I didn’t start out to have an ambulance theme today, but here we go. This jeep was part of the New Zealand medical services in the MIddle East during WWII. I can’t remember seeing a rear modified in that manner.
Features Research Archives
Jeep Ambulance on Flickr
I’m not sure where this was taken, but it is so rare to find one of these jeep ambulances still around. If I have ever listed on for sale, I don’t remember it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saabrobz/11130785566/in/photostream/
Will Rogers in The Ropin’ Fool
This has nothing to do with jeeps, but as the plane landed last night at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City I thought it was altogether appropriate I was reading a biography about Will by Ben Yodaga. Despite his far reaching fame during the 1930s, most people today don’t remember much about Will and even fewer have seen his movies.
I won’t go into his history here, but for a brief time in the early 1920s Will ran his own studio and made some movie shorts. One of those movies called “The Ropin’ Fool” showed off his roping skills. For the roping scenes, his lariat (or lariets — he using three in one trick) was covered in chalk so the tricks could be seen more easily. The tricks shown in the three minute clip below will amaze you!
Tuesday’s Updates and a Battery of Fun
I’m in the process of flying to Oklahoma today. From there, I plan to ride ‘shotgun’ with my sister back to Washington State. She’s doing most of the driving; I’m there for comic relief and to drive occasionally. Looks like we’ll be heading west along Highway 40 and then north on I-5. There won’t be any stopping for jeeps though; my sister puts her foot to the pedal and goes and goes . . . . Therefore, I won’t have a chance to do updates until yesterday afternoon some time.
Speaking of comedy, you might get a good laugh at my antics yesterday. Sunday morning my car’s alarm went off twice. I suspect it was not to ward off thieves, but to gain sympathy for having to endure the frigid temperatures. Sunday evening (having already burnt my pizza dough, forcing me to make more dough from scratch) I decided to pull the battery out of my car, a ’97 BMW with 200k miles I rarely use. That way, the alarm wouldn’t go off again and drain the battery (which I’d just recharged).
Now, some German genius decided to put the battery in the trunk. To pull out the battery out of its recess requires two hands, an awkward stance, and a little profanity. To make it even more fun, the trunk lid doesn’t stay open on its own, so I have to lean inside the trunk and hold the lid with my back.
When it came time to pull the battery, I put down the flash light and everything else in my hands, grabbed the battery and yanked with the appropriate words. Out came the battery. I moved away from the trunk and placed the battery onto the ground. Just then I heard the trunk clink shut.
“Oh shit,” I uttered. That’s when I realized one of the things in my hands was the car key. “Oh shit,” I repeated. As I went through the mental checklist I realized this was going to be a problem. Sure, I have a back up key, but that only opens the door and turns on the ignition. With the battery out, I can’t use the button near the driver’s seat to open the trunk door. I do have one solution, but that will require me to reach through the back seat and fish around for the key through a small hole.
Rather than fish for the key, I left the key where it was and decided to fly to Oklahoma. While I’ll miss my traveling partner Ann (she’s so jealous) on this trip, it’s better that I get away from that car for a while before it REALLY makes me mad.
More Pics from Charles
Extra Pedals Modification
For those times when the driver’s legs go to sleep, this modification shared by the folks from Jeep Village might just be handy to have. This jeep, which is being restored, had a white band on it, indicating (according to the Jeep Village folks) that it was a French Army driving school vehicle.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=692283917457177&set=pcb.692283944123841&type=1&theater
Jeep from the Pegasus Bridge Museum
Here’s a jeep that is featured at the Pegasus Bridge Museum in Ranville, France. Credit for the photos goes to “mr_lovebucket” and were posted on Flickr. Click on the pics to see the full photos.
1950s Photo of Pedal Jeep
Hugh forwarded this photo. It looks to me to be very similar to the unidentified jeep (rusted white and blue one) from France at this link: http://cj3b.info/Toys/RidingToysID.html It’s got the high hood, the right wheels, a similar seat and more.
Juan’s Grandson’s New (old) Pedal Jeep
Juan shared this neat story about restoring a pedal jeep for his grandson Francisco. The email was written in Spanish, so I translated it as best as I could.
Juan writes, I am pleased to talk to you about something incredible that happened to me. A few days ago a jeep friend, Alejandro Galvan, messaged me, telling me that there was a pedal jeep for sale in acoatepec bazaar. They were selling a pedal jeep like the one my parents gave me when I was almost two years old.
The next day my brother and I went to see it. We bought it, cleaned it and compared it with a photo of my toy jeep from 60 years ago. We were surprised to discover that it is identical, except for a few modifications such as different tires tires and a windshield. I plan to ask the person who sold me if they know the source. Maybe there’ s a chance it was originally my very own toy. How amazing that would be!
Since my grandson just turned on year old and it was his Catholic baptism, we gave it to him. To my great astonishment, when my grandson saw it I could see in his eyes the joy. After the celebration, my brother and myself began restoring it to look like my pedal jeep. I’m very pleased with the way it turned out. Warmest regards from Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico.
BEFORE RESTORATION: You can see the photos of Juan’s original pedal jeep in the photos in the first picture.
AFTER RESTORATION: (I wish I’d had one of those as a kid!)
Wood Block Print Negatives on eBay
UPDATE: Al explains more about these blocks in the comments section. And, below is what the photo might look like of the first block (thanks Ron).
Etched Negative blocks for sale on eBay.
1. View all the information on ebay
1967 Snow Photo from Holbrook, Arizona
Given the winter weather, Colin thought this would be an appropriate photograph to post. He writes:
I have attached a photo taken in December, 1967, in Holbrook, AZ. Arizona received record snowfall over the entire state, with Flagstaff receiving about 8 feet of snow over a 40 hour period. The snow just about paralyzed the state. The photo shows Arizona Highway Patrol Officer Paul Palmer sitting on the hood of Highway Patrol Officer Carlton Hill’s 1959 Jeep Station wagon. Both Paul and Carlton (as well as myself) are retired and Carlton still has that Jeep wagon. In that storm, Holbrook had about 3 ½ feet of snow. In southern Arizona, where I was, we had about the same, 3 ½ feet.
Hugh Tackles a Hill
Last weekend Hugh and his father enjoyed the last bits of good weather in their jeep. As you can see, they found a fun hill to climb and photograph. Hugh reports the cold has engulfed the midwest and, as of Friday, there was a foot of snow at his dad’s place.
1969 Photo of GPA and CJ-2A in South Africa
Old Trucks Babanagno posted the photo below on their Facebook Page. They have even more vintage photos at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Trucks-Babanango/422556771112707
DJ-3A Gala? Paperweight on eBay
Photo from World War II on eBay
Interwoven Socks, Santa, and a Ford GP on eBay
UPDATE: Back on eBay.
This 1945 Ad appears to show Santa driving a Ford GP.
Dave Clay’s Metal Bending Brake
Marc spent some time looking for an inexpensive Bending Brake when he ran across a set of free plans from Dave Clay. http://www.ch601.org/tools/bendbrake/brakeplans.pdf
Marc built the brake and shared his experience. He reports:
It does work well, but the I find the radius a little to large, I will make another top part once it has been machined square so I can reduce the radius. The standard angle iron edge does not give a tighter radius no matter how I filled it.
I used a smaller angle (2-inch x 2-inch x 0.650-inch) than what is called for in the plans but as I see it one can use what suits your needs.
I mounted mine on a section of square tubing (3-inch x 3-inch x 0.060-inch x same length as bending brake) with a angle welded to it for clamping the vice, the total length of the one I made is 47.5-inches.
The piano hinge remained the same except that I used 3/16 AD airplane rivets instead of steel pop rivets and doubled up on the rivets using a 1.250-inch rivet pitch.The adjustable top part (adjustable with slots to change the set back when bending) I made with slots cut into like the real thing would have (okay the real one has removable sections that look like teeth) but cut slots work just fine as well.
Please see attached jpeg of my version of this, called the “Marc 1 Field Bending Brake”.
The brake will work well if treated properly and not pushed by bending material that is to thick or to hard. I have bent 0.020-inch mild steel, 0.040-inch mild steel, 0.060-inch mild steel and some 0.40-inch T3 Alclad Aluminium.
I certainly would not go above 0.080-inch mild steel with the “Marc 1”.
The only weak point as see it is the piano hinge, the rest is put up with use.
Here are photos of Marc’s finished brake:
Manley ORV Half Sized Trailer
Speaking of projects, Marc forwarded these plans for a half-sized trailer. The plans are available from Google Docs. Below are a few of the pics and all of the links to the plans:
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame a.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame a1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame b.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame b1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame c.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Frame c1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub a.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub a1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub b.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub b1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub c.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub c1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub d.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub d1.JPG
M100 Military Style 1)4 Ton Jeep Trailer Tub g.JPG
Keep a Watch in Seattle Area for This CJ-3B
TJ relayed this story of his missing CJ-3B.
He writes, “So I have a scam, of sorts, to post. I had a beautiful 53 3B, 90% restored. Last major piece was an overhaul. I met a mechanic: Joe Jump here in Seattle, his references checked out and he towed the Jeep to his ‘garage’. Long story short, the guy is a meth addict and convicted car thief. So he has my Jeep probably somewhere between Seattle and Portland. My wife and I have been watching craigslist religiously with no luck. He has had the Jeep since mid August.”
So, if anyone sees this jeep, please let TJ (tj_wylie@yahoo.com) or I know. Here are a couple pics of it.
Glenn’s Insurance Company Cancels Policy
Glenn has run into an unusual insurance issue. He writes, “I was informed today by my MAJOR Antique Auto Insurance Co. that my newly purchased CJ3B is not acceptable under my Antique Auto Policy because it has a factory installed winch along with a trailer ball. I have been with this (Unnamed right now) company for about 25 years. I have insured several Willys vehicles over the years, never with a problem until now. To quote the underwriter employee:
Glenn,
We appreciate your longevity with (hidden), but although it is a collector vehicle, given our low rates we need to be sure the vehicles we insure are not be used for work purposes, i.e. to tow or haul anything, plow anything, pull anything with a winch, etc… We insure many types of vehicles, but the usage of each vehicle is the primary concern. This is why when we see vehicles with the type of equipment that is included on this Jeep we require the items be removed.
You can read more about it here: http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/index.php?showtopic=5351
Old Ghost Town Jeep Tour Brochure
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Marc forwarded this ghost town jeep tour brochure from Salida, Colorado. I can’t tell how old the brochure is.
1940s Slims Garage Matchbook with Jeep
I can’t imagine there are too many of these matchbook covers left.
“Oil is Ammunition – Use It Wisely, Havoline Motor Oil, Slim’s Garage & Tire Shop, Phone 270, Texaco Products, East Brewton, Escambia County, Alabama MatchbookNo town is indicated but I found a reference to this guy’s garage at the web site shown here.”
View all the information on ebay
1945 Photo Crossing Pasig River on eBay
This photo was taken during the Battle of Manila.
” You are looking at a non-original 8×10 photograph printed on FujiFilm Crystal Archive emulsion paper depicting a Jeep and crew from the 11th Airborne Division crossing the Pasig River in February 1945 during the approach on Manila, Luzon, Philippines.”
Custom Made Hunting Jeep (Jeepster?)
UPDATE: II: Thie Buick shown below was featured in the Jan 1950 issue of Popular Science (pg 99)
UPDATE: Javier provided the following information. I guess there was some competition among the ranches? Below are two photos of other hunting vehicles.
He wrote, This is very similiar to one of the hunting cars used on the King Ranch. The Kenndy Ranch mentioned in the arcticle is adajcent to the King Ranch. Below is a picture of the car made for the King Ranch. (From this link to the University of Texas)
Here’s the hunting wagon from Texas featured on eWillys a couple years ago (seems I’ve deleted the original post related to it:
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David Silberman forwarded this unusual photo from a rare April 1951 issue of Willys Salesbuilder. This one looks like it might have been build on a Jeepster platform.
From this same issue are these two parade float photos:
Duncan Douglas’ Photo of Nightmare Alley
Not a great day for driving a jeep. This 1950 photo of Nightmare Alley was shot as these troops retreated. The temperature was estimated at -40 degrees. Read more about this LIfe Magazine photo here.