This lead pencil with a floating jeep was another eBay find from the same seller of the Jeepers Jamboree. It’s inscribed with Willys-Overland. The pic below is extra large so you can see the inscription and the jeep detail.
Features Research Archives
Bob’s Longtime Militarized CJ-2A
Bob Le Marchant discovered eWillys last month. Now 72, below he shares some tales with his beloved CJ-2A.
Bob started jeeping at age 17. His ‘crazy neighbour’s’ father (an ex-submarine captain) ran a yellow Ford Jeep. He dearly wanted one too, but ended up with a 1946 CJ-2A. It was not only his first jeep, but also Bob’s very first vehicle. Metamet, a British company that offered a wide variety of modified WWII jeeps, soon became his central place for purchasing spare parts. He loved going up to London and finding Daleham Mews.
The CJ-2A, being his first vehicle, was what he used to pass his driving test (the tester spent the whole test reading the dash plates and talking about Jeeps … he had driven jeeps in the war). As a teenager, Bob discovered there were two sorts of girls: the ones who looked crest fallen and said ” Oh, shame it isn’t a little sports car”, and those who said “Wow!! Where shall we go in that!”
After graduating as a mining engineer (he proudly notes that Ben Carlin was one too), he shipped his Jeep out to South Africa to work. For a while he worked near Johannesburg in what was then the second deepest mine in the world at 11,700 feet. Bob wrote that, “At that depth the intrinsic rock has a hydraulic pressure: the floor is as much likely to burst up as the roof fall down. Square tunnels soon become circular as shards come off. The natural rock temperature is 150 degrees or so, with 100% humidity. Heat stroke was the main killer down there. Everything he has ever done since then has been a “piece of piss!”
Later, in the 1970’s, he DROVE his jeep back to the UK to do work a job blasting a tunnel for the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales. However, to get to Wales, he had to take the long way because, due to politics, he couldn’t get north of Kenya, so he shipped his jeep to Bombay, then drove northwest via Kyber Pass and Istanbul. The adventure was a trip of a lifetime.
“This Jeep has travelled,” he noted. Unfortunately, his ex-wife has all the pics.
Currently, he lives in Devon in South West England. His longtime CJ-2A is still a very road worthy, nearly everyday vehicle. The engine uses a Hotchkiss block. He also has a Metamet dash plate on the wall. He loves his jeep!
March 25-28, 2021: A New Date for The Last Jeep FC-Roundup
Latest news: March 25-28, 2021
Is the newest planned date for the last and final Phoenix FC-Roundup
Andrea and I are really hoping that by then our World is cured of the Coronavirus.
Thank you for your understanding. Andrea and I, personally invite all owners and friends of Jeep Forward Controls and FleetVans to this ‘Most Excellent’ International event. There is no charge to attend this event. All parking on this property is limited to Jeep FC and Jeep FJ only Vehicles, first come Street parking for all others.
During this extended weekend, you can expect to see and learn more by talking to other owners, take lots of pictures. Bring your imagination and any FC related items to display, such as toys, memorabilia, photos, artwork, manuals, literature, magazines with FC articles, and even a few FC related tools will be on display.
See also new FC reproduction parts and event items, hats and T-shirts will be available for you to buy. We welcome and we are always very grateful for any FC related donation for the Saturday afternoon free raffle. Also on Saturday afternoon are the free XXL BBQ Hot Dogs with chips and chili pinto beans and much more. Free daily refreshments all the time.
One of the best things that happens everyday is that you get to drive your own FC or ride with someone, daily we have FC group driven cruising and go out to breakfast and out to dinner. We also offer pickup and deliver transportation to and from the light rail, that connects to the Phoenix International Airport Terminals.
Start making your GCU Motel or any local reservations now. For any additional questions. Please call, text or email. Jesse or Andrea (602) 321-3675 m677jeep@cs.com
Joe Donham Willys Dealership near Oakland, Ca
UPDATE: Blaine spotted a post that provides more background on the Joe Donham and a pic of how it looked as of 2006.
http://berkeleyheritage.com/eastbay_then-now/roadside.html
According to the website post,
Joseph B. Donham (1895–1982), who followed Warren at this location, was general sales manager for the Val Strough organization in the 1930s before striking out on his own. After running a used car dealership in Oakland, he opened an authorized Willys dealership at 2747 San Pablo Avenue, being the first tenant to lease the new showroom. Donham’s Willys dealership operated here from 1953 through 1956. After the car maker ceased production, Donham switched to selling used cars at this location and ran the Dalton & Norton Chrysler dealership in San Leandro. According to his son, Joseph Donham, Jr., Donham owned several East Bay used car dealerships while working as general manager of S&C Ford in San Francisco.
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Originally published in Feb of 2012: This image shows a Willys Dealership in the East Bay area near Oakland, Ca. Donham’s Willys dealership operated from 1953 through 1956.
1945 Commemorative Demonstration Badge on eBay
(No, not an April Fools …) Maury spotted this unusual badge that appears to designed based on a visitor “badge” given to guests at Charles Sorenson’s Cesor Farms during the July of 1945 event (photo of the event) where a jeep demonstration took place.
Anyone ever see a plaque version like this? Though it is the only one offered for sale and it’s marked “used”, I suspect, given the array of other similar badges, that it is produced in Indonesia.
It ships for free from Indonesia. Starting bid is $15. Here’s another example of a badge from the same seller, a Willys Overland Jeepster Club badge.
View all the information on eBay
Here’s an example from the CJ-2A page of a “guest” badge from a Cesor Farms event.
Bountiful Jeep Posse Sign Make Offer
A seller out of Utah has listed this porcelain Bountiful Jeep Posse sign for sale. It’s got some wear.
Kaiser’s Hawaii Kai Hydroplane & Wagon
Roger Martin shared a trimmed version of this Hawaii Kai image with me via Facebook. I later discovered the image below on Pinterest. Given the pink color scheme, the name of “Hawaii Kai” (an area on O’ahu developed by Henry Kaiser) and the fact that a matching jeep was pulling the hydroplane, convinced me that Henry Kaiser owned this pair.
However, thanks to information supplied by the hydroplane museum (a place Ann and I visited the museum in 2015), I learned it was actually his son Edgar that owned the combo (Henry had his own fleet of hydroplanes). The Hawaii Kai hydroplane was built for Edgar in 1956. The wagon, by all appearances a slightly modified Jeep Field Ambulance, was being sold at that time as well.
Below is the image I found on Pinterest. Based on the text font, this looks like the image and caption could have been published in a jeep news magazine or a brochure, but I don’t remember seeing any color versions of those documents.
For comparison, here’s the Jeep Field Ambulance (images are from brochure form W-992-5). Note how the Hawaii Kai wagon has a sloped rear bottom (slopes down toward the wheels), versus the stock flat bottom as seen below from a 1955 brochure. It also looks like the Jeep Field Ambulance has different sized windows on the driver’s and passenger side of the cargo area.
Vintage Tie Clip Set **SOLD**
This vintage tie clip set was on eBay. It sold for $32 yesterday (Plus $4.90 shipping).
“Offered is a Vintage Willys Overland Jeep 3 Pc Cufflink & Tie Clip Set … This set is NOS and was part of a lifelong Willys Overland Jeep executive’s estate. It is marked/made by Mercury Industries on the back of the tie clip”
Engraved, Promotional FC-170 Ashtray **SOLD**
This FC-170 “Whirl-away” ashtray, that included the engraved signature of Jim Falvey, sold for $37.60 (plus $13,65 shipping) yesterday. I am not entirely sure, but perhaps Jim Falvey was related to Falvey Motor Sales out of Michigan (same state as the eBay seller is from)?
“Offered is a Rare Dealer Promo Jeep FC170 Forword Control Whirl Away Ashtray . Beautiful “Whirl-Away” ashtray has a divider inside that sweeps the ashes and butts to the back when you turn the bowl part. Has a Jeep FC-170 solid metal truck on top, engraved with the dealers name “Jim Falvey””
CJ-5 Ashtrays/Plates
These ashtray/coaster smoked plates with CJ-5 images sold yesterday on eBay for $50 (plus $8.85 shipping).
“Offered are 4 Vintage Willys Jeep Glass Ashtrays Or Coasters . They are promo items from a longtime Jeep- Willys executive’s estate . Dark smoke colored glass with very detailed kaki green Jeeps enameled on them.”
1947 & 1948 Articles about Sam and Julian Kipnis
This short article in the January 02, 1948, issue of the Arizona Post featured a photo of this father and son team to “prove” they were in WWII together. There time in WWII did not quite go as planned, but you can read that in the article at the bottom. There’s more on Sam’s life, including his time as South Tucson’s mayor, in the book: What They Saved: Pieces of a Jewish Past.
Here’s the October 03, 1947, story that led to the photo published above …. (note the next to the last paragraph is cutoff in the original article for some reason; only one line shows “Kipnis are trying to forget … “).
Kelly All-Steel Jeep Cab Brochure
So … this was on eBay yesterday. I’d patiently waited to purchase it, even setting my alarm clock. However, when the day and time arrived, my phone was away from me charging. Meanwhile, I was distracted researching this book 1000page-plus cook book from 100 years ago (1920 in fact), which I found while doing some ewillys posts yesterday (I was killing time awaiting the eBay auction end).
My supportive wife was very excited when I showed her the book images, as she knows I like a good old cookbook. She started chanting, “buy it, just buy it, buy it” … but no, I couldn’t at that price. After some research, I found a free copy on the Internet Archive, but looking through 1000 pages on the IA just isn’t the same as having the real thing in my hands. Eventually, I found a MUCH less expensive copy through Amazon, which Ann purchased for me as a gift (she’s hoping I’ll cook some food from it).
By the time I returned to this eBay auction, it was exactly 2:15pm, the same time that the auction ended. My timing couldn’t have been any worse.
Oh well, at least I got a cookbook out of the deal! Here are the two images from brochure that were posted to eBay.
Promo Gold CJ-5 Jeep **SOLD**
This was listed on eBay. It went for $86. I was interested in it, but not at that ending price.
Rear Ramsey PTO Winch Whidbey Island, WA $500
Not clear if it includes the bracket or not, but I’d think that would be the case.
https://skagit.craigslist.org/pts/d/oak-harbor-willys-cj-rear-winch/7092871686.html
“Rear Ramsey Pto winch for sale. This is a rare winch, can be used as a jib crane also. You can google this winch and get information. Call if you have questions. Only trades interested in a early cj5 rear seat and mounting hardware in good shape.”
David Bradley Trailer Renton, WA $450
Looks like a good price.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tro/d/renton-willys-trailer-4×6/7104260098.html
Here’s a related newspaper ad for them (originally posted on the earlyCJ-5 page some time back):
Will Parish & Perk Perkins: Around the World in a Jeep Book
Will Parish & Perk Perkins authored a book about their trip around the world in a CJ-5. Anyone familiar with it? The cheapest price I could find was priced at $49.
Abstract: Around the World in a Jeep recounts the 1975 grand plan of Orvis CEO Perk Perkins and his then college roommate, Will Parish, to drive around the world in Will’s beloved red Jeep. Over the next 20 months, Perk, Will, and their trusty Jeep crossed five oceans and seas, exploring 35 countries and covering enough road-miles to circumnavigate the earth twice. In addition to cementing their relationship as lifelong best friends, the trip also generated some 2,000 pages of journal entries, which make up the text of this remarkable volume. Illustrated by stunning full-color photographs taken by Perk, Will, and the people they encountered, this beautifully printed and bound adventure book belongs in the collection of everyone who has a yearning to explore, travel, and discover the richness our world has to offer. 12″ x 9″ hardcover
There are at least two book covers:
Here are a few pics from the book from https://www.influx.co.uk/cars/around-the-world-in-a-jeep/
Early 1980s Tour of the Toledo Jeep Plant
Roger spotted this early 1980s video tour of the Toledo Jeep Plant on Facebook. I believe I’ve figured out a way to share it even if you don’t have an FB account. Hopefully, this works for everyone.
Here’s the original link just in case the movie doesn’t work for some folks: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanMotorsMovie/videos/202921640972219/
Just A Car Guy Article on the 9 Slot VS. 7 Slot Grille
An article that discusses the 9 slot vs. the 7 slot grille appeared on Justacarguy.com’s website. Not surprisingly, the author missed some points.
Read the article here: https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2016/01/9-slot-vs-7-slot-jeep-grills.html
In response to the article, Mark Wahlster pointed out on Facebook that the author forgot to mention the issue around the 7″ headlights, which were required at the time:
“The Ford design and inability to trademark it is part of it but the main reason was because 7″ headlights which is what the civilian world was using at the time wouldn’t fit. Simple as that. Also the first civilian jeeps came out in 1944 the first CJ2A’s hit the market in July of 45 BEFORE the end of the war in Sept. The first pilot vehicles the CJ2 had the 7″ headlights and 7 slot grills those were made in 1944-early 45.”
However, I thought it important to correct the inaccuracies regarding the trademarking of the grille, which I’ve seen appear in older articles on other sites as well.
“On the whole, I’m in agreement with Mark on this, especially regarding the 7” headlights. However, I’d like to clarify one minor point. The article uses inaccurate info from other, older articles regarding the ‘trademark of the grill’ issue. In my research, and when using TESS, I’ve not encountered any evidence that Willys-Overland tried to trademark the grill during or after the war.
In fact, the trademark filing for the grill wasn’t made until 1979 under AMC
Chrysler, which received the trademark (category IC 012) in 1981 (1170088 … see reference pic). Ever since, AMC and Chrysler relied on that trademark to defend the iconic 7 slot grill design (see this link for example: https://law.justia.com/…/distri…/FSupp2/44/1062/2567958/). The trademark does not reference older trademarks; instead, it simply looks back at the first use of the grille (1941) to make its case for a trademark.So, the issue over the Ford design wasn’t about a grille trademark;, it was that Ford claimed ownership of the grille and wanted credit for it. That led to a fight between Willys-Overland and Ford over who got to use the grille design, who got credit for the term “Jeep” (which Willys DID try to trademark in 1943), who got credit for inventing the jeep design (Willys wanted full credit), and who had the right to use all designs related to the WWII jeeps (which Willys felt entitled to use).
Of course, this wasn’t decided until July 1950 when Willys-Overland was awarded the JEEP trademark, reg #0526175.”
Year? Photo of Young Girl with Lightening Peddle Jeep on eBay
This image shows a young girl and her Sherwood Lightening peddle jeep. I found what I think are images of a good example of this model (seen at bottom).
According to one site, this Sherwood Lightning Express pedal jeep was produced from 1947-1950 . Sherwood later became Hamilton.
View all the information on eBay
“5” x 3.5” in good condition.”
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These images of a Sherwood Lightening peddle jeep came from this site:
1948 Ads in the Chronicle-Star From Pascagoula, Mississippi
Like we saw with the 1948 ads in the Montana Farmer-Stockman, the ads run in the Chronicle-Star out of Pascagoula, Mississippi were more sparse. Moreover, two different dealers posted ads. The first half of the year it was the Runnels-Wiggins Willys Dealer publishing ads. The second half of the year it was the Stewart Motor company out of Mobile, Alabama, publishing ads.
RUNNELS-WIGGINS: February 13, 1948:
RUNNELS-WIGGINS: March 05, 1948:
RUNNELS-WIGGINS: April 09, 1948:
1950 Commentary on the State of Willys-Overland Management
Arthur Gaeth had a career that ranged from being a pre-WWII LDS missionary and tour conductor in what is now the Czech Republic/Slovakia, to reporting on displaced citizens in Europe. In 1946, he reported on the Nuremberg trials. In 1947, he provided more details on his life during a Senate hearing where he encouraged the loosening of travel restrictions in Europe. He subsequently had his own radio broadcast and Washington Correspondent for the Mutual Broadcasting System. In the 1950s he became the “Voice of the Denver Post” and a News Commentator for Denver’s KBTV News.
The reason for the background information on Arthur Gaeth is that In January of 1950 he delivered a scathing review of Willys-Overland’s management, which was printed out in the January 1, 1950, issue of the Arizona Sun. While there’s likely some exaggerations within, it still provides some interesting tidbits, such as Mahoney’s Technical Services, Incorporated, side deal. Also, if the name Empire Securities isn’t familiar to you, I’d suggest reading this 1946 Fortune article.
1950 Photo of Soldier Sleeping In Rear of Jeep on eBay
Not much of the jeep shows in this photo showing a soldier hoping for some sleep in the back of a jeep.
View all the information on eBay
“1950 Press Photo a soldier sleeps in his jeep while battle rages near Kumchon. This is an original press photo. South Korea — American troops grab their sleep whenever possible in the battle area near Kumchon. Here one soldier sleeps on the back seat of his jeep.Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 08-04-1950.”
Junior Pro 6 Volt Electric Jeep $1200
These were built as pedal cars, but optionally included a 6 volt motor upgrade. Some of these were also adapted for kids amusement rides. You can learn more at the CJ-3 page: https://cj3b.info/Toys/RidingToysJuniorPro.html . Not many have come up for sale, so the value is hard to ascertain.
“This is a 1947-57 junior pro products 6 volt electric jeep. JPP used to build carnival rides and then built these as pedal cars and later on optioned them with 6v power. Very rare jeep. Not a lot of info on these and not very many like this one were sold. This one came from a cushman dealership in Altoona PA. It had never been sold and was still being stored since the 50s. I’m offering it up for sale for $1200 OBO. The motor still works in forward and reverse. The tires have flat spots on them and it’s missing the v-belt for the motor and the hood. Feel free to message me if you have any questions. Thanks the price is shipped within the United States.”
1948 Report On The Universal ‘Jeep’ in Conservation
Here’s the 1948 Report On The Universal ‘Jeep’ in Conservation I mentioned last week. At twenty-three pages, it’s larger than I expected with lots of photos. All but three of the photos were taken at the Rio Grande College Farm in Ohio (see last page for more info).
Photo of Soldier Checking M-38A1 on eBay
No date on this photo of Joseph K. Brown checking this 1952/early 1953 M-38A1. There’s a possibility that this could be Joseph K. Brown who served in the Korean War and died in 2013.
View all the information on eBay
“Press Photo Joseph Brown checks the motor of a jeep for the workout. This is an original press photo. Sgt. 1/c Joseph K. Brown checks the motor of a jeep in preparation for the workout during the three-day exercises.Photo measures 10 x 8.25inches. Photo is dated –none.”