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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 .
Maury shared this recent article from Motor Trend o the history of the jeep. The author does a pretty good job with it.
https://www.motortrend.com/news/1944-willys-mb-jeep-review-americas-real-sports-car/amp/
I don’t recognize this hardtop, but there’s quite a few rivets for a non-production top.
https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/pts/d/dearborn-heights-willys-jeep-steel-top/7192597944.html
“Original steel top & doors. MB, M38, CJ2 & 3, maybe others. From a CJ3.”
This June 03,1942, photo shows some men taking a ‘peep’ at the Will Rogers theatre to see if it suited their needs for a show. Whether the writer of the cutesy headline was aware that some folks were calling jeeps ‘peeps’ isn’t clear.
June 03, 1942, in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
While doing research on Maynard Roberts I happened upon the story of the first Japanese citizen who attended college after WWII. There’s no jeeps involved in this story, but I thought it was an interesting story and an unusual, gutsy move by the family of Robert Johnstone.
Yukimasa Nishiyama was a former Kamikaze pilot who won a scholarship from a family in Pennsylvania, a scholarship funded by the death of their son, Robert Johnstone, during WWII in the Pacific. It was the family’s way to honor their son by using the insurance money paid to them to fund the scholarship for a Japanese citizen to attend Lafayette College. They wanted to bridge the divide between the two countries.
His story made the news when he first arrived. In 1948 his story made the October 4th issue of Life Magazine, complete with photos. This story about Yukimasa was published in 1950:
January 23, 1950, article in the Pomona Progress Bulletin.
After college, Nishiyama went on to work for AMP, a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, company for three decades before retiring. You can read more about his life and experiences in this 1989 article.
September 14, 1989, in The Morning Call out of Pennsylvania
September 14, 1989, in The Morning Call out of Pennsylvania
I could not find any more information about his life following 1989.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Chris spotted this cool but pricey Willys stencil kit. Given a couple of these have been used, it doesn’t quite seem like it is an “NOS” kit, but still a rare find.
“NOS WILLYS JEEP STENCIL SET PART # 953049 9 STENCILS FOR TRUCK, WAGON,JEEPSTER AND FORWARD CONTROL TWO STENCILS USED ONCE BUT ALL SERVICABLE AS NEW VERY RARE ITEM!”
This image was included as part of the sale of a CJ-6 axle (pumpkin removed). It’s an ice-racer with an extended body and a mustang convertible top (reminiscent of the DJ-3A convertible top). It’s sort of an art-car ice-racer. Nice to see folks just having fun with their rigs.
According to the seller of the axle, “I used the [CJ-6] tub and frame to extend a CJ3B to add a Mustang convertible top.”
Here is a rare model of the Bantam BRC I bought a couple months ago on eBay; It is quarter-sized (1/76th scale) produced by Vac-U-Cast Plastics, Inc. On the one hand, I’d really like to assemble it; on the other, I like it’s original condition the way it is. The model number is VS-106 Bantam Jeep Prototype I.
Anyone have one of these FC-150 Demonstration Drive Salesforce contest brochures? I can’t remember where I saw/found these pics.
This “America’s Most Versatile Farm Tool” newspaper-like advertising piece (though printed on a heavier weight material than newsprint) is marked 484A250, which may mean it was published in April of 1948.
It would be really neat if someone has one of these vehicles.
View all the information on eBay
“MY FRIEND BOUGHT OUT AN OLD WILLY’S DEALER MANY YEARS AGO–IT WAS CALLED “BIG ED’S” IN SHEBOYGAN, WI. THESE ARE SOME OF THE ORIGINAL TAGS THAT WERE HUNG ON THE WILLY’S JEEPS FOR SALE. THESE ARE KIND OF COOL FOR THE COLLECTOR. THERE IS A 46, 50, 46, 47, 41″
This image appeared in the July 31, 1951, issue of the Wilmington Daily Journal. It shows a soldier checking US Army markings on the jeeps so he can determine from whom they were captured.
This LARC-15 was the first amphibious vehicle to cross Lake Michigan. It’s a pretty good accomplishment given the number of wrecks of larger vessels (estimates put the number of ship wrecked ships in Lake Michigan at approximately 1500).
View all the information on eBay
“1960 Press Photo Jeep unloads from United States Army LARC-15 amphibious vehicle. This is an original press photo. Amphibians – United States. A jeep unloads a rubber rolling liquid transporter off the ramp of a LARC-15, the Army’s newest amphibian which was produced by the Ingersol-Kalamazoo Division of Borg-Warner Corporation in conjunction with the United States Army Transportation Research Command. The LARC crossed Lake Michigan June 22 and became the first wheeled amphibian in history to accomplish such a voyage.Photo measures 10.25 x 8inches. Photo is dated 6-24-1960.
I’ve had this brochure for years, but never got around to scanning it until now. It’s form 473A250, which might mean it was published in March of 1947. This brochure folds out horizontally with four panes.
These next two images show how the entire brochure folds out, front and back.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This poster includes a jeep driven by soldiers looking as if they’d just driven from the Italian movie version of M*A*S*H. Given M*A*S*H was released the year before in 1970, maybe that wasn’t a coincidence?
As noted at IMDB, “A girl is drafted due to a misunderstanding and this gives her the occasion to check on her boy-friend, whom she believes to be a womanizer.”
“Original poster measures approximately 140 x 200 cm (78″x55″), in conditions as in the photo.”
These two photos show various aspects of Mighty Mite testing.
1) The first photo was taken in March of 1953 and shows a soldier escaping injury from an overturned Mighty Mite.
View all the information on eBay
“1953 Press Photo Captain CN Raper, “Mighty Mite” test run accident, Quantico, VA. This is an original press photo. Trucks – United States (Mighty Mite – Jeep type). Quantico, Virginia. At a demonstration today of the new “Mighty Mite” jeep, described as truck, utility, 1/4 ton, 4×4, the sandbag load shifted while the jeep was on an inclined bank, the vehicle overturned, but the driver, Captain C.N. Raper of Clearwater, Florida, was uninjured. Photo measures 9.25 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-20-1953.”
2) The second photo was taken in May of 1953 and shows another might might (3 units later than the first one pictured above), successfully navigating the Potomac.
View all the information on eBay
“1953 Press Photo Mighty Mite truck water test, Marine base, Quantico, Virginia. This is an original press photo. Trucks – United States (Mighty Mite). The “Mighty Mite,” modern version of the World War II jeep, splashes through the Potomac river at the Quantico, Virginia, Marine base on water tests. Kept afloat by four inflated tubes, the “Mite” is propelled by the oversized serration on the tire treads. It was developed by the Marines for delivery by airlift to terrain not accessible to combat vehicles. Photo measures 9.5 x 7.75 inches. Photo is dated 5-20-1953.”
This ad appeared in the May 1950 issue of Outdoor Life.
View all the information on eBay
“Outdoor Life 5/1950. Original magazine page. NOTE: You are buying a magazine page, a piece of paper. Sheet size given is approximate. [8 1/2 x 11″+/-]. Two page ads noted. Occasional small edge splits not affecting image or type may be present.”
Mark shared this brief look at the Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles over the years (there were several others, including this 2011 wiener food truck). Of course, during the late 1950s, the company built a dog mobile atop an FC chassis. Perhaps, most surprising, is the latest version, one I hadn’t seen (I won’t ruin the surprise).
https://www.windingroad.com/articles/lists/list-oscar-mayer-wienermobiles-throughout-history/#1
The first Wienermobile was built in Chicago in 1936 for $5000.
This Newgren field and pasture cultivator brochure is form N-168. It is the last of this series of color Newgren brochures that came with the jeep equipment book.
You never know when something obscure as this price list from February of 1949 will come in handy for someone. It’s a detailed look at the parts at the dealer pricing.
The driver sure looks young.
View all the information on eBay
“1944 Press Photo Installing Telephone Wires during Texas Field Practice. This is an original press photo. Another use to which the versatile jeep has been put in that of laying telephone wire as in the scene, during Texas Field Practice. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 01-21-1944.
Starting price for this ‘Jeep’ 4 Wheel Drive lighter is $75.
View all the information on ebay
“Great old lighter. From the estate of a longtime Toledo Jeep Employee.”
Anyone have photos of an actual 1948-1949 Deluxe Tool Kit? Or, if you have a 1948/1949 Jeepster manual, a pic of the front of the kit may be in there, too (according to this post). If you have either, please email me a pic of the front to d @ deilers.com. Thanks!
Claus is hoping to reproduce a leather kit version of this vinyl plastic tool holder and needs to see the inscription on the front of it. Here’s the back side (from the 1949 Willys Accessories Book):
Maynard Roberts pictures on the left in San Paulo, Brazil, from the January 23, 1950, issue of the Pomona Progress Bulletin.
In 1948, 34 year-old Maynard Roberts, from La Verne, California, traveled south into Mexico and spent the next 18 months exploring Central and South American. He wrote a series of articles for the Pomona Progress Bulletin detailing his trip. He’d hoped to write a book, but I have been unable to locate one. If he didn’t, it’s too bad, because I think he was a very good writer.
His skill is evident early on when he wrote a phrase that caught my attention, “About seven years ago I was keeping company with my last twenty-dollar bill …” His attention to details and telling a few small stories make his tale worth reading. It’s unfortunate that these articles only share snippets, for it seems he’s got a good story to tell and the skill to tell it.
His idea to travel germinated prior to WWII. He was born in Lima, Ohio, in 1914. As a child, his parents moved to California, Near the start of WWII he got the idea to travel to South America, so he began saving money. During WWII he was a draftsman, perhaps a skill learned during his college days at Chaffee college? Finally, by 1948, he saved up enough money to buy a jeep and afford to travel.
Part one of his adventure appeared in the January 09, 1950, issue of the Ponoma Progress Bulleting, split into two sections.
Part II: This is the second installment of Maynard’s adventure. It appeared in the January 16, 1950, issue of the Pomona Progress Bulletin.
This Newgren bed extender brochure is form N-166.
