his website. Reader responses were so positive to these, that Ron has begun to spend some time looking through his negatives to see what else he has.
This is a neat little little brochure for the Alexander Bush and Bog Harrow Brochure.
This document outlined the signage rules for Kaiser Willys Parts and Service Departments. Unfortunately only part of it is shown on eBay.
“Original dealer part color sales sheet , 8.5 x 14 , also factory letter describing this sheet . Shows two different Kaiser Willy Outdoor Service Signs .”
View all the information on eBay
Here’s a M-151 modified for riot control. I haven’t seen this mod used too often (fortunately).
“This photo originates from the archives of the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Daily News, Detroit News, Sport Magazine & Many others. Most photos have never been seen by the public. These photos are not reproductions or reprints.”
Donny wrote me to share this photo of the family’s CJ-6 he came across recently:
He writes, “I came across a picture of my friend driving our 1958 CJ6 in 1974. My granddad bought it new, and it stayed on our ranch in Florida for all these years. Unfortunately, in 2003, it was given away in disrepair. Sure miss it now! I’ve had a Willys truck and a 2A but I miss miss this Jeep most of all! Man that Jeep could pull! The man standing by the Jeep was the greatest man in the world. My Dad”
Here’s a neat brochure. I can not remember running across one of these installed on a truck for sale.
Speaking of weddings, Keith thought we’d appreciate his daughter’s wedding cake. She got married last weekend. Congrats to the bride and groom and a nod to their taste in cakes!
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $500.
Thanks Sonny for this great find. It is a screaming deal that shouldn’t last long. That’s a really rare setup.
“This is the coolest little Jeep post hole digger.
Needs a started
tires need to be filled.”
Bought new by his grandfather, Rich’s CJ-2A is still serves the family.
Rich writes, “The 48 CJ2A was bought new by grandfather. My dad got it in 1956 and I got it in 73. Someday my son will be the owner. Here are a few old pic’s from back in the 50’s . Me and my sister are in a few shots.”
Thanks for sharing Rich!
And the Jeep today:
Given the wedding theme of the last week, Steve shared the following photo.
Steve writes, “Jumping on the bandwagon of the “Just Married” photo theme, the attached photo is of my honeymoon car that toured Central Oregon in September 1995. I took this today showing how my Jeepster looked the week following my wedding day.”
Don’t forget the FC Get-Together this weekend in Tacoma, WA.
2012 NW FC Roundup Details
NW FC lovers mark your calendars. Aug 3, 4 and 5 are the dates we are gathering in Tacoma, WA. The address and directions of how to get here are on the enclosed link.
The times are: Fri, Aug 3 rd, 3 pm till 7 ish;
Sat, Aug 4 th, 9 am till 7 ish;
and Sun Aug 5 th, 9 am till 1 ish.
We will have hot coffee, tea, and choc with fruit and rolls Sat and Sun am.
Fri eve, those interested can take in a local restaurant.
Sat noonish, we will have a barbecue lunch, probably turkey/pineapple burgers and beef burgers, fresh salad and potato
salad (donations for the food is appreciated).
Sat eve, for those interested, we will go to another local restaurant.
Please drive, haul, or bring photos of your FC’s and FJ Fleet Vans. If you have parts for trade, sale or donation to the raffle, please bring them. You can arrive any time and day that’s convenient. Your significant other is encouraged to join in.
The event will be in a company parking lot. The lot has a tall security fence with a lockable gate. A locked warehouse is available if anyone desires. A covered area will provide relief from sun or rain.
If there are any questions, please email or call me at
gaylordmingo@gmail.com, 253 759 5932.
Colin forwarded this wonderful cover from the December 1947 issue of Unity Magazine, a Willys Overland Magazine.
Coling writes, “The cover shows a small girl, actually the daughter of the magazine editor, holding an Al-Toy Jeep truck and just below it, the box it came in. The Jeep truck was to the best of our knowledge, the Christmas toy for the Willys VIPs and high volume dealers for 1947.”
Here’s an unusual truck used by United Air Lines.
Learn more about this photograph on eBay
Here’s a version of this truck from a different angle
I know I’m not supposed to be posting today, but Ann and Kasia, my daughter, were running errands when they spotted this CJ-5. So, they gave chase and flagged him down. I wonder if the guy thought he’d get jeep-jacked? On the other hand, maybe it isn’t two often two beautiful women flag him down? Either way, they cornered their prey and shot the picture. No wonder my beautiful bride is a permanent part of the eWillys Team! 🙂
Bruce wanted to share this “Form H1-3-59 Jeep Gala advertising booklet”.
