emailNeed to contact me and don't have my email? Click on email button.
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 .
Bill shared the news that Jeep and Lego have partnered ups ro a LEGO Technic Jeep Wrangler. It will be available Jan. 1, 2021. With 665 parts, it will take some time to assembler.
https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/jeep-wrangler-42122
(Originally Posted October 21, 2010): It’s easy to forget about the logistical challenges faced by the military to cover simple needs of the military. Showering in the field is one such example. A New Zealand-focused site has a page on the history of mobile laundry and baths from 1914-1990. Canada also had similar mobile services. How frequently such services actually appeared in the field is less clear to me, especially given the lack of photos of this equipment.
Back in 2010 I came upon the model below, which appeared on a new defunct website. The site showed how the builder created the model mobile bath.
The builder, Dave, had based his model on the picture below. In his post, he notes that the Jeep “was stationed in Germany in 1945 with the 2nd Battalion, The Kensingtons, 49th Division, Transport Centre, Iserlohn, Ruhr“.
This 1954 example out of France shows a mobile laundry unit of some type. This photo (page from book?) is for sale on eBay. The auction title is “Jeep transport laundry collective”.
Maury spotted this unusual item. It’s pretty small. The starting bid price is $50. I’m not sure what the value should be; the seller isn’t all the sure either.
View all the information on eBay
“Here we have an original ~ “OBSOLETE” VINTAGE KAISER-WILLYS GUARD HAT BADGE ~ that was recently acquired out of a Toledo, Ohio estate. I would imagine that this is a fairly hard badge to find. We could not find any other examples like it for sale. It measures approximately 1 7/8 inches tall by 1 3/8 inches wide. The over all condition is pretty decent with a few scratches from age and use and it does not have the little nut that screws on to hold it to the hat. Original untouched as found condition. Would make for a nice addition to any advanced collection.”
Thanks to Aaron for alerting me about these engine mounts. Ian Liljeblad, the builder of Big Willy, sells these L-head and F-head 134 engine-mount upgrades. They look like a good idea to me.
This toy seems appropriate for today. Thanks to Mark for forwarding it.
View all the information on eBay
This rare Metamet catalog came from the UK via eBay. I had hoped there would be information and pics in side about the twelve different style of jeeps sold by Metamet, but this truly only covers the parts. The best part of this might be the back page, which lists the different jeeps. The catalog also has some well-done diagrams.
This is the cover:
This is the back cover, which is slightly longer than the rest of the catalog. On the left is a list of the Metamet jeeps:
Here’s the inside of the front cover, followed by the pages in order:
Roger shared this color photo of a Chicago Fire Department FC-170 designed to eject smoke. It was posted to this Fire Engine Facebook group. This appears to be engine #1.
A similar black and white photo was printed in the February 1969 issue of Popular Science. This appears to be engine #2.
This collection of literature also includes some J-Series documents as well. It’s hard to tell if this is mostly just a manual or a large number of Bulletins.
View all the information on eBay
“Willys Jeep Dealer Manual 1952-1963 Parts & Accessories & Bulletins.”
These look like the same type of saucers that I got off ebay a couple months ago.
View all the information on eBay
“Up for sale is a PAIR of new old stock, in the box Willys Jeep CJ5 coasters (possibly ashtrays or small plates). They are in perfect, brand new never used condition, but the box has some water staining on the corner of it. There are no identifying marks that show a manufacturer on them, but they certainly are vintage, most likely from the 1950’s. I’m assuming they were some sort of dealer or manufacturer promotional item. They show a detailed picture of a light green colored Willys Jeep CJ5 on smoked colored glass and they measure about 4-1/2″ in diameter.”
Bill shared this link from Hemmings published today showing jeeps going over Black Bear Road.
Just a few updates for Sunday. Regular updates Monday, including a post about an original Metamet catalog.
Mark shared a link to this great photo of a Fire or Special Utility FC-170 working at the New York City World’s Fair in 1964-1965. The photo can be found here.
UPDATE: These Free-Lock hubs are still available.
(11/18/2020) This ebay ad for Free-Lock hubs provides the most detailed pics I have for this version of the hub. These are 27 spline, which means they were produced after 1972? If that’s the case, then for some reason the Free-Lock brand that was abandoned circa 1959 was resurected for these hubs.
View all the information on eBay
“Vintage Free-Lock Locking Hubs Jeep CJ CJ5 27 Spline – Warn 9062 – 27 Spline (Wanted: new old stock locking hubs in small or large quantities)
Used
Engage and disengage properly
Same application as Warn 9062
Heavy duty hubs
6 Bolt
27 Spline”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Thanks to Mike for sharing this detailed, interesting jeep rod. The grille redesign seems particularly creative.
“1946 Willys Jeep CJ2A “WILLYS FURY” Completely custom, all hand-made, all steel! Absolutely one of a kind!
New build, just finished!
Professionally built, 36 years of experience
Custom grill
Metal skeletal hands on steering fenders
350 Chevy small block service block, rebuilt, no miles
350 turbo trans with a shift kit
400 horsepower
Ford 8.8 differential
Baffled pipes
Custom made frame
Mickey Thompson tires, 15″ wide by 29″ tall rears, 8″ wide fronts
Continue reading
These there documents should help someone service their ElectroLIft units for the Meyer Snowplows. Neither has a date, but I would guess these are close to 1960.
There are two ElectroLift control types, one mechanical and one electrical, so make sure you know what type you have. This first form provides installation instructions for the mechanical type. It is Form Number 1-101. Page 2 shows only. a partial electrical diagram. I’m not sure why only the partial diagram shows.
UPDATE: This photo shows the crowds at the Benicia Arsenal. It was published in the June 30, 1945, issue of the Beatrice Times out of Beatrice, Nebraska:
=======================
Originally published November 5th, 2020: The June 25, 1946, issue of the San Francisco Examiner shared the news that more than 5000 veterans lined up begining at midnight to purchase just over 1500 available jeeps, though not that many jeeps would actually sell. For most veterans, there multi-hour waits were in vain. The buyer of the first jeep discovered that his jeep wouldn’t start, but the motor pool helped him get it going.
UPDATE: Still Available.
(08/12/2020) Marty spotted this rare (only one of two according to the seller) Krisit Company KT-4G Snow Cat. It uses a CJ-5 body with a Meyer hardtop.
https://www.facebook.com/commerce/products/1964-kristi-kt-4g
“This is 1 of 2 ever produced KT-4G units
Perfect item for a snowcat collector who’s looking for a unique snowcat or a very rare Kristi cat, and Yes… this is a Jeep CJ cab on it, which makes it all that better and more rare – fitting in with your Jeep collection as well.
Running engine when parked few years ago, tracks still got life in them if one wanted to simply get it started and run it for a season or more. Some rust on floor pans, but nothing that cant be quickly fixed/repaired for upcoming seasons use, or put this machine through a proper restoration and make it a museum peace for everyone to envy.
Its very complete with all of the original parts, rest can be easily purchased at most auto-part stores.
Unit is not oversized, thus making it easy to transport and deliver”
No year listed on this press photo that shows a slat grille MB being loaded into a Globemaster. The photo appears to have been ordered on July 2nd, 1947, but that’s likely not the date of the photo. My attempt to find the photo in a newspaper failed, but I did find a few other photos of jeeps and the Douglas C-74 Globemaster.
View all the information on eBay
“This is an original press photo. Military – Jeep – Globemaster aircraftPhoto measures 10.25 x 8inches. Photo is dated –NONE.”
In the summer of 1946, a Globemaster was loaded with 15 jeeps. A few photos of the event made the newspapers. This first one appears to have an illustrated jeep on the elevator:
CREDIT: June 22, 1946, in The Sentinel out of Carlisle, Pennsylvania
This photo shows a broader look at the lineup of jeeps.
CREDIT: June 23, 1946, in the Quad City Times out of Davenport, Iowa.
This article in the September 06, 1945, issue of the Daily News out of Los Angeles introduces the world to the new Globemaster. The bottom image shows two jeeps loaded next to one another.
This nice looking CJ-2A wasn’t restored to 100% original, but it sure looks nice and will provide owner Jane Bundy with a great vehicle for years to come. The Miller Brothers Hot Rod Barn in Wilkesboro, NC, did the work.
This undated article and photo from an unknown newspaper was posted to Facebook where Roger Martin spotted it. The “classy jeep” is driven by Lieut. Commander W. P. Tyler, USN, of Medium Seaplane Squadron Three. There were eighteen privately owned jeeps undergoing modifications. My guess is that the photo was taken post WWII given the jeeps were privately owned.
This article from the December 30, 1942, issue of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram shares a press photo that has been available on eBay a couple times. Camp Hale was located just north of Leadville. It sat at 9500 felt and must have been a difficult place to train (cold + high altitude .. even the USO didn’t go there). The camp was only active until 1945.
=================================
UPDATE Posted Feb 14, 2018: Here’s the same photo with nearly the same caption on eBay. The one shown at the bottom of the post was for sale on eBay in 2015.
“1942 Press Photo Soldiers driving jeeps through snow at Camp Hale, Colorado.
This is an original press photo. Snow jeeps—Parka-clad soldiers whip howitizer-carrying jeeps through unbroken snow at Camp Hale, high in the Colorado Rockies. The pack artillery of the Camp Hale mountain troops use the rugged little jeeps to carry dismantled sections of 75 millimeter howitzers until the going is so rough that mules have to take over (United States) (Wars) (World War II) (Camp Hale, Colorado) (Mountain troops) Photo measures 9.25 x 7 inches. Photo is dated 12-23-1942.”
=======================
Original Post May 2, 2015: “1942 WWII Parka Clad Soldiers In Jeeps Camp Hale Colorado Press Photo”
This 1942 advertisement in the Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin) informs readers that they need to get their gifts in the mail by November 1st if they hope to reach military personnel in time.
The ad mentions the “yellow pages”; now that’s a dated reference!
View all the information on eBay
“1960 CANADA CANADIAN CAR TRUCK AD WILLYS OVERLAND JEEP PICKUP TRUCK CAMPER. MEASURES ABOUT 6.5 X 12 INCHES.”
Miller Manufacturing provided essential special service tools for jeeps. An earlier edition of this brochure from the 1940s can be seen here and for trucks here.
This particular brochure is Form F-741 A and is 10 pages. It was printed in April of 1958 and includes some tool order forms.
This April 1970 brochure contains some good jeep photos. I’m not very familiar with the “2-Car Car” campaign, so I’ll see if I can figure out when it began and when it ended.
This jeep family brochure is Form 70-04, which to me suggests it is an April 1970 brochure. However, at the bottom of the brochure is written ” Feb-70′ “.
