Features Research Archives

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Pedal Jeep Marietta, GA $450

• CATEGORIES: Features, toys This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Roger Martin spotted this unusual pedal jeep. It’s got very distinctive fenders. I don’t recognize it and don’t see it on Derek’s CJ-3B pedal jeep pages.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/185960546095961/

“Early 50s steel jeep pedal car ready for your restoration. Body is straight”

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Santa Claus Christmas Card on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is a Christmas card, signed by Joyce & Glen (whoever that is).

View all the information on ebay

“Vintage Christmas, it has been used but it is in very nice condition.”

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Part I: 1948 Willys Overland Press Release

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Documents, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is part I, the History of Willys-Overland, from the Willys-Overland April 22, 1948, forty-seven page Press Release. Part II, the Jeep Line of Vehicles, will be published on Tuesday.

Thanks again to those who’ve made donations making it possible to purchase unique items like this so that we I can obtain and publish them for all our benefit. This particular item was poorly marketed on eBay. Only one page was shown and no description of the number of pages was included. I took a chance and it turned out to be a great piece for only $13!!

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Continue reading

 
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1945 Article on Mobile Welding Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This article from the March 28, 1945, issue of the Farmers’ Weekly Review highlights the mobile welding capabilities of the wartime jeep. The article also notes that the Army tested the jeep on a 500-mile obstacle course before approving it.

1945-03-23-farmers-weekly-review-welding-on-wheels

Welding Shop on Wheels Is Big Help
Emergency Repairs Made on Field of Battle .

NEW YORK . — A highly mobile welding shop on wheels that can traverse ground which proved impassable to most previous maintenance vehicles has been developed by General Electric, in cooperation with army engineers, to enable emergency repairs of damaged war equipment to be made right on the field of battle, the company disclosed . Consisting of a standard army jeep bearing a specially perfected G-E arc welder, this mobile repair shop, according tc army reports , has proved invaluable in helping to keep front line equipment in fighting condition. In weight the G-E welder jeep is equivalent to a one-quarter ton truck, whereas the equipment it replaced consisted of a five-ton truck towing a one and one-half ton welding trailer. This weight reduction, plus the jeep s great maneuverability, enables the vehicle to readily negotiate rugged or muddy ground where larger and heavier trucks broke down. When desired for use in air borne operations it can also be loaded aboard a transport plane

Power to operate the welding unit is obtained by means of a V-belt which is connected to the engine of the jeep. As soon as the vehicle is brought to a stop the unit can be put in use. Proper engine speed is maintained by a governor, quickly disengaged to permit normal operation of the jeep. The welding unit is installed in place of the right front seat of the jeep, allowing the vehicle to carry a crew of three -men comfortably. Before accepting the welder jeep for service the army subjected it to rigid tests on a 500-mile obstacle course, the same course on which combat tanks are tested, and it came through with flying colors .”

 
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Early 1950s Switzerland Wagon Ad on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Maury spotted this rare ad for wagons that was published in Switzerland.

View all the information on eBay

“Willys Jeep station wagen : an old German advertising, Switzerland, 50’s. cs.
size: 31 cm x 13 cm ( 12.4″ x 5″ )
Condition: in a good condition, cut out from a magazine.”

1950-1951-wagon-advertisement-switzerland

 
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Who? is Going Where? For What Purpose? When?

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE II: It is two years later, May 2022 … Well, so much for grand plans! A combination of 1) a pandemic and 2) my mother-in-law getting cancer wiped out this opportunity.  

UPDATE: Congrats to Joe in Mesa (who I had already planned to see next month in Mesa) for correctly guessing that I am tentatively scheduled to fly to the African country of Namibia in early July 2020 for a 2-3 week drive/camping in a CJ-2A with 2 or 4 other jeeps for a trip around that beautiful country. I then plan to spend several days in Capetown before flying back home. There will be more info forthcoming as the trip gets put together.

======================

Sometimes life just happens in unexpected ways.

So, the first person who can decipher these semi-cryptic clues as to what will be happening, then comment below with the correct answer as to ‘Who? is Going Where? For What Purpose? In What Month?’ will be awarded one of two brochures. The winner can choose between this original 1955 Willys 4-wheel-drive-brochure or this original 1955 Public Service brochure.

Once the correct answer is determined (and I might not be awake when the first answers appear in the comment section, as most posts appear before 4am my time), I will explain more detail.

who-what-when-where-2020

 
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1955 July/Aug Globe-Trotter Magazine

• CATEGORIES: Features, Magazine • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The is the July/August 1955 issue of Globe-Trotter magazine published by the Willys Export Company.  It is fourteen pages.

Photos Photos Photos

Continue reading

 
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1945 Photo of Modified Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This press photo and caption was posted to Facebook.

“THIS IS A “TWEEP”
MAJURO– This combination truck and jeep was constructed by Seabees fo materials salvaged from six abandoned jeeps. With a wheelbase one-half times longer than the standard jeep, the “Tweep” accommodates eight person and gear, carries gas in its fenders. Red Cross Field Director Robert De Lawny, Spring Lane, Ithaca, NY , Stands by the Vehicle.
CREDIT (Red Cross PHOTO FROM ACME) 11-20-45″
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1944 France Modified Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This image of a modified jeep is part of the “Portal to Texas History” digital collection.

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth476250/m1/1/?q=%20date:1940-1960

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Reference: [Soldiers on Jeep], photograph, 1944;(https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth476250/m1/2/?q=%20date:1940-1960: accessed February 7, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.

 
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UPDATE: Photo taken at Snake River, Twin Falls, Idaho

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Congrats to Alphamav for finding someone who could identify this location. It is Snake River Canyon near Twin Falls. 

A few years ago Blaine downloaded this image from the internet. He’s always wondered where it was located.

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The location today:
snake-river-twin-falls

 
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“Jesse James” MB-like Tractor Puller Chandler, AZ **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features, Jeep Rods • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5000.

Funny how these builds end up sometimes. This one is a shadow of what it was.

“I’m the current owner of the “Army Jeep Tractor Puller” that was built by Jesse James and a group of guys on the tv show Monster Garage. It aired in 2003 and is episode 3. Forty two various vehicles were built during the run of the series. This vehicle was later sold at Barrett Jackson in 2008 for $18,000. The engines were removed by the previous owner. What you see is what you get. If you do a search on youtube you can find the episode and watch the Jeep being built. This crazy ride could be built as a promo vehicle, a raffle prize, a collector could display it, or a builder could get it back on the road and show it. I can help ship it, will help load it, and can possibly deliver it on your dime. It’s located in Chandler, Az. Asking price is $5,000”

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Originally published April 2011:

If Jesse James and West Coast Choppers were to build a jeep, what kind of jeep would he build?  Well, we have the answer from remarkablecars.com. This unusual build was available for auction in 2008.  I can’t tell if it sold or not.  He did manage to use some original parts.  For example, that left fender sure looks like a WWII fender and there’s some original frame used too (you can make out the transfercase undercarriage mount near the rear tire).

SUMMARY: This authentic WWII Willys Jeep transformed into a twin-engined tractor-pulling behemoth is sure to bring home the Big “V” both on the race track and the front lines. Sold on a Bill of Sale only. Special conditions apply.

DESCRIPTION: In the Summer of 2003, Jesse James accompanied Kid Rock to a USO Show for the troops overseas in Iraq. While there, Jesse was bit by the inspiration bug and set his mind towards his next build, the transition of an authentic WWII Willys Jeep into a twin-engined tractor-pulling behemoth using a team composed entirely of Army gearheads (well, with the exception of a couple of civilian experts). It wasn’t just a walk through the park, or even a walk through the front lines. Nearly every piece had to be fabricated for this build. Plus, the rear end and rims had to be modified for pulling. The biggest modification was comprised of extending the Jeep frame from 86″ to 180″. Over twice it’s original length.

THE DESIGNERS: Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers in Long Beach, CA, Joe Eder, multi-engine tractor-pull builder from North Collins, NY, Keith Kaucher, industrial designer, Kaucher Design Werks in Santa Monica, CA, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Sargent, utilities operations and maintenance technician, Headquarters Company/1st Engineer Brigade in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, 2nd Lt. Brian Johnson, armor officer, 1st Battalion/16th Cavalry Regiment in Fort Knox, KY.

THE BUILDERS:
Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers in Long Beach, CA, Joe Eder, multi-engine tractor-pull builder from North Collins, NY, Pfc. Jesse Dugan, wheel vehicle mechanic, D Company/801st Main Support Brigade in Fort Campbell, KY, 2nd Lt. Brian Johnson/2LT, armor officer, 1st Battalion/16th Cavalry Regiment in Fort Knox, KY, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Morin, light-wheeled vehicle mechanic, Headquarters Company/187 Ordnance Battalion in Fort Jackson, SC, Tim Porter, single-engine tractor-pull builder from Louisberg, KY, Master Sgt. Darrick Preston, mechanical maintenance supervisor, 16th Ordnance Battalion/Aberdeen Proving Ground in Abingdon, MD, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Sargent, utilities operations and maintenance technician, Headquarters Company/1st Engineer Brigade in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and Spc. Benjamin Smith, metalworker, D Company/801st Mechanical Support Brigade in Fort Campbell, KY.

VEHICLE SPECS:
Make: Willys Model: Jeep MB Year: 1943 Height: 64″ Width: 85″ (including rear tires) Length: 211″ Ground Clearance: 6″ to headers (1′ to frame) Horsepower/Torque: approximately 2,000hp /2,1000 torque Moving Parts: Includes the engine coupler, primary transmission, secondary gearbox and dual supercharged 502 engines. Special Welds: The guys performed heavy-duty welds on the body-frame extension and towing hitch. Additional Acquired or Machined Parts: The team fabricated the engine coupler, towing hitch and straight rims.”

 
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Sept/Oct 1955 Willys News

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s another of my favorite issues of Willys News, as it includes a photo of our good friend Hugo Vidal as he and his two traveling companions (only Charles and Hugo are shown in the pic waving good bye) were about to depart Philadelphia in their trusty CJ-3B for their drive to Alaska.

Also in this issue is an image showing some of the brochures available to dealers. There are two new brochures added since the January 1955 Willys News showed these brochures: 1) The Willys Utility Wagon Brochure and 2) the introductory 1956 DJ-3A Brochure (not available to dealers until 1956).

Photos Photos Photos Photos Photos

 
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1942 Photo of Jeeps in New Guinea on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: A second version of this press photo out of New Guinea is on eBay.

View all the information on eBay

“1942 Press Photo US jeeps driving through New Guinea jungle during World War II. This is an original press photo. World War II – New Guinea – Dispensing with recognized traffic rules, American “peeps” wind their way single file through this New Guinea jungle. Yesterday Japanese troops were in headlong retreat through New Guinea’s Papuan Peninsula with Americans and Australians in grim pursuit. Photo measures 7 x 7.5 inches. Photo is dated 11-15-1942.”

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From June 5, 2017:

“1942 PRESS PHOTO WWII American Army Jeep Convoy Jungles of New Guinea 5757 Measures 6.5 X 8 inches”

1942-11-16-newguinea-jeeps1

1942-11-16-newguinea-jeeps2

 
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1943 Photo “Just Married?” Jeep Being Towed

• CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This will surely delay the honeymoon! These images are from the “Portal to Texas History” digital collection.

1. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth688891

“Photograph of a newly wed officer and his bride being towed away in their jeep by a wrecker. A sign on the back of the jeep says, “Just Married?””

1943-04-24-just-married-getting-towed1 1943-04-24-just-married-getting-towed2

2. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth689737/

1943-04-24-just-married-getting-towed3 1943-04-24-just-married-getting-towed4

 
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1941 Service School for U.S. Army Instructors on Ford Vehicles $750

• CATEGORIES: Books, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Roger Martin spotted this book on Facebook. It looks like it’s been up since July.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1559268460802697/permalink/2509192215810312

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“This book contains invaluable knowledge from the experts themselves, to shape the future mechanics of WWII. They understood the competence of the students could be a matter of life and death. This incredibly scarce, all original book is entitled “Service School for U.S. Army Instructors on Ford U.S. Army Vehicles 1941”.

It was put together by Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan to be used by the school at the Rogue Plant, as well as traveling schools at military posts around the U.S. The contents of this book include:

*The service school program for U.S. Army Instructors on Ford built U.S. Army Vehicles at Rouge Plant
*Program for traveling service school for U.S. Army Instructors on Ford built U.S. Army vehicles
*Ford equipment-specialized services
*Universal equipment-specialized services
*Universal equipment-general shop use
*Individual mechanics equipment
*List of tools – U.S. Army Reconnaissance Car
*List of tools – U.S. Army Staff Car (Fordor)
*List of tools – U.S. Army Bomb Service Truck (Tonner)
*TM10-1101 Maintenance Manual for Ford Truck Model G.P. 1/4 Ton 4×4 for the U.S. Government *U-7434 Service Requirements Ford Army Reconnaissance Car
*To remove front door glass – Staff Car
*Remove and replace w/s glass – Staff Car
*Ford parts numbering system
*Ford Fordor Sedan Body Parts and Price List for U.S. Government
*TM10-1100 Parts Price List Special Model G.P. 1/4 Ton 80″ Wheelbase 4×4 for U.S. Government *Ford Form #7084 Ford and Mercury Chassis Parts and Price List 1938-39-40-41 Passenger Cars and Trucks

Adding further nostalgia, the first page includes a hand written message “Put it back where you found it It’s property of Neil Goldsmith Co A 27th Bn Camp Croft, S.C.” (which was dismantled after the war) The paper cover of this book is in rough shape (shown in pictures). However, the contents are remarkably clean and is a complete set. There is some damage to the back few pages (shown in pictures) but none of the print has been compromised (picture shows the page with the most damage).

Considering the rarity of this collection, aesthetics are variable. Here’s your chance to own a rare piece of American history! Asking $750″

 
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1980 Malotte Manufacturing Brochure

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This rare 1980 Malotte Manufacturing brochure for fiberglass bodies was an interesting one to run across, as it includes a couple eastern dealers (see bottom image). This might explain where some of the older fiberglass bodies in the PA/OH area originated. 
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These four pages were inserts into the brochure:

Continue reading

 
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Bay City Antique Fire Truck Sale

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Roger Martin shared the news that the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum in Bay City, Michigan, is selling some of their extra fire trucks including a 1958 fire jeep (see the Barn Finds post about the sale), though the fire jeep has sold already (I have no pics of it). Ann and I visited in 2013 and had a wonderful tour courtesy of the owner Jim Dobson.

Our 2013 visit: http://www.ewillys.com/2013/05/13/fire-engines-16000-toys-and-a-battle-ship/

Here’s some pics of some of the toys jeeps he has, which I ran out of room to post previously. He has more than this:

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Hasbro LRDG Jeep w/ Figures Lincoln Park, NJ $80

• CATEGORIES: Features, toys This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Steve spotted this set. On ebay (example here), this stuff seems to be priced higher than the asking price of this set. I don’t know much about these prices, but maybe it’s a good price?

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/tag/d/lincoln-park-ww-ii-british-jeep-and/7065286087.html

hasbro-gi-joe-figures1 hasbro-gi-joe-figures2

 
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January 1955 Kaiser Willys News

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I thought I’d posted this issue already, but apparently I’d only posted portions. So, here’s the full issue.

Photos Photos Photos Photos Photos

 
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1947 Ad Willys Peacetime Success Story on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This ad was produced by Willys-Overland of Canada Limited.

View all the information on eBay

“1947 Canadian Willys-Overland print ad Willys Jeep. Original paper item measures 10 X 14 inches (approx.).”

1947-willys-canada-peacetime-wagon

 
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Year? Willys Station Wagon Ad From Canada

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This Willys-Overland of Canada Limited wagon ad is listed as a 1945 ad, but given the wagon wasn’t introduced until mid-1946, I’d say that date is a mistake. The text mentions the “new, rugged Willys Trucks”, which weren’t introduced until mid-1947. That style of wagon was used in numerous 1948 ads and the Willys-Overland graphic made an appearance in some of the 1948 ads, too. The lack of any mention of the wagon being a jeep is curious, as Willys-Overland didn’t make a big push on dropping ‘Jeep’ from its advertising until late 1949.

View all the information on eBay

“1945 Canadian Willys-Overland print ad Station Wagon. Original paper item measures 8.5 X 11 inches (approx.). Any shades or shadows are from the scanner and do not appear on the actual ad.”

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UPDATE: Jeep’s Groundhog Day Commercial with Bill Murray

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: There’s an interesting story about the making of this commercial; it almost didn’t happen. It was shot in the same town where Murray shot Groundhog Day, just two weeks before the SuperBowl. Murray calls it his first and last national commercial.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/03/how-jeep-landed-bill-murray-for-its-groundhog-day-super-bowl-ad.html

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Original Post Feb 2, 2020: Maury alerted me to this funny commercial. Hope you all enjoy it.

 
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1948 Jeep Ad from A. B. Clothier & Son

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This ad appeared in the February 20, 1948, issue of the Oxford Leader, out of Oxford, Michigan.

1948-02-20-oxford-leader-ab-clothier-and-son-jeep-ad

 
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Flatfender Jeep Bar Howell, MI **Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $2500.

(02/11/2019)  “You may have a cool jeep but you dont have one made into a bar. The only bar ever made from an original 1945 Willys jeep. Great for a patio bar or man cave. seats eight comfortably. Jeep is pretty small compared to newer version. The interior is wrapped in stainless steel for outside commercial food service. Can fit coolers under the dash
and propane grill in back area. Seats 8 or 12 standing. the stainless speed rail is located at the passenger side opening. rolls easily Call 517-599-178six. The only bar made from an original WWII era Jeep.”

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Continue reading

 
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1955 July/August Willys News

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This Willys News issue was memorable for me because when Hugo Vidal was visiting our home from Brazil in 2017, prior to the Alaska trip, I shared some of the Willys News issues with him. He thoroughly enjoyed looking through them because he recognized some of the sales people. When he saw Hickman Price’s photo on the front page, he said, “Oh him, I remember”. That is when I realized that the history I’d collected was a history he’d experienced!

Photos 1955-07-08-willys-news-2-lores Photos Photos Photos