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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 .
This four page issue notes on page two that June 1956 was “Dent’s out of Fenders” month or, I did you not, “DOOF”!?! I don’t know what to do with that info.
Page three references what may be causing a few DJ-3A noises. One note refers to the “clutch driven disc hub”, which can cause a vibration issues between 33 and 45mph, but I’m not familiar with that part. There are a couple other solutions for particular noises listed.
This newly released Meyers Manx dune buggy is powered by a radial three-cylinder engine with LS DNA. The engine alone sells for $25,000, according to the article.
Here’s another Harney Peak Postcard, but this time in black and white. The seller is currently asking $29.95, but will accept offers.
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You don’t see an FJ-6A go this fast very often!
UPDATE: Muleyhunter recently added a miner to the hood of his jeep:
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UPDATE as of April 12, 2018: This post was formerly part of the JEEP-HERDERS MOVIE and EL DORADO JEEPHERDERS post, but I’ve split that post into three, each updated with some new info and/or pics.
Over the last decade, I occasionally saw vintage jeeps with bronze casted placer gold miners on the hood. For years I’ve wondered about where these originated. They turn out to have an interesting history. Moreover, different castings over the years has led to slightly different designs.
It was a member of the El Dorado Jeepherders who first began selling them. From Ken Hower on Pirate 4×4:
Gold Miner Hood Ornament History:
In 1970, Mike Arnold opens Arnolds For Awards in Shingle Springs, CA (Acrylic Awards | Crystal Awards | Glass Awards | Corporate Plaques).– In 1970, Mike Arnold goes to Alaska to a Gold Rush Event, since the history of gold mining in California looking for a tie in for his business. At the event, Mike finds an artist who has cast these Gold Miner statues. Mike buys a handful and returns to California.
– 1971, Mike installs the Gold Miner on his hood for the Jeepers Jamboree. Mike is a member of the El Dorado Jeepherders, the first organized 4-wheel drive club in the United States. He brings a few statues on the Jamboree to sell, and a few are bought.
– El Dorado Jeepherders adopt the statue for their club and nearly every member of the club, now has a Gold Miner statue hood ornament.
– Ken Collins is the owner of Placerville Jeep. He is also, one of the founders of the Jeepers Jamboree, along with Mark Smith. Ken buys statues from Arnolds Awards and begins giving them away to customers who buy a jeep.
– Chuck Walker. Yes, the Walker behind the famous Walker Hill on the Rubicon, is a sales man at Placerville Jeep. He is there, when Ken Collins is giving them away. Chuck decides to split from Placerville, and open his own dealership in Sacramento, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep. He also begins buying the statues and giving to his customers, this is why you see them on Dodge and Jeep around Sacramento.
Back in the day, the retail cost of the statue was $20. It costs far more than that now, simply to make them.
Merlin Scott (a Rock Award winner for lifetime achievement of service on the Rubicon Trail had his Dodge truck stolen a long time ago. They recovered the vehicle. The only damage, his Gold miner was ripped off the hood of his truck.
I want to thank Kevin Arnold and Mike Arnold of Arnolds Awards for telling the story this morning. I want to thank Merlin Scott for telling me who to call. So many of the old timers that pioneered wheeling are passing away, so I think it’s important to preserve that history and those stories. Also thank John Arenz, President of RTF for filling in the names that were forgotten.
I put the link already, but Rubicon Trail Foundation has taken it upon ourselves to be the custodian of that history. Spend some time and go to the website and read through the history of the Rubicon Trail.
VARIATIONS:
After posting this original post a couple days ago, I began looking more closely at the photos of miners I had. Moreover, Mike shared a photo of his miner that includes “Placerville Hardware” on the rear. That got me thinking: given the miners have been produced and sold over the past 50 years, there could be several variations. Then, I found a reference from Jim Allen that some special promo miners had been produced. Here’s what I found among the miners I have documented:
Continue reading
Here I am Wednesday finishing up the lettering Ann made using her Cricut machine. We’ll see if they hold up!
On Thursday we loaded up for our six-hour drive to the west side of the state for Summer Convention. This weekend was very much a test weekend, for the motorhome, for the race jeep, for the trailer carrying the race jeep, etc. And, it didn’t take long for us to run into a problem. When I attempted to hook the trailer to the back of the motorhome, I discovered the hitch and ball did not sit low enough, so when I hooked up the trailer, it was sitting at too much of an angle. Arghhhh! Since we planned to take the truck anyway (just in case we had a problem), we just hooked the trailer to the truck, which Ann drove.
Race jeep loaded and ready for the road.
We arrived early to get a good camping spot and to get through the tech inspection. An old jeep friend Mike Julsrud was manning the clipboard, so it was great to catch up with him. Many ears ago we raced against each other in the 20 and under class, called the “Under the Hill Gang”; these days, we are “way over the Hill Gang”, lol.
On Friday morning, following the 8am driver’s meeting, Ann accompanied me and other racers on a parade lap of the obstacle and cross country courses. It’s a nice way for folks to tour the courses together, get a sense of where to drive, and a great community event. One concern bubbled up during our drive, the engine got a little hotter than it should have. One suggestion was that the timing might need to shift slightly, so I’ll give that a try. The good news is that, during my first run, the temp stayed where it should.
Me at the driver’s meeting with Betty Page and Lizzy in tow. The dogs came with us this weekend and, to our surprise and relief, were really well behaved!
As we waited for the parade lap to begin, Diana Stafford photo bombed us in the Stafford’s race jeep.
Here we are starting the parade lap on the obstacle course. This course was more wide open than the cross country course, which is where the jeeps went next. That truck in front of us wasn’t racing; it was just taking the opportunity to tour the track.
In this first video that Ann took, we were on the obstacle course, I was puttering along in 2nd gear, low range, but the video makes it seem like I was going faster:
Here’s a second video Ann shot just a few seconds later: Continue reading
This summer’s Dispatcher Magazine included some highlights from the Great Willys Picnic, the Willys Rally, and the Spring Willys Reunion. It also included histories of AM General and the Willy 6×6, plus articles on block crack repairs and the Jeep Guy’s Museum, whose billboard we saw as we drove north through Utah, though we didn’t stop because 1) we were on a time crunch and 2) we didn’t know if the parking lot could accommodate the coach.
Just a heads up, we will be leaving Thursday for the PNW4WDA Summer Convention in Ethyl, WA, but still have a variety of things to accomplish, so there might not be any updates until early next week. It depends on connectivity (seems like there was some the last time I was there).
You may remember that in early 2020, just before the first Covid surge, I’d been invited to join Claus and several of his friends on a flat fender trip through the southwestern African country of Namibia. I missed out on that opportunity, not only due to Covid, but also a whole range of family health issues made any type of extended journey impossible.
In 2022, Claus and his friends completed a tour of Namibia, with an excellent videographer in tow. The resulting montage from that trip has been wound into an excellent video. It looks like quite an adventure over some amazing scenery! Thanks for sharing Claus!
The video is blocked from being viewed remotely, so click on the image to go to YouTube. The video is 36 minutes long: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9D2ZFnWOBQ
This rare brochure for an Angus “Invincible” Fire Engines was produced for South Africa. I looked for an example of an Angus Willys Fire engine jeep, but could not locate any examples. I had hoped this brochure had more images, but there’s only the one image on the cover.
Here’s another brochure out of South Africa. I’m not sure what made the DJ-3A “More Dependable” than other Willys 2WD trucks, but it’s on the brochure, so it must be true?!?
Here’s an unusual metal jeep. Thanks to Andy for sharing.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/8360039457360563
“Metal toy vehicle, looks like a Jeep. From Mexico, guessing 1950’s”
Unclear if the seller has more than one nor what the shipping is, but here’s at least one for only $8.Thanks to Andy for sharing.
https://thomastoysantiquetoyparts.com/products/alt1-altoy-tire-page-91
“Altoy tire, Sold as Each, 2 and 3/8″”
UPDATE: Price dropped to $800.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2459849277550114
Joe-in-Mesa’s friend Keith shared pics of this Hawaii-Style looking jeep. Keith is willing to sell it, but also wants to learn more about it.
To me, it looks like something someone brought to the US Mainland from Hawaii. You can compare this to the others we have documented here: http://www.ewillys.com/tag/hawaii-body/
If you have interest in it, feel free to email me and I’ll pass along Kieth’s info: d@deilers.com.
On Wednesday, Ann and I returned from a very quick trip to St. George, where we purchased a 2003 Alpine 38′ Motor Coach with three slides. While I had my reservations about purchasing a vehicle like this, then driving 1000 miles in it, the rig performed flawlessly. We couldn’t have asked for more from it. Still, there’s a bunch of things we need to learn. Here are some pics.
So, how did we arrive at choosing an Alpine? Well, that’s a bit of a story … Continue reading
After a few dud issues, this one has a few interesting items. Page two devotes almost half a page to Vacuum Power Brake Kits, like the kind that was installed on the DJ-3A when we bought it. This article shows that their installation was more common than I suspected.
On page four, there’s an article about the new “Fresh-Air” heater and cab ventilator and some of its advantages, along with a kit number. Also on page four, there’s an interesting article about the top bow rear brackets. First, their installation was cancelled in late 1955, but then Willys reversed that decision and added them again. So, there are some stock models made 1955 that didn’t have them.
UPDATE: The buyer backed out of the $8100 price, so it was reauctioned. The second time it sold for $10,500.
Thanks to Blaine for sharing this BaT Auction. This Sherwood pedal jeep sold for $8100!
Roberto Flores shared this image from another group of an older jeep pulling floats. The hardtop is unusual and was usually seen in Europe, but it’s my guess that this was taken in California somewhere. I was able to use Google search to locate the same pic on Jalopy Journal.
Thanks to Bill for sharing this news. Back in 2013 Ann and I drove by Jack’s Government Surplus outside of Tucson. We photographed this jeep. I assumed it was junk:
I’m sure others of you have seen the jeep as well. Well, that jeep was acquired and restored. Here it is at the 2024 Toledo Fest:
You can watch a video (that I can’t seem to embed) and read more here: https://www.wtol.com/article/life/automotive/jeep/toledoan-restores-wwii-era-jeep-for-showcase-at-toledo-jeep-fest/
We’ve spent the past couple of weeks researching and viewing motorhomes (so much learned). We have decided upon one we like (powerful, 10k towing, easier to maintain, strong resell market, locally made, plentiful solar power), which I’ll unveil later this week, assuming everything goes well (we have a bit of a drive to go get it). I’ll discuss this more later.
It’s first ‘event’ will be in two weeks at the PNW4WDA summer convention. Here is a sneak peak (again, if all goes well);
All that time and research, plus more heat and Ann’s short vacation, definitely slowed progress on the FC. But, I was able to get most of the wires labeled using Ann’s label maker, though I didn’t realize until half-way through that I could create multiple lines (insert head exploding emoji here); so, for example, “Bat-to-Ign” on one line could be better labeled “Battery to Ignition” on three lines.
Once I complete that task, then I can bind the wires up more tightly and cleanly and begin testing systems. As you can kind of see below (not the best pic), the wiper knob, the light switch, the ignition switch, the dash-turn blinkers, and the speedometer are all connected using plugs. They all have labels, so identifying their corresponding plug should be easy. In addition, I tried to use different types of plugs so that plugging something incorrectly would be nearly impossible. The lighter is also easy to unplug. More difficult is the three gauges under the dash, as two of them are mechanical (I couldn’t find 1.5″ electric temp and oil gauges). So, the gauge panel has to be unbolted if the dash is completely removed.
Here, most of the wires have been labeled. I can’t wait to clean up the spaghetti!
This four-page service news has an interesting article on page two about one potential cause of driving vibration when traveling down grade. Page three includes an axle gear gauge block guide for various models. Finally, page four documents recommended service station colors, which isn’t something I’ve ever encountered.
This postcard from Wentworth motors of Alabama appears to show a CJ-5 with a PTO supporting a posthole digger. So, I *think* this is from around 1955-56, given the lack of DJs or FCs. Note the Willys Bermuda in the parking lot. This would also suggest post 1955.
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Steve shared this video of a couple guys driving through the LA area. Good luck to them!
I really didn’t find much of anything in this issue that interested me.
UPDATE II: Here is a color version of the CJ-5 w/hardtop that appears in the brochure below. I found this on Flickr. One commenter there noted that, “Reinforced Plastics Corporation was in operation on Martha’s Vineyard from 1952 to 1959. They made these tops as well as other fiberglass items.”
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UPDATE from October 26, 2017: Here’s another one of these rare brochures for sale. Thanks to Bill Norris and Derek Redmond for the extra pics. This brochure has been for sale on the same eBay pager for four years. It’s on sale at the moment.
This unusual fiberglass hardtop was created by the Reinforced Plastics Corp. I have yet to see one in the wild. Two journal articles (Chemical Week 1957, Volume 81 and National Defense Transportation Journal 1957, Volumes 13-14) both have announcements for the new top, pegging its inception around mid-1957. Unfortunately, Google will only provide snipped views of these University of Michigan scanned journals. The date of these journals suggests the lister of this brochure is probably wrong about the 1955 date for the brochure.
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