Features Research Archives

To Top

Salesbuilder Magazines

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

Willys-Overland began publishing the Salesbuilder magazines in July of 1948 with the announcement of the Jeepster. The Salesbuilder supplanted the W-O Sales News magazine. According to a small blurb on Google (I can’t read the whole reference), the Salesbuilder was part fo the effort to push the Jeepster.

I own a couple of Salesbuilder magazines, but those are the only ones I’ve seen. Below is a series of covers that I’ve been able to document so far. I’d like to find more.

As far as I know, Salesbuilder issues were published between July of 1948 and as late as August of 1951. By early 1954 (possibly January), Kaiser Willys had shuttered the magazine format for a newspaper format (see the March 1954, volume 1, issue 2 at the bottom of this post).

July 1948:

1948-07-salesbuilder-jeepster-cover

1948-07-salesbuilder-jeepster-pgs

August 1949:

1949-08-vol1-no6-salesbuilder01-lores

March 03, 1950:

1950-03-salesbuilder-cover-front-lores

November 1950:

1950-10-salesbuilder-magazine-cover

Continue reading

 
To Top

Frédéric’s Ma Jeep Toy Collection

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

Frédéric shared some pics of his “Ma Jeep” toy collection. He’s even got the original box. That’s a neat set!
ma-jeep-france-collection1 ma-jeep-france-collection2 ma-jeep-france-collection3

ma-jeep-france-collection4

 
To Top

1949 Newspaper Ad for the CJ-3A

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

This newspaper was featured in the August 11, 1949, issue of the North Carolina Marion Progress Newspaper. Bristol’s Auto Service published several jeep-related ads, including this one.

1949-08-11-marion-progress-jeep-all-year-ad-pg3

 
To Top

1957 Photo of M-38A1s in Barstow, CA on eBay

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

That’s a lot of M-38A1s!

View all the information on eBay

1957-03-29-m38a1s-barstow-press-photo1

1957-03-29-m38a1s-barstow-press-photo2

“1957 Press Photo Senior Sergeant Jack McCallister, Army jeeps, Barstow, CA. This is an original press photo. Trucks – United States. And imagine your problem trying to locate your parked car in this jungle of jeeps which stretches across desert sands at the Marine Corps Supply Center at Barstow, California. However, the Marine Corps says it has a filing system which helps locate any one jeep in jig time. The Marine in jeep at center is Senior Sergeant Jack McCallister. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-22-1957.”

 
To Top

Mobile Cinema Unit Photos

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

UPDATE: Modeler builder Frederic Dete plans to create a model of this Mobile Cinema jeep and trailer. He’d like to make contact with David, but I no longer have his email. If he could contact me, I’ll put you in touch with Frederic.

Original Post  Apr 27, 2013: David was going through his father’s items and discovered photos of his father’s Mobile Cinema Unit in New Guinea.

MobileCimema03
MobileCimema01
MobileCimema02
MobileCimema04
CinemaCrew

 
To Top

1956 Patent for Endless Track Vehicle

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

This patent application used a jeep to demonstrated how the endless track system would work on a vehicle not designed specifically for tracks. The patent was filed January 13, 1955.

According to inventor Fritz Riemerschmid, “Numerous constructions of the track! laying or crawler type have heretofore been proposed, but in all of these known cases special-type vehicles are involved, the construction of which either prohibits or renders extremely difficult the use of the vehicle under normal road and travel conditions.

Accordingly it is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a crawler-type tracklaying undercarriage for automotive vehicles which, while being particularly suitable for travel over snow-covered terrain, can be quickly and easily substituted for the standard wheels of the vehicle. It is another object of the invention to provide a construction of the type indicated in which, except for the removal of the said standard wheels from the vehicle, requires no structural changes to be made in a given vehicle. Thus, the invention renders it possible, whenever it may be desired, to provide an automotive vehicle of any given type with a tracklaying mechanism which takes the place of the standard wheels on which the said vehicle normally travels.”

1955-01-13-patent-endless-track-riemerschmid1

1955-01-13-patent-endless-track-riemerschmid2

 
To Top

1943 Ever Ready Ad with Jeep

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

This ad was featured in the February 06, 1943, issue of the Saturday Evening Post, page 59.

1943-02-06-sat-evening-post-everready-ad-pg59

 
To Top

Odd Bakelite Key Chain on eBay

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

Maury spotted this odd key chain. It looks to be Willys Aero related, making it from the early 1950s.

View all the information on eBay

“Rare Vtg Orig Willys Jeep Keychain Orange Bakelite Logo 40s 50s . Condition is Used.”

willys-bakelight-key-chain

 
To Top

1972 Article on the PNW4WDA and the Boys Scouts

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

This April of 1972 article in Boy’s Life Magazine tells the story of the Boys Scouts work project on the Naches Trail in the Cascade Mountains just north of Mt. Rainier in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Four-Wheel-Drive Association. I was not there (that I remember), but our club, the Wandering Willys, including my father, was there to help ferry the Boy Scouts to the Naches Trail.

You can read the article online here

1972-04-boys-life-mag-stgeorge-trek-boy-scouts1 1972-04-boys-life-mag-stgeorge-trek-boy-scouts2 1972-04-boys-life-mag-stgeorge-trek-boy-scouts3

 
To Top

Cool Willys/Kasier/Jeep Magnets

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

Over the past couple years I’ve been the beneficiary of some custom magnets created by Maury. I figured it was about time I shared them. I keep them on both sides of a metal bookshelf, but moved them to one side for the photo. Many thanks Maury!

magnets2-lores

 
To Top

1943 International Nickel Ad with Jeeps on eBay

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

This is a an ad I don’t think I’ve seen. This Adolph Treidler illustration was published in the April 25, 1943, issue of Time Magazine.

View all the information on eBay

“This is an original 1943 print ad for International Nickel! It measures approximately 11″ x 8” overall, has no tears or stains, comes from a dry, high-altitude, smoke-free environment, and is strictly graded

1943-04-25-time-magazine-nickel-company-jeeps-ad

 
To Top

Bernd and His CJ-5 Are Back to Work

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

It’s springtime in Austria. Bernd and his CJ-5 are back to work.

20190519_151051_low-cj5-train2

“My jeep helped prepare for a classic vehicle get-together (see links below). Today, I moved a narrow gauge railroad switch for the event. On my way, the traffic police pulled me and the jeep aside. Fortunately, they found nothing amiss, so I left without a ticket.”

See some links about the yearly event:

http://www.feuerwehr-mellau.at/cms/

http://www.feuerwehr-mellau.at/cms/index.php/chronik/fotogalerie/veranstaltungen-sonstiges/2017/2017-05-20-oldtimertreffen-2017

 
To Top

CJ-3A TOY w/ Trailer Madras, OR $1200

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

UPDATE:  Still Available. I last show it was listed for sale in Madras in 2009.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/847560688954992/?ref=messenger_share

“One of a kind Jeep pedal car. (large enough for a adult to ride ) custom hand built, extra heavy duty double wall construction . have to see to appreciate the craftsmanship and detail in construction. would make a great project to motorize ”

toy-jeep-trailer-madras

toy_jeep_madras

 
To Top

March 1950 Issue of Sales Builder

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

I’d won this a few years ago on eBay, but never got this posted. The scans are not the best, but I’ll have to wait until later to redo them.

1950-03-salesbuilder-cover-front-lores

1950-03-salesbuilder-pg1-lores
1950-03-salesbuilder-pg2-lores
1950-03-salesbuilder-pg3-lores

Continue reading

 
To Top

Wood Toy Possible Kempro Kit? **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

This toy is about 8″ long. Seller thinks it might be a Kempro Kit toy.

“Here is a nice sturdy toy car. Unknown maker. Quite possibly was a Kempro Co kit.
It is well made, and has been played with. I love Jeeps and have had a few. This sat on my desk at the shop. Unpacking some boxes the other day, I came across it again.
It shows some signs of age, but otherwise is in very good condition. Nice hardwoods used. ”

wood-toy-car-possibly-kempro1 wood-toy-car-possibly-kempro5 wood-toy-car-possibly-kempro6 wood-toy-car-possibly-kempro7 wood-toy-car-possibly-kempro8

 
To Top

1953 Willys Aero Introductory Brochure on eBay

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

The seller has several of these neat Willys Aero brochures. It’s not anything jeep-related, but it’s a neat advertising piece. This advertisement dovetails with Willys 1951-1953 efforts to push the WILLYS brand. At the start of 1953 Willys-Overland introduced the Aero Falcon, the Aero Ace, and the Aero Lark.

View all the information on eBay

1953-aero-newspaper1 1953-aero-newspaper2 1953-aero-newspaper3

 
To Top

1943/65 Flattie Rio Rancho, NM $13,000

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

UPDATE: Price dropped to $13,000. 

https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/d/rio-rancho-willys-jeep/6828048488.html

(04/18/2018) Chad spotted another California modified Flattie. It’s nearly identify to three other jeeps (same body updates, same dash, same custom windshield, same Muller custom top, etc). The differences are slightly, such as this one has a black rear bumper rather than a chrome one like the others.

  1. For example, Here’s one that was also listed as a 1965. They have different valve covers and different rear bumpers, but pretty much everything else looks the same: http://www.ewillys.com/2015/06/10/1965-custom-flattie-las-vegas-nv-ebay/#more-113889
  2. Here’s another (this has a 302 and chrome bumper): http://www.ewillys.com/2014/08/25/1948-cj-2a-kerman-ca-6950/
  3. And another (black seats): http://www.ewillys.com/2012/03/13/1948-cj-2a-clovis-ca-ebay/
  4. This has more differences than the others, but similar look: http://www.ewillys.com/2017/08/17/1948-cj-2a-fort-mohave-az-16500/ 

Here’s the ad …

“I’m selling my willys jeep. I hate to see it go but i don’t use it at all. Its in perfect shape. So many upgrades to the small block 305 v8. I don’t need to get rid of it so no low ballers. I am open to some trades and reasonable offers. I dont need help selling it and cash only. No scammers or tire kickers.”

1965-flattie-riorancho-nm1 1965-flattie-riorancho-nm2 1965-flattie-riorancho-nm3 1965-flattie-riorancho-nm4 1965-flattie-riorancho-nm5

 
To Top

Sportif-looking JeepRod Sand Canyon, TX **Status Unknown**

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

UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $2500.

(11/29/2018) This oddity reminded me of the Willys Sportif prototype (seen at bottom).

modified-wagon-sportif-like2 modified-wagon-sportif-like3 modified-wagon-sportif-like4

Photo before paint:

odd-ratrod

“This is a Rat Rod, bucket, vintage, or What every you want to call it, this is what it is.
This is a one of a kind never will you see this again.
It was built in 86 so I am to believe but I think it was built earlier as it appears to have pre- mig welder welds that look cool.
This was a full custom job when it was done and someone left it for dead.
This is a 41 Willy’s chassis.
(Registered as a 41) Continue reading

 
To Top

1950 and 1951 Ads From the Saturday Evening Post

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

Here’s a collection of ads published in the Saturday Evening Post between 1950 and 1951. This will prove useful as you read through the post underneath this one.

1950-1951-willys-overland-ads-flat-650px

 
To Top

‘Meet The Jeepster’ Brochure

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

This introduction to the Jeepster book is curious for its lack of any ‘Jeep’ branding. I’m guessing this booklet was produced in 1948?

1949-jeepster-brochure-page1

1949-jeepster-brochure-page2
1949-jeepster-brochure-page4

1949-jeepster-brochure-page3

 
To Top

10th Annual Willys Rally May 24-27th

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

UPDATE: The Rally is this weekend. I hope everyone has a great time!

This year’s Willys Rally occurs late this month May 24th-27th in Moab, Utah. Roberto Flores produced another great bit of artwork for the event. T-shirts with this design are available for purchase.

roberto-flores-10th-annual-willys-rally

 
To Top

Jeepster Pin on ebay

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

This is neat. No size dimensions provided.

View all the information on ebay

jeepster-pin

 
To Top

Smokey Bear Postcard on eBay

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

Cool postcard. Too bad the jeep isn’t more accurate. This is a tribute to artist Rudy Wendelin.

View all the information on eBay

“VINTAGE SMOKEY BEAR POSTCARD – TRIBUTE JEEP.”

smokey-bear-postcard1 smokey-bear-postcard2

 
To Top

1957 Photo of FC-150 w/ Louisville Health Dept Mosquito on eBay

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

Cool photo.

View all the information on eBay

“1957 Jeep FC Press Photo. City of Louisville. Transportation Division. Louisville & Jefferson County Health Department Mosquito Control Project.
Pages: 1
Details: W 10 x H 8 x D 0.1 Weight 1”

1957-louisville-health-deparment-fc150-photo

 
To Top

1943 photo of Jeep stuck in the Solomon Islands on eBay

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

UPDATE: A different version of this photo is up for auction.

View all the information on eBay
1943-11-15-bougianville-solomon-islands1

1943-11-15-bougianville-solomon-islands0 1943-11-15-bougianville-solomon-islands2

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

Original Post March 22, 2014: “1943- U.S. Marines pull jeep from mud on Bougainville, Solomon Islands.” This was on eBay.

one-stuck-jeep

one-stuck-jeep-solomon-islands2