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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 rare photo of a Willys MA.
“WWII PHOTO 1941 Pvt. Lawrence Miller in a MA Jeep @ Fort Benning, GA. This is a nice sharp original 2″ x 3″ photo in excellent condition.”
View all the information on eBay
Good shot of a Ford GP at Fort Benning.
“WWII POST CARD= FORD GP JEEP & 37M.M. GUN FT. BENNING, GA. The condition is excellent and measures 3.5 x 5.5”
“WWII PHOTO Bantam BRC-40 Jeep w/GI. This is a nice sharp original 3.5″ x 2.5″ photo in excellent condition. ——I have other photos listed and will combine shipping. If you are the winning bidder on 2 or more photos wait for the invoice.”
View all the information on eBay
Last month I learned about Paul Bruno’s new book, The First Jeep. “The First Jeep” is the initial release in Bruno’s Project Management in History series which will continue to investigate the entrepreneurial lessons that can be learned from compelling historical projects.
I’d planned to read it and report on it, but my time this month has disappeared (where did it go??), so I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. However, I wanted to make sure I mentioned the book in case anyone wanted to order it. As soon as I get done reading it, I’ll update the post with my thoughts. I have thumbed through it and learned that it’s got both early jeep history coupled with a parallel discussion of lessons to be learned form Bantam’s experience.
Project Management in History: The First Jeep (Project Management in History Series) (Volume 1)
This is another of a series of Ford GP photos from Lake Geneva.
“You are bidding on an original press photo of WWII Jeep Hauling Hay Trailer Lake Geneva WI Farm. Photo measures 7 x 9 inches and is dated 1/20/1944.”
View all the information on eBay
Robin Smith has been busy building a great assortment of brochures, photos and press photos. Below is one of a Willys MA .
He has posted his photos at Flickr —
Press photos :https://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157647046139314/
Non-press photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157648960517757/
Brochures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157630706512810/
The Austin Bantam Society shared a link to this interesting story about the use of a laser scanner by Direct Dimensions, INC, to scan what they describe as the Bantam BRC frame, but is really a BRC-60 frame according to Bill Spear. I’d read that the frame broke after heavy testing, but I don’t see any obvious breaks. I didn’t know it had been saved. It definitely has decayed.
http://www.laserdesign.com/project_news/200/
Bantam BRC original prototype frame
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
There are eleven postcards in this set. Only two were of jeeps. One is a great shot of a Ford GP.
“This lot contains 11 military (Army) vintage unused postcards some from Pine Camp NY, some from Fort Knox KY and 2 others are illustrations not colored photos and no location is noted. They were made by 2 different companies Genuine Curteich – Chicago Il and Santway Photo-Craft Company, Watertown NY. While unused most backs show soilage and most paper cards have creases. It seems that the linen cards resisted creasing but was not altogether immune. All have white borders and the fronts of the postcards show very little soilage.
I am not a postcard collector so see scans of fronts and make your own grading determination. I am not a professional grader just an avid collector selling off a 30 year collection so watch for my other auctions. I will describe the items as well and as accurately as I can and have tried to make my scans clear and show the whole item so that there will be no hidden surprises.”
Not the best quality, but this first photo appeared in the February 13, 1941, issue of the Spokesman Review. The photo shows Bantam BRC-60s laying down a smokescreen. The caption calls the vehicles “midget trucks” and then claims the trucks are called “bugs” by the troops.
However, by May 7th, 1941, the Spokesman Review was referring to the vehicle not as a truck, but as a command car called a “jeep”.
This 1940s card seems appropriate for today. Looks a lot like a Slat Grille MB.
A Ford GP named “TIRED” is adapting to civilian life by stopping at the Lake Geneva, Illinois, post office for mail.
“1944 Press Photo Civilians adapting the Jeep to normal ways of living.”
Robin purchased this early Ford Pygmy photo off of eBay. The photo is dated 12/05/40.
UPDATE: Was on eBay at $85,000. No bids made.
Fully restored 1941 WILLYS MA Prototype Jeep in factory class condition. This Jeep is ready to drive and display. Approx. 900 miles since restoration and full drive train rebuild. This Jeep has a clear Virginia title. 2 keys are included with the Jeep. Original MA Maintenance Manual is included. Make sure you look at all the 151 pictures and 2 YouTube clips in the provided links.
Serial: MA79594
Engine: MA-79924
Body: 1076
DOD: 7-24-1941
Registration# W-2020008 is correct for this serial MA79594
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
“You are bidding on a Ford GP prototype grill. It needs some repair to be perfect but I’m including the parts needed for the repair. It’s in great shape. The Head light brackets that are sometimes removed are also present. Good luck and happy bidding. Due to size exact shipping to be determined at the end of the auction.”
Here’s another Wheaties ad on eBay. Has a little bit of a Ford GP look to it.
“This old comic book ad (which ran in publications as a promotion, and measures approximately 6×9 inches) has a little wear, but is still in pretty good shape! Not a photocopy or more recent reproduction.”
View all the information on ebay
Steve spotted this one. The photo sold for $129.50 yesterday. It was listed as a photo of the first Ford GPW, but this is actually (I assume) the first Ford GP produced.
“A Vintage 1941 Original Photo announcing the introduction of the U.S. Army’s newest midget car called a “Jeep” ! This small four-wheel drive utility vehicles would become an icon of World War II Jeep. Here is the very 1st one to roll of the production line. Original press stamp and caption with a 2-28-41 date on the verso of this early photo of the famed vehicle”
Here’s a GP project.
“ If you’ve been looking for a good prototype jeep to restore, you have just found one. This jeep has been a three year project but unfortunately I have two other jeeps under restoration so I’m selling this one. It is a matching numbers second series GP. As you will see in the pictures the body was pretty good prior to restoration. It comes with almost everything needed to finish it. If it is not listed it does not come with the jeep. All panels were in great shape except for the floors. A new floor has been spot welded in but needs to be finished. The original tail panel was dented up so it was removed to take care of the dents. it still needs to be installed so the jeep can be re assembled. The engine was rebuilt by a machine shop very familiar with this engine. The head, angle drive distributor housing, intake, exhaust manifold, are all original and correct. The drive train is complete with the correct scalloped axles. A lot of the parts have been media blasted and painted but some are still in primer. The jeep will come with a solex and a reproduction air cleaner. A few of the parts such as voltage regulator, circuit braker, coil etc. are NOS that I’ve saved for this jeep. I tried to list everything that comes with the jeep but I’m sure I’m missing something so if you want to know please ask before you make a decision to bid. I’ve included some before pictures and some pictures of the restoration process. This is a great opportunity to get a GP at a fraction of its value. What you see is what you get, everything pictured comes with the vehicle”
View all the information on eBay
Paul’s ‘Goddess’ forwarded me a link about Yale’s Photogrammar website that contains 170,000 photographs from 1935 to 1945 created by the United State’s Farm Security Administration and Office of War Information (FSA-OWI).
One of the neater features shows all the photos mapped by county across the United States. Click here to see it: http://photogrammar.yale.edu/map/
The folks at FSA-OWI also had time to get jeep photos. You’ve likely seen many of them, but there are a few I don’t remember seeing. Here are my jeep search results.
Ford GP … Baltimore, Maryland. Colonel H.J. Lawes, post commander, Holabird quartermaster depot and commandant of the quartermaster motor transport school at the wheel of a “jeep” giving his pupils first-hand instructions on the vehicle training ground during a two-week preventive maintenance for motor vehicles course for officers
Fort Riley, Kansas. A jeep of a mechanized cavalry reconnaissance unit carrying a thirty caliber machine gun during a field problem. April 1942. Photo by Jack Delano.
Marc found this photo that highlighted the postwar opportunities for the jeep, but for some reason utilized a Willys MA.
View all the information on eBay
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Here’s a Bantam photo that I’ve never seen on the web.
“1942 Press Photo United States Army Midget Car by American Bantam Car Co.”
Marc discovered this ‘flying jeep’ ad that includes a Ford GP.
“Black and white aviation magazine advertising ad for the
1943 Flying Jeep / McAleer Grasshopper.
Approximate ad size 5″ X 8”
View all the information on eBay
Bob took some photos of this beautiful GP the weekend.
“Saw this nice ford gp at the ragersville, Ohio car and power show today. Guy has owned it for 30 years. It came out of Colorado. Still has the right engine and drivetrain. Nicely restored by the owner.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
This is a cool postcard. I wonder if it was based on a painting?
UPDATE: Still Available
(08/03/2014) Learn more about this Ford GP at http://www.fordgp.com.
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/cto/4599616854.html
