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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 .
The ad for the Farm ‘Jeep’ appeared in an unknown magazine.
View all the information on eBay
“1954 Willys 4 wheel Drive Farm Jeep AD, taken from a 1954 magazine. AD measures about 5 x 8. Condition is Good with some discoloration from age.”
UPDATE III: Robert’s RLT Husky
UPDATE II: Ray sent some pics of a Husky he built in 1992. (Also, if you are in the UK, I know of a Husky kit jeep for sale in Jersey)
Ray built this RLT Husky R.V. atop a Ford Escort MK2 chassis. It took Ray 2 years to build his rig. He combined the kit with original parts. As you can see, it is one of the more authentic looking Husky-jeeps built from the kit. Ray sold his RLT Husky in 1995.
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Originally posted August of 2013:
Sometimes called the Husky R.V. or the R.L.T. Husky, this Jeep Kit was sold out of the UK and used atop a Ford Taurus or Ford Escort Mark IV (and other cars?). It was available for an unknown period during the 1980s and 1990s.
“R.V. – Rugged and Versatile aptly describes these tough, reliable and inexpensive all-weather vehicles. The unique exterior MDF body combines great strength with structural rigidity and will not rust, crack, craze or splinter, yet is easy to repair.
The sturdy steel chassis, with substantial (de)fenders front & rear, is built for long life, stability and to cope with rugged conditions. Seating can vary from 2 fronts with a rear load space, which can be fitted with forward, rearward or inward facing rear seats, accessed via a ‘walk-thru’ from the front can be accommodated by simple modification to the cutting and assembly process, or the rear zip up rear hood window, with or without the optional opening tailgate
Fold-flat windscreen. Ford front engine/RWD ensures safe predictable handling, amazing traction and reliable mechanics. Nimble as an Escort, the HUSKY turns tighter than a London Taxi and yet provides a comfortable ride even over rough terrain. Safety options include a hefty Roll Bar, front Nudge Bar and chassis mounted Side Impact bars/steps”
Some pictures:
The July 19, 1956, issue of the Auburn Journal reported on the Auburn Chamber of Commerce’s sixth annual jeep trip to Lake Tahoe.
Here are some Canadian FC ads on eBay. One describes a contest in 1957.
View all the information on eBay
“1950’S WILLYS JEEP FC-150 PRINT ADS (3). Good to fair condition. One of the ads is a 1957 full page ad measuring 8.5 x 11 inches. The other two are half page ads.”
Here’s something unusual.
View all the information on eBay
“Vintage Jeep Willys Kaiser CJ2A CJ3A CJ5 Jeepster Wagon Pickup lubricant can NOS”
This cautionary sign about speed was placed atop this wrecked jeep.
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“Original WW2 photo (3.3 x 2.25 inches), slightly curled from age. No writing on the back. The sign reads “Here lies the body of G.I. Joe – He broke his neck while on the go – His nickname was ‘Speedy’ his last name Burney – He’s had it, brothers – His Sentimental Journey”.”
This press release was part of a package of press releases and photos from eBay. It’s appears to be a press kit of some kind. There are four press releases total, each varying in size. This 14-page version A is the largest.
What is “pulling stone boat”? Apparently, the post-war jeep could do that better than the war-jeep (page A-6).
This first CJ-3B focused ad was published in the April 09, 1953, issue of the Barre Daily Times out of Barre, Vermont. It demonstrated how the Universal ‘Jeep’ “Pays its way Fast!”. It was paid for by Vermont-Willys, INC.
April 09, 1953, in the Barre Daily Times out of Barre, Vermont.
This next ad appeared two weeks later in the April 21, 1953, issue of the Sentinel out of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It was sponsored by the William Peiper Garage.
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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
