The CIO News out of Cumberland, MD, published a story on March 15, 1943, about the US Army and Navy honoring the workers of Willys Overland.
Features Research Archives
1956 Photo of Jeeps Outside the Reichstag
This photo from eBay Germany shows a couple MP MBs/GPWs with some nice tops sitting outside the Berlin Reichstag.
View all the information on eBay
“Arthur Grimm
Original Foto um 1956 zu einem mir unbekannten Film
Berliner Reichstag
Fotograf: Arthur Grimm
Shot: um 1956 – Abzug: um 1956
Silbergelatine auf Baryt-Papier
Blattmaß: 23,8 cm x 17,2 cm”
More Tour Jeep — Jeep Train Photos
Derek Redmond shared some more jeep-train and tour jeep photos he’s uncovered on various sites. Cool stuff!
Brief History of the ‘Sports Utility Vehicle’ Term
UPDATE: Terry points out that Ford used the marketing term “Sports Utility” in 1966 ads. Previous to that, in 1947, Crosely marketed a “Sports Utility” vehicle.
Crosely (see bottom of the ad):
This 1966 ad for the Ford Bronco has text near the bottom that reads, “Try the Wagon, Roadster, or Sports Utility at your Ford dealer now”. The Sports Utility model is the one with the half cab:
Here’s a 1966 Ford Commercial that identifies each of the models:
Original Post Jan 31, 2019: Dan ‘Scramboleer’ spotted this Motor Trend March 2019letter-to-the-editor about the origin of the term ‘Sports Utility Vehicle’. Essentially, Jeep’s marketing department was attempting to cease the use of the term jeep-like (and similar jargon) to describe offload vehicles. The concern was that it was diluting the value of the Jeep Trademark. So, they came up with the term Sports Utility Vehicle idea. The Journalists took it from there, shortening it to SUV.
Toy Fire Jeep From eBay Germany
At $190 Euros, this isn’t cheap, but it’s a cool toy jeep!
Lift Gate off of a Willys Truck Allentown, PA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $600.
Steve spotted this rare item. I can’t tell if it was made specifically for the Willys truck or if it is an adaptation. The Lift-O-Matic was the lift gate that Willys-Motors endorsed.
“VINTAGE LIFTGATE OFF OF A 1958 WILLYS TRUCK”
2019 Jeep Outing in Costa Rica
Roger shared this story. A group of Costa Rican Jeep friends took their vintage jeeps out for an 2019 adventure to the beach, where they camped at least one night. This is their second ‘Willys Adventure’ together. You can see more pics on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Willys-Pasión-Costa-Rica-1726644670912768/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2254856788091551 . Looks like fun!
1945 Article on How to Handle War Surplus
This July 15, 1945, article in the Evening Star featured a great shot of Ford GPAs. I thought the article was interesting, too. It highlights the challenges of managing war surplus (links to page 1 and page 2 of original article).
’57 Willys Or ’58 Chevy on This or That
TJ shared a link from Hemmings on a “This or That” article, meaning if you could only choose one, which one would you choose. Most folks on Hemmings leaned toward the Willys truck. I think I might be more partial to the Chevy (heresy, I know).
Just a Couple Posts Today
I spend the last couple days driving to, then back from Seattle. Dad’s been saying a few odd things, so I wanted to see how he was doing at his new Rehab facility. He may have the start of some dementia … on the joys of aging.
Because of my drive over on Sunday, I lost out on the chance to get this Dualmatic Sales Demo hub. But, I did score some cool wagon/truck/jeepster brochures fairly inexpensively. So, I’ll be sharing those at some point.
Here’s the demo hub. There’s not a good pic of it, but there’s plastic around the edge so viewers can watch how the levers engage/disengage the hubs.
1944 Article “…By Jeep To Alaska Article” (Early One)
Herbert Lanks wrote an article titled “… By Jeep To Alaska” that was published in the February 13, 1944, issue of the Evening Star (published on page 4 and page 5). He’d later write a second, and different, article titled with the same name published in the September issue of Popular Photography.
The article below appears between sets of photos. The first photo below shows the humble beginnings of the Watson Lake Sign Forest.
1944 Photos of Jeeps In Mud
These photos were published in the November 19, 1944, issue of the Evening Star. It sure was a mess over there at times!
Matching Original Press Photos:
1947 “Seeing’s Believing” Ad
This “Seeing’s Believing!” ad was published on July 06, 1947, in the Wilmington Morning Star. I wish all the scanned newspaper ads came out this clear.
1946 Ad for the “Willys Mighty Farm Jeep”
This ad for the Willys Mighty Farm Jeep and an associate demonstration was published in the Henderson, NC, Daily Dispatch on April 13, 1946.
From the same newspaper earlier in the month (April 06) was this teaser for the demonstration:
Stony Ridge Farms CJ-3A-Rescue
This summer of 2018 video shows Josh, the Stoney Ridge Farmer out of North Carolina, pulling a family jeep out of a barn. The jeep hadn’t been driven in thirty years. There are more videos related to the jeep here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVGf64a6nqKhgR9eKCUY4A/search?query=jeep
1942 Photos of Jeep Farm Tests
This series of photos was published June 14, 1942, in the Evening Star. There’s also a post from 2015 that includes some similar photos. Becky Bergmann in a Ford GP was featured in several.
1958 FC-170 Sells for $159,500
This former SEMA FC sold for $159,500 at this year’s Scottsdale auction.
https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1958-JEEP-FC170-CUSTOM-SUV-227949
“This 1958 Jeep FC170 was completely hand-built by the Daystar team in Phoenix, AZ. Hundreds of hours went into the building of this Jeep, and it was featured at the 2015 SEMA show. The combination of the all-terrain wheels and tires, and separate Mattracks 88 Series tracks, the vehicle can tackle any terrain on tires or treads. The custom body of the FC170 is protected by a beautiful 3-stage custom Metallic Viper Green paint accented with a pearlescent cream. The Daystar team did an outstanding job on the quality of finish, raw power and off-road prowess. It’s powered by a 5.7-liter 8-cylinder engine backed by an automatic transmission. This Jeep is still in great condition to this day. Both wheels and tires, and Mattracks tracks are included in the sale.”
1967 Monarch Back Blade Brochure on eBay
Maury spotted this back blade brochure on Amazon that neither of us had seen. It includes a detailed schematic of the unit.
‘Metal Shaper’ Has Items For Sale
Brian’s got some items for sale in the video below. You willy likely recognize him as Metal Shaper on Youtube. He’s been doing regular videos over the past two years and, as usual, his work is great. You can view his entire video list here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHDVml1xugLuj0oi384tEQ/videos
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
There are a bunch of jeep-snow pics on eBay, so thought I’d share an array of them given that a number of you got hit with snow in the last few days.
- Color Photo of CJ-2A in Snow (looks like a lefty, but the photo is reversed):
- Modified Jeep in the Snow (photo from Bulgaria):
- Photo from Washington State with a CJ-2A (The woman in the driver’s window looks ghostly):
- MB/GPW Dragging Sled(?) in the Snow:
- 1962 CJ-5 Photo:
- 1954 Champion Spark Plug Ad with CJ-2A:
- Classis (and reproduction photo) from WWII:
- 1962 Meyer Postcard (Meyer top and plow):
- 1950/51 Delivery Sedan with 4WD:
- Looks like there was a lot of snow, given how much is still on the wagon’s fenders:
- Jeep Wagoneer Ad with Snow (Wife will be safer):
Meyer Snow Plow on FC-150 Brochure
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
I don’t think I’ve run across this brochure before.
“Equipment Brochure – Meyer Products Inc., Cleveland, Ohio – Snow Plows and the exclusive Electrolift for Jeep Vehicles – Fact Sheet / Model Recommendations for Jeep Vehicles – English language – 3 Colour – 4 pages – approx. 11 x 8.5 inch sized page – Code: Form No. 3-118; undated, likely dates to approx. 1960’s – Light wear, very good condition, 3-hole punched (no impairment of text).
Includes Black & White photos of various models of plows and angle dozer on Jeep Universal, 4WD Station Wagon, Truck and FC-170 Forward Control.”
Bountiful Jeep Posse Club Plate **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This has some wear and the price is pretty high given the condition.
“100. % original porcelain municipal sign from the first Jeep Posse formed in Bountiful City. Sign is in good shape. Just 2 places where the porcelain has chipped away. 8 inches by 8 inches. Please see pictures for details. Color and gloss are great!!! This is a great addition for you automotive memorabilia collection!!”
M-B Sweeper for Willys Jeep Brochure on eBay
The jeeps’ PTO powered this sweeper.
View all the information on eBay
“Original non color sales sheet , 8.5 x 11 , printed both sides , has many small pieces of tape at tears at edge , has 2 horizontal folds , 3 file holes at edge , wrinkling at edges , some soiling”
7 Willys Wagon Brochures $49.99 (eBay)
It’s not a good price for these seven brochures.
“Original Willy’s (Jeep) Station Wagon Brochures. Group / Lot of 7 brochures. Various years and models from the 1950’s. Good Condition. Covers, edges show some wear, stamps, small writing.”
Lighted Jeep Sign FC & CJ-5 **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Great sign.
“For your consideration selling with no reserve.. Used previously displayed 38×12 inch Jeep sign. Sign face is in excellent shape has only minor defects in the silk screen which may be visable in the pictures…Light source is a florescent bulb that runs off regular 110 voltage via 2 prong plug. Has a metal frame and wooden backing. Selling at no reserve. won’t be disappointed. Ships priority insured.”