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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 .
I’ve seen it called a lot of things, but never “Gnat Tank” (see caption).
“WWII Bantam No. 1 Jeep Prototype Blitz Buggy Tested at Camp Holabird Press Photo”
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It doesn’t run. Has a rear pto.
“1948 jeep willys cj2a. Does not run! Everything is there just needs to be gone through. Its a project but its complete. Motor turns over. Rolls and steers fine. Factory pto. Would like to see $2000 for it. Original pink in my hand. ”
http://chico.craigslist.org/cto/5184386895.html
Neat card, but crazy price!
“Vintage 1942 Hallmark Greeting Card. Oh so Patriotic!!! Little Boy and Girl in Jeep with fabric American flag. Card measures approx 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches. It is in Great Shape- Still attached to card stock from scrapbook.”
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Don shared these photos of jeeps from his visit to the the New Mexico Museum of Military History Albuquerque, New Mexico (That is the Facebook page … it’s website doesn’t appear to be working). This place is only about a mile away from the jeep dealership that has the CJ-2A in it. Note the Ford GP! Don sent a selfie this time 🙂
Cool photo.
“1942 Press Photo U.S. Army on Peeps and Anti Tank Guns.”
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This is a great photo showing a line of Bantam BRC-60s.
“WWII Line of Bantam Prototype Pre-Willys Jeeps at Fort Benning Orig Press Photo”
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Don visited the Pennsylvania Military Museum a couple days ago and discovered it houses a Bantam BRC-40. Had I known this we would have made an effort to get there during our trip in 2013. Thanks to Don for taking some photos for us!
The Pennsylvania Military Museum is located on Business 322 in Boalsburg; three miles east of State College. It is one of 26 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trail of History, administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC).
This 2014 video by Motor Trend includes a visit to a private collector in Marin County, California, who owns a Bantan BRC-40, a Ford GPA Seep, other jeeps, and other military equipment.
Motor Trend 2014 Bantam BRC-40 http://wot.motortrend.com/1402_epic_drives_episode_26_touring_marin_county_mclaren_mp4_12c_spider.html
UPDATE: I located a full video clip of the ‘jeep’. Mark discovered via Hemmings that this was a plywood prop built on a Ford chassis for the Laurel & Hardy movie Great Guns. It’s reported the prop still exists in a private collection.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
This May 1942 Junior Scholastic magazine had a Ford GP on the cover.
“Junior Scholastic magazine for school kids. Week of April 27-May 2 1942 issue.
16 pages. A little larger than 8 inches x 11 inches.
World War II era article about the modern mechanized cavalry charging into battle on motorized vehicles, motorcycles (like the Harley-Davidson WLA), and even horses still.
Complete. Clean pages. No water damage. No creases. Normal amount of age-browning to the paper. Considering the newspaper-quality wartime paper used, this magazine is in remarkably nice condition after 70 plus years. There’s some minimal red marking here and there. The delicate folded, stapled-binding has a small amount of separation along the top and bottom edges, but is holding together well.”
It’s not quite ready to drive yet, but I can pretend to drive this former four-wheel-steer Bantam. Someday I will drive a running one!
On Monday we drove down to Boise where we met up with Josh to see his prized four-wheel-steer Bantam BRC-40, which appears to have been converted to two-wheel-steer by the military. According to Josh, the four wheel-steer-jeeps were horrendous to drive, so they weren’t used that way for long. He’s in the process of gathering the parts he needs to do a full restoration on it.
Two interesting tidbits about the four wheel steer Bantams. In the first photo, the inner sides of the wheel wells were beaten with hammers to accommodate the four-wheel-steer mechanisms.
One way to identify a four-wheel-steer is by shocks mounted inside and in back of the springs like the ones shown below.
Josh has a few other jeeps around as well. I got so busy talking with him that I forgot to photograph the others. Meanwhile, my photographer got chilly, so she returned to the jeep. Zollie accompanied us on our trip, so Ann posed him in front of this jeep.
After spending Monday night in Boise, we drove down to Salt Lake on Tuesday. We picked up the boys and went to eat some delicious food at the Mahider Ethiopian restaurant. Below is the huge plate of food we ordered. To eat, you tear some of the spongy, fermented bread called Injera from the edges of the plate and scoop up food with it.
On Wednesday we went to Kimball Junction to see the Topeka Hiway Mower for sale here. After that we returned to Salt Lake City and took Colter to a movie (Karson was busy with college). Unfortunately, by Wednesday afternoon snow was predicted on the Blue Mountains in Oregon, so we decided to head back Thursday night.
It was a short visit to Utah, but a good one.
That’s a great early photo!
“WWII Ford Pygmy Pilot Vehicle during Test at Camp Holabird Jeep Orig Press Photo”
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Marc pointed out this history update over at Hemmings.
This April 14, 1941, article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shared an article about “American-China” support of the army’s new Blitz Buggy, a Bantam BRC-40.
Good front-end shot of a BRC-60
“1941- Troops at Fort Benning in Bantam prototype pre-Willys jeep armed with 30 caliber and 50 caliber machine guns.”
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on ebay.
The mule is pulling the stuck Bantam “midget tractor” out of the mud.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6800
(08/14/2014) Runs and drives.
“Willys Jeep CJ-2A 1948 Restored Runs,drives, and rides great, New paint inside and out. Front disk breaks, Has locker in front in for better traction in 4WD, Lots and Lots of new parts. Needs nothing. No rust, has lock out hubs, Great condition. Head turner. Has all orig. drive train and body. $6800.”
Both Paul and Ted spotted this color Willys MA photo. It’s part of a collection of photos. You can see them below.
Great photo!
“1941- Because he was the first person to buy a defense savings bond at Treasury House in Rockefeller Plaza, actor Eddie Cantor was taken for a ride in an Army jeep. Shown here on the steps of the Bowery Savings Bank on 42nd Street.”
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The tread on the spare tire is just great.
“For auction is an 7 x9 inch original US press photo of a BRC (Bantam Recon. Car). It was issued to the press on 3/19/1941 to publicize the development of the Bantam military car.”
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Great press photo.
“1942- Soldiers in a Bantam BRC-40 Jeep towing a 37mm anti-aircraft gun go airborne as they top a hill at high speed.”
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
A poster of a penguin driving a Bantam BRC-60 sponsored by Kool Cigarettes. It is 20″ wide by 30″ tall.
“Up for sale is this Super Rare estate fresh WWII era Kool Cigarettes advertising sign / poster featuring Kool’s Willie the Penguin in WWII attire driving a military jeep with a Kool Cigarette Machine Gun on the hood and shells exploding in the background. The poster reads ‘KOOLS The Pack To Take Wherever You Go!’ The bottom of the poster reads ‘Save B&W Coupons for US War Stamps’. The poster measures 30 inches tall by 20 inches wide. The poster is in good condition for its age and has great color although there is a good deal of wear and creases around the edges and holes where the poster had been hung (Please See Photos). These issues don’t take away from this great WWII advertising image and this would make a great addition to any WWII, Advertising, or Tobacco collection.”
