First published 09/02/2012: The February 1948 Issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine published this fascinating look at the Bountiful City Jeep Posse, an organization that worked as a volunteer Search and Rescue and Fire Fighting group out of Bountiful, Utah. Started in 1946, the organization is still in existence.
I found this article that provides additional history from the 2006 in the Deseret News. Though they own fewer jeeps and have more trucks, they are still helping their community. I’ve contacted the newspaper to see if I can communicate with the members to get some more information about them and, possibly, some additional jeep pictures.
The Images below all come from the Popular Mechanics Magazine article. Note the jeep in the background of the bottom image on page 3 has a full cage, the earliest example of a full cage I’ve seen.
Following the article, I’ve included pics of two ads, too.
Page 1:
Page 2:
Page 3:
On Page 271 there is an Ad for the Station Wagon Body, a hard top for CJ-2A and WW2 Jeeps.
On page 272 of this issue is a Dually setup for Jeeps
Great minds think alike, Dave! I just finished posting this same article, even found the same Deseret News link! 🙂
Well that’s funny. I spotted the article last night based on a reference to it from the sale of the issue of the magazine on eBay (which I bought). I’ll have to drop by your site to see what other pop mech stuff you have.
I’d like to place my order for 2 wooden hardtops and 2 sets of those dually adapters please…. where do I send my $ ?
as a member of the bountiful jeep posse i thank you for the thought of this old artical we still have one of the original member active and hes in the pic
It’s always interesting to see those old ads for Jeep parts. Wonder where all those companies that actually built things here in the US went to? If you take the time and put the old addresses into Google Maps street view all you see are vacant lots and boarded up unused buildings.
Eli,
Thanks for the comment. I have to say I’m amazed that you still have an original member around! In the late 40s my dad had a CJ-2A in the Salt Lake Area, but he was in high school at the time.
If you or any members have a few early pictures or information or even a nice digitized version of the original sticker, I’d love to get it and share it with readers. My email is d@ewillys.com.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks,
– Dave
used to have a set of those dually adapters on an old ’76 toyota hilux. looked kinda cool
I grew up in Bountiful. My grandfather, Maeser Mabey, was a Jeep Posse member. I have many fond memories riding in his 1948 Willy’s, which my father still has. I have been looking for an old comic book which I remember seeing as a child. It featured my grandfather and the Bountiful Jeep Posse in the rescue of a young boy. I’d love any info if someone happens across it.
Ruthanne,
Thanks for the comments. I’m happy to hear the jeep is still in the family! If you have any thoughts on what type of comic book contained the article/photo let me know. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it. My kids still live in Salt Lake, so I’m always looking for vintage-jeep related items from that area.
Here are several possible articles that might spark your memory:
A 1949 issue of Deseret News Magazine featured the “Knights of the Jeep”. All I have are a couple poor quality photos from this link:http://m.deseretnews.com/photo/635199820
This article featured a lost boy: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=336&dat=19660615&id=adBSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2H8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6879,3468960
There is an earlier article from 1962, but it requires a newspaper.com subscription:
http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/12125487/
This is a 1947 photo of the jeep posse that is currently on eBay:
View all the information on eBay
I hope some or all of that helps,
– Dave