Seth shared this unusual opportunity. This Spring a group is crossing Greenland. The event is auctioning off a seat. The price starts at a meager $25k. Learn more on eBay
Features Research Archives
Fred Weis and the Bobcat History
Yesterday morning, SteveK asked to know more about the Bobcat products. Were they race products or something else? The terminology is so second hand, that I thought everyone knew it by now. I decided to send him a link to an article I thought I had published about Fred Weis and the Bobcat body from the February 1970 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine. It turns out I never published that article!
So, I’d like to publish (perhaps I am republishing it) to better explain the Bobcat body and products. At the post’s bottom I’ve included a number of additional examples and information about the Bobcat. Then, on the next post, I discuss the Bobcat & Parkette fiberglass body histories.
The Parkette and The Bobcat Body
This is a companion article for the Fred Weis and Bobcat Body post. Much of this history is built from conversations, emails and comments on eWillys. I welcome corrections and additions.
In the late 1960s Fred Weis, who I understand ran a fiberglass products company, experimented with a fiberglass jeep design until he found one he liked. At the time he had been jeeping and jeep racing for a decade as part of the Cascade 4×4 Jeep Club. His first complete body was completed in 1969. By 1970, he was ready to produce them for resale. Fred’s bodies were built to be rugged, using fiberglass and wood.
The body was not intended to be an exact replica of the original body; instead, it met the needs outlined by Fred, who styled them (i would guess) to make them a little cooler. For example, the side steps reached the length of the body bend. The rim around the body edge was wider. The dash came with no holes. At some point, the body could be purchased with or without a tailgate and with or without a floor.
Fred also came up with two custom fiberglass raised hoods that provided more room in the engine compartment. One was a teardrop design (few were made) and the other was highly recognizable.
Long time jeeper Paul Parker decided to get into the fiberglass body business about the same time as Fred, so according to Ed Bray, Paul joked about buying Fred’s bodies, adding a side stripe, and calling them Parkettes. Another source told me that Paul did indeed do this, which led to a falling out to some degree between Fred and Paul.
Paul, who had been in the jeep parts business with his brother in Georgia before moving to the Tacoma area, began to build his own Parkette fiberglass tubs out of molds he built. They were very similar to Fred’s body. The biggest difference was that Paul’s jeep included a side stripe, similar to a hockey stick, that was designed to make the body side more rigid and set it apart from Fred’s body. Besides the side stripe, the body of the Parkette was better designed to fit the curve of the CJ-3A windshield. Fred’s body did not support the windshield well at all (I know this from personal experience with my Bobcat body).
A family friend ran into the windshield issue as well. Jim Carter bought a Bobcat body in the early 70s. The body arrived rough. The Carter’s sanded and primered the body, but when it came time to mount the windshield, Jim discovered it didn’t fit. He was angry. Many phone calls ensued. Next, Jim turned to Paul Parker, eventually buying a Parkette body. Jim, Pattie, and their two boys raced, trailed and streeted the jeep for years.
At some point, Fred passed the business and molds on to someone else. The Bobcat molds were divided into at least two groups. I have some of the molds. I hope some day to make my own Parkette body.
1945 Photo Correspondent Robert Massell on eBay
UPDATE: Here’s another photo with Robert Massell in it.
“An original to the WWII time period photograph. Measures approximately 2.5″ x 2.5″ inches. This photo belonged to US War Correspondent Robert Massell who reported on the war from overseas for ABC’s Blue Network Company. He traveled throughout Germany with reporters such as Howard K. Smith-CBS, Robert Barr-BBC, Noel Monks- London Daily Express, Frank Conniff INS, and Bjorn Bjornson-NBC. ”
Color WWII Photos
Blaine shared two links that show color WWII photos from 1943 Italy, including the one below.
Jeep Smoking Pipe **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Here’s another Jeep-smoking pipe. These jeep pipes don’t appear very often. You can view two other examples here.
“This little pipe looks unused and is a WWII souvenir brought back by a US GI. The wooden part is about 2.5 inches long. See photo. This was in my WWII toy display for many years. It would look great in your toy JEEP or real JEEP collection. Made in FRANCE!”
Conch Jeep Train Key West, Florida
UPDATE: Mark shared this closeup photo of the Jeep Train ‘Engine’.
Original Post — Jan 19, 2013: Here’s a jeep train out of Key West, the ‘world famous ‘Conch Tour Train‘. You can still find the Conch Tour Trains wandering Key West. Here’s a picture of one. It looks to be a CJ-5. Here’s an article about them.
Vintage Conch Tour Train Pics: Check out all those shrimp boats in the background. you can just make out the jeep trapped under the shell of the train body.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/77312. Picture taken by Barron, Charles.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/77286. Picture taken by Barron, Charles.
Jeep Promo-Kit Sammamish, WA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $50.
Ted shared this one. It’s on the newer side, but for $50, seems like a cool thing to have in your jeep (old or new).
“Jeep promotional toolkit from 2006. In a plastic case with hatchet, multitool, knife, etc.”
More Pics From Charles
1943 Photo of Slat Grille in Italy on eBay
Not much info on this road’s location other than Italy.
“1943 Press Photo A jeep rolls up the newly finished Italian Road. This is an original press photo. A jeep rolls up the newly finished Italian Road Photo measures 7.75 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 10-15-1943.”
1946 Testimonial by Tractors & Equipment, Inc.
Willys Rally May 18th-20th
Casey shared this followup reminder about the Willys Rally. They expect a bigger crowd this year due to the recent JP Magazine article.
1952 Story About Boy Scout Trip in a Willys Truck
Scott shared a link to this 1952 story about eleven Boy Scouts who drove for 73 days across the country and back in a single Willys truck. It’s worth a read:
Here’s how the story begins: “In the summer of 1952 I was one of 11 Boy Scouts from Glen Ridge who joined Troop 3 Scoutmaster George Gimbel on a 73-day cross-country adventure. The trip took in 22states and two Canadian provinces. Nineteen fifty-two was years before the construction of the Interstate Highway System, so all of our travel was via state and local roads. We saw the country up-close. We camped out every night in national parks, state forests, and Boy Scout camps.”
4 Door Wagon w/ Suicide Rears
Scramboleer Dan shared an Old Willys Forum thread that has pics and a discussion of a 1954 four door wagon that has two rear suicide doors. Later on, the thread contains a video link with Paul Barry sharing a photo of a 3 door wagon with one rear suicide door. At this point, the unknown question is … was this modified at the factory, at Fairmont, or somewhere else? In the meantime, we all seem to be unanimous in our jealously of the new owner 🙂
http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/showthread.php?13094-Suicide-door-Wagon-Does-exist (there are more pics in the thread)
Maury’s New Batter Topper
Maury share how he tackled making his new-style battery look old school. you can follow the thread at earlyCJ5.com.
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/new-battery-topper.128802/
1943 Photo of China/Burma/India Theatre on eBay
This is nicely framed.
“1943 Press Photo Chinese Soldiers In American Jeeps On The Move In Jungle Road. This is an original press photo. Chinese soldiers in American Jeeps on the move along a jungle road. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 10-22-1943.”
Hemet Jeep Club Cavalcade Photos
These photos appeared in the 2008 book HEMET, part of which was scanned into Google Books. In this case, the captions suggest that these were photos of the first cavalcade (listed in the caption as ’48, but ’49 according to a long-time club member),
To me it looks as if there’s at least two M-38A1s, but I can’t confirm that with this lo-res image. The year credited is 1954.
The caption on the photo below suggests this was taken in 1948, but the CJ-3A shown at the front places the next two photos later than that. In fact, the CJ-3A pictured appears also appears in the 1949 photos from Life Magazine. So, these were most likely taken in April of 1949.
An M-38A1 (or CJ-5) can be seen in the background, suggesting this is at least 1952 or later.
Walt Disney’s Gem Mineral Club Decal
This 4″ Walt Disney gem hunter’s decal is on eBay (I offered $20, seller countered with $25). Apparently, this may have been tangentially connected to the Mineral King project. Unbeknownst to me, in late 1965 Disney was awarded the right to develop the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park. Originally, this area was at the edge of the park, but now the NP encompasses that valley and more. It’s a pretty interesting story. Fun fact: The Country Bear Jamboree was originally designed for Mineral King. The Audio-Animatronic bears were planned as entertainers for one of the restaurants.
Vintage 4WD Hardware Sign in Ohio on eBay
UPDATE: Still Available for $250.
(12/08/2018) Steve spotted this cool sign. Has to be picked up in person. Has a little bit of damage.
View all the information on eBay
“1 VINTAGE ORIGINAL 4WD HARDWARE SIGN: THIS WAS HANGING IN THE ORIGINAL 4WD BUILDING IN COLUMBIANA OHIO IN THE ’80’S. THE SIGN IS MADE OF WOOD AND MEASURES 48″x60″. THIS WOULD BE AN AWESOME PIECE TO HANG IN A JEEP ENTHUSIASTS HOBBY SHOP. PAINTED BY ARTIST DANDY LINES.”
Throwing Wrenches: A New Youtube Show
Merlin Hanson, Mike Gardner, and Joe Beadenkopf will be headlining a new youtube show called Throwing Wrenches. Merlin and Joe joined us for the trip to Alaska. Most folks probably don’t know Joe. A testament to Joe’s mechanical ability is that he’s driven his modified CJ-3B across the US and back (a couple years ago) and all the way from Maryland to Alaska and back (via Portland) last year without issue. He also drove farther in his jeep than any other Alaska Or Rust participant.
Here’s the inaugural video. Mike tells a nice story while driving at the end of this episode:
1945 Early 2A Press Photo on eBay
Another introductory press photo of the CJ-2A.
“This Press photo measures 8×10 inches. Date 7-20-1945.”
Aluminum? Body Willits, CA $2500
Bill spotted this one. Seller indicates it is aluminum, but to me it looks more like stainless and galvanized steel parts. I’d be the body is a little longer than standard, too. It includes a variety of other parts.
“Hi, I have an Aluminum Jeep Body the body and the frame are in good condition. Motor ran when I pulled it has been sitting out in the weather for a couple of years has been tarped only the past 2 years has it not been tarped. Some of the parts I think are rusted too use any more. Most of the ports in the motor have been taped over. I don’t know the year of this jeep body. No title. 2,500 O.B.O. Please do not email me. Feel free to call or text me with any questions and I will get back to you as soon as I can.”
Lawrence Elliott’s Jeeps
Maury spent some time with Lawrence Elliott, a retired jeep mechanic, and took a few photos of him with his jeeps. Lawrence also re-manufactures bell cranks with bearings, so Maury was curious about that, too (see an example here). I’m hoping to visit both during my trip east this May.
Maury writes, “Lawrence thinks he’s owned about 28 jeeps over the years. Now, he has an early 1960’s(?) jeep truck that he has turned into a nice restomod, with a Chevy V6 engine and Ford 9″ rear axle, among many other modifications. He also has a CJ6 under build, as well as an M38A1, which have Chevy motors as well. On the CJ6, he created an adapter to mount a Ford Ranger steering box to replace the original Ross gearbox.”
Blow are a few pics of Lawrence and his vehicles.
1944 Photo of Allan Robertson in Florence, Italy on eBay
UPDATE: This one is back on eBay.
(11/05/2017) Seeing that “Beware” sign has got to be intimidating!
“1944 Press Photo Private Allan Robertson drives a jeep in Florence Italy
This is an original press photo. Driving this jeep through a street in Florence, Private Allan Robertson, Birmingham, Ala., pauses to read a “Beware Enemy Snipers” sign on the side of a building. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 8-19-1944.”
Newton Power Sickle Mower Ad on eBay
Newton made at least two different models of the mower, a “J” and an “L”. It was the “J” that was used on the jeep (according to the ad). (See brochures for the Newton and other mowers here)
“THIS IS AN ORIGINAL 1948 ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE NEWTON POWER SICKLE MOWER; FITS TRACTORS AND JEEPS; MANUFACTURED BY THE H. G. & S. MANUFACTURING CORPORATION IN NEWTON, WISCONSIN. AD IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND HAS EXCELLENT GRAPHICS. AD MEASURES 5 1/8″ X 3 5/8″.”