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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 .
John S. Van Gilder, in his ManHATtan column, tells the story of his first experience with a jeep in the September 13, 1942, issue of The Knoxville News:
The May 30, 1954, issue of the Nevada State Journal reported on the practice maneuvers of a squadron of jeepers unique to Nevada that worked with the local Civil Air Patrols on rescues. Nevada had two different squadrons, one in Washoe County and the other in Churchill County.
As you can see, the squadrons accepted a wide rand of jeeps. One is a slat grille MB, while others are CJs and wagons.
An article in the Hartford Courant on August 05, 1945, did a nice job of combining the initial press photos and press release information.
As of October of 1945, columnist William E. Jones notes that distributing agencies had already been established in South America. But, Willys-Overland would have a difficult time filling those orders right away, as a lack of transmissions, other production issues, and initial American orders from dealers totaling 30,000 jeeps, left the company scrambling to produce enough jeeps to meet demands.
Early look at a jeep being tested for farm work in 1942.
For you history geeks out there like me, the national archives operates a blog called the “Text Message” where archivists can share a bit of the massive information troves that make up the National Archives, complete with references. Unfortunately, in this case, the references have not been posted online, but at least researchers can now use the breadcrumbs from the post to help track down the relevant documents if need be.
One particular post, written by archivist Joseph Gillette in 2019, highlights the early tests of the jeep for farm work. One bit of info I found interesting highlights the War Department’s dedication to its troops. When Willys-Overland volunteered to send some new jeeps to the Ag Department for farm tests, the War Department responded it could not spare the new jeeps as soldiers desperately needed them, but it would authorize the use of used ones in running condition.
Read the entire blog post here: https://text-message.blogs.archives.gov/2019/04/23/it-will-do-everything-except-climb-a-tree/#_ftnref2
Here are some additional images from the post:
This article was published in the July 15, 1945, issue of the Journal Herald out of Dayton, Ohio. The title of the article is “Jeep Has a Rendezvous With America’s Postwar Era”. It proceed the official press release kit by a few days, so neither photo came from that first press kit.
The jeep shown on the right is a Willys MA. Back in 2013, a full press photo was sold on eBay. Curiously, the headlight on the driver’s side was missing.
The Ventura County Star-Free Press published an article on the new FC-150 Jeep in the December 04, 1956, issue of the paper.
This photo shows General MacArthur returning to Corregidor Island and crossing it via jeep.
“1945 Press Photo General MacArthur Riding in Jeep at Corregidor Island. This is an original press photo. General MacArthur returned to the Rock March 2, 1945, nearly three years after leaving for Australia, and inspected the ruined fortress. Corregidor IslandPhoto measures 10 x 8.25inches. Photo is dated 03-02-1945.”
A July 27, 1948, article in the San Bernardino County Sun introduced readers to Willys-Overland’s Jeepsters.
This March 21, 1943, photo and article highlight Rockridge School’s (Elementary?) WWII war efforts.
The July 27, 1943, issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer included two photos of the newly developed “Amphibious Jeep”. The writing on the side of the top SEEP reads, “Ike’s Invasion Taxi”.
This July 22, 1945, article in the St. Petersburg Times employs both the pics and much of the text used published the press release covered by these posts.
This May 11, 1945, article in New York’s Brooklyn Eagle shares some stories from Lt. Paul Vermylen’s adventures as a jeep driver in Europe.
Paul Vermylen would go on to live a full life (obit here). He married right after the war, then ran his family’s pasta business, A. Zerega’s Sons (was family owned through May of 2020, now owned by Philadelphia Macaroni). He passed away in 2015 at the age of 96.
This undated photo from the Netherlands asks citizens in Dutch to “please be gentlemen in traffic”.
View all the information on eBay
“A jeep parked in the city with a sign on his car. ‘Be a gentleman in traffic’.
The Netherlands. Photo size: 6.8″ x 7.1″ inches”
This “honeymoon” jeep was bedecked with whitewall (painted) tires and plenty of wedding finery. Inside the jeep was the price, WAC Cpl. Forence L. Bauer of Lyndhurst, Ohio, and Capt. Wilson W. Hopkins, Jr., of Durham, North Carolina. They spent their honeymoon in the Italian mountains during the late August of 1944.
This photo appeared in the August 20, 1944, in the Sunday News out of Ridgewood New Jersey.
It appears this seller has separated these photos from the August 1959 Jeep convention with Castro in Cuba, listing them in multiple auctions.
“Fidel Castro Willys Jeep 1959 Convention Photos. These are from an original 1959 willys Jeep South American convention folio the year of Castros takeover. A variety of shots,including Castro Holding a Willys manual. Printed 2 sides. App. 31/2” x 5” each.Condition is “Used”. Shipped with USPS First Class”
This photo dated July 11, 1941, shows actress Patricia Morrison sitting in a Ford GP, presumably for a photo shoot. In 1942, she joined the USO tour, entertaining troops in Great Britain. I suspect the men around her are fellow actors, but I can’t say for sure.
CREDIT: The Utah State Historical Society July 11, 1941.
CREDIT: The Utah State Historical Society July 11, 1941.
This article featuring a Kent Frost jeep tour through Needles was published on May 2, 1958, in the San Juan-Record out of Monticello, Utah. At the bottom I’ve included an image of the whole paper as I thought the illustrated header of the paper was well done.
A Ford GP captured in action.
View all the information on eBay
“1941 Press Photo soldiers drive a jeep thru rough terrain pulling anti-tank gun This is an original press photo. This unit was organized by the 2nd Corps as a weapon of opportunity to combat hostile mechanized threats at any part of the front where the enemy might break through, and is also used against paratroops (parachute troops) or any unexpected threat. The unit is 100% motorized, consisting of three 37 mm batteries, one 75mm battery, one Infantry Battalion, one Engineer Platoon, one Anti-tank Platoon, all equipped with radio communication. Photo shows a jeep crossing rough terrain pulling 37 mm anti-tank gun. Battery D, 44th Division Anti-Tank, Second Corps. (Commanded by Major H.R. Johnson, Wadesboro, N.C. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 11-03-1941.”
Steve shared this photo of a child in his new Hamilton pedal jeep. The photo seems to make the jeep look extra glossy.
CREDIT: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/vintage-shots-from-days-gone-by.428585/page-71 (half way down page)
It’s too bad this photo isn’t sharper as I’d like to see if those are wheels and hubs truly look like they are from a jeep. It looks like that body fits the jeep chassis pretty well. This photo appeared in the February 27, 1947, issue of the Brooklyn Citizen.
This photo and caption out of the February 11, 1946, issue of the Herald-Journal (Logan, Utah), shows the press photo that was for sale on eBay back in 2013.
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Originally Published September 18, 2013: According to the attached information, these jeeps were winterized with left over Japanese transport plane materials.
This 1946 photo was also available in 2013. It too was taken at a Japanese airbase, but it’s unclear to me if it is the Showa airbase or not.
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This press photo was taken in 1946 in Showa as well.
“This is an original press photo. Instead of manufacturing cargo planes for Japanese use, this assembly line is making US Jeeps fit for winter use. Japanese stocks of aluminum, plexiglass, rivets, iron rods and fabric are being fitted to jeep use. Photo measures 9.25 x 7 inches. Photo is dated 2-6-1946.”
This photo of a CJ-5 with a bed extension (possibly Kent Frost’s jeep) was taken in the Needles District of Canyonlands in 1963 or 1964. It can be viewed more in-depth at the Utah State Historical Society’s website.
CREDIT: Utah State Historical — Society https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6zw391g .. “Jeep party is shown ascending steep pitch through Needles area of projected Canyonlands National Park.”
Thanks to Roger Martin for spotting this photo on Facebook. This 1942 photo shows a jeep carrying an elevated target to help with shooting practice at Wendover Airfield. The photo was posted on Facebook by Damon Viola after he visited the The Historic Wendover Airfield Museum in Utah. He added, “This is a WWII Army Air Base dedicated in part to training the flight crew of the Enola Gay for the atomic bomb drop in Japan. If you’re ever in Western Utah I urge you to stop and check it out.”
Moving Target, Gunnery Range on Wendover Airfield, 1942. Courtesy of the Utah Historical Society.
UPDATE: This is back on eBay.
This looks to be a press photo of a fire department jeep from the city of Columbus, Georgia, The date of the photo appears to be March 27, but I can’t make out the year on the right side of the photo (maybe ’53). I think the posters on the grille read “Don’t let FIRE lick YOU”.
View all the information on eBay
“Press Photo Fire Department Jeep Col92671 10X8 Photo Photo Is Undated.”
