The Austin Bantam Society shared a link to this interesting story about the use of a laser scanner by Direct Dimensions, INC, to scan what they describe as the Bantam BRC frame, but is really a BRC-60 frame according to Bill Spear. I’d read that the frame broke after heavy testing, but I don’t see any obvious breaks. I didn’t know it had been saved. It definitely has decayed.
Features Research Archives
Feb 1956 Issue of Willys News on eBay
At the bottom of the last photo check out the jeep with the cement mixer.
1946 Photo of Modified Jeep in Germany
This modified jeep reminds me a great deal of Wally Cohn’s jeep. The photos was posted on G503’s Facebook page.
March 1956 Issue of Willys News on eBay
Jeep Wreck by Barry
Blaine discovered a thread at SCALE MOTORCARS about a guy named Barry who builds scale car wreck dioramas. Included in the different dioramas is a pretty neat scale model of a jeep graveyard. Barry built it based on photographs of an actual location. The setting and condition of the jeeps look a lot like the photo I shared earlier this month from Price of Wales, Papau New Guinea.
Click here and scroll to the bottom of that page to see all the photos
Diving for Jeeps in the South Pacific
UPDATE: I first published this in 2009. I thought it was worth an update, so I’ve added some better photos.
Note: Some of these photos are posted online as being at the Coolidge wreck when they are really from the nearby Million Dollar Point dump. I believe I have the photos under the correct locations, but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
1) Wreck of the SS President Coolidge. Built in 1931 as a luxury liner, the SS President Coolidge was drafted into WWII service and painted gray. While navigating the islands of the Republic of Vanuatu in the Pacific during the war, the Coolidge hit a cluster of recently deployed American mines. The ship listed to the right as more than 5,000 troops were forced to abandon it, leaving behind guns, helmet, jeeps, tanks, rations, medical supplies — all of which sank with the ship in 70-to-240 feet of water about 100 yards from shore.
This jeep is entombed in hold #2 at a depth of 110 feet:
The Yacht Lorelei Blog features these photos from 2012:
2) Million Dollar Point is another area in the Republic of Vanuatu where jeeps and other equipment was dumped. Located just off the coast of Espirito Santo Island, the area is full of “jeeps, six-wheel drive trucks, bulldozers, semi-trailers, fork lifts, tractors, bound sheets of corrugated iron, unopened boxes of clothing, and cases of Coca-Cola….” dumped by American troops as a way of disposing of the items. Learn more here. Below are two photos of jeeps:
The Yacht Lorelei Blog shared these two jeep photos from Million Dollar Point:
1945 Photo of Marines in the Solomon Islands
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on ebay
Looks like both jeeps no long have windshields.
“You are bidding on an original press photo featuring . Photo is 6” x 5” in size.”
Feb 1957 Issue of Willys News on eBay
April 1957 Issue of Willys News on eBay
WWII Jeep Matchbook Cover on eBay
I’ve seen a variety of jeep matchbook covers, but I believe this is the first with a military theme. It doesn’t seem to be advertising anything either.
WAAC Postcard on eBay
I believe this “I was the one that couldn’t even change a tire” postcard has the WAAC working on a jeep. It’s not one of the better jeep drawings we have seen.
WW2 Jeep Board Game in Massachusetts $20
It’s not a very large game, but still kind of a neat piece.
“World War 2 jeep board games for sale. Outside shows wear, but inside is in very good condition.”
Cousin Eddie’s Photos
John shared these photos taken by his cousin Eddie.
“My cousin Eddie Bachmann got drafted in May 1944, ended up south of the battle of the Buldge around Hagenau, France, in january 1945 as a mortar man. The 42 Division went on to liberate Dachau in April 1945 and by mid summer were occupation troops in Zell am See, Austria. By that time he was a 6 stripe Sergeant and still only 18. Here are some photos of his buddies and Jeeps. He later became a Catholic priest.”
Carolina Tool Company’s Testimonial
This 1956 testimonial by the Carolina Tool Company was published in the May 1956 issue of Willys News.
May 1957 Issue of Willys News on eBay
This issue has some great stuff. Note the last page with the modified truck. I wished the photos were clearly.
Willys Sign Springville, NY Nov. 29th In-Person-Auction
If the snow ever stops falling (or the roads get cleared), someone might be interested in attending the following auction in New York that includes a Willys sign. The auction in Nov 29th.
http://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/auctionview.cgi?lid=2093885&kwd=willys&zip=&category=0
Los Vehiculos Mas Utilies Del Mundo Brochure
This 1954/1955 brochure is the Spanish translation of a brochure titled in English: “The World’s Most Useful Vehicles and their Special Equipment”. It also seems to be known as “Jeep Specialized Vehicles and Equipment”:
June 1955 Issue of Willys News on eBay
This issue includes a testimonial about the Willys Sedan Delivery Jeeps.
March 1955 Issue of Willys News on eBay
Yelvington Jet Aviation’s Jeep Collection
John shared some pics from the Yelvington Jet Availation‘s Jeep Collection at the Spruce Creek Airport in Florida. It includes the following along with a North American P-51D and various other artifacts.
Georgia Story about M-38 Restoration
The Gainsville Times in Georgia published a story about Claude Whittle’s restoration of an M-38.
Photo in 1944 of Jeeps and Soldiers Mired in Mud on eBay
That just doesn’t look fun.
“1944- U. S. soldiers are trying to push a mired Jeep through thick mud which passes as a road. [A second Jeep is behind this one and is mounting a cal. 50 machine gun on a pedestal mount.]”
1948 Photo of CJ-2A Plowing in Bronxville on eBay
The name of the jeep owner is on the side of the CJ-2A, but is obscured by the watermark.
“You are bidding on an original press photo of Vintage Jeep Clears Snow Bronxville NY . 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 1/26/1948.”
Hamilton Pedal Jeep Concord, NC **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $350.
Looks in good shape.
“Vintage Hamilton Jeep U.S.A.F. 3521 pedal car in great working condition”
3UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5
Carnival Ride Jeep Franklin, CT $225
UPDATE: Still Available
(10/06/2014) Even has racing stripes.
“This is an early carnival ride car. This is a small one for one little child. It is about 53 inches long by 24 inches wide. It has almost a Jeep look to it. It was made in Germany and has the manufacture logo on the front and sides. The tail lights are glass Hella (yes the same ones VW used on Busses). The side ones are replacements. There are posts on the front corner that were for a top which is long gone.
The body is wood and the floor is weak (and may be replaced way back). The paint looks worse than it is. There is a missing hubcap.
Great piece of early carnival or amusement park history and it is small enough to fit anywhere.”