After successive waves of cleaning, I’ve organized my nuts, bolts, washers, and oddities into similar sizes, thread counts, types, sizes, kinds, etc. This Harbor Freight organizer is hardly perfect, but it should be much easier to locate things (I hope). I fully expect the rear tab on plastic containers that holds them to a thin vertical plate to eventually break. But, until then, this keep me a little more organized.
Features Research Archives
A Jeep Wagoneer + a Ferrari = Jerrari • Top Speed: 140mph
UPDATE: This is a very old post (which likely needs updating), but Mauri added a nice addition to it, a video of Jay Leno driving this rig.
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Originally posted April 28, 2011: The National Automobile Museum (the Harrah Collection) in Reno, Nevada, opened in 1989. Most of the collection is based on Bill Harrah’s (gaming pioneer and avid collector) automobile collection. Following Bill’s death in 1978, the Holiday Corporation bought Harrah’s Hotels/Casinos and more, including the collection. Then Holiday announced they were going to sell the cars. This ticked off Nevadans, so the governor stepped in and helped negotiate a donation of the cars by Holiday to a special non profit organization established for the purposes of a museum.
The museum was named among the top ten museums by Car Collector magazine, has been ranked as one of the best 16 car museums in the world by Autoweek, and has been selected the best Museum in Northern Nevada in Nevada Magazines’ Annual Readers Poll.
The collection appears to have only two jeeps. One is a slightly modded CJ-5; the other is a Wagoneer that was outfitted with a Ferrari engine and called a Jerrari.
Here is the Jerrari as photographed by RenoDesertFox from Flickr. Note the color of the first image is the correct color and the remaining images have had the colors tweaked by the photographer, but still show a good deal of detail.
1. Front view of the Jerrari (link to original)
2. Color has been tweaked. (link to original)
3. The Ferarri engine. (link to original)
4. Click on the image to more easily read the history. (link to original)
1. Here is the one image I have, again via RenoDesertFox, of the 1972 CJ-5 on display. (link to original)
Various Updates
It’s been another busy month here at eWillys HQ, though little involved jeeps. That said, I did get the race jeep cleaned up and the thermostat replaced on Sunday. I”m hoping to test the thermostat out later today, once my eyes recover from being dilated.
My eyes were dilated, because I had my cataract consultation this morning; they saw no problems doing the surgery on both eyes, so I will be proceeding forward on that! Having worn glasses since the 9th grade, I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to have 20/20 farsightedness! My eyes are pretty wonky at this point, with many of these updates done with just one less-than-perfect eye (and the other terrible). I am positive I’m making mistakes.
On the home front, we did minor decorations for halloween (no one comes by anyone). Ann had the brilliant, simple idea, to turn our house into a ghoul. It looks best from the road:
This is how it looks closer up and less dark (a bit more hokey):.
Halloween decorations will come down soon, quickly replaced with Xmas decorations.
One afternoon a couple days ago Ann and I heard a bang. We didn’t really think anyone of it until I wandered out to shut our driveway gate, when I encountered a beat up mailbox. It look like someone used it for batting practice (a quick tour of the neighborhood reveal a couple more smashed boxes). Having some body tools around, I brought the box back to life and it looks nearly as good as it did before, just with a little more character. At someone point I’ll add a barrier to stop this from happening again.
After some tender love:
Ann finally harvested her Poblano peppers, so I spent some time roasting them, skinning and de-seeding them, before freezing them. They’ll make some yummy meals.
Apart from all that, fall chores have taken priority, such as falling leaves, shutting down irrigations systems, along with much more. I’m sure most of you can relate!
Happy Halloween everyone!
David Tracy Readies a CJ-3B for his Wedding
Leave is to David Tracy to try and get a CJ-3B running in anticipation of his wedding. He must have a patient bride! Thanks to Bill for sharing this story.
1968 & 1969 DJ-5 Gala Ads & Photo
UPDATE: eBay has a rare color photographic slide depicting a DJ-5 Gala/Surrey like the one shown in the Hawaii ad at the bottom.
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Originally Published May 21, 2020: During the late 1960s, a couple different Jeep dealers in Hawaii offered DJ-5 Jeep Galas for sale. There were at least two different styles of ads published. The Gala was a Surrey that was sold by the export arm of the company.
In 1967, a Kaiser-Jeep dealership owned by Von Hamm-Young Mercantile, flew the 1968 model of the DJ-5 Gala Jeep to Hawaii. From the story below, it would seem that this may have been the first example of a DJ-5 Gala Jeep arriving in Hawaii. Note that the photo’s caption only describes this jeep as a Gala.
Over the next two years, the dealer published ads hoping to spur sales. We’ll likely never know how successful sales were, but I’d suspect not too many were sold.
1) The first ad appeared between April and September of 1968. The example shown below was published in the May 30, 1968, issue of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. There are a variety of things that struck me with this ad. First, it’s the first ad I’ve seen for a DJ-5 Surrey/Gala. Second, it is advertised as a “Surrey Gala”, rather than one or the other. Third, it came in six different color schemes. Fourth, later in the year (specifically September 24th in the Hawaii Tribune Herald), Big Island Rambler was the dealer name at the bottom of the ad, with no specific link made to Von Hamm-Young.
Apart from all those points, it’s generally just an odd ad for a vehicle!
2) This ad appeared multiple times, but only during April of 1969 (I could find no other ads for any other month in 1969), isn’t quite as odd as the 1968 campaign. The ad also doesn’t mention the multiple package options. This particular example was published in the April 4th, 1969, issue of the Honolulu Advertiser.
Flamingo Gardens Jeep Train in Flamingo, FL
UPDATE: I ran across this photographic slide of a jeep train on eBay that looks identical to one that ran in the Flamingo Botanical Gardens (see postcard below). The problem is that the CJ-5 bears a Chevron Island plate, an island that is along the Gold Coast of Australia. Was Chevron Island a term used in Florida?
Here’s the post card (available on eBay):
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Originally posted January 14, 2013: Craig spotted a postcard on eBay about a jeep train in Flamingo, FL. Some additional investigation revealed the train was located at the Flamingo Botanical Gardens. It looks like they still use a CJ-5 to pull the jeep train! A tour leaves every hour, on the hour, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
“Flamingo Gardens is a 60 acre not-for-profit attraction with a wildlife sanctuary, aviary, and botanical garden. The Gardens were originally the property of Floyd L. and Jane Wray, who in 1933 built a home and citrus grove on what was then the edge of the Everglades, where they started a botanical collection of tropical and subtropical fruit trees and shrubs.”
From the website:
Here are historical photos of the jeep train:
Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/92849:
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/131421:
Colorado Dash Plates on Glovebox eBay
I thought this collection of dash plates was interesting. Jeep Rodeos, Ice Races, Jamboree, and more. Colorado was a happening jeep place circa 1970!
View all the information on eBay
“Vintage Colorado event plaques from the 1960’s attached to a vintage CJ glove box door.”
Working Jeep Photographic Slides on eBay
Here are three photos of working jeeps available on eBay.
1) CAMBRIDGE, MA Fire Apparatus SLIDE: LIGHTING UNIT-2:
2) 1961 Slide NIPSCO Northern Indiana Public Service wagon:
3) CJ-5 Unloading Circus Wagon Train 1980s:
4) 1961 Colorado Tour Jeep CJ-5: I’m unclear if this is a San Juan Scenic Tour Jeep or someone else running a tour. Davis tours was over by 1961.
Video of MD Juan Parts Production
Bill shared this video from FRAME of MD Juan’s parts production line.
2025 Holy Toledo Calendars Now Available
The 2025 Holy Toledo Calendar is now available for purchase. You can buy the online here: https://www.dispatchermagazine.com/calendars/2025-holy-toledo-wall-calendar.
Swamp Buggy Racing Video
Steve shared this swamp buggy racing video. At the 3:17 mark are some flat fenders, but they are quite a bit slower than those specially built buggies.
Stainless Flat Fender Düsseldorf, Germany $25,000
Daniel’s neighbor in Germany has decided to sell his stainless flat fender jeep. Shipping is available. For more information, you can contact Daniel at kontakt @ langkau-automotive.de (remove spaces from around the @) and he can field initial questions.
“It has a galvanized CJ5 Frame, 3.8l AMC Engine, dana30 disc front, D44 30 Spline rear, power steering, power brakes.
Price $25K
Location Düsseldorf / Germany”
1951 3-Door Wagon Little Rock, AR $3000
UPDATE: Price dropped to $3000
(07/01/2023) While it has three doors, according to the seller it does not appear to be a hyrail or Fairmont build. So, the history of it isn’t clear.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2011764609239464
“Very rare 1951 Willys wagon with the third door passenger side. It’s not a railroad. Or Fairmont built There are no holes in the floor for the towers.  so if you know anybody or any company who needs a Sema build that was my plans”
Busy Week
The cooler temps (highs in 70s, lows in 40s) this week means winter is approaching all too fast. Our pasture irrigation will shut down Monday, so we moved cows, slaughtered our 2 steers (with 8 of our neighbor’s steers), so I am flush with beef cheeks, hangar steaks, skirts, tails, and some organ meat (neighbor wanted none of those cuts). I walked away with about 100lbs of extra meat! Our three heifers get slaughtered next month.
We joined lots of other folks who enjoyed the northern lights this week. These are early shots (circa 8pm) as Ann is still navigating life on a knew-trike after having light foot surgery earlier this week, so we didn’t stay out too late.
The other day Ann and I talked about how we wanted to remodel part of the shop so we can add a pool table and some other stuff, including a Wurlitzer jukebox. That led to me doing some searches to see what a jukebox would run. It turned out, a local guy was selling off his uncle’s collection of jukeboxes, speakers, and music. This guy’s uncle has so many records, they line the walls of his roughly 60′ shop in multiple rows– immense!
The guy also had 36 jukeboxes. Apparently, he was quite the collector before he passed. Anyway, since I was local and since I mentioned that Rudolph Wurlitzer was my great great grandfather, the guy cut me a heck of a deal on these two jukeboxes. I haven’t had a chance to plug them in yet (figured I’d do ewillys updates first). I know they at least light up, and given what I paid, just that would be enough.
The one on the left is a 2600 from 1962 and the one on the right is a 1500 from 1952.
So, no surprise, not much done on jeeps this past week!
Short Cut: The Concept Compact Jeep
This video covers Short Cut, a concept compact throwback jeep that lacks a top and doors shared by Bill. The video also describes this jeep as “cheap”, but I suspect the price-point on one of these would still be substantial. If this ever went to production, I expect buyers would be looking for top options at some point. More info: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15349161/prime-cut-jeep-shortcut-concept-is-a-wrangler-trimmed-to-cj-5-size/
Stainless Jeeps For Sale in the Philippines
Thanks to bill, here’s a short video showing a lineup of stainless steel jeeps for sale in the Philippines.
Massimo Mini Jeep
Bill shared this video of a guy walking through and driving a Massimo mini-jeep. I’ve seen ads for these posted in various FB and Craigslist ads, but this is the first video I’ve seen. At $2500 through Tractor Supply, they aren’t a trivial purchase, but I have to say they do look kind of fun!
Hamilton Pedal Jeep Fresno, CA $650
UPDATE: Forgot the link …
Mike shared what appears to be a good price on a nicely restored Hamilton Jeep.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/7980290038764999/
“Recently restored 1950s Hamilton Jeep pedal car”
Newest Folk Art “Jeep”
Before I return to working on the FC, I am finishing what I started before our Balloonfest event; I am completing a thorough cleaning and organizing of the shop. I even bought one of these nut/bolt organizers to reduce the hunt for nuts and bolt and other items that are stuffed into cans that sit on my table tops. Some of these cans of bolts were ones that I put into cans back in the mid 1980s. Clearly, I’m not going to use some of them, so it’s time to sort, dump and organize!
I picked this folk art “jeep” off of ebay for cheap. I think it is supposed to be a Fiat Campagnola, or some derivation of it. HOWEVER, I later re-discovered these were sold through Hobby Lobby. I even posted about this (thanks to John) back in 2022, but I forgot about it … oh well, at least I didn’t pay much for it!
Balloonfest 2024
We had our annual family gathering last weekend (hence the lack of updates). I was busy up til folks started arriving on Friday morning and didn’t stop moving until Sunday night. We had around 40 folks camping, tenting, RVing, staying in the house, crashing in the bunk house, and even sleeping in the shop’s extra rooms. The weather was perfect, warm during the day and cool enough at night for some fires.
The balloons launched at 7am Saturday morning, but Sunday proved too windy (the balloons launch about a 2 miles from us). This year the winds took the balloons east, so we didn’t get any close up views from our property (but most relatives went to the airport to watch them). However, most of the time we were all having fun, playing games, eating and hanging out. Here are some random pics from the event.
DJ-5 Electruck Brochures
UPDATE: Bill shared this article about the DJ-5Es, the electric postal jeep.
https://carbuzz.com/forgotten-jeep-first-electric-fleet-vehicle/
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Originally posted January 21, 2020: Thanks to Gayland for sending me this brochure of the Electruck, an electric powered DJ-5E made by AM General.
These images were from an eBay auction in 2015:
One Man’s Afrikan Dream to Own a CJ-2A
Bill shared this short story about a man from South Africa who had a life-long dream to own a Willys. FYI: 1 South African Rand is currently equivalent to $17.50 USD. R21,000 = aprox $1,200USD.
https://4x4afrika.com/2024/07/24/a-lifelong-dream-come-true/
Anyone Recognize this Dually Adapter?
Tanner found a set of four of these adapters, but several of us don’t recognize them (Here are some for comparison: http://www.ewillys.com/2017/04/05/dual-wheel-adapters/). They seem closest to the Hickey adapters, but also different front them. Here are the pics:
History of VIASA
JW added a comment to one of the VIASA posts, which led me to do some googling. I landed on this YouTube video that appears to do a good job sketching the history of VIASA and the vehicles.
1969 Viasa Brochure (Spain)
I just picked up this Viasa brochure from Egypt via eBay (along with some other 1 sheet brochures). Note that these rigs are all powered by the Perkins Diesel. I’ve dated this using the legal notice at the bottom of page three that ends in “1969”.
This front page is about 8.5″ x 11″ landscape oriented:
This middle section opens horizontally:
This is the back page: