Here’s a classic from my childhood. The illustrations were done by B. K. Taylor. and sold in a series of Odd Rod packages that included chewing gum (see example of package at bottom). These certainly remind one of Big Daddy Roth’s illustrations. You can view more odd rod illustrations here.
Features Research Archives
Jeep Letter Printers Stamp on ebay
Just a few Updates Today
I spent last night with Ann at the Moisture Festival, an annual four-week run of comedy and variety acts that is the largest in the world (four those four weeks anyway). My aunt suggested we go and, since it was Ann’s birthday (and I’m an admittedly poor present buyer), going to see some live performances seemed like fun AND made for a great birthday evening. Yes, she’s an April Fool :-), but I’m not fool to be with her!
There were comedy acts, singing, acrobatics, juggling, and just plain silliness. If you are in Seattle during the festival I highly recommend it.
WWII Photos from Charles
Charles forwarded a variety of jeep images.
1944 Article about Navy Jeep at Haskel University
A February 9, 1944, issue of the Lawrence Journal-World featured a story about a US Navy jeep rides used to raise money for the purchase of jeeps for the military.
Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
![hyrdroplane-museum6](http://www.ewillys.com/wp-content/uploads2/2015/03/hyrdroplane-museum6-650x431.jpg)
Oh boy Oberto hydroplane. One of the boats used in the Madison movie.
Not long after Ann and I met in 2011 we decided we wanted to visit the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in Kent, Washington (It’s only a few miles from mom and dad’s place). She’d grown up with hydroplane racing in the tri-cities and race weekend was a yearly event at my grandmother’s house, so we both had a sentimental attachment to them. And though we’ve traveled all over, we’ve never found the time to make it to the museum, until yesterday.
Joining us on this mini-adventure were my mother, my aunt Marilyn and uncle Phil. I knew they would enjoy the museum, because mom and Marilyn grew up near Seward Park and had a yearly view from their back porch of Lake Washington’s hydro races. They had fond memories of the yearly races as kids and young adults, telling me that at the time the races were as important to the city of Seattle as the Seahawks are today. It was a BIG deal!
The Hyrdroplane museum was launched in 1983 to honor the history of the race boats and is the only museum in the nation dedicated to powerboat racing. It started in a small location that I’m told wasn’t too glamorous. At some point the museum was able to move into it’s current facility, which doubles as a museum/research facility and restoration shop.
Sure enough, as soon as we got inside the museum, mom, Marilyn and Phil were rattling off names of boats I never knew: Such Crust, Short Circuit, Miss Tahoe, Tri-Tomic, Coral Reef, and others.
![hyrdroplane-museum2](http://www.ewillys.com/wp-content/uploads2/2015/03/hyrdroplane-museum2-650x431.jpg)
The museum’s lobby. At the bottom of the photo is an Allison motor. Originally costing $14k, it was sold as surplus equipment for $350. No wonder boat racers used the motor!
Volunteers at the museum offered to guide us around and tell stories. Mom, Marilyn and Phil offered plenty additional stories, so it was a rich experience for Ann and I. The museum had a number of hydroplanes familiar to me, including Atlas Van Lines, Oh Boy Oberto, Miss Budweiser, Slo-Mo-Shun-III, Miss Wahoo, and a few others.
There are also a large number of mini models called the pinhead collection that had been painstakingly made.
Swiss Inspection Jeep
Paul spotted this unique Inspection Willys Jeep Truck at Just a Car Guy’s blog. I would guess this was sold as a truck with no bed. What’s odd is the extra cab thing on the top. Looks like it was part of another vehicle.
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2015/03/swiss-rail-road-inspection-willys-jeep.html
1944 Photo of WWII Brazilian Troops in Jeeps on eBay
UPDATE: This is back on eBay.
“1944- Brazilian troops line up in jeeps at School of Motor Mechanization where students are given training courses beofre going on active duty.”
Molds, Jeeps, Jeepers, and More Jeeps!
Sunday was a fun, but long day!
For me it started with a four hour drive from Pasco to Spanaway, where I met up with Rob Stafford and Al Schaper. Al and I planned to look over some fiberglass body molds that Rob had been storing for years. The molds were used to create fiberglass flat fender and CJ-5 body and front clip parts.
Of particular interest to me were the body molds. One of the body molds was used to create a Parkette racing body shell. The second body mold was used to create a Bobcat racing shell or in conjunction with a floor mold to create a complete body. While I have owned an Acme (I think) light racing fiberglass body and a Bobcat body (Biscuit’s body), I’ve always wanted a Parkette body. So, I was checking out that mold particularly closely.
![fiberglass-molds2](http://www.ewillys.com/wp-content/uploads2/2015/03/fiberglass-molds2-650x489.jpg)
CJ-3B floor mold on the left, Parkette racing shell body in the middle, CJ-3B body mold on the right.
Funny Jeep Ad
Thanks to Bill from Lime Street Carriage for forwarding this hilarious ad.
Herpa derp, everyone! I have a 1945 Willys for sale! Ran perfect when parked. May need brakes from sitting, but should fire right up! The transmission that’s in it works flawlessly! I have a cousin, who has a cousin-in-law, who says it shouldn’t take more than $500 to make it showroom condition! Never met him, but I trust him! Don’t mind the rust on the frame, it’s only on the surface! No problems!
Don’t ask me how many miles are on it, I included a picture of the odometer! Interior is a little rough, but nothing that can’t be fixed.
Overall, I’d give this Jeep a 9/10! Can’t beat that! I need your phone number, date of birth and social security numbers before I can give you a price, but seems reasonable to me!
Tired of these ads? Me, too. If your car is a POS, don’t sell it as a diamond in the rough. Sell it as an affordable POS. You’re not fooling anyone… but would you really want to? Every time you screw someone over, you’re making the world a little worse for your offspring, for your nieces/nephews and for the world in general.
Just a Few Updates For Monday
I had a long, but tun and productive Sunday! I’ll file a report on Tuesday morning. In the meantime, some of you might be interested in these fiberglass jeep body molds I’ve co-acquired (3B / 3A bodies, fenders, hoods grilles). More on all that tomorrow.
1944 Photo of Abandoned Jeep in Germany
The Spokane Daily Chronicle shared the sad photo of this abandoned jeep.
1942 Photo of Soldiers in Egypt
The June 28, 1942, issue of the Spokesman-Review featured this photo. It shows Master Sergeant Kindle Walston of Louisville, KY, driving his buddies in a jeep somewhere in Egypt.
Willys Wagon Build on Dirt Every Day
Mike forward this video from Dirt Every Day that shows them refurbishing a neglected Willys Wagon into a running machine. The episode is 22 minutes long.
CJ-2A in the Flight From Ashiya Movie
Roberto Flores spotted a CJ-2A in the movie Flight from Ashiya. It´s a 1964 movie about the US Air Force Rescue Service with Yul Brynner, Richard Widmark, George Chakiris, Suzie Parker, Shirley Knight and Danièle Gaubert.
All 142 minutes is on Youtube. I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet. Roberto reports you can see the CJ-2A at 40:44 and again at 42:04.
1943 Photo of Ford GPA in Tunisia
This photo depicts a Seep acting as an ambulance in Tunisia. The photo was published on March, 29, 1943, in the Spokane Daily Chronicle.
November 1953 Call of the Wild Jeep Article
The November 1953 issue of Cars Magazine contained this two page article. Note the jeep on the lower right of page 2. See the rear extension box. It’s got a matching cover that connects with soft top.
This issue of Cars Magazine had a few more jeep references. Below are short descriptions of an electric seep, a photo of right hand CJ-3Bs used by the Post Office, and a look at the rolligon.
This short article shows one way to float a Mighty Mite.
Jeep Causes Power Outage
This 1964 article shares the unusual way a jeep caused a power outage. The story was reported in newspapers across the country.
The Military Jeep Model MB GPW Nabholtz on eBay
This is a rare first edition The Military Jeep Model MB GPW by Lawrence Nabholtz. According to what I’ve read copies of this book go for high prices.
“The Military Jeep Model MB GPW 1st edition by Lawrence Nabholtz, NOS condition. If you are into WWII Jeeps or just Military Vehicles this is the book to have. It’s highly sought after in the Military Vehicle collecting world. It covers many aspects of the Jeep that you will not find any where else.
It’s been long out of print, and the author has passed on. This is the Original, 1st edition, which was limited to 1000 Numbered copies, this one being #0943. It’s 8.5×11 and 63 pages.
I bought several of these for family and friends when first published. I recently found this extra one in a sealed plastic storage tote, where it’s been since new.”
Green Glass Plate w/ CJ-5 on eBay
Here’s an unusual item.
“Somewhat odd collectable- 4.5″ Clear Green Glass Plate with a Jeep CJ5 on it. Since the Jeep was manufactured in Toledo, Ohio it may be a tie in to that city’s dominance in Glass production? In very good condition, one rough spot on rim.”
1957 FC-170 Press Photo on eBay
UPDATE: This new photo on eBay seems to be a companion press photo to the one at the bottom. Both have the same release dates.
“1957 Press Photo Forward Control Jeep FC 170 Willys Motors Inc
This is an original press photo. The new four-wheel drive vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of 7,000 pounds, greatest capacity yet engineered into a “Jeep” vehicle.Photo measures 10 x 8.25inches.”
1943 Ad for Evinrude on eBay
Here’s a page from the May 7, 1943, issue of Popular Mechanics for Evinrude Outboard Motors.
1946 Photo of Jeep from Manila
This photo shows a MB/GPW that’s got a stretched rear. There’s no obvious indication an extension was tacked onto the back of a standard body. It was published in the May 7, 1946, issue of the Spokesman Review.
1944 Photo of Young Girl in Mini-Jeep at Airport on eBay
This is an interesting story.
“1944 Press Photo Joy Ann Touring Ramp at Washington National Airport in Her Jeep”
1947 Photo of Police and Jeeps on eBay
This is a cool photo. Is that the Cleveland police?
“1947 Press Photo Part of new Police jeep patrol – cva73620
This is an original press photo. Photo measures 10 x 8.25inches. Photo is dated 09-09-1947.”