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Leigh’s Trip Through Australia Part II

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

This is Part II of Leigh’s trip across Australia in a 1944 Ford GPW. Read Part I here.

Map 2

Map shows the trip from Terowie to Alpana Station.

Leaving early we travelled to Peterborough in the southern Flinders Ranges. Peterborough developed from a small country town to a major regional centre with the coming of the railways in1881 and was the largest railway depot outside Adelaide, with huge workshops, a 23 bay roundhouse and a 3 gauge turntable, sadly increasing motorisation led to the demise of the railways and after the closure of the line in the early 1990’s all that remains is the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre housed in the original workshops and depot.  www.steamtown.com.au

Steamtown

The convoy parked in front of Steamtown.

Steamtown 2

Steam town engine display

Once again the weather was best described as “ordinary” as we travelled through the small townships of Orroroo and Wilmington to arrive at Quorn in the late afternoon where  we camped in dismal conditions at the Town Oval  and had our evening meal supplied by the Community Sporting Assoc.

That night was spent clinging to our mattress as un-seasonal gale force winds and driving rain hammered the campground, fortunately it cleared slightly by morning and we set off damp and weary for Alpana Station. (station in this instance is the equivalent of an American Ranch) Established in 1878, Alpana spans 60,000 acres however can only support around 3000 Merino sheep due to the arid nature of the country.

Entering Brachina Gorge

Entering Brachina Gorge

The route taken was via Kanyaka ruins and Brachina Gorge where once again it rained heavily and made conditions difficult, so much so that in the evening the road was officially closed to traffic.

Brachina gorge

Driving through the rain and mud in Brachina Gorge.

Kanyaka Station was established as a cattle station in February 1852 by Hugh Proby. The Flinders Ranges is very dry country, so it is both tragic and ironic that on 30 August 1852, Proby drowned when he was swept from his horse crossing the swollen Willochra Creek while trying to herd a mob of cattle during a thunderstorm.Under subsequent owners, the station grew in size until it was one of the largest in the district with 70 families living and working there. Because of the difficulties of transport, the station had to be very self-sufficient and Kanyaka station grew to include a large homestead, cottages for workers, workshops, huts and sheds, mostly built from local stone due to limited supplies of workable local timber. Severe droughts resulted in massive losses of stock and eventually the station was abandoned. Due to its stone construction, many of the buildings survive today as ruins and are a popular tourist attraction.

Kanyaka homestead

Kanyaka homestead

Once again camp was set up in the rain at Alpana Station, tomorrow on to the small settlement of Blinman.

Read Part III Here

 

 
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Ranch Tour Via Jeep in Julian, CA

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

I ran across this ad for a jeep tour in eastern San Diego County, California.

“Hello there! I am here to tell you theres a new adventure in eastern San Diego. It takes place on a very private ranch on the outskirts of Julian. We are offering private weekend jeep tours, to discover an unseen landscape not before explored. This is the first year it is ever being done. We will travel through select areas of julian, to wine taste, have a delicious lunch, or even to the local brewery. We will then travel through the oldest apple/pear orchard in Julian. Then the last stop to view old growth trees and views of the ocean from the mountain with which most the wildlife will be seen. There will be a daytime tour and an evening tour in your choice of Jeeps! Give us a call/email or text for more information, we look forward to hearing from you!”

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/for/5217399750.html

private-tour-sandiego2 private-tour-sandiego

 
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Leigh’s Trip Through Australia Part I

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

Leigh and his wife Cheryl drove their 1944 GPW 4200 miles across Australia. Leigh documented his trip with some pics and descriptions. Below is part I. Thanks to Leigh for taking the time to put this together!

map

Leigh and Cheryl started at point A, east of Melbourne. They drove through)rain northwestward to Adelaide (B), where they joined the group. Together, the caravan started northward, reaching Terowie (G on the map).

The seeds for this trip were actually sown in 1995 when a group of Military vehicle enthusiasts organised a run from Alice Springs to Darwin to commemorate th 50th anniversary of the end of WW2, they would re-enact the supply convoys that ran between these citys during this conflict.
Enthusiasts from all states of Australia and several from overseas responded and over eighty vehicles participated with the Australian Army supplying a further fourteen support vehicles. They also took charge of the convoy that was spread over several miles.

As a result of the success of this event it was decided that a similar event, but on a smaller scale be run every five years starting from a different state every year.

This year was South Australias turn with the convoy of 40 vehicles including 5 – MB/GPW’s, 1 – 1954 Jeep Truck and 1 – 1974 Mitsubishi built Jeep meeting at the National Military Vehicle Museum in Adelaide (who have an MB and a GPA.) For us in south east Victoria this was a 600 mile journey in appalling weather (heavy rain & squalls) before the official start. After two days battling a head wind my long suffering wife, Cheryl and I finally arrived at the start point in our 1944 GPW & Australian Army Jeep trailer, (slightly different to the US trailer) here we had a lay day to meet the other participants and do any minor repairs/gather last minute supplies as we were about to head into country where there are little in the way of services and generally no phone coverage.

Overlooking Barossa Valley

Overlooking Barossa Valley

Next morning we set off through the Adelaide Hills and the wine making region of the Barossa Valley on mostly sealed roads to get us accustomed to travelling in convoy, to end up on the Worlds end Hwy (it wasn’t really that bad) at Burra Gorge where we camped for the night.

Burra copper mine Circa 1870

Burra copper mine Circa 1870.

Burra Mine engine house

Burra Mine Engine House.

The following day Mon. Aug. 10th we travelled on to the sleepy town of Terowie, (population 145) where the local Citizens Assoc. supplied us with a BBQ dinner and free camping on the local oval, again it was windy and freezing.

Terowie MacArthur Monument

Cheryl next to Terowie MacArthur Monument.

Terowie was a busy staging camp during WW2 and while transferring trains here on 20th March 1942 General Douglas MacArthur made his famous speech regarding the battle of the Philippines in which he said “I came out of Bataan and I shall return”. He subsequently repeated the line “I shall return” in a number of speeches. The event is commerated by a plaque on the now disused railway platform.

Camp at NMVM Adelaide

Setting up camp at Terowie

Tomorrow its on to Quorn in the picturesque Flinders Ranges. Read Part II here (scheduled for Sat morning)

 
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Sebastian and His Son Santiago

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

Sebastian is doing his best to pass on the family love of jeeps. Poor kid doesn’t have a chance 🙂

Santi_d2 Santi_Willys_Sept2

 
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Jeep Smoker/Grill Valentie, SD No price

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

Here’s another jeep-themed barbeque.

“For sale or trade. Electric smoker, propane side burner.”

http://rapidcity.craigslist.org/for/5185820935.html

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New Meyer Cab & Nebraska Ruff Riders

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

A 1966 issue of jeep news covered the new Meyer M-III cab and highlighted the Nebraska Ruff Riders car show win.

1966-jeep-news-new-meyer-cab

 
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1957 Article about the Schreiders

• CATEGORIES: Features, GPA (SEEP), Old Images, Old News Articles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This article appeared in the June 9, 1957 issue of the Tuscaloosa News. The photo shows Frank and Helen Schreider , their dog Dinah, and their Ford GPA, La Tortuga. The report covers the period after their Pan American trip. Because of the journey, the Shreiders were elected to the Explorers Club. In the article they tease about going to Indonesia, which of course the eventually did.

1957-06-09-tuscaloosanews-schreider-fareast

 
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1955 Press Photo of DJ-3A

• CATEGORIES: DJ-3A, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This was on eBay.

“1955 Press Photo Willys Jeep Dispatcher Designed for Light Delivery Work
This is an original press photo. Photo measures 9.75 x 8inches. Photo is dated 12-30-1955.”

View all the information on eBay

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1959 Photo of CJ-5 and FC in Moscow on eBay

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

This is a neat photo.

“You are bidding on an original 8 x 10 press photo of Moscow Russia Wayne Hall, Thomas Kridler in Jeep at US Exhibit. The attendants were meeting visitors from Russia while seated in the first Jeep truck ever to be seen in Russia. Hall was from Cincinnati OH, Kridler of Columbus OH. Photographer Unknown. Dated 8/5/1959. The following stamps are on the back of the photo: Cleveland Press”

View all the information on eBay

1959-moscow-cj5-fc2 1959-moscow-cj5-fc1

 
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Altered Model y50r Ramsey Winch **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

A reader was concerned that an eBay seller was trying to sell a y50r Ramsey winch as a 50r Ramsey winch. More info in the comments.

ramsey-pto-winch-not-real

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1. Information on a y50r: http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=98583 (2nd pic below)

2. Information on a 50r: http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album127&id=M38_manual_page_169_detail_drawing (3rd pic below)

3. Comparison photos:

ramsey-pto-comparison

 

 

 
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1954 Photo of M-151 Test on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, M-151, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Looks like the driver is having fun.

” 1954 Ford Motor Company Tests New Jeep For Army Ordnance Corps Press Photo. You are bidding on an original press photo of Ford Motor Company Tests New Jeep For Army Ordnance Corps. It shows the jeep flying around the Ford Motor proving grounds track. Photo measures 8 x 10 inches and is dated 9/16/1954.”

View all the information on eBay

1954-09-16-m151-pressphoto1

1954-09-16-m151-pressphoto2

 
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1960 Article Featuring the Maverick Wagon

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

It is always funning to hear the f-head described as a high performance power plant. The article was featured in the November 30, 1960, issue of Lakeland Ledger.

1960-11-30-lakeland-ledger-maverick-wagon

 
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Movie Pics from Charles

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

Thanks to Charles for sharing jeep pics from some movies. I don’t have time to figure out which pics belong to which movie, since Ann and I are going to enjoy an evening together.

snap537.4 snap536.2 snap535.4 snap579

Continue reading

 
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1948 Model 90 Empire Tractor Portland, OR **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features, Other 4x4s • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3500.

Thanks to Blaine for spotting this good looking Model 90 for sale. What’s an Empire Tractor?

“Empire tractors were only built for a few years after WWII.
The drivetrain of these tractors was the Willys Jeep 4×4 which were available at that time.
The engine, transmission, transfer case, rearend, radiator, steering column and wheel are all Willys.
The operator platform of the tractor is surplus navy ship decking.
This tractor does not have the original Willys engine, but instead has a flat head Jeep engine with a counterbalanced crankshaft. The electrical system has also been updated to 12v instead of the original 6v system.
The engine, transmission, and transfer case were all rebuilt a few years ago. The engine runs great and idles very smoothly.
The tractor can easily do 20mph on the road and if the rear tires were balanced it would go faster.
This tractor would be great for someone wanting to do one of the antique tractor drives that various tractor clubs offer.

There are less than 500 Empire tractors in the USA, known to the Empire Tractor Club.
(oh…. also included with the tractor for the buyer would be all the Empire Tractor Club newsletters that I have)”

1948-empiretractor-model90-portland-or0

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Cor’s Restored Ambulance Jeep

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

For just finished restoring this Holden Ambulance jeep. For more pic’s go to: www.yankreenactment.nl then choose “jeep”, there you find the amb jeep and the finnished project under “canvas top”. Looks great!

Before:
gpw-holden-rebuild-netherlands

After:

usmc-amb-jeep-canvas-top-5-2

 
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1944 Photo of D-Day Wreckage on eBay

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

Powerful photo.

“1944- Wreckage of Allied jeeps and armored vehicles on D-Day beachhead. Bert Brandt photo.”

View all the information on eBay

1944-06-14-dday-wreckage1

1944-06-14-dday-wreckage2

 
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Unusual Coin on eBay

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

Seth spotted this odd coin.

“Medal of Tourism of Paris :
FRANCE Arromanches:
War Debarkation Museum of 6 June 1944
Jeep
Year: 2012
Grade: Uncirculated (Unc.)
Gold Plated”

View all the information on eBay

coin-french-jeep

 
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Trains and Jeeps, Not Good Bedfellows!

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

This great photo was posted on the G503 Facebook page.

mb-gpw-hit-by-train

 
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1964 Kaiser Jeep New Vol. 10 No. 5 on eBay

• CATEGORIES: DJ-3A, Features, Old Images, Old News Articles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This and nine other Jeep News magazines are for sale, but they are in Australia. This puts them out of my budget. However, there’s some pics just good enough to see the photos and headlines. For example, in just the two pages below there are variety of examples of DJ-3A dispatchers, FCs, and other jeeps sold. Check out the 22 DJs sold to the Canadian Navy. Good stuff!

View all the information on eBay

kaiser-jeep-news-vol10-no5-1

kaiser-jeep-news-vol10-no5-2

 
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Portola’s Railroad Days

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

IMG_5307 (Small)Steve Elkins filed this report from Portola’s Railroad Days.

Portola, California, is rich with railroad history, as the town grew up around the WP Railroad yard. It’s the home of the Western Pacific RR active from 1903 until 1983 when WP merged with Union Pacific. WP was the last major railroad completed into California, eventually running from Salt Lake City, Utah to Oakland, CA. The significance of this location is that their tracks cross the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at the lowest point, near Beckwourth Pass (5,200′). There’s less climbing for the trains, and there’s less snow to hinder the railroad in Winter; unlike the Southern Pacific RR route, crossing the mountains further South near Lake Tahoe (7,100′). Western Pacific is known as the “Feather River” Route, following the Feather River West of Portola into the Sacramento Valley, then turns toward the San Francisco Bay Area.

In celebration of the railroad town’s heritage, Portola held their annual Railroad Days last weekend. There were three days of activities, including a car show and shine, and a parade. Here are photos of the three Willys that participated, two traveling from Nevada.

Mellouise owns that nice M-38. She and her husband enjoys visiting the e-Willys website and driving the M-38 as her summer car around town for general transportation. “Mel” and two of her friends joined the parade in her well kept Jeep.

Mel is looking for a rear seat for her M-38. If you know of one, contact me at willys57@sbcglobal.net and I will pass the information on to her.

That’s one nice early 1950 Sedan Delivery, my favorite kind of Willys (I just bought another Parkway last week.) And that’s a beautiful pickup, apparently owned by the same family. I didn’t get a chance to meet them. I know that’s unlike me, but I had trains on the brain, spending most of the weekend at the RR Museum; a live museum with lots of action this weekend. I had just enough time to enjoy talking with Mel about her Jeep, then take a few snapshots and run off to the activities.

IMG_5292 (Small) IMG_5293 (Small) IMG_5296 (Small)

Continue reading

 
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1956 Wagon Heading to the Crusher

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

Murilee Martin photographed and wrote about this 1956 wagon that will be heading to the crusher soon. It was published yesterday on Autoweek.

http://autoweek.com/article/junkyard-treasures/junkyard-treasure-1956-willys-jeep-station-wagon

18-junkyard-1956-willys-station-wagon-photo-by-murilee-martin

Photo Credit: Murilee Martin

 

 
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1961 Jeep Family Ad in the Toledo Blade

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

The Toledo Blade included this jeep ad in their December 31, 1961, issue.

1961-12-31-toledo-blade-jeep-family-ad

 

 
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Shriner’s Mini-Jeep

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

This Shriner’s Mini-Jeep photo and caption were published in the 1955 Willys news.

1955-july-aug-willys-news-shriners-model-jeep

 
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1945 Photo of Custom Wrecker Jeep on eBay

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

I wish the photo showed the whole wrecker.

“1945- U.S. troops sit in the “jeep wrecker” they created and with which they tow in jeeps that have run into trouble  on the Western Front.”

View all the information on eBay

1945-03-29-jeep-wrecker1

1945-03-29-jeep-wrecker2

 
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1944 Photo from Saipan on eBay

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

What are the strips on the hood designed to do?

“1944- U.S. Marines and jeeps move along a road lined with ammunition cases as they advance to front lines on Saipan.”

View all the information on eBay

1944-06-28-saipan-jeeps