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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 .
Here’s a cool image from 2006 taken in Iceland that I found on this Flickr Site.
You can see an imagine of a CJ-3B falling apart here, but the image is copyright protected.
I was checking some stats tonight and learned that readers from the country of Colombia constitute one of the largest blocks of readers of eWillys outside the US. So, in solidarity, I thought a few Yipao videos were in order 🙂
Part way through, watch as the driver climbs out while the jeep keeps spinning!
In this one, the driver jumps on top of the jeep while it spins:
This one includes a bee cage:
For quite sometime I have wondered where the below monument was located. I finally found out, from G503.com, where it is located. It is the Monument of Red Army WW2 drivers in Kyiv (Ukraine). Check out a variety of great pics from G503.com.
From G503 we can see the other side.
Roberto spotted this unusual Mitsuibishi CJ-3B with extended tool indents at Jeep Forum. I’ve not seen anything quite like it.
On the heals of last night’s post on the Nissan 4W60, we have the next major model of Nissan 4x4s which are sort of CJ-3Bish. They were produced from 1955 – 1960. You can learn about them here: 4W61, 4W65/ 4W66.
The 4W61 was produced from 1955 – 1958.
This is the 4W65 produced from 1958-1959. Now, while these have the correct side pieces, you can see the fenders look more like the 4W61. So, compare the front of the two below photos with the Black and white photo underneath.
http://www.earlydatsun.com/nissan4w65.html
The 4W66 was produced for six months in 1959 and 1960. I don’t have any good examples of this, but here’s a modified firetruck F4W66.
http://www.earlydatsun.com/nissan4w61.html
http://www.earlydatsun.com/nissan4w65.html
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/members-nissan-patrols-19/rays-restored-1958-4w65-patrol-20479/
http://offroadsz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1483
Roberto wrote to me asking if I knew of any manuals or other information for the restoration of a Datsun/Nissan 4W60 for a friend that is considering restoring one (if anyone knows of a manual, please let me know). Well, I didn’t even know the 4W60 existed. So, I started researching. Here are several models that followed the 4W60.
According to this site, Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi all submitted prototypes to the Japanese government in 1950 to win the rights to produce government 4wd vehicles. Mitsubishi would win, but Nissan and Toyota continued to develop 4wd vehicles anyway.
The Nissan Prototype submitted for consideration looked like this:
For the first production run starting in 1951, however, Nissan went with a very MB-like design. I tried to find restored examples of these, but had no luck.
The second version of the 4W60 had a few changes. I found this image on a Russian auto website, but misplaced the link.
Here’s a brochure from the Rocky Mountain Patrol and Offroad Website
The would also make a Wagon (4W60 wagon) and a Truck (4w70 Truck).
Here are some useful links:
http://www.rmp-o.com/literature/pages/4W60%20brochure%20002.htm
http://www.rmp-o.com/literature/index.htm
http://www.earlydatsun.com/nissan4w60.html
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/members-nissan-patrols-19/rays-restored-1958-4w65-patrol-20479/
Wolfgang lives in Germany and has a great looking M-38. But, I think that travel trailer is equally cool. It was built in Belgium in 1977 and the model is a Coral T3.
BTW Wolfgang is looking for a Bell Crank. Anyone have an extra one? Just email me at d@ewillys.com.
Here’s the shot of the trailer:
Wolfgang and some friends were out jeeping recently. As you can see, he’s not afraid to get it dirty, either.
I thought this was a really cool shot. They are crossing a river on a small ferry. The town in the background looks so picturesque!
Check out the rims on the CJ-2A. I’ve never seen rims quite like those. I don’t have any specific information, other than the pics.
CJ-2A:
CJ-3A:
UPDATE: You can see the final build here.
A citizen of Uruguay, Hugo recently contacted me to appropriately correct me from confusing a town, Londrinha, that doesn’t exist in Puerto Rico with one that does exist in Brazil (In this case, I believe I can blame Google Maps for my error!).
Because of this error, I got to know a little more about Uruguay, which it turns out I didn’t really know that much about. One cool thing I learned is a hand was installed on (or more accurately into) the Punta del Este Beach in 1982 by Chilean artist Mario Irarrazabal. He titled it the Monumento al Ahogado (Monument to the Drowned). Apparently, he did another, different hand in a Chilean desert.
Hugo reports that the jeeping is excellent in Uruguay, though he hasn’t had much of a chance to jeep this summer (it is summer there of course right now), because his CJ-3A is currently dismantled in his garage for repair. However, he did forward this picture. Thanks for sharing!
Rudolf, a native of Holland, has moved to the island of Bali in Indonesia. There, he stumbled on this unusual 6×6 last month. Well, I guess he has found some other WWII flatties. He thought readers might be interested in purchasing them if the export/import can be worked out.
Here’s a 1944 MB he found:
Following the stainless bodies last night, I figured I’d head to the Phillipines and find some non Jeepney, but equally interesting, flatties. I didn’t have to search too hard for a good forum thread on what I’d call “low rider flatties”. You can see the beginning of the thread here: tsikot.com or click on the pictures to get to the relevant page of the thread.
This looks real nice. I’m pretty sure those speakers in the back aren’t factory!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFvFWGNr2mE&feature=related
When I last heard from Egon in early 2010, he was considering mounting a flat fender body onto his CJ-5. However, during the intervening months he had the opportunity to purchase a mostly restored CJ-3A, which was originally brought to Europe for the Swiss Army.
The body on this flattie was replaced about 12 years ago, while the transmission and engine are original to the Jeep. He spent time this year finishing the project, adding a roll bar, new rims and new tires. He plans to use his new toy to hunt and explore in and around his Liechtenstein countryside.
I’ve also included a couple pics Egon sent me about a recent hunting trip to Russia where he spent time with some friends. In his email about the trip, he mentions the All-Wheel-Drive Niva, about which I was unfamiliar; So, I researched the Niva, which lead to this post. He notes that the Niva functions well on the Russian terrain of Kirov, however it is a little small for a hunter and all his gear.
After Restoration
I received an email from Hein a few days ago regarding his CJ-3B. His email is a good reminder that if your engine lacks power, you might consider improving the electronics. Thanks for sharing!
Hein writes, “Since the rebuild last-year, I have been putting-off the replacement of the hand-brake cable. So a call to Marathon-Spares (in Australia) was way overdue! While ordering these spares I had a chat with Neil about my rough running engine, thinking I should get a new set of points and condensor as well as bushes, cap etc for the distributor.
He told me he had just replaced the motor in his MB with a Toyota 2.4, because it is used as a daily-driver and advertising for his business, so he offered me the complete Dizzy out of his motor for a mere $75! Needless to say I didn’t hesitate a moment to include that in the package as well. The interesting bit is that it is a solid-state unit requiring a Electronic-coil and the removal of the wound-wire ballast-resistor (we had to get a Auto-Electrician in to help with the wiring bit), but the result could not have been more Amazing!!!
Suddenly, it felt like I had replaced the whole motor ! The old F-head had so much more punch that it blew out the rusty spots on the muffler, so just yesterday I replaced the whole system with a slightly larger-diametre complete Stainless-Steel system, which not only further enhanced the performance but also gave the old-girl a distincly cocky snarl too. I don’t think I am exagerating if I say the combination must have increased overall output by between 30 and 5o%! Other than finding a completely new one that was preserved in a time-capsule somewhere, this must be as close to driving one straight off the dealers floor in ’53 as you can come today. I won’t even trade it for one of those brand-new Icon Replicas now, although I wouldn’t mind having one of them as a daily-driver too?”
Hein’s CJ-3B has been featured at the CJ-3B Page.
Hein, his wife and their daughter took a 16 day trip in September, 2010, into Australia’s Outback. Hein provides this report and these images of his great adventure. If you missed it, one of their more memorable encounters was with the Camel Man, which I reported a few days ago. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us Hein!
Hein writes, We had a Fantastic trip through the Outback, not totally without its “interesting” moments! We broke the trailer chassis completely on day 2, blew a tyre in the middle of the desert and had to replace that, but the Jeep ran like clockwork trough some extremely harsh terrain.
Some of the roads were so corrugated that even with soft tyres we vibrated clean off the road at 20 to 40 kmh; then there were other sections where we plowed differential-deep trough clay and mud for hundreds of kilometres at a time, but all in the name of FUN!
We covered over 7,000 km (4350 miles) in the 2 weeks, 80% off sealed roads, and camped wherever we got to each day. The average fuel-consumption was just a fraction better than my 7.5 km/L expected, with the average price of fuel about $ 1.75 /L due to transport-costs to these remote locations. It was certainly a trip to remember!
Day 1) We left Brisbane heading due-west trough some farming-country and camped on the bank of an abandoned road-quarry with looming rain-clouds Everywhere!
Day 2) It rained quite heavy during night. We had to pack-up in the rain and head out further west into ever more sparsely populated areas, encountering the first of many roads closed or severely-damaged due to flooding. As a result: the next town was already out of Fuel! The last 100 km of Adventure-Way into Innamincka was barely passable even in 4wd. We passed a few abandoned trucks already stuck axle-deep, pummeled by constant rain.
The light was fading and we had no idea where or if we are going to reach somewhere to sleep. Needless to say, the family was extremely Anxious and Scared! Well after dark we continued travelling, the road now an Absolute Quagmire that the Jeep can barely crawl trough in 2nd/3rd gear.
As we approached about the hundredth floodway (normally dry , now a Raging-River), this one more churned up than most by some previously-stuck truck, I had to really nurse and cajole the jeep to get trough. Slip, slide, bounce, repeat was the process until we barely make it up the opposite bank.
However, there was a casualty, the trailer now sat at a Very Disturbing angle. I launched myself out with the camera and ratchet-strap into the pouring rain and ankle-deep mud, with daughter crying and wife not looking too happy either. Fortunately, my wife is a farm-girl and trusted that I would make a plan. A few minutes later I had the trailer strapped together and we limped into town after another half-hour, and one last river-crossing, straight into the Hotel!
Day 3) With the trailer needing repair, I had to unload everything and find Kbong, a local Trucky with the only workshop in town. After moving the family to a camp in the National Park across the river, I would spend the rest of the day cutting out the remains of the rusted and broken frame. Then in the afternoon, I built a much-sturdier new, vastly-improved little red-trailer, from the only length of 2 1/2″ Square-tubing in town. Then, I got to immediately test it by crossing the now flooding river to meet up with the family at the National Park!
For our India readers, we have this Jeep for sale. I don’t have any pics just yet.
“1955 willys for sale; price 3lakhs; interested contact 09440369911; original petrol hurricane engine in good running condition with up to date papers.”
Claus reports that he and some friends enjoyed a short vacation recently and has some pics to share with us!
Claus writes, “We have finally done a short weekend trip up the West Coast of SA. Nothing hectic just 6 jeeps and 3 trailers going on a stroll. The route all together was about 220km, but it was just fun enjoy the ride and in the evening sitting around a camp fire and enjoying all jeep talk. Just therapeutic for the owners”
I asked Claus about the unusual stonework for the fireplace. He informed me that, “The fireplace is built like that so it allows many people to “braai”. In the centre you make the big fire and then people can sit around it and scrape the hot coals from the centre out to the sides where you can braai or bbq your meat. So you always have a big fire in the middle so it continuously burns and provides hot coals. They don’t all look like that here. The camp site serves 6 tents so you can just all gather around one fireplace and be social.” Learn about Braai here.
Bruce forwarded me these unusual and rare posts cards of some unusual Surreys (here’s a compilation of Surrey & DJ info). Bruce has attempted to contact the Las Brisas Manager to learn if they have a historian of sorts for their jeeps in use, but he hasn’t had any luck. If anyone has any Las Brisas connections, please let me know! Thanks for sharing Bruce.
Check out the guy driving the jeep, a stick no less, carrying a tray of food!
Brian writes, “
These 2 jeeps offer clues but also leaves one with more questions. The extended tub, tailgate, baby moon hubcaps, valance panels, and an absence of chrome bumpers. Also, there was no date stamp on the card, but it looks to be from the late/early 50-60s.
On the back of the postcard, written in both English and Spanish, it reads Room service by jeeps- unique at hotel Las Brisas in Acapulco where every room a has it’s own pool.”
I hadn’t heard from Sebastian for several months, so it was a nice surprise to get an email from him. It turns out he just returned from a trip to his native country of Colombia.
Among his exploits on vacation was a 2 day trip in a CJ-3A with his dad that took them from Medellin to Bogota, covering nearly 400 km (about 250 miles) with elevations varying between 1300 ft to 8500 ft.
Sebastian provides images from his trip as the Flat Fender Club of Butler’s website. I’ve linked to a couple below. I’m hoping to sneak into his luggage on his next trip to Colombia — it’s a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing Sebastian!
The shipping on this from Argentina would be a killer — However, I can’t say I’ve ever seen these for sale in the US. You can learn more about the JA-3UB here (though the translation is rough).
Here is an example of a IKA Jeep with an unusual soft top.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2995.
“Selling a 1967 DKW MUNGA jeep. These jeeps were manufactured by DKW, 1 of the 4 rings of the Auto Union. this car was imported from Europe a few years ago, it has a 1000cc 3 cylinder 2 stroke motor and is 4 wheel drive. the engine was running but was low in power ( and you need all you can out of the 1000cc engine to move the beast!). My mechanic tested it and the seals need to be replaced, i ordered the parts from Europe and they will be included. many in Europe were fitted with Ford V4 engines, Renault 12 engines or Opel 4 cylinder engine for more power. You will surely be the only one on the block with a Munga. Also delivery can be made by plane, they were equipped with a parachuting hook! just in case! selling for $2995, that is less than the shipping and importing fees from Europe, must make room. Thank you for looking, contact me for more photos or info. Happy motoring. John”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
These don’t appear very often. I’m not sure how easy, or not, they are to import into the US.
“This is a no-reserve auction for a super rare 1977 Mitsubishi Willys Jeep J54 Diesel right hand drive in Immaculate condition. It has a professionally installed dual tank fuel system which means it can run on diesel or vegetable oil. The system was professionally installed and runs exceptionally well. The Jeep also has new TA’s with less than a 1000 miles. The title is clear and clean. No rips or tears in the seats. No dents or body damage. Runs and drives excellent. Bikini top and doors included.”
UPDATE: Was $9500 **SOLD**
This is an interesting jeep. I am not familiar with the J-52, though I haven’t researched the early history of Mitsubishi. The seller of this has been doing research of his own on this jeep for several years, as a post on the Willys M Jeeps forums as early as 2006 notes his search efforts. The photos of this jeep are worth reviewing as it is a combination of some unusual features. A quick search did reveal the J-53/54. Finally, I found this table that shows the J-52 had the KE47 engine.
“Before I can get into the specifics of this little jeep, I feel I need to explain a little about it because there is very little information about the Mitsubishi J52 on the internet, and there are no photographs I can find depicting the body style like the one you see here. I found this one at a little jeep lot on Okinawa around 2006. The dealer said it had come with a shipment of used jeeps from Tokyo. I bought it and restored it there on the island, and the Government shipped it to the US as part of my household goods when my family and I returned from overseas. I have had it since then and it has enjoyed local acclaim, appearing in several parades and winning “Best All Around” at a local car show. All guys — and all little kids — absolutely love it!
It is my OPINION that this was one of the original Mitsubishi/Willys collaboration after WWII. It’s a very early model J52, serial number “J52-00261”, and from this I believe the production number to be #261, or that this jeep was number 261 off the production line. Because there are radio mount holes and radio table holes in the right rear fender, and because of the rifle mount racks present on the windshield frame, I believe this jeep to have been actually used and maintained by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces after the US stopped occupation in the early 1950’s. It is also my opinion that they continued to use this jeep until 1973, when it was sold to the civilian market. I believe this for two reasons: first, the title says it’s a 1973 model; second, I can’t find a photograph of a 1973 Mitsubishi J52 that looks like this one. (I also can’t prove a bit of this!)
This jeep was fully restored in 2006, everything was taken off the vehicle and repaired/restored/repainted; however, we did not take the tub off the frame. I wish we had, because the channels are beginning to rust, and there are a few rust spots beginning to show around the door seams on the tub. There is also some rust on the inner windshield frame where water collected underneath the glass and rusted it from the inside. Other than those, there are a few very small bubbles beginning to appear, which I can point out to a serious bidder. There is no rust on the floor pans or in the bed, the footpads are solid, the frame is undercoated and protected. This is a solid jeep.
The engine is a Mitsubishi KE-47 gasoline powered four-cyliner. It runs like a top and purrs like a kitten. There are no oil leaks, compression is great. Manual choke. Transmission shifts great, three-speed with reverse. Four-wheel drive and high/low transfer cases all work. All lights work, although it has recently developed a dislike of high-beam headlights – sometimes they won’t come on and lows will have to do. Front blackout lights work! Fender-mounted blackout light is not connected. Vacuum-powered wipers.
Canvas top was made on Okinawa by Mr. Shima, who used the old torn-up one as a pattern. Seat pads are cordura and were made by Mr. Scott of Texas.
This jeep has been either carported or garaged since it’s been in the States. Being in the military means moving a lot and sometimes it has had to do its “military share” by spending some time in the elements, but we have taken care of this jeep and it has meant a lot to our family. We are headed back to Okinawa for another three years, and I think it’s time to send it on its way to another owner who will value and care for it. If that’s you, you’re getting a good one and you can count on truthful answers to any questions you might have.”
This is the 1973 Mistubishi Prototype “Pajero”. Unfortunately, I can’t remember where I found the photos. Next to the wagon, is what I call the CJ-3B Wagon, but what Mistubishi called the CJ3B-J11, created in 1956. You can see a full version of it below. Click here to see the Mitsubishi virtual museum.
A shed of dreams? I came across the phrase while, as usual, searching for something else.
As best as I can put together, the shed was located in Greece and was full of old MBs, GPWs, Parts, and more. The Jeep Draw website has a large number of images showing rows of old jeeps. One pic shows at least 20 jeeps sitting 3 rows high.
According to Thomas Jacobson’s jeep website (which has some good jeep info), the shed of dreams existed as late as 2001, as that is when Thomas visited the shed and took a whole bunch of pictures.
According to a discussion thread on the Steel Soldier’s website, the shed no longer exists as the jeeps have been sold.
Here is an example of one of Thomas’s images:
