Features Research Archives

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General Eisenhower Postcard on eBay

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

Is the postcard text written in Dutch?

“Original old from circa c1940s postcard. WWII theme
Condition : Excellent ( No bends, tears or creases ). Light paper yellowing
Size : Approx. 3.5″ x 5.5″ ( 9 x 14 cms )”

View all the information on eBay

1940s-eisenhower-postcard1

1940s-eisenhower-postcard2

 
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1946 Photo of “Follow Me” Jeep in Japan on eBay

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

Here’s an unusual follow me jeep sign.

“US Army Air Force Photo—-
From Ed Austin 71st A.E.S. WWII 1946-47 postwar occupation of Japan Photo Album,
stationed at Fukuoka, Honsu Japan, Ashiya AAB Cantonment
Ashiya Army Air Base
nice photo size 3″ x 4 1/4″”

View all the information on eBay

1946-follow-me-jeep-airbase

 
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1946 Photo of a Jeep Taxi Stand on eBay

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

I guess this is where someone stands if they want a jeep taxi?

“US Army Air Force Photo—-
From Ed Austin 71st A.E.S. WWII 1946-47 postwar occupation of Japan Photo Album,
stationed at Fukuoka, Honsu Japan, Ashiya AAB Cantonment
Ashiya Army Air Base
nice photo size 3″ x 4 1/4″”

View all the information on eBay

 
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Jim’s Restored 1948 CJ-2A

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

The staff at Bo’s Hotrods in Sanford, NC, just finished work on Jim’s restored CJ-2A. It looks like they do some good work. The jeep will now head to Maine where it will enjoy life in the country.

jim-doyle-cj2a1 jim-doyle-cj2a2Here are some ‘before’ pics. As you can see, it appears it was thoroughly rebuilt.

jim-doyle-cj2a5jim-doyle-cj2a3 jim-doyle-cj2a4

 
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Roberto’s Tall Jeep Cartoon

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

Roberto Flores forwarded this illustration yesterday. Some of those lifted jeeps are REALLY tall!

lifted_jeep_elevado_ewillys_roberto_flores

 
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2014 Jeep Wrangler Willys Edition

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

Jeep just announced their Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition. This is supposed to harken back to (or at least celebrate) the simplicity of the original civilian jeeps: the CJ-2A. When I look at it, I don’t see “2A”. However, I like the WILLYS sticker on the hood. Here are a couple links to more information:

1. http://www.fourwheeler.com/news/1311-2014-jeep-wrangler-willys-wheeler-edition-announced/

2. http://blog.caranddriver.com/saluting-a-veteran-wrangler-willys-wheeler-edition-celebrates-jeeps-heritage-2013-l-a-auto-show/

2014-wrangler-willys-wheeler-edition

 
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Ad with Bantam GP on eBay

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

Apparently this ad is for Synthane Technical Plastics related to coils and/or plugs. Unfortunately, the ad is small and not show in totality.

View all the information on ebay

fordgp-synthane-technical-plastics-ad

 
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2 Photos of an Army Postal Jeep on eBay

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

Marc discovered these two Army Postal Unit jeep photos.

1. View all the information on ebay

1945-postal-jeep-japan2. View all the information on ebay

1945-postal-jeep-japan2

 
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Earning the Hump

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

Published in the April 26, 1945, issue of the IBT, this jeep earned a camel hump by successfully flying (in a plane) over the Burma hump. Ann’s grandfather was a Pilot who flew and died flying the hump during WWII.

http://cbi-theater-1.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-1/roundup/roundup042645.html

1945-04-26-cbt-jeep-with-flag

 
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New VW Ad From Uruguay

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

Hugo spotted this recently published ad which shows a VW pulling a Willys Wagon out of the mud. I prefer to think of it as the Wagon winching the VW backwards 🙂

He writes, “It is an advertisement of a brand new VW Amarok pulling of an old Willys. Is it fair? We could say:” stuck  but still running!” Plates seem to be from Chile, but the willys could be an argentinian Estanciera. Journal is from Uruguay.”

Here’s the link http://www.elobservador.com.uy/noticia/257309/automoviles-todo-lo-que-siempre-quiso-saber/   & Go to the “read this” page 25.

2013-11-vw-pulling-wagon-ad-hugo

 
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Off Road Trailers from Endurancetrailer.com

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

This green trailer ($1295) was highlighted in a Craigslist ad. It’s built and sold by Endurance Trailers out of Groveport, OH.  It looks like they have a variety of Bantam-like models.

“Bantam style Off-Road Trailer
Constructed from heavy duty steel, fully welded seams, wrap around running board/step/luggage platform. Extremely versatile, rugged, and durable. The interior of bed had been coated with Herculiner. LED lights. Wheel & Tire options available.

$1295

Email: RickJR @ EnduranceTrailers . com
Call/Text: 614-522-WELD (9353)
www.EnduranceTrailers.com

http://columbus.craigslist.org/for/4200286393.html

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Photo of M-38 Recoilless Rifle on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, M-38, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Great photo!

View all the information on ebay

1954-m38-recoilless-rifle-m40-106mm-lores

1954-m38-recoilless-rifle-m40-106mm2-lores

 
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Strictly G.I. Cartoon by Ehret

• CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Comics, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I tried to learn more about CBI Theatre Cartoonist Ehret (maybe Wendell Ehret?), but didn’t couldn’t find anything.

http://cbi-theater-1.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-1/roundup/roundup081744.html

comic-strictly-gi-ehrit-cartoon

 
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Climb a Pyramid in a Jeep

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

Kind of gives new meaning to ‘only in a jeep’.

http://cbi-theater-1.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-1/roundup/roundup091444.html

CBI G.I. HOPED JEEP COULD FLY 
  By Sgt. ART HEENAN
Roundup Staff Writer 

    The British had known all along that Americans believed the jeep could do anything except fly, but it remained for T/5 Jack E. Graham, now in the CBI, to show our Allies that Yank belief amounts to more than verbal tribute.
Graham did it by trying to climb the highest pyramid in Egypt aboard a jeep. He never got to the top, but that wasn’t his fault.
Graham says he was attached to an Ordnance unit that trailed the Eighth Army, repairing salvaged battlefield equipment. He and three of his buddies had seized a new jeep abandoned by the Heinies in their retreat. (“The British called us ‘American Gurkhas,’ because we were all from Texas,” explains Graham.)
He and his compatriots were sitting around camp one night, listening to a British broadcast and downing Egyptian jingbao juice. Over the air came a statement that the Eighth Army had a man who had driven a golf ball over the pyramids.
“We decided if the British could drive a golf ball over the pyramids, we could drive a jeep over,” recounts Graham. “So we set out to prove it.”
The “Yank Gurkhas” had no trouble finding the pyramids. They successfully maneuvered the jeep through the corridor in the center of the Sphinx and prepared to mount what they judged to be the highest pyramid. Graham remained at the wheel and the other adventurers piled out and began to bank the steps with sand so the wheels could get some purchase.
The jeep and the 200 pounds of chubby-like Graham had actually gotten up three of the steps when British GMP’s arrived on the scene. When the astounded Britishers found out what the Yanks contemplated, they withdrew and held a conference. The G.I.’s merrily returned to their pyramid project.
“But the British sergeant came back.” sorrowfully explains Graham. “He told me, ‘Sorry, Yank, but you can’t climb the blinkin’ pyramid, you know. It’s not official business.'”
When Graham’s C.O. heard of the incident, S/Sgt. Graham became Pvt. Graham – and he also lost his jeep.
Graham plans to take advantage of Congressional promises that G.I.’s will have priority on purchasing jeeps after the war.
“Might get back to Egypt at that and climb that blankety-blank pyramid,” he says.

 
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Vintage Willys Jeep Ruler on eBay

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

Here’s a cool piece.

“VINTAGE ADVERTISING METAL RULER JEEP GRAND AVE. WILLYS W.J. BIRRELL DEALER”

View all the information on ebay

jeep-willys-ruler

 
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Photo of Canadian SAS(?) MB Slat Grille on eBay

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

Here’s a neat photo. Unfortunately the press release info isn’t included within the eBay auction.

View all the information on ebay

canadian-passing-civilian-mule-slatgrille-mb

 
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1944 Photo of US Soldiers and a woman on eBay

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

Nice that the soldiers in the photos are named, but they left out the girl’s name.

View all the information on ebay

1944-soldiers-showing-weapons1

1944-soldiers-showing-weapons2

 
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Our ‘Commercial’ Debut

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

Being the local celebs that we are (yeah, right), we dropped by a local wine bar (Gordons) where the owners are going to let me talk about and sell my books. While there, they were shooting a commercial. I guess they were desperate for ‘talent’ because we appear at the end of their commercial. I like to think we scored the anchor spot!

The only online place we’ve found the commercial online was on Facebook. Below is a snapshot from when it played on TV.

wine-bar-commercial

 
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Ford GP Model on eBay

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

The cover of this box shows a Ford GP, so it might be a Ford GP model.

“Mego model kit, builds wooden US Army Jeep M-10, 1944, box is 8-1/2 in. x 6-1/8 in.”

View all the information on eBay

1944-model-ford-gp

 
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The Jeep and How it Grew Article on eBay

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

The January 1953 issue of “Modern Man” magazine featured a story about the jeep’s history. However, given the M-38A1 prominently displayed at the top of the page, I can’t help but wonder if this was part public relations and part history piece.

View all the information on eBay

1953-01-modern-man-magazine-how-jeep-grew

 

 
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GPA Pulling a Slat Grille & More

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

Marc pointed out an article in the 1944 issue of Popular Mechanics. I didn’t realized it, but this issue has a bunch of jeep-related articles. Some of these you’ve probably seen.

The largest illustration shows a Ford GPA SEEP pulling a MB Slat Grille (pages 84 and 85). For some reason, the wheels were removed (photographically speaking) from the GPA.

1944-06-ford-gpa-pulling-mb-slat

Page 87 shows of a half-sized jeep that utilizes an icebox motor for power. I featured this picture back in April.

1944-06-pg87-kid-mb-wac-mb-slat

Page 71 shares the “Follow Me” paint markings with the world.

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Page 6 Describes how jeeps can be used to pull refueling tanks or ambulance cars in a train.

1944-06-refueling-tanks-jeep-train

Page 80 shows off the limitless capabilities of the jeep by picturing a soldier cutting wood from a jeep powered buzz saw in Italy.

1944-06-buzzsaw-jeep-pg80

Page 86 discusses the finer points of dropping a jeep over a cliff, including the installation of a can over the driver’s mirror to prevent flashing.

1944-06-lowering-jeep-over-cliffFinally, on page 63 we learn about a “Finishing School for Killers” where soldiers learn how to jump from a jeep while it is traveling at 40mph.

1944-06-jumping-from-jeep

 
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Let the Fun Begin

• CATEGORIES: Biscuit, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2013-11-12-biscuit-and-david

Self Portrait . . . let the unbolting begin! Note what happens when I leave the jeep in my parents garage. It becomes a squash storage facility.

I’ve spent the last couple days moving and reorganizing parts and things so I could make enough room to start disassembly (see pic below). Today I finally got to begin the breakdown process.

2013-11-12-biscuit1

As you can see, it was a bit of a mess.

One of my strategies during assembly was to make the body as easy to remove as possible. So, for example, nothing is wired or attached to the fenders. In addition, the wiring along the underside only attaches to the frame in one spot (a ground). It all worked well . . . great when a plan works!

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I also removed the seats. Posts welded to the frame stick up through the body (holding the body in position). Seat plates are screwed onto the body. The seats are bolted to the plates.  Here the passenger seat plate has been removed and is sitting next to the post.

2013-11-12-biscuit2

Continue reading

 
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Willys By Shawn Ruland

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

Mark posted this over at sellajeep.com. The illustration was done by Shawn Ruland, an artist that does some work for SellAJeep.

willys-shawn-ruland-sellajeep

 
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CJ-6 Snowcat by Sno-Ball

• CATEGORIES: CJ-6, Features, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Paul found this special government-ordered CJ-6 with a little extra traction.

According to the website usual locomotion, “Sno-Ball Jeep CJ6 Snowcat, 1956. Contract between Jeep and Sno Ball Corp. created this vehicle to transport crews over deep snow. They were provided to the US Forest Service and the FAA. 20 were built in 1956 and only one is remaining. Tracks are rubber belted and the grousers are in steel. This Sno-Ball Jeep stayed in Colorado and was sold in 2004. The Snowcat used a Jeep engine, transmission and cab in 1956. Original wheels and axles could be mounted back but there was an extra frame lift.”

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You can see all kinds of photos of an original Snowcat that appeared on eBay in 2004:
http://boyink.com/cj6/sno-ball-jeep-cj6-snowcat/

snoball-cj6-snowcat3

snoball-cj6-snowcat3

 
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1946 VEC CJ-2A vs. John Deere Gator

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

Leo found this video that compares a jeep to a Gator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgGm0mA1FLY