Great photos. I wish these were in color. They were published in the Jun 9, 1946, issue of the Milwaukee Journal and the June 16, 1946, issue of the Evening Star.
Features Research Archives
Jeep Project Runs on “Boy” Power
I think the author is overstating just how many muscles kids will get by operating this jeep. It was published by Montreal Gazette in 1973.
Heavy Pay-Load leads to Sale
Texas Governor Allan Shivers’ CJ-5
36 Issues of Jeep News on eBay
One seller has a bunch of Jeep News issues for sale. Some are 1960s and some 1970s. I’ve bid on a couple, but there are many more.
More Pics from Charles
1955 Jeep Sales Success Stories
The December 1955 issue of Willys News shared their dealer success stories (you’ll have to click on the ‘continue’ button below to read them).
Ford GP Valentine Card **SOLD**
UPDATE: Two of these sold in 2014. The last seller mentioned the eyes move back and forth with the jeep. This one sold for $14.50 on eBay.
“WWII ARMY WAAC VALENTINE. 5″X 4″.”
1/8th Scale Toy Wrangler … only $2300
John found this one. As toys goes, this is pretty cool, but expensive.
Eastern Flood Relief in the 1950s
This wagon was driven by American Red Cross worker Helen Corken. It was featured in the December 1955 issue of Willys News.
1945 Santa Photo with VEC CJ-2A on eBay
Should I know who Joan Rimers is?
“Original Vintage Press Photo Christmas Santa & Pretty Girl Joan Rimers w/ Willys Jeep CJ dated 1945 Size is 7×9″ inches.”
Amateurs Untie! (Oh damn, another mistake, I meant UNITE)
Today I received an email from someone I do not know and was not a regular reader of the site. Like all the emails I receive, I answer it the best I can. However, sometimes I do make mistakes (which is painfully obvious if you follow the site regularly). In this particular situation, things went sideways quickly . . .
The emailer has a low mileage, 100% stock jeep that he is excited to sell. He told me it was so nice that he would “defy anyone” to find a better example of it. Challenge accepted!!
He then asked for my opinion on it and about listing it on eWillys, so I downloaded the pics he sent into my CJ-5 folder to review them. **Spoiler Alert** It is important for our story to know that there are a couple thousand photos in that one folder.
I looked through the pictures he sent, noting there were five interior photos that showed the dash and engine in excellent shape. The interior was green (forest green perhaps), clean, and appeared brand new. However, when I dropped to the last two photos it showed a jeep with a rough orange exterior and a shoddy soft top. I thought it strange that the inside was so nice and clean, but the oustide was poor. However, I was in a hurry, as I was trying to make dinner and finish rewrites on a book chapter so I could head to a party with my wife.
Therefore, I responded to the seller with an email that noted I thought the interior nice, but the exterior poor and not 100%. I said it looked like the exterior had been repainted and the top was unoriginal. It was hardly a brutal assessment of his jeep by any means. He thought otherwise . . .
Almost immediately after sending the email my jeepsense (kind of like spiderman’s spideysense??) told me revisit the photos. I just knew something wasn’t right. That’s when I realized the orange exterior shots belonged to a different jeep. Oops, my bad!! So, I fired off a second email within minutes of the first offering my apologies for my mistake and informing the seller that I thought the outside was as good as the inside.
Well, the seller was not pleased by the short review in my first email. You’d think I’d questioned his manhood or thanked his mother for last night. Rather than address my incorrect comments about the jeep’s exterior (about which I was clearly wrong) or wonder if I’d looked at the wrong photos, he attacked me.
He began by questioning my knowledge, calling me an “amateur.” Okay, so this is almost true. I’m not sure I make enough money to be called a professional, thus I am an amateur by its very definition. But, he didn’t stop there.
He also told me he doesn’t need amatuers—there’s the word again … how did he know— like me “spreading misinformation on truly classic vehicles.” He added that I reminded him “of the idiot at the title agency who said the odometer wasn’t correct.” Did he just compare me with someone from the DMV? (I must come clean that Ann did work for the DMV for a short time, so I know they aren’t all ‘idiots)
Finally, he offered me some advice, telling me to “get an education before making false statements.” Well, I would have him know that I bought a fine education from the University of Utah, but that has never helped me identify a jeep!!
By the end of his email I was sure his keyboard’s keys were melting from the heat of his prose. If I was his dog, I’m sure he would have kicked me. Perhaps he was confusing me with his dog?
Unfortunately for him, it seems he never got around to looking at my second email (and probably not the third one I sent following his response). Had he bothered to tone down the verbal abuse, he might have seen me apologize for a simple error. Perhaps his fury made it impossible for him to read. Who knows?
So, I publish this as a reminder to all readers. Sometimes I make mistakes and I greatly appreciate those willing to tell me that. Email can be a tricky communication tool, especially when I’m working on a book deadline!!! So, if I say something that seems untrue, completely wacky, senseless, or without forethought, just send me a thoughtful message.
On the bright side, I believe that’s the nastiest email I’ve received all year. And, each year, there always seems to be someone pissed off at me for something. I guess it comes with job. Hopefully, nothing else tops it during the next two days!!!
So, to sooth the gentleman’s sensitive feelings, I’ve added this card:
Santa Fireplace Display
This December 1955 Willys News article shows a jeep exiting a fireplace in a Florida Jeep dealership. It looks too big for Santa to bring down the chimney, but a flat fender would have fit 🙂
York-Hoover & the Early Bantams
This interesting article about the York-Hoover Corporation and its manufacture of the the early Bantam bodies—Bantam BRC-60s like the one show below at the Heinz Museum in Pittsburgh—makes an interesting read:
http://www.ydr.com/story/news/history/blogs/yorkspast/2015/12/16/yh-jeep/77406456/
1943 Photo of Jeep Assembly Line in England on eBay
This photo shows part of the assembly line for building jeeps in England.
“1943 Press Photo US Army Ordnance Jeep Assembly Line Workers, England
This is an original press photo. Photo measures 10 x 8.25inches. Photo is dated 10-28-1943.”
1944 Photo of Marion Isbell’s GP on eBay
UPDATE: Marion Isbell’s Ford GP was part of a photo shoot on his farm in Geneva Lake, Wisconsin. The top one is currently for sale on eBay. The rest were sold earlier. A little hard to believe all photos were taken on the same day, January 20, 1994.
1. For sale on eBay: View all the information on eBay
“You are bidding on an original press photo of Lake Geneva WI Man M Isbell Using WWII Jeep on His Farm. Photo has some slight waving left & right edges. If the listing shows thin red and/or green lines, they are the result of a bad scan & the lines are NOT on the actual scan. Photo measures 7 x 9 inches and is dated 1/20/1944.”
2. **SOLD** Was on eBay in Oct 2014.
Here’s a photo of a Ford GP pulling a manure spreader on Marion Isbell’s farm in Geneva Lake, Wisconsin. “1944 US Army Jeep Pulls Manure Spreader Alongside Horse & Wagon”
3. **SOLD** Was on eBay December of 2014.
“1944 Press Photo Former Army Jeep Used for Ice Harvesting Lake Geneva Wisconsin”
4. **SOLD** Was on eBay in November 2014.
“You are bidding on an original press photo of Lake Geneva WI Farmer Using Vintage WWII Jeep For Work. Photo has waving due to too much glue being used to apply the information sheet onto the back of the photo Photo measures 7 x 9 inches and is dated 1/20/1944.”
1969 CJ-5 Inauguration Parade in DC on eBay
UPDATE: The photo below may show this CJ-5, which has a dash plaque from the same day.
“You are bidding on an original press photo of Texas Float Inaugural Parade Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC. Jeep pulls float. Photo has small tear top edge. If the listing shows thin red and/or green lines, it is the result of a bad scan & the lines are NOT on the actual photo. Photo measures 8 x 10 inches and is dated 1/20/1969.”
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Just as a reminder,
Ann, my kids, and I will be spending the week in the Seattle area. I do have some updates scheduled to appear, but they will be limited. The kids leave on the 26th and Ann and I will be back in Pasco by the 27th, so I imagine normal updates will begin at least by Dec. 28th, if not earlier.
Lawrence and his dogs once again dressed up for the holidays. Thanks for the photos!
Rare DJ-5 Yellow Surrey
UPDATE: Originally published 12/13/2011
Bruce provided this research on Surreys and found a picture of this very rare Surrey. Of the DJ-5 Surrey he writes, Only 30 were built on what looks like the dj platform. It looks to be 2wd using the full ‘JEEP’ wheel cover, rear spare, steps, 60/40 seats up front & rear seat, daffodil yellow & white interior & candy striped yellow & white top w/fringe.
According to the Saskkatoon Star Phoenix June 17 1968: “For many years a familiar sight south of the border particularly at southern hotels & resorts, the ‘Jeep’ Surrey has been introduced to Canada, Kaiser Jeep of Canada Limited, Windsor, Ont has produced 30 for a special program. Painted daffodil yellow & white interior, its chief characteristic is a yellow & white candy striped fringe top. It can also be outfitted w/fully-enclosing convertible top for winter motoring.”
June 1958 Booster News **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was eBay.
This has some great information.
“Original 1958 Willys Newspaper “Booster News” With Expiermental Millitary Mule”
Roy Rogers and Jeeps
UPDATE: Originally published 02/18/2012
Here are a couple jeep pictures with Roy Rogers I hadn’t seen before.
http://www.westernclippings.com/treasures/westerntreasures_gallery_23.shtml. Note this one is a dually!
1943 Photo of Irish Boys on Navy Jeep on eBay
Neat photo.
“WWII Irish Boys Inspect U.S. Navy Jeep at Naval Base in Ireland Orig Press Photo”
Charles’ Pics
Merry Christmas DJ-5
1941 Santa Claus in a Willys MA on eBay
I bet this is one of the earliest Santa-in-a-jeep photos.
“1941- Santa Clause uses jeep to bring presents to troops at the Quartermaster Replacement Center at Camp Lee, Virginia.”