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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 .
Tripp spotted this Mighty Mite.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1157421148045544
“M422 Mighty Mite complete sans windshield. does not run. bill of sale only. steering is stuck. rare piece of jeep history.”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(12/02/2020) Sounds like it runs and drives.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1193853607683568
“Garage kept since 1993, good condition. Three speed floor shift transmission”
I’d forgotten that I’d bought this brochure until it arrived yesterday. So, here’s yet another 1950/51 Sedan Delivery brochure with the same brochure number of SD-73-MI–80M–350. This one has a blue front and a copper-colored(?) delivery sedan on the main page. I’ll get the page comparing these sedan delivery brochure updated after I post some others tomorrow.
This is how the folded front page looks:
This is the folded back page:
When unfolded vertically, this page appears:
When unfolded horizontally, this page appears highlighting the new Hurricane engine:
When completely unfolded, this page appears:
And, finally, this is how the back appears when unfolded:
This seller has sold several of his father’s items from the time he worked for Willys in the Caribbean. It’s a unique item, but the price seems high given it doesn’t have the original pen.
View all the information on eBay
“Rare VTG Vintage 1950/60’s Gold Willys Jeep Desktop Pen Holder Wood Base in Very Good Used Condition. Base Only – No Pen Included. Base measures approximately 3-3/4″ x 4-3/4″. Cork pads on bottom. Needs a detail job. Minor scuffs and scratches associated with age and use. Please review the attached photos to determine your opinion of the cosmetic condition of this item. The photos are important part of the listing. What you see is what you get. I do my best to describe items accurately, but there may be some dirt, scratches, scuffs, discolorations, and/or other occurrences of wear that I may have overlooked. Again, please carefully review the photos to make your own evaluation of cosmetic condition, and do not hesitate to ask any questions, or request special photos prior to purchase. Thanks!
My Father obtained this pen holder while working in fleet sales for Willys in the Caribbean and Central & South America in the 50’s and early 60’s.”
Here’s another customized jeep. This one was photographed in Japan after WWII.
View all the information on eBay
“Post WWII Willys Jeep Camp Zama US Army Base Japan Vintage Snapshot Photo….actual date not known”
This photo of jeeps at Mirror Lake is hosted at the Salida Regional Library. Given the CJ-3B in the photo, but a lack of CJ-5s, this photo was likely taken around 1953 or 1954. The caption reads: “The Jeep Club at Mirror Lake during their tour of Cottonwood and Tincup Passes in Colorado. This image is from the Salida Museum Negatives Collection.”
https://salida.marmot.org/Archive/salida%3A1449/LargeImage
PHOTO CREDIT: Salida Regional Library, Salida, Colorado https://salida.marmot.org/Archive/salida%3A1449/LargeImage
Looks solid (and green?).
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1012935319110207
“1950 jeep willys Run great I invested a lot of money and time but I have to sell it I need space and my garage need electrical work on lights current registration April 2021 $15000 $obo or trade utility truck”
This is possibly a M-274a2. I’m not sure why the seller describes this as a 1996 BMY A2Series.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/281747583306825
“1996, good for ranch or farm use. Trailer available(needs work)for additional $. Will accept best offer.”
UPDATE: Still Available.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/322284505745701
“running and driving, street legal with title, just got it back up and running, installed a new carb, fuel pump, fuel filter and plus/wires. Has electric starter and chevy style alternator, this has lots of potential for a full restoration or just polish it up and run it as is.”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(02/11/2021) I”m surprised the seller hasn’t switched the title if he’s owned it a few years. Needs work of some kind, but runs.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/617006088968312/
“1947 Willy’s Jeep shipped from Oregon a few years ago and has been in storage every winter since. Frame is in great shape for its age and bed was sprayed with black truck bed spray long time ago. Good tread on tires. Has tow bar up front to take it on trips or to the trails. Original Willy’s go-devil engine. It runs good. Needs some work, but mechanic buddies say it wouldn’t take much. Not desperate to get rid of “Gretchen”, but could use the space and thought if someone wants it bad enough and throws me the right offer or trade, I would be willing to pass it on to the next guy. A total blast to drive and there’s nothing like an all American Willy’s. So throw me an offer for cash or trade – or a combination – and we’ll see if it makes sense. When it comes to $, would accept the best offer. When it comes to trade, I would be most interested in bare land, camp, possibly the right vehicle (good truck, off road vehicle, motorcycle, etc) musical equipment, farm/homestead equipment, etc….things of fair trade obv. Open to other ideas as well.”
This July 28, 1973, article in the Longview Daily News shares information on the rising number of jeep clubs in the Longview area. I figured the text would be easier to read if I posted it separately at bottom. The CJ-5 on the upper left is running the recently introduced Desert Dogs.
Bill shared an image of a menu from the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha. It was one of several hotels that featured James Sessions’ images on hotel menus. Anyone know the history behind why hotels were doing that?
For a complete overview of the Willys-Overland WWII (and post WWII) illustrations featuring jeeps, this page demonstrates how the illustrations unfolded over the years 1941-1946. For an analysis of how the changes in verbiage may have reflected changes as Willys-Overland during the war years, view this page.
I’m sure there are more examples than the ones gathered below. Here is what I have so far:
This is the Blackstone Hotel example that Bill shared:
This one is from the Lexington Hotel in New York City:
And this one is from the Hotel New Yorker:
This menu:
The Benjamin Franklin also ran this other menu with a different illustration:
This Bulletin 114 from Ramsey Winch includes a good illustration of the underside of the jeep with a Ramsey X-200 PTO winch installed. A price listed was also included with the brochure. Below this post, you can see the truck and wagon brochure version of the X-200 winch.
This is the same X-200 winch pictured in the post above, but setup to function on the longer wheel-base Willys Jeep trucks and wagons. The is Ramsey Bulletin 115:
Morgan stated in a comment that he was a little confused as to why some of the M-38/M-38A1 rims had back spacing changes. Can anyone help answer his questions?
Morgan wrote, “Trying to get a handle on M38/M38A1 military Jeep wheels is difficult at best (let alone all the other Jeep wheels!).
1. Do only military wheels (all 16″ ??) have weep holes? Correct me but I’ve noticed that maintaining a 12 o’clock alignment of the valve stem hole puts the weep hole of a 16″ x 4 1/2″ at 3 o’clock. And the weep hole of a 16″ x 5″ is at 9 o’clock. While the top lug hole on the 16 x 4 1/2″ lines up with 12 o’clock, it’s the bottom lug hole on the 16″ x 5″ that lines up with 12 o’clock.
In addition the backspace on the 16 x 4 1/2″ is about 3 1/4″ while the backspace on the 16 x 5″ is about 3 3/4″. Now admittedly, my research is limited and maybe I’ve only learned enough to be dangerous, but it’s the backspace that got me going.
2. I’m wondering if the shorter backspace on the 4 1/2″ (setting the tire farther from the frame and brake drum) would allow a tighter turn radius (without rubbing? or no issue?) than the deeper backspace on the 5″ (which would move the rim/tire closer to the frame?) ?? Why such a difference in backspace?
3. And of course if the mere presence of a weep hole would allow a quick accurate idea of a wheel’s exact measurements, that would be a plus. I think I’ve correctly learned that the accurate measurement of a wheel’s diameter and width is always inside the rim ?!?
4. I’ve also heard that the military wheels are a higher grade, and stronger ?!?
UPDATE: **SOLD** Auctioned through sealed bids.
Jerry Huber confirmed that this is a 1945 VEC CJ-2A, serial number #11822. Jerry added, “That would place the body at the end of the 1945 production run. The Fire Dept. documents that they got it in the spring or summer of 1946, which is still possible with the time for the Darley Fire Conversion. There is also a story that the vehicle had a frame failure shortly after they got it from Darley and it was returned to the Willys Plant in Toledo where the frame was replaced with a heavier duty and reinforced unit. I have heard that story before but can’t verify although some one with more history on the unit may be able to confirm.”
==================
Originally posted Mar 2, 2021: Listed as a 1947, this is likely a 1945 VEC CJ-2A. It’s got rear hubs, indents, early windshield, a column shift and (I think) the earliest “WILLYS” data plate. Bidding is allowed from March 1, 2021, though April 02, 2021.
“Public Notice – Richfield Township is placing the 1947 Willy’s Jeep Fire Apparatus for sale via SEALED BID. Richfield Township is accepting SEALED BIDS for purchase of the 1947 Willy’s Jeep Fire Apparatus from Monday 3/1/2021 through Friday 4/2/2021 at 4:00 PM. The vehicle is sold as is with no warranties or guarantees made of any kind. This vehicle has been garage stored and maintained throughout its lifetime with Berkey / Richfield Township Fire Department as the original and only owner. The vehicle is open to inspection Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The vehicle sale is subject to a minimum bid of $10,000. The bids will be opened on Monday 4/5/2021 and highest bid above the minimum sale amount will be awarded. Sealed Bids must be addressed to Fire Chief Keith Clonch at 11450 W. Sylvania Avenue, Berkey, Ohio 43504.”
Seller isn’t looking for cash. This may be a CJ-5 chassis with a Bobcat Body and front clip.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/135229945148597
“Just seeing what’s out there for trade. Cars trucks 4×4 Or not. Somthing cool idk. This thing is sweet. 1500 LBS fiberglass tub. 36 inch tires and a 302 ford engine. Has 3 sticks. One tranny and two Tcase. All lights work. Runs and drives. I don’t know a ton of knowledge on it but know it’s old and it’s cool and it’s super light with a v8. New plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, condenser, fuel pump… fixing it up more and more ebery day.
Anyway not looking for cash. Mainly looking to trade for another cool rig. Project or not. But don’t hit me with garbage. This Jeep is bad ass and probably worth some coin. I got it from my boss who collects high end cars.”
The seller will sell all the jeeps for $7900. I’ve only posted on pic for each jeep. The pics on Facebook are not in the order described by the seller.
“I am selling off a portion of my Jeep/Willys collection. These are multiple projects that I’ve acquired. Typically, I had to buy everything to get the pieces I need.
Pictures 1-5: Late 70’s cj5 and a 57 Willys. No title on 70’s but 57 has a clean title non op in my name. 57’s body is beat. Tons of parts included $4000 for both
Pictures 6-9: 1947 Willys with v8 and early 50’s Willys with I6. 47 has a clean title non op in my name but the body is rusted. 50’s has no title but body is in much better shape. Both have overdrives. No idea on running condition. $2200 for both Pictures
Pictures 10-13: 1953 M38a1 with data plates and vin on dash and hardtop & doors. Never been registered. 1958 cj5 in pieces, but I have a clean title non op in my name. Wheels not included. $2700 for both. FB limits my post, so I can’t give all necessary info. Each package has tons of parts included. Spare engines, axles, body parts, etc. All prices are firm.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3000.
(10/29/2020) There are pics showing various stages of work, so I’m unclear what the lasted pic is.
“1946 Willys CJ2A project Chevy 4.3 v6 Edelbrock carb and intake manifold 3” lift New brakes all the way around Ford power steering box Needs exhaust, distributor and drivelines Open to trades or cash offers, make me an offer worst I can do is say no”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(10/28/2020) The front frame rails/bumper area could use a rebuild.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2467472860219346/
“Straight solid body. No rust”
I spent all of Sunday packing up the office, so no Monday updates. I’m behind on comment responses, so bear with me.
Before packing up the jeep ‘toys’ yesterday, I took this photo. It’s not all the toys, but it is most of them. I never set out to collect toys, as I didn’t have the room. Still, somehow, I ended up with these. It’s probably good that I restrained myself; less toys to pack!
In an effort to promote Bond drives during World War II, around 1944 Sgt. Jack Kreismer created “Judy the Jeep Girl”. The character, sometimes described as a paper doll, while other times described as a cartoon, has proved a difficult image to track down. To help raise bonds, July ‘traveled’ from California to Salt Lake City, then on to the Washington, D.C.
A photo of Jack and Judy appeared in the June 1, 1945, issue of Minute Man. It’s the best example of Judy the Jeep Girl that I could find:
You can see that Jack (on the left) and Allen Overby (on the right) are holding a booklet. Apparently it is a souvenir booklet that features Judy.
The only newspaper representation I could find for Judy is a less-than-perfect sketch that appeared in the Salt Lake Telegram on June 19, 1944. Judy is left to the man in the box (sauna?).
Later, on January 15, 1945, Elenor Roosevelt commented on Judy’s activities:
This June 29, 1946, photo in the Daily Advertiser shows off an early MB conversion into a Louisiana Forestry Jeep. Developed by the Louisiana Foresty Commission, the state purchased five of these rigs.
The Weekly Town Talk out of Alexandria, Louisiana, also ran the photo on the same day, but with a different caption:
Cruising through some online photos yesterday, I stumbled upon a Kaiser Jeep prototype called the Sport Low Investment” (XLI) vehicle. Apparently, employees dubbed it the Flintstonemobile. Figuring Derek likely did a write up on this vehicle, I went over to the 3B page and sure enough, he’s got an informative write up on it: https://cj3b.info/Factory/FactoryXport.html
PHOTO CREDIT: Toledo Lucas County Public Library https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll33/id/134419
PHOTO CREDIT: Toledo Lucas County Public Library https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll33/id/134408
The starting bid is $75 for this unique lighter. It’s one I hadn’t seen.
View all the information on eBay
“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A 5 INCH LONG WILLYS JEEP MODEL CJ5 CIGARETTE LIGHTER.
THE JEEP LIGHTER IS IN GREAT CONDITION
THE JEEP IS WELL DETAILED AND THE CONSTRUCTION IS VERY WELL DONE. ITS HEAVY.
THE LIGHTER SPARKS WELL.
THERE IS NO LIGHTER FLUID IN IT AT PRESENT.
A NICE, RARE, JEEP LIGHTER”
