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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 .
Last night I spent the night at the new place, but I misplaced my hotspot, so no updates Tuesday morning. I will hunt for the hotspot and post a couple vids later today if I can find it.
This news reel features three segments. The middle one is especially interesting as it shows Ford GPA Seeps zipping around a park in Philadelphia, then jumping into a lake.
“New Jersey. Various shots of the “Nappy National” in New Jersey. Parents putting nappies on their babies – this is a race. Babies take part in a crawling race – an annual event.
Philadelphia. Various shots of the new amphibious jeeps showing their paces. Jeep goes up and down some steps and then leaps from land into a lake and back again.
San Francisco. Various shots of the sea lions at the San Francisco Zoo performing for audience of children at feeding time – swimming around and leaping over and under obstacles.”
This oddly titled video, most likely based on a phrase used during the first segment, shows soldiers training to be imaginative in the midst of battle. Jeeps are used in multiple scenes as impromptu ambulances.
“Location of events unknown.
Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) in training under mock battle conditions. M/S of RAMC men guiding walking wounded and carry stretchers. They duck from explosions. The wounded are taken to makeshift medical tent – a lorry covered with a tarpaulin. Various shots of jeep being transported across lake on barge, whilst under fire. The jeep is rigged up as ambulance to carry stretcher cases. Various shots of RAMC men taking stretcher cases across lake by rowing a makeshift raft (hay bales covered in tarpaulin). M/S of RAMC man swimming across lake. He fixes up two ropes. Two more RAMC men, with stretcher harnessed between them, cross lake using ropes.”
This unusual pamphlet, pre-jeep by a couple decades, is a letter-turned brochure touting the use of the Willys-Knight vehicles on the auto stage route between Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek, Colorado. The date of 1919 is based on the author’s assessment of his Willys-Knight vehicle two years after purchasing it in January of 1917.
View all the information on eBay
“This advertising pamphlet/booklet has 12 center-stapled pages, including the two covers. It is in excellent condition for its age and previous handling: no foxing, tape, writing, odor or stains.
There are a few edge tears, as shown in the pics.
The pamphlet is essentially a personal endorsement in the form of a copy of a letter from Leo M. Wright to Willys-Overland in which he describes his experiences with “Willys-Knight” vehicles on his ‘stage line’ of about 43 miles from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek. He provides many details: “… our first Willys-Knight ran 97,00 miles at a mechanical expense of $149.80 … gasoline averages show about 14 miles to the gallon and oil about 400 miles to the gallon…””
Shot in Marineland, Florida, this 1951 video shows one of the M-38 underwater tests.
View looking up the main driveway.
As I mentioned late last week, updates will be predictable for at least the next week. Other than videos and a few jeeps, the story line will be updates the challenges and successes of getting the “eWilly HQ” up and running.
We are making progress, slowly. Our hope was to fully move in by May 1, but life keeps throwing obstacles in our path. For example, on Wednesday Ann tripped on a sidewalk lip at the local mall (an issue that had already been reported to mall maintenance, but not yet fixed) and fell into a light pole. She was hurt bad enough (partly body pain and partly just pissed that it happened), that she asked me to come get her. That laid her up for two days.
Additionally, the sellers were delayed getting out, limiting us on what we could do this past week. They were finally out Wednesday, so we began moving stuff in the truck and jeep into the shop and house garage. These frequent trips coincided with various chores (like alternating the pasture watering).
Before we beginning to move stuff inside the house, we wanted to bug/flea bomb it as a precaution for our dogs, then began cleaning. Once we began cleaning, we learned just how dirty the place still was. For example, we have a commercial quality floor shampooer that was bringing up lumps of dog hair out of the master bedroom carpet. This extra deep cleaning will delay us, as we are going to have to hire someone to professionally clean most of the house as we have our hands full with other issues.
Being spring, the lawn, the pasture grass, and the weeds are growing rapidly (seller didn’t get a chance to spray anything before moving). We wished we could have moved-in last month, as that would have given us a lead time to get moved-in, then deal with how best to manage the property. But, the water’s under the bridge on that. Once we get the tools and resources we need, managing the property will be much easier.
On the plus side, we now understand how the house irrigation and the pasture irrigation systems work (with nothing broken as promised). So, everything is getting watered and growing well, though a little too well, as this means we need to buy a better mower (for about 1.5 acres of lawn) OR get a tractor with a mowing attachment.
In addition, we are finding all kinds of treasures amongst the network of small buildings and lean-tos. For example, I was looking for a cart to help move stuff and thought I might need to buy one, but, while looking around yesterday, I discovered we have a shopping cart (based on the color, probably a missing Walmart cart). That worked great for moving stuff!
Here’s some pics of the shop and the outbuildings. The building we call “the shop” consists of a front shop that is 35′ wide by about 40′ deep. The remainder of the building contains a 15’x20′ back shop with its own garage door, a 15’x20′ apartment, and the upstairs storage’. Pictured is the front shop:
Next to the shop is this lean-top that is partially built atop a former garage (that also has an interior room) moved to this location and placed atop a cement slab by the original owner of the property. This architectural wonder has a bunch of salvageable material, but needs rebuilding. It is a future project.
Around the 2:35 mark of the video there’s a photo of a jeep with a spare tire mounted on the cowl, I’m sure someone else can confirm, but I’d guess that was partially meant to act as a shield for the passenger? There are only a few other jeeps shown.
Portions of this short video show that John found show the rapid assembly of a jeep. It’s easy to see how this evolved into assembly competitions.
“The King Inspects Cadets In Training (1948)
Aldershot, Hampshire.
General view of tanks and infantry taking part in a cadet training manoeuvre at Aldershot. Back shot of King George VI and party in foreground. Pan from the King watching manoeuvres to tanks moving across plain. Tank being loaded onto lorry belonging to a tank servicing unit. Troops assembling jeep in record time. King with an army officer viewing assembly off jeep. Four soldiers hard at work assembling front portions of a jeep. King and army officers watch cadets carrying out a wireless training exercise. Army wireless equipment with back of radio operator at right of screen. King and two army officers seated in jeep enjoying private joke as jeep, which is mounted on tracked army servicing vehicle, moves away from camera.”
This video includes some burning jeeps and a few other glimpses of jeeps, but it’s more about the collapse of the Axis forces in Strasbourg.
“The Battle Of Strasbourg (1944)
France.
Various shots of United States troops at 1914 boundary sign between Germany and France. M/S’s of U.S. troops and armoured vehicles entering Saarburg. M/S aerial dogfights (showing vapour trails) between ME 163s and 262s (Nazi jet fighters) and American fighters. M/S planes blowing up in the air. Pilots jump from them by parachute.
Various shots of U.S. troops and armour entering Mulhouse. M/S’s sullen looking Alsace crowds. M/S refugees with French flags entering town down main street. M/S’s U.S. and French troops with tanks entering Strasbourg. Various shots of wrecked Strasbourg. M/S of a burning jeep – C/U of a body lying next to it. M/S of a pile of Nazi emblems in street. Various shots of the German Commander of Strasbourg with U.S. army officers after surrendering. Various shots of prisoners of war marching in column and mounting U.S. vehicles.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1200.
“Cj3b with hardtop for parts or restore. No motor or radiator but most other is there. No good title. One I have is messed up.
Pics soon”
UPDAT: Price dropped to $8000.
(01/18/2021) Runs, but doesn’t stop.
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/d/sikeston-1951-military-willys-m38-g740/7300665316.html
“I have for sale an 1950 Willys M38 G740 military jeep. Great patina. Matching title in my name. Title number is taken from the engine. It starts and runs well. It has the original parts on it like: Engine, Transmission, Transfer case, Axles, Springs, Fenders, Hood, Grill, radiator, under hood battery box, Original m38 hard top, Spare tire carrier, Jerry can and holder, All three seats with new covers, Gas tank, original rims, bumperettes, pintle hitch, rebuilt Carb, rebuilt fuel pump, fuel tank and etc. It is still 24 volts electric. It does not stop. It does have some rust. It will need wiring harness, tires, fuel tank cleaned, radiator repaired, seals and lubricants.”
This short video shared by John shows a jeep used to make ice cream, then a soldiers getting a haircut in front of pinup photos.
“Various shots of the American soldiers making ice cream with the aid of the drive of a jeep. Several shots of the American soldiers eating their home-made ice cream.
Several shots of barbers shop with wall filled with pin-up girls. The barber has great difficulty in making customers keep their heads straight.
Voiceover finishes: “There’s only one thing a barber can do for this able-bodied soldier with Grable-bodied mind.”
This video, ‘The Turn Of The Tide – Allied Landings In North Africa’ does not have much in the way of jeeps, but one sequence (start 4:40 mark) shows a jeep towing a large field gun as it leaves the landing craft and churns through the water up and onto the beach.
“North African coastline and Algiers, Africa.
Various shots of a large convoy of American transporter ships and the British naval escort heading towards the coast of North Africa. Italian planes fly overhead and the gun crew of the escort ship jump to action, firing with the anti-aircraft guns. As night approaches, the guns go into action again and the night sky fills with tracers. L/S of a German bomber in flames diving into the sea (not seen very clearly).
More footage in daylight of the convoy moving along. High angle view of men in lifejackets packed into a troopship. On board the ships we see last minute inspections and briefing. A plane takes off from an aircraft carrier.
View of the coast at Algiers as seen by the American Rangers and British Commandos as they prepare to land. British troops board landing craft and start to come ashore. Great shots of them moving towards the beaches and landing (one has a bicycle). American soldiers do the same. Supplies are brought ashore, including a truck, a jeep and a large field gun.
General view of Allied aircraft standing on Maison Blanche aerodrome, a key point in Algiers that was captured by the US Rangers without a shot being fired.
Back at the quay in Algiers a huge troopship docks and British and American troops unload supplies, form up and start out on the road through Algiers. Trucks carry soldiers through the streets. On the streets just outside Oran we see the action when a sniper opens up on some Americans who pull their guns. The American Rangers storm the building and march off with prisoners.
Jumping ahead to when an armistice was called for in Algiers, we see the Commanding General of French North Africa General Nogues arriving for a conference with the Commander of the Algiers district.
Locals talk to Allied soldiers in the streets. A tram packed with people goes by. Out of the Hotel Angleterre come some Italian soldiers who are being taken for internment. Commentator says “As a matter of fact, it was a former Pathe Staff man with a detachment of American troops who made the capture” (hooray!). The Italians board trucks and are driven past crowds of jeering Algerians. The locals cheer and give the victory sign as the Allied troops drive through.”
This ad is part of a set of wagon-related brochures. The brochures aren’t in the best shape, but what caught my eye was the Better Homes & Gardens ad. It’s another example of Willys Motors producing what seems to be unique content for that magazine.
This 1948 CJ-2A will be auctioned on April 26.
https://enid.craigslist.org/grd/d/douglas-26-equipment-auction/7296803705.html
“393 Wiily 1948 CJ2A Jeep, 4×4, 4 cyl, 3 speed, shows 46176 miles, soft top, L78-15 tires, p.t.o, doesn’t work, manuals, extra parts RUNS, vin 171118”
Looks pretty stock.
https://lawrence.craigslist.org/cto/d/lawrence-1953-m38a1/7309970709.html
“$500 and 15 hours and it can be running and driving great. We parked it when we were putting a tune up on it about 4 years ago. Points were bad and then I got sidetracked.
It is 24 volt. It does seem to be all original.
After you, Grease it. Batteries. Coil, fluids and it’s close to on it’s way. This isn’t a big project. It’s some minor repairs and you’re off. Tires are excellent.
Bill of sale only. Spell it Willys. Willy’s. Jeep.
Not a cj5 cj7.
Military
Almost no rust through. It has been restored before. Surface rust where the paint has worn.
I have a bunch of other pictures detailing the body. “
Glenn spotted this good price on a bumper weight.
https://maine.craigslist.org/atq/d/dryden-willys-jeep-counterweight/7308178739.html
“250lbs counterweight goes on the front bumper of early willys jeeps”
Looks solid.
https://dubuque.craigslist.org/cto/d/lancaster-willys-jeep/7296268570.html
“1946 Willys cj2a with mb grill. 134 ci flathead 4 cylinder. New: tires, springs, shocks, steering wheel, steering shaft, rebuilt steering box. New seat cushions and covers. New break master cylinder. New break lines. Much much more. Colorado ranch vehicle, no rust. Most everything has been gone through, but not engine, because it runs very well.
Asking $16,999 obo”
No description provided.
https://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/d/chautauqua-1950-cj3a-willys-jeep/7303665617.html
Rust doesn’t appear too bad.
https://springfield.craigslist.org/pts/d/deepwater-willys-jeep/7305223234.html
“This is a old cj5, was running when parked a few years ago, asking $999. It is located over an hour north of springfield.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1500.
Glenn spotted this Struck designed Mini-Beep.
“Struck Kit 1944 Willys Army Jeep replica. Used in parades, goes 6 mph at full throttle. Looks just like the Jeep used in the MASH TV show. Made out of plywood and metal parts. 6 1/2 hp gas engine.”
Maybe some parts value? Unclear whether they are f-heads or l-heads.
https://tulsa.craigslist.org/pts/d/tulsa-willys-engines/7309750463.html
“Two 4 cylinder engines out of Hobart welders, complete.”
This seller is selling a load of parts and has more, too.
https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/pts/d/los-lunas-cj3a-jeep-parts-flat-fender/7304726009.html
“I have a load of early Jeep parts. Enough to start a nice project. Tons of extra parts for sale also. 5ofive38eight89threel”
I’m not familiar with this winch.
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/pts/d/imperial-city-engineering-inc-electric/7305599797.html
“Very cool old City Engineering Inc electric winch. I believe these were most commonly found on old Willys Jeeps.”
I’m not sure what “VS” stands for? The latter half of the video has Black Peter and Saint Nicholas in a jeep, the first half with the fire and felling trees is interesting, too, but, I’m not sure why?
“VS of troops sitting around wood fire outside trying to keep warm.
Shots of soldiers chopping down large fir trees. They carry off cleaned tree trunk. VS of them chopping up logs with saws and axes.
Shots of two soldier cutting down small fir tree. More shots of soldiers carrying ‘Christmas’ Trees.
VS of soldiers in hospital decorating a Christmas Tree with help from nurses. Shots of other decorations being made.
Quick shot of Saint Nicholas and Black Peter meting children in town. Shots of children and mothers smiling. Shots of St. Nicholas escorted to jeep by soldiers and presents are loaded in. Children cheer and wave. The Christmas jeep is driven along.”