Regarding the back page article, it’s a bit hard for me to believe that the motorhome the Murray’s built on a truck chassis (with an inline 6?) was capable of sustained cruising of 70 MPH, especially given that modern interstates had yet to be built (the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956––aka Interstate Highway construction bill––hadn’t yet been passed when this issue of Willys News was published).
Features Research Archives
1947 Beaverhead Willys Motors Ad
This ad was featured in the Dillon Daily Tribune on May 06,1947.
Overground Railroad Book
A reader (and my pea-sized brain can’t remember who) noticed that the front of the Overground Railroad, a book by Candace Taylor, had a Jeep Wagon on its cover. It looks to be a 1950-1951 wagon to me.
I haven’t read the book just yet, but look forward to it. The book is about 300 pages, but has at least 100 pages of photos. The reviews for it have been very good. Here’s a review from a Route 66 website.
Oglesby Jeep w/ Trailer Nappanee, IN $160
Looks in better shape than many I’ve seen.
https://southbend.craigslist.org/clt/d/nappanee-1950s-oglesby-red-cast/7083343894.html
“1950’s Oglesby Red Cast Aluminum Willy’s Jeep.
Made in Peru, IN.
All original paint and tires.
Condition is used but very nice.
Jeep measure approximately 10.5 ” in length.
Also includes Oglesby Red cast aluminum Trailer.
Very rare to find these together.
Trailer measures 8.5″ in length.
Overall both pieces in very nice condition.”
Jeep-shaped Lighters
UPDATE: Mario shared his newest flea market find. It’s a Ford GPA Seep shaped lighter that holds a lighter similar to the small flat fender jeep lighter shown below.
While searching for another example of the above SEEP lighter, I discovered someone made a SEEP ashtray. It may have been a one-off build, but it’s neat none-the-less:
From the Collectors Weekly website: “This is another more unusual piece of trench art. This model is 6″ long and stands about 1 3/4” tall. The body is of shell brass and the wheels are “42” and “43” dated .50 cal rounds. The headlights are smaller rifle brass cartridges, dated “43”. The center portion lifts out for cleaning.”
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Original Post (Feb 2020): I just returned from a quick trip to Seattle, so limited updates today.
While there, I picked up three different sizes of Jeep lighters (thanks to Dan)! I plan to keep one of each and will sell some of the others. I tried to price these on eBay, but none of these are currently on eBay.
The largest one is particularly cool (far right). To ignite it, you collapse the steering wheel; the fire shoots out the hood. I’ll get a video of it tomorrow. The smaller ones are surprisingly heavy.
1948 Article on Elk Hunting with a CJ-2A
I wish the pic and caption were better reproduced in this scanned newspaper, but the December 02, 1948, article in Montana’s Choteau Acantha newspaper demonstrates how surprised some civilians were by the jeep’s capabilities. The writer mentions Black Leaf Canyon, which is south of Glacier National Park.
Season 1, Ep 2: Wagoneer Restoration
This is season 1, episode 2, by Mark and Tom Smith of Jeeptruck.com from his series with Drew Norman at his Jeep Farm in Phoenix.
Willys Jeep Sign Lawrenceville, IL eBay
Maury spotted this cool sign. Price is $2500, but seller is accepting offers. Looks like ti was for the Bobe’s K-W Motors dealership.
View all the information on eBay
“VINTAGE Willys Jeep Double Sided Sign . Condition is Used. One of a kind RARE keeper!!!”
March 1956 Willys News
“Fat Boy” Stock Car Mockup
Something a little different …. According to Autoeveolution.com, there’s been an increasing number of “Jeep Willys builds” at drag strips. A digital artist, Yasid Oozeear, decided to render a drag jeep with a WWII look (this is an illustration, not an actual build).
You can read more here: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/jeep-willys-fat-boy-looks-like-a-stock-car-for-offroaders-140712.html#
1944 Photo of Jeep in Cape Gloucester
1953 Ad for the New CJ-3B
This ad was published in the April 16, 1953, issue of the Dillon Daily Tribune.
1945 Article on the Peace Time Jeep
This July 25, 1945, article in the Dillon Examiner highlighted the newly released CJ-2A.
Season 2, Ep 2: What is the Jeep Farm w/ Drew Norman
This is season 2, episode 2, by Mark and Tom Smith of Jeeptruck.com from his series with Drew Norman at his Jeep Farm in Phoenix.
What Is The Jeep Farm? Drew Norman’s Garage in Phoenix, Arizona:
1950 Photo of Jeep-mounted 105mm on eBay
Another photo showing the test of the 105mm recoil-less rifle.
View all the information on eBay
“1950 Press Photo US soldiers Ernest Pupo & James F. with jeep-mounted rifle, MD. This is an original press photo. Guns – United States. Aberdeen, Maryland. The Army’s new jeep-mounted 105-millimeter recoil-less rifle (above) is credited with being able to knock out any known foreign tank. It was demonstrated for the first time this week at the Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground for Secretary of the Army Frank Pace. Shown loading the tank buster are Pfc Ernest Pupo (left) and Corporal James F…Photo measures 9 x 8inches. Photo is dated 11-25-1950.”
1942 Photo of Jeep Crossing Practice Bridge on eBay
The guy in front of the jeep appears to have lost part of his arm (or it’s an optical illusion).
View all the information on eBay
“1942 Press Photo Jeep crosses bridge built by Army Engineers for training. This is an original press photo. United States Army – Engineers. On a field maneuver in the Pacific Northwest, the army demonstrated a speedy bridge building project, followed by an even faster demolition job – to train soldiers in both operations. (1) Soldiers laid logs across a swamp; (2) a jeep is first across; Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-13-1942.”
Hardtop Dayton, OH $250
Roger Martin shared this ad. I think it is a Koenig hardtop.
Just a Couple Updates Sunday
A couple updates for Sunday. We’ve had family in town this weekend, so things are busy around here.
One family member brought over these locally roasted beans, so we decided to create our own Yipao scene. We couldn’t have done it without the jeep, a gift from Jerry Huber last year, and the Colombian poncho, a gift years ago from Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero (8 years ago … I had a little less gray hair!).
February 1956 Willys News
I don’t have the January 1956 issue, but this February 1956 issue discusses the introduction of the DJ-3A Dispatcher.
Season 2, Ep 1: Working On the Jeep Farm w/ Drew Norman
This is season 2, episode 1, by Mark and Tom Smith of Jeeptruck.com from his series with Drew Norman at his Jeep Farm in Phoenix. Drew’s done some nice work updating this 1970 Wagoneer.
Season 2 Episode 1 in the series Working on the Jeep Farm with Drew Norman …Custom 1970 Jeep Wagoneer Build by The Jeep Farm | Axles, Stereo, More
2019-2020 Winter Issue Dispatcher Magazine
The newest issue of the Dispatcher Magazine landed in my mailbox today. This issue includes a look at Bob Christy’s Empire Tractor “Rena”, along with a pre-jeep look at history thanks to Jim Allen. Dan Fucella continues describing his 10,000 mile journey in a wagon, while Eric Jarvis shares his D-Day-related journey to France.
1962 Article on a Mobile CP
Steve forwarded this article about the development of a mobile CP. The photos show how such a modification might have been done.
“I’m Getting a Willys” Article
Thanks to Bill for sharing this link. David Conwill shared his thoughts about getting a Willys Jeep in his article on Hemmings titled, “To heck with your crossover, I’m getting a Willys”.
Bell and Buck’s Spruced up Scramblers
Maury spotted this article. Bell and Buck is updating CJ-8’s in conjunction with Kyle Smith of Bird Buggy, to create a more luxurious CJ-8.
Sierra Overdrive Brochure and Instructions
I found this cool and rare brochure for the ill-fated Sierra Dana 20 overdrive on eBay. It’s printed on 8.5″x11″ paper, so the marketing budget must have been tight (as I understand it, working capital was an early issue, which played a part in the demise of the company). A few years ago there was a post of an article that also highlighted this rare overdrive.
The following instructions and schematics were tucked inside the brochure above: