Features Research Archives

To Top

1948 Willys Overland “Stordor” Bodied Van

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

Here’s a rare look at a Willys Overland Chassis with a StorDor body (see late 1940s brochure at bottom). What’s unusual with this van is that at some point it was turned into a motor home. While this former laundry van’s current fate is unknown, Larry, the former owner, has shared some information about it. He writes:

I had an old van registered as a Willys Housecar from 1948. Body was on a 2T frame and was modified with a Chevy inline six. Boy do I miss her…I had to leave her in shambles ten years ago

I was told that an old man in Moorpark, Ca. had custom built the interior and as seen on the exterior, the most probable “Bakery” in blue and with imagination, “To your door” showed up on the driver’s side through the house paint that is flaking off, suggesting that she was once a bakery delivery van. The previous owner had received it as a joke some time before I got it in 1980. I don’t know if it even exists anymore. She was dependable but scary with the feeling of tipping ever present like the willies you’d get in a CB or MB of, say, 1940’s circa. 

On another note, I had a friend who had a 1947 Ford van similar to this Willys I owned and it had a grill in the bell shape as mine was.

You can view all the photos of Larry’s old Van here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lrgvanman/sets/72157604163626267/

1948-california-body-stordor1 1948-california-body-stordor2

1948-california-body-stordor3

You can just make out the “Willys Overland” signature on the speedometer.

1940s-california-body-trailer-van

 
To Top

Cook Forest Seep Rides Postcard on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, GPA (SEEP), Postcards This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Anyone ever of this former Pennsylvania ride?

The caption on the back of this postcard reads:
SCENIC JEEP RIDES & ARCHERY at Cook Forest State Park on State Highway 36 along the Clarian River in north-western Pennsylvania. Wild life is plentiful in the park and may be seen by the alert visitor

View all the information on eBay

archery-seep-clarion-cooksburg-pa1

archery-seep-clarion-cooksburg-pa2

 
To Top

Happy Father’s Day

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

I hope every has a happy father’s day. I’ll be enjoying it by taking the day off. Here’s a few old pics of Dad from the Wandering Willys Jeep Club Scrapbook. I don’t know the history behind any of them.

dad_woods-lores

Looks like he has antifreeze in one hand and kerosene or gas in the other. Since he was wearing a hard hat, maybe the club was cutting trees for some reason? Circa mid 1970s?

dad-lores

I think this was a pancake feed at the Region 1 play day circa 1981. I don’t remember that hat.

dad_and_kim-lores

Maybe 1970? Looks to me like he’s woken up after drinking. He has that hangover look, which is something I never remember him having. Maybe taken at the Beverly Sand Dunes. That’s my sister on his lap.

club_trail-lores

Dad’s not in this pic, but I thought I’d post it anyway. It’s a photo from about 1980. I think we are above Cle Elum here, but I couldn’t swear to it.

 
To Top

Color WWII Photos

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

Marc found these royalty free color photos at historylink101.com.

wwII-color-pics1

Vehicles of the 81st Recon. Squadron of the 1st Armored Div., ford a stream on the outskirts of Vergato, Italy enroute to Bologna, during the Spring offensive of the 5th Army in Northern Italy.

wwII-color-pics3

A GI in the back seat of a jeep sends a telephone message during Signal Corps training in the field.

wwII-color-pics2

ritish and American Officers work on teams on security problems. Soldiers in a jeep are told to proceed with caution.

 
To Top

Hank’s Dual Wheel Adapters

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

UPDATE: I have not heard from Hank in a while. Unless I hear otherwise, I don’t believe he’s got these for sale. This is informational only at this point.

Hank created these at his shop. He writes, “Thought I would show everyone my dual wheel adapters that I made at our shop. I got the dimensions from a friend that had a pair and sold them. They fit the front and rear and they have right and left thread lug nuts.May not be original but they are twice as strong, will do the job and don’t look half bad.”

dual-wheel-adapters5

dual-wheel-adapters4

dual-wheel-adapters3

dual-wheel-adapters2

dual-wheel-adapters1

 
To Top

WWII Photos

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

Dennis bought these photos at an antique store a few years ago.

1 2 3 4 5

 
To Top

White MP Jeeps

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

Jean shared this photo of some white MP Jeeps.

white-mp-jeeps-asia

 
To Top

1941 Carbon Arc Searchlight Boise, ID **SOLD**

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

UPDATE:  **SOLD**

Randy spotted this one.

WW2 Carbon Arc Anti-Aircraft Searchlight and Sperry Power Plant
Manufacture: Sperry Gyro Co.
Model: 1941A

This light has been restored by the Carroll Brothers who have 40 years experience in ground up restorations of vintage military equipment. Great care was taken to insure historical accuracy. This is a museum quality light.

The light has been restored to original condition. Light was completely disassembled and rebuilt. All lead base paint removed. Interior of drum repainted with heat resistant paint, exterior painted military green. Asbestos insulation removed and replaced with heat resistant insulation. Mirror is 85% to 95%.

Many NOS (new old stock) parts replace unusable parts; 
New Sperry control box
New junction box with power receptacles 
Reconditioned burner with good nose cone

Carriage has new tires and reconditioned hubs.
All old electrical wire has been removed and replaced with modern wire. Light rewired to 1940’s standards. Re-carboned light and azimuth light function. Meter and meter box restored and working well.
No broken glass, all data plates reconditioned and in place.
Sperry power plant has been fully restored as well.”

1941-searchlight-boise-id1 1941-searchlight-boise-id2

 
To Top

Pics from the 2014 Great Willys Picnic

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

John forwarded these pics from the 2014 Willys Picnic last weekend. Looks like a great day.

DSCN0305[1]

DSCN0295[1] DSCN0296[1] DSCN0297[1] DSCN0298[1] DSCN0301[1] DSCN0302[1]
Continue reading

 
To Top

Bantam BRC-40 Photo on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Marc forwarded this photo. Anyone know what the directional tires might be going the opposite ways on the driver’s side?

View all the information on eBay

Bantam-brc40-photo

 
To Top

Another D-Day Commemoration Photo

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

Andy shared this second D-Day commemoration photo from the beach of Normandy. What a unique experience it would be to travel over this beach in MB/GPW!

andy-brown-normandy2

 
To Top

Kids on Jeeps

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

Charles collected a few vintage photos of kids on jeeps.

yyy-782x1024 militairen19bew sbev012 212 23162

Continue reading

 
To Top

Photos from the Reading, PA, Military Show

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

John snapped these photos from the MAAM WWII Weekend in Reading, PA, this past weekend.

DSCN0254[1] DSCN0255[1] DSCN0256[1] DSCN0257[1]  DSCN0259[1]

Continue reading

 
To Top

1947 Photo of the American Legion on eBay

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

I don’t think I’ve seen anyone redo a jeep with this paint scheme.

“1947 Press Photo Members Of Amer Legion’s Forty & Eight In Jeep At NY City Hall”

view all the information on eBay

1947-american-legion-48-01

1947-american-legion-48-02

 
To Top

1955? Alfa Romeo Matta Brochure

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

UPDATE: This brochure sold on eBay.

I don’t know just how rare these brochures are, but this is currently priced at $93 and there’s already a bid! The vehicles were only built between 1952 and 1954, so I’m not sure there was a 1955 brochure?

“Pages: 12 (fold out)
Language; specs in English, German, Italian, French
Print code: –
Size: 27 x21 cm (10½x8½)
Condition: good (4 out of 5, if 5 is mint new). Please notice, light miscolor on front is due to photo.
Remarks: 2 clean binder holes
Ships w/ top-quality airmail at 7$ within EU (European Union) and 11$ rest of World (including US/North America) (NEVER experienced any shipment problems). Combine with 1 or more of my other auctions, and it gets quite inexpensive. Shipment will get to you within 1 week or less. If you prefer, we can also arrange special shipping.”

1955-alfa-romeo-matta-brochure1 1955-alfa-romeo-matta-brochure2 1955-alfa-romeo-matta-brochure3 1955-alfa-romeo-matta-brochure4

 
To Top

Normandy D-Day Commemoration

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

Andy Brown forwarded this great photo in Normandy outside the tank museum near Carentan. Andy notes they were expecting over 200 jeeps at the event.

andy-brown-normandy

 
To Top

Northern Ohio Flatfender Day

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

On September 7, Bob Christy is hosting another Northern Ohio Flatfender day at his place in Green, Ohio. See all the info below:

NO Willys 2014_Layout 1

 
To Top

MLW-2 Article at Four Wheeler

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

Jim Allen, with some help from Bob Westerman, published an article in Four Wheeler about the MLW-2 vehicle.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/product-reviews/1407-willys-overland-mlw-2-jeep-encyclopedia/

mlw

(You can view a newspaper clipping from 1944 about the MLW-2 as well)

 
To Top

Charles’ Pics from Europe

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

bensav03 vhoff69 valjeeps01 vhoff36

Continue reading

 
To Top

GPW Holden Rebuild in the Netherlands

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

Marc found this Holden rebuild story:
http://yankreenactment.nl/jeep/the-holden-jeep/original-details/

Lots and lots of photos.

gpw-holden-rebuild-netherlands

 
To Top

Jeepers Country Bar and Grille in Spanaway, WA

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

Jeepers Bar and Grille just opened in Spanaway, Washington (map). For me it is conveniently right on the way to my sister’s house in Roy. So, we’ll be stopping by at some point. Not only does it feature a CJ-3B on the menu and logo, but there are several large vintage jeep photos around the place. My cousin Eric dropped by on Thursday and told me they enjoyed the place.

You can find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jeeperscountrybar

jeepers-country-bar-and-grille

 
To Top

Photo from Clark Field

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

This photo sold yesterday on eBay. John pointed out to me just before it sold. Neat photo!

clark-field-luzon-philippines

 
To Top

Biloxi Blues Play in Scottsdale, AZ

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

Our own Joe Snodgrass’ GPW was used as the model for this Biloxi Blues poster. He and his GPW will also be featured at a car show to promote the play.

You can learn more about the play here: http://desertstages.org/show/biloxi-blues-39

Biloxi-play-joy-ride-poster

 
To Top

Matt Goode’s Electric CJ-5

• CATEGORIES: CJ5, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Dave spotted this article about a 19 Year Old Iowan name Matt Goode who repowered a CJ-5 with electricity for a FFA (Future Farmers of America) project. I have to say that’s a nice choice of rims (not that I’m particle or anything).

Read the entire article here. http://www.iowafarmertoday.com/news/crop/electric-conversion-brings-life-to-old-jeep/article_b2e56a84-e684-11e3-8882-0019bb2963f4.html

matt-goode-electric-cj5

 
To Top

Photos from Charles

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

Here’s another round of photos courtesy of Charles:

charles-photo1 charles-photo3 charles-photo2charles-photo4 charles-photo5 charles-photo6 charles-photo7