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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 three-part article appeared in the August 1959 issue of Car Life magazine. The first two-page article is a general look at both vehicles. Then, there’s a long review of the Willys Wagon followed by a long review of the Land Rover. I got the sense that the reviewer Mr. Jim Whipple was more impressed with the Land Rover than the wagon. You be the judge….
Willyls Wagon review:
UPDATE **SOLD**
This might be of interest to those in the area.
The arrival of the FJ-3s made the newspapers in a variety of states. This first article appeared in the February 02, 1961, issue of the Bridgeport Post out of Connecticut:
February 02, 1961, The Bridgeport Post, Bridgeport, CT.
February 02, 1961, The Bridgeport Post, Bridgeport, CT.
This next article appeared in the October 04, 1961, issue of the Owensboro, Kentucky, Messenger and Inquirer.
October 04, 1961, The Messenger and Inquirer, Owensboro, Kentucky,
The Mitchell, South Dakota, Post Office may have only purchased one FJ, but it still made the paper:
November 11, 1961, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD.
Here’s an add for the followup model, the FJ-3A .It appeared in The Lawton Constitution out of Oklahoma on January 07, 1962.
This is the more common version of the FJ-3A ad published across the country:
December 20, 1961, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, AZ.
These two Oregon Dealers landed in the news, eleven years apart.
In the first photo from July 01, 1951, Medford Mail Tribune, The Medford Corporation purchases a fleet of eight jeeps for its logging operations from William Leever of the Leever Motor company.
July 01, 1951, Medford Mail Tribune
The second photo and caption are from nine years later and 15 miles north of Roseburg in Umpqua, Oregon. The February 26, 1962, issue of The News-Review published this Umpqua Tractor ad for tractors and jeeps. You’ll note the rare site of an FJ-3A on display along side an FC.
February 26, 1962, issue of The News-Review, Roseburg, Oregon.
These club signs were on a 1967 CJ-6. The Drifters is an active California Jeep Club out of Southern California.
View all the information on eBay
This June 20, 1946, photo and caption on the Gustine Standard shows six jeeps purchased by the city of Merced for Mosquito Abatement. I didn’t realize jeeps were used so early for anti-mosquito work in California.
The first three ads appeared in Popular Mechanics during 1946, first in February, then March, then June. Note that the February ad does not include the King of Jeeps moniker, but the later two ads have it.
February 1946 Ad in Popular Mechanics, the earliest one I could find.
By June 1946 Berg was advertising Amphibious vehicles.
A November 1955 ad highlighted the use of private labeling by Berg. The hardtop looks like a Worman Jee-Cab that’s been rebranded “the Jeep King All Steel Cab”. I’m sure the “Jeep King Snow Plow” is another private labeled product.
This was the latest Ad from Berg that I found, though my searches were not extensive.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This is priced at $39 with free shipping. It’s a neat piece, especially the first page with the Willys Overland Motors Canfield custom book wrecker model XH-205.
“great old catalog from 1952 . canfield wreckers for willys jeeps and trucks detroit michigan , illustrated , 5 pages , cover shows age but good overall . free shipping in usa and canada”
This odd item includes two ads with FCs.
View all the information on eBay
“THIS IS A 8 BY 11 INCH BOOKLET FROM LOCAL 12 UNION SUMMER CAMP WOMANS GUILD.
MANY, MANY AREA ADVERTISERS ARE LISTED IN THIS BOOKLET.
THIS IS FOR THE ST. VALENTINES DAY DANCE AND FROLIC.
LISTED ALSO ARE THE DONORS NAMES AND PHOTOS OF THE STAFF.
BOOKLET IS IN LIKE NEW CONDITION.
GREAT COLLECTIBLE.
THANKS FOR LOOKING”
Old School pencil sharpener in the form of an M-151.
View all the information on ebay
“Item is a vintage Pencil Sharpener made in Hong Kong.
Item is a WILLY’S JEEP (JEEP does have the removable Top, NO picture)
Item is approx. 1-1/2″ by 3″ by 1-1/2″.
Item shows LITE wear as pictured.
LOOK at the photos they are part of the description.”
Cool sign!
View all the information on eBay
“For your consideration a sign. The sign is made of metal. It is hand made and has a painted finish. There is some damage to the finish. I am selling it as shown. It measures 48″ in width by 24″ in height. An excellent addition to any advertising collection or if you just want to own a really neat sign. I am selling this item with no reserve.”
This August 1, 1948, brochure extolls the five lines of trucks produced by Willys-Overland. This is one of the earliest Truck brochures, if not the earliest?
The problem I have with this brochure is that it doesn’t seem very clear on what constitutes the “five” truck lines. Are the wagons and jeeps considered trucks for the purposes of this brochure? Page 3 of the brochure suggests that could be the case. On the other hand, there’s no Universal ‘Jeep’ shown within the tri-fold main portion of the brochure (though a Universal jeep lands on the back of the brochure).
Based on the brochure, I would say the 5 TRUCK lines are 1) The 2WD ‘Jeep’ Pick-Up Truck; 2) The 4WD ‘Jeep’ Pick-Up Truck; 3) The ‘Jeep’ Platform Stake Truck; 4) The ‘Jeep’ Canopy Truck; and 5) The ‘Jeep’ Van Truck. I am likely incorrect about this …
Print date:
This August 21, 1960, article in the Ogden Standard Examiner out of Utah includes a photo of a CJ-2A with a home made, odd hardtop.
This December 22, 1940, article in the Birmingham News highlights the latest arrival of “midget automobiles” at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. I would imagine these are Bantam BRC-60s.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5000.
Never heard of the Eagle amphibious ATV. There might be a review of this in the August 1970 issue of Mechanix Illustrated.
“This is a very rare amphibious ATV. They competed for the military contract against Coot. Coot eventually won the contract so eagle went by the wayside. I have restored about 90% of this and have put in a well running Vanguard. It needs some work still to be completely finished but I have lost Interest in being the one to finish it. It would be cool to finish it and use it as a river rig or take it to the sand pits and you should be able to just drive out on the water with it, that was always my goal. One sold on eBay a few years ago it was completely restored for 7500. I have not seen one for sale since then, I see coots on there all the time but they’re much more common. Make me an offer or I’m open to trades. Motorcycles, four-door with a long box or anything that I can take to the lake. Let me know what you got.”
This October 09, 1954, article form the Longview Daily News puts the launch of the Trailerbreakers Jeep Club in April of 1954. That’s one view of Mount St. Helens that no longer exists!
There are some jeeps coming up for auction through Sotheby’s, along with a Mule. Note Lot 322 1951 M-38 that sold for $61,600!
This issue of Jeep News is packed full of items. One curious article is about the Longview Trailbreakers on the last page. The article claims the Trailbreakers were launched in April 1960, but the Tacoma Webfooters page claims the club had originated prior to mid-1958. The only thing I can think of is that the Trailerbreakers incorporated the club in April of 1960?
Also, on page 6 the Del-Monte Contest for a Jeep Surrey was something I hadn’t seen elsewhere (learn about the winning store here). Meanwhile, on page 2 the paper announced the Gotham City contest winner, one Mrs. Edwin C. Sly of Buffalo, New York.
On page one is a great photo and article about the Hong Kong exhibit at the Chicago Auto Show. And, on page one, are eight of nine mailers used in 1961 (the ninth is shown on page 2). I’ve shared eight of them on eWillys, but have yet to locate the “operation Zebra, or” brochure. Anyone have a copy of that? (Busy Bee; willing worker; To get the Lion’s Share …; You Can’t Hide…; don’t get taken for a ride!; best for all short hops; Big Family!; and need a friend?)
This three-page spread was unusual for Jeep News.
Buddies’ Market in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, announced in the April 27, 1961, issue of the The Mercury newspaper that it was the winner in a Readers Digest / Del-Monte contest for a “Pink Jeep and a polka dot sailboat”.
Below is a contest poster that was distributed to stores nation-wide (and printed in the March-April 1961 issue of Jeep News):
This is the announcement by Buddies’ Market:
UPDATE: This is back up for sale. Note that this is a column shift. As Carl noted, this is the correct orientation for the image, because if reversed the “WILLYS” would be backwards.
View all the information on eBay
This August 1960 article in the Longview Daily News out of Longview, Washington, notes that the Armstrongs, members of the Trailbreakers Jeep Club, chaired the two-day convention that resulted in the formation of the Pacific Northwest Jeep Association (Iater changed in 1965 to the present-day PNW4WDA — Pacific Northwest 4-Wheel Drive Association). Note that the article refers to the association as the “Pacific Northwest Jeep Club Association”, but a decision must have been made to drop the word “Club” from the name. (some historical PNW4WDA info on the Webfooters page).
August 02, 1960, Longview Daily News
The Trailbreakers still exist and were one of six charter clubs in the Association. In order of formation (or incorporation), I believe the six charter clubs were the (1) Yakima Ridge Runners, (2) Vancouver Four Wheelers, (3) Longview Trailerbreakers, (4) Brush Busters (?), (5) Tacoma Webfooters, (6) Seattle Jeep Club. (The Brush Busters out of Portland were formed in early 1958, but I haven’t confirmed they were at the convention, so please correct if I’m wrong).
The Tacoma Webfooters have a particularly unusual name. The story goes as follows: “It was time to name the 4th jeep club [ed. note I guess they didn’t know about the Brush Busters]. Who’s got any ideas? Burt Severeid said, “How about the Tacoma Webfooters Jeep Club? Oh, the complaints poured in about how silly that name was, but no one else came up with anything else, so it stuck!! The 4th jeep club in the northwest was to be called, “The Tacoma Webfooters” , with Bruce Cole as the first president.”
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Original Post from 2016: This is a great photo from the very first Pacific Northwest Jeep Association Summer Convention, prior to being renamed the PNW4WDA.
Arlene Brooks found this photo.
This brochure titled “Designed to Meet More Needs of More People” has a form number of SW73MI-SCM-350. It’s *possible* that the “350” marks a publish date of March 1950.
This is the full open brochure (16.5″ x 22″):
This May 9, 1952, ad for Aero Willys highlights dealers across the US, but especially in the Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho area. To hit 35mpg these cars had to have been traveling down hill!
I’m not sure how the “cube” branding plays into the marine engine?
View all the information on ebay
“Here I have a very RARE brochure for the
Jeep 155 V6 155 HP Marine Engine
Jeep/155 the Power Cube comes in a V
INBOARD OR OUTDRIVE
MARINE ENGINE
Stern Drives manufactured by Outboard marine
Corporation (OMC), and Universal Motor Company
Inboard available from both Revley Corporation
and Universal Motor Company
Flier is printed on heavy stock (Light cardboard)
Front has a very cool “Cube Cutout”
In its folded position it measures about 8 ¾ x 6 ¼ inches. Unfolds to about 26 ¾ x 6 ¼ inches.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $295.
Looks like this Hamilton pedal jeep spotted by Roger Martin has never been restored. The seller’s p# is in one of the images in the ad.
