This April 21, 1943, ad in the Victoria Advocate, out of Victoria, Texas, might just be the first organized ‘jeep club’. Though, to be fair, this was organized to buy a jeep for the military rather than to organized a group of jeep owners.
Features Research Archives
Willys Audio-Visual Unit Wagon Brochure
This Willys Audio-Visual Unit brochure is undated and lacks a form number. I’d guess this was published circa 1956.
June 1946 Article on the 30,000 Jeep Produced
This short article appeared in the June 24, 1946, issue of the Daily Times out of New Philadelphia, Ohio. I assume that the 30,000 production number relates to CJ-2As. Interestingly, 35% of jeeps were for ‘agricultural’ uses while 43% were heading to ‘industry’. The remaining 22% fell under the ‘miscellaneous’ category.
Atomic Camper From Alaska
This isn’t jeep-related, but can you imagine towing this behind a jeep? Ann spotted this Atomic-themed camper from Alaska. It even has a ‘ray gun’.
Go here for pictures: https://www.motor1.com/news/276837/atomic-camper-crazy-cool-spaceship/
And go here for information on who built it and what he hopes to build next: https://www.motor1.com/news/276837/atomic-camper-crazy-cool-spaceship/
Thanks for the Colombian Gifts!
On Monday I received an unexpected and wonderful letter and gift that brightened my day.
A reader named Kerry sent me a box. Inside the box was a letter, some postcards, and a CJ-3B ‘yipao’ toy from Colombia. The letter explained that Kerry, who lives in Wisconsin, had visited Santa Rosa de Cabal, Colombia. While there he discovered some garages that only serviced jeeps; so he began taking photos to share with all of us (sadly, the photos were later lost).
A local man approached Kerry and asked him what he was doing. Kerry responded, telling him that he was taking pics for eWillys. Upon hearing that, the Colombian smiled. He said he reads eWillys every day.
Realizing they had eWillys in common, the Colombian gave Kerry a tour of the area. At the end of it, the Colombian asked Kerry to transport the toy jeep to the US and mail it to me.
So who was this mysterious Colombian? He said he did not want to be named or photographed, which only adds to the mystery of the tale.
A big thanks to Kerry for everything and to my unknown Colombia benefactor; I home I can repay the kindness some day!
In the meantime Kerry, you should watch for a thank you package….
The three postcards:
This first postcard contains several images of the market and plaza in Santurario, Risaralda, Colombia. I most definitely want to visit Colombia, but I’m not sure if I would enjoy the jeeps, the coffee, the people or the markets the most!
Lest you think there are only CJ-3Bs in Colombia, check out these round-fendered jeeps from what I believe is the same square as shown above. They look to be either CJ-6s or a variant of them:
December 1946 Ad in Time Magazine
Time Magazine seems to have had some unique ads that only appeared between its covers. Here’s another example. There’s no corresponding ad that appeared in the Saturday Evening Post or Colliers Magazine.
The Jeep-Engine Powered Chum
Gayland shared this do-it-yourself boat project that’s designed around a jeep-engine. It’s called the Chum. Below is the first page. Download the PDF to see all the instructions. There’s even a Willys marine engine for sale right now.
1955-1956 News Articles About Operation Pineapple
Just this update for Tuesday.
Most folks are already familiar with this trip, but I wanted to add these news reports to the database of Operation Pineapple information. One of the articles noted that the three travelers did not try an American hamburger, because hamburger was fed to dogs in Brazil.
This first article was published shortly after Jan Stekly arrived in New Orleans, because he wasn’t allowed to travel through Mexico. It was published in the August 11, 1955, issue of the Shreveport Journal:
June 1954 Willys Wagon Ad Poster For Sale
UPDATE: I’ve got 20 posters of the Better Homes and Gardens ad I posted last month for sale. They are 28″ x 22″, the same size as the poster I sold a two years ago (I also ordered twenty additional 1956 Jeep Family posters that I plan on selling, too).
Posters are $25 each (shipping is included in that for the continental US). Two posters are $45 (shipping included). EMAIL me at d@deilers.com if you’d like one or more. I will accept a check or PayPal.
This better shows the size as compared to my guitar:
Here’s the other poster, one based a 1956 brochure;
This shows the original brochure (entire original brochure here) vs. the completed poster.
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Original post from June 2020: This June 1954 Willys wagon ad was published in Better Homes and Gardens. It’s such a cool ad that I thought it might make a good poster.
Postcard of Death Valley Desert Camping in a CJ-3B on eBay
Neat old postcard showing a campsite in the desert with a CJ-3B. The photo was shot by Al Christman (presumably, there were at least two folks camping).
Jeep Pins From the Netherlands on eBay
The buy-it-now price on these is $35. They are pretty tiny, but at least two of these look pretty old.
Postcard of Smith’s Ferry Jeep Online Auction
This CJ-2A appears to have some kind of extended rear on it.
https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/rpc-smith-s-ferry-idaho-cougar-mountain-lodge_0754C92AD6/
“”Visit Cougar Mountain Lodge- Smith’s Ferry, Idaho” b/w RPC, street scene with frontal image of the Post Office, quaint picture, flag flying above the A-frame post office, with a jeep parked in front; Business district , Lynn’s Place, Boise Meat Co., Miller signs ; white border, clouds, with forest in background behind Post Office; vintage card; rear of card unused; no divider, stamp box has unusual EKC lettering looks like an anvil on an e-bar Provenance: Country (if not USA): State: Idaho City/County: Smith’s Ferry Date: unknown”
1945 Article on the Jeep Demonstration
A July 19, 1945, article in the Dayton Herald, out of Dayton, Ohio, covered the jeep demonstration at Charles Sorensen’s farm. Two things about the article stuck out to me. 1) I was surprised to learn that there had been no sales price shared with reports as of the demonstration. 2) The reporter who wrote the article noted that the most interesting piece of equipment was the John Bean Haymaker, which apparently never became a Willys-Overland Special Equipment item, at least not one of which I’m aware. I did find a brochure from a few years later that covered the John Bean Haymaker (see the cover at the bottom of this post).
What the above article doesn’t mention is that Willys-Overland had hoped to build 20,000 jeeps over the remainder of 1945, at least according to an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer on July 18th:
So, why wasn’t the company able to see the 20,000 production figure and instead produced only 1824 CJ-2As? One big factor was that Warner Gear had gone on strike for 12 weeks, stopping production of transmissions that Willys-Overland needed to complete the jeeps. There were probably other reasons as well, but had W-O been able to produce over those 12 weeks what they subsequently manufactured throughout 1946, the company could have come very close to the 20,000 production figure for 1945. In other words, there likely would have been a lot more VECs!
1956? Ramsey Brochure Bulletin 126-A
I’ve guessing the brochure’s year based on the lack of an intake vent on the grille of the Willys truck and the lack of any FCs appearing in this document. I like the underside illustrations on this brochure as well. This is Ramsey Bulletin 126-A
1957? Ramsey Brochures
These are three separate one-page, two-sided brochures from Ramsey: Bulletin 134, Bulletin 135, and Bulletin 138. The Ramsey 600 R Wire Reclaiming Winch Assembly (page two of Bulletin 135) is a particularly interesting item. I don’t think I’ve run across one of those assemblies on a jeep for sale.
December 1952 Willys Service News
On the yellow sheets following this document are suggestions on how to overcome flat spots during acceleration of the F-head engines.
Jeep Bench Abington, PA $200
Steve shared this jeep-tailgate bench for sale in Pennsylvania.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/fuo/d/abington-jeep-tailgate-bench/7123426095.html
“EEP tailgate bench. Custom made.
43 1/2 long, 24 3/4 wide and 34 1/2 high
Poly coated. Pick up only. Can help load. $200 cash at pickup”
October 1956 Article Introducing the Jeep Dispatcher
This article appeared in the Miami News on October 09, 1956. That seemed a late date for an “introductory” announcement. The article highlighted the low operating cost, the 30,000 mile maintenance guarantee, the four body styles, and the wide range of duties the new jeep could perform.
Photos From the UTA Digital Collections
These photos come from the University of Texas at Arlington Digital Archives. You can see a some additional photos with jeeps here: https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery-beta/subject/jeep-automobiles
Let’s start with this photo of a Willys MA dash:
A lineup of Ford GPs:
Good side shot of a Ford GP:
Here’s an early Slat Grille MB:
Post WWII pic:
October 1952 Willys Service News
Page two of this issue highlights what service departments should do when replacing engines in WWII jeeps.
January 1956 DJ-3A Jeep Dispatcher Introduction
The article suggests that the Jeep Dispatcher only came in three models, with one listed as a “basic model with or without a top”. The marketing department must have decided that the single model with or without a top was better off as two models distinct models.
On the same page as the Dispatcher article was an ad for multiple jeep dealers in the Pittsburgh area. The new ad included the DJ-3A with the fiberglass-reinforced hardtop.
June 1952 Willys Service News
This June 1952 issue of Willys Service News is part service news updates and part ‘how to sell services’. This is one of three that was on eBay recently. The other two will get posted over the next few days.
Included with this Willys News are several supplements places, including 1) Suggestions on maintenance updates for vehicles (there were problems with the Aero car demonstration models not running perfectly, but these tips could apply to jeeps); 2) How to improve steering (again, directed at cars); 3) Passenger car door lock issues.
1956 Jeep Ads in Time Magazine
These two ads from Time magazine currently on eBay show just how different the company approached advertising in that publication. Unfortunately both are poor quality scans.
This ad was published in the April 02, 1956, issue:
This ad was published in the June 16, 1956, issue:
1960 Toledo Made Jeep Vehicles Brochure
Given this brochure includes a Surrey, it was likely printed between 1960-1962. This four-page brochure was auctioned on eBay back in 2015. It lacks a form number; it may have been produced by Kaiser Industries rather than Willys Motors.
Article Highlights Success of Mahindra Roxors
UPDATE: In case you missed it, FCA has won the first round of the FCA vs. Mahindra legal case over the jeep-looking Roxor. The court ruled that Mahindra violated FCAs “Trade Dress”, which isn’t a specific trademark or patent, because the Roxor looks so much like a jeep. Mahindra is currently deciding whether to appeal.
https://www.automobilemag.com/news/jeep-mahindra-roxor-infringement-case-update/
This was the second win against Mahindra. The first win came in January when the International Trade Commission agreed with Jeep’s charge that the company was not contractually barred from suing Mahindra for a Trade Dress violation. This freed Jeep up to pursue the recently won lawsuit.
https://www.autonews.com/blogs/jeep-scores-legal-spat-mahindra-roxor-rolls-detroit
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Originally posted September 29, 2019: This article from the Detroit Free Press highlights the successful introduction of Roxors, to the point that the company can’t keep up with demand. Unfortunately for Jeep, there’s some real branding problems, as I’ve seen countless people on Craigslist advertising these as “jeeps”. Moreover, do a Google search for “Jeep ATV” and Roxors pop up on the results page.