Reader and T-shirt designer Jeff Phillips helped me create these new t-shirts from a 1942 drawing. I received the first box of olive drab shirts today. The look great and, made from 60/40 bend of cotton and polyester, feel great. I’ll explain more in a few days once I get the gray shirts.
Features Research Archives
1944 BF Goodrich Tire ad with Jeep Convoy on eBay
I just noticed this vintage ad has the slogan “In War and Peace” on it. Well, my new T-shirts have the same slogan. More on them tomorrow when I unpack the finished shirts1
1950 Photo in Korea at the 38th Parallel on eBay
1942 Hawaii Motor Pool Inspection Photo
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Marc found this interesting photo. Note they are marked “US ARMY” across the windshield. Was that to stop the Navy guys from stealing them?
“From Lt Robert D. McTierney, Hawaii Photo Album stationed at Ft. Shafter, Oahu. The first dates written in the album part way through the album are from early 1942 to Christmas 1942, he was with QM.”
Carol Landis and Jeeps
Paul alerted me to this first photo of Movie Star Carole Landis in a jeep. Given the passenger door, I’m wondering if it might have been some type of Holden modified Australian MB?
This first photo is located at a UCLA website. The jeep sure looks similar to a jeep that was for sale in 2010.
She was also photographed in a Ford GP Prototype:
But, she might be most famously connected with jeeps due to her role in the movie Four Jills in a Jeep from 1944. The photo below and the image of the book below that were posted at this website:
Carole even wrote a book about her experience entertaining the troops which was also published under the name Four Jills in a jeep,.
Photo of WACs with a Ford GP
UPDATE: **sold** Was on eBay.
Just the print, not the negative, was for sale.
“You are buying a high quality, 8×10 inch photograph. It is printed with Archival Inks on Premium Heavyweight Photographic Paper. The photograph is made from the original glass or celluloid negative or from the original photograph. My photographic reprints are known for their sharpness and beautiful warm tone. This image shows a WAC recruiting photo from Detroit Michigan featuring a Army Jeep. I combine the shipping on multiple photo purchases, so don’t forget to check out my Ebay Store.”
Jim’s photo from 1967
Jim forwarded the following photo of him and his brother from 1967.
He writes, “This faded polaroid was dated Aug 12 1967. It shows my ’46 CJ2A, my brother Bob, super-on-the-job and me, grinning and I’m sure torquing everything to exacting specs. She was my second car and my best. I bought it the summer of ’66, spent two cold winters in it and to the best of my recollection, the only one around with any four wheel drive.
There were no aftermarket parts and I wanted oversize tires real bad, so we got some Mercury wheels, maybe ’49s or early 50’s and worn down snows. My father just thought that was ridicules, so one day he borrowed it and returned with brand new Firestone Town and Countrys….6.00 x 16!!!! You can just make out the tread in the picture. After that I did an awful lot of tire swapping to keep things on an even keel. I used to take guys on excursions for beer and gas.
The jeep was called Sophicles Hoblitz which I believe is written on the hood leaning against the tree off to the left. The name Sophicles Hoblitz….. I think came from a Hot Rod magazine cartoon, something about a bearded prophet who advertised himself with a sign on the side of a jeep. Probably warning of eternal damnation to anyone who becomes swayed by the charms of an old Willys. One more thing. I bought her in Longmeadow Ma next to the Ct line from a man who had gone blind and had not driven it for years. That was in ’66 and then it was only 20 years old.
Bantam BRC-60 Powers a Makeshift Raft
The folks at the Austin Bantam Society posted a link to a video of a Bantam BRC-60 being used to power a makeshift raft. There are a several other videos at the Bantam site as well. Check out their Facebook page here.
Willys Motors Sales Book Pages on eBay
Here’s a rare set of sales book pages (8 pages) that show different kinds of loaders. Looks interesting.
1941 Ad with a Willys MA on eBay
The Art of the Jeep Book — Signed Copy on eBay
This book is signed by both Ray Cowdrey and Yasuo Ohtsuka.
“The Art of the Jeep 1941-1945, All American Wonder, Japanese edition with added color photos! Very rare book, signed by the Japanese author Yasuo Ohtsuka. Published 1986 and long out of print. 185 pages.”
Fabrice’s International Military Toy Collection
UPDATE: Popescu Laurentiu Cristian indicated that these were made in Romania. He has 3-4 pieces from when he was 5-6 years old. (comment came from Facebook)
Fabrice Liotard has a huge collection of military jeep toys. He also spent a lot deal of time photographing, identifying, and posting them to his French website:
http://jeepytoys.pagesperso-orange.fr/ .
Two jeeps he recently purchased in Germany have red painted stars on their hoods (european scale 1/28 / U.S. Scale 4.92in). He was wondering anyone has information about them. If you do, you can contact him through Facebook. If you don’t have Facebook, feel free to contact me and I’ll forward your thoughts to him:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202431328442534&set=o.304123822973935&type=1
1967 Inyokern California Toy Jeep Postcard on eBay
Just who thought this was a good idea for a postcard?
5th Annual Willys Overland Rally May 16th-18th in Moab
The 5th Annual Willys Overland Rally takes place May 16th-18th this year in Moab, Utah. The event celebrates Willys Overland Wagons and Trucks.
Jeeps and Medics
Moonshiners PNW Swapmeet Sunday March 9, 2014
Don’t forget, the Moonshiner’s Swapmeet will be held on Sunday, March 9th in Puyallup, WA. It takes place 9am to 4pm. The good news is that there is a 10% chance it won’t rain on Sunday.
1943 Photo of a Jeep Named Bull of the Woods on eBay
Here’s a great photo.
“1943 Press Photo Pvt. Robert Coba named his Jeep “Bull of the Woods”.”
Photo of Three Soldiers in France on eBay
This jeep appears to have an interesting carrier on the rear, but it’s hard to tole much from the photo.
“Tired US Armored Division Soldiers Rest in France”
Approved Willys Service Sign Kiefer, OK No Price
Looks in good shape.
“Old Willys Sign, front and back is in great shape”
GI-Joe has all the Fun Toys
1948 Photo from China with Willys Truck on eBay
Marc found this unusual Willys export truck with extra carrying capacity. I thought it was a refrigeration unit of some kind, but the side reads “Pocket Testament Leage”. Maybe it is a variant of the Sprecksell body (see brochure in post below).
“Vintage 1948 Real Picture Post Card of two Chinese men from the Pocket Testament League posing with a Willys Jeep Panel truck or van. The condition is good with some loss to the front…you still get the idea. Great addition to any collection.”
1948 Sprecksell Magnesium Alloy Truck Body Brochure
1941 Photo of BRC-60 and Men with Rifles on eBay
I’ve never seen an original version of this press photo from February 6, 1941. Great photo! The use of the term “Might Midget” rather than jeep or blitz buggy is notable.
“This is an original press photo. Dept- US Army Service Corps, Credit – ACME & NEAPhoto measures 9 x 7inches. Photo is dated 02-6-1941.”
MINI-BEEP Kit from Struck-kit
UPDATE: Blaine forwarded the video for the Mini-Beep:
Struck-Kit offers what they call a Mini-Beep Kit, which you can use to build mini jeep-like vehicles. You can even build an amphibious version.
I’d Rather Push a Landrover T-shirt on eBay
I guess there’s a reason no one has wanted to bid $.99 for this . . .
“Excellent condition. Large logo on the front chest. Adult XL.”