Features Research Archives

To Top

Nine Years Ago Traveling in Texas

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

Nine years ago, April 24th, 2015, we began our weeks-long exploration of Texas following an unexpected illness that sidelined me for a week in New Mexico. If you haven’t taken the time to circumvent Texas, we highly recommend you do!

http://www.ewillys.com/2015/04/11/messin-w-texas-in-april-may-2015-summary/

Visit at the Border Patrol Museum:

2015-04-24-border-patrol-museum7

Meeting Lee and Sam in Texas’ Hill Country:

2015-04-29-lee-m38-me-lee-father

 

Our First Bucee’s:

2015-04-29-bucees8

 

Exploring the The USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier was fun:

2015-05-08-usslexington-jeep2

After departing Texas, I was surprised when I happened upon Sagauche, Colorado:

2015-05-17-sagauche-jeeps0

 
To Top

Vintage Jeep Posters Middletown, CT $20-$800

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

UPDATE: Still Available.

(05/05/2023) Bill shared this link to the seller of a variety of posters. I’ve bought some of his rare items off of eBay. I’d spring for the 5 Great Willys Values poster if it wasn’t ripped. I’ve only run across one other.

https://hartford.craigslist.org/atq/d/middletown-vintage-original-ww2-and/7724796927.html

middletown-parts-poster middletown-stamp-poster middletown-tomb-raider-poster middletown-rubber-poster middletown-5-great-willys-poster

“WORLD WAR 2 ORIGINAL POSTERS, AND MANY WILLYS JEEP RELATED POSTERS.

PRICES VARIED ACCORDING TO AGE, SIZE, AND CONTENT.

ALL POSTERS AND RELATED JEEP ITEMS ARE ORIGINALS AND IN GOOD SHAPE.

SOME ARE FRAMED AND SOME ARE NOT.

SOME OF THE SIZES OF THE ITEMS ARE LISTING IN THE PHOTOS ON A PIECE OF PAPER ON THE ITEM.

PRICES RANGE FROM $800.00 TO $20.00

WHEN RESPONDING PLEASE INCLUDE A PHONE NUMBER TO DISCUSS POSTERS OR RESPONSE WILL BE DELETED.”

 
To Top

16 Minute 1943 MB Rebuild Video

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

Blaine shared this MB rebuild video by Al’s Garage. There are a few deviations from stock, but still it’s clear a lot of time was put into saving this old MB. Kudos for documenting this as getting the light and other details correct while focusing on rebuilding is a tedious task!

To view the video, you’ll need to go to Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5XbCjy4nW4

als-garage-1943-mb-rebuild

 
To Top

1944 Chocolate Soldier From the USA Music eBay

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

Youtube has a video of the music sung by Valerie Hines and set to a montage of African American WWII service photos:

=====================

Here’s a fascinating bit of sheet music from 1944 by Elton Box, Sonny Cox, and Lewis Ilda called “Chocolate Soldier from the USA”. It’s priced at $30. (It’s also available through abebooks for $12.74 plus shipping)

View all the information on eBay

“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A COMPLETE, RARE, ORIGINAL , USED, PIECE OF SHEET MUSIC CALLED “CHOCOLATE SOLDIER FROM THE USA”

BY ELTON BOX, SONNY COX, AND LEWIS ILDA

1944 VINTAGE

PUBLISHED BY THE IRWIN DASH MUSIC CO. LTD.
17 BERNERS ST. LONDON WI.

THE SHEET MUSIC IS IN GOOD SHAPE WITH CLEAN, CLEAR, AND LEGIBLE PAGES. VERY SLIGHT WEAR AND STAINS FROM AGE, STORAGE, AND USE.

A RARE AND ORIGINAL PIECE OF WILLYS JEEP RELATED LITERATURE”

1944-music-chocolate-soldier-1 1944-music-chocolate-soldier-2 1944-music-chocolate-soldier-3 1944-music-chocolate-soldier-4

 
To Top

Tonka Gladiator Dump Truck and Auburn FC-150

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

Thanks to Joe-in-Mesa for finding these two toys and scoring them for only $20 (for both). Neither are pristine, but they will work in my collection.

tonka-truck-auburn-fc-150

tonka-truck-gladiator-dually1 tonka-truck-gladiator-dually2 auburn-fc150-toy1

Continue reading

 
To Top

1959? Maverick Special Station Wagon Postcard

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

This is a hard to find postcard I just picked up on eBay. There is another one still available on eBay.

1958-maverick-postcard-angled1 1958-maverick-postcard-angled2

 
To Top

1970s Warn Overdrive Brochure on eBay

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

Here’s an AMC themed Warn overdrive brochure that I hadn’t seen.

View all the information on eBay

“GLOSSY CATALOG INSERT 8.5 x 11
FRONT and BACK
1 PAGE INSERT
Items are described as accurately as I can, with emphasis on the flaws to avoid disappointment
~ Shelve wear from age and use is Visible
~ Scuff marks
~ Creasing VISIBLE
~ Wear/Tear on Edges/Corners
please refer to photos. Additional photos can be provided”

1970s-amc-warn-overdrive-borchure1

1970s-amc-warn-overdrive-borchure2

 
To Top

1970’s Warn Hubs Brochure on eBay

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

This is an AMC themed Warn hubs brochure. Again, not one I’ve seen.

View all the information on eBay

“GLOSSY CATALOG INSERT 8.5 x 11
FRONT and BACK
1 PAGE INSERT
Items are described as accurately as I can, with emphasis on the flaws to avoid disappointment
~ Shelve wear from age and use is Visible
~ Scuff marks
~ Creasing VISIBLE
~ Wear/Tear on Edges/Corners
please refer to photos. Additional photos can be provided”

1970s-warn-hub-brochure-amc1

1970s-warn-hub-brochure-amc2

 
To Top

1959? Jeep Parts 5×8 Postcard on eBay

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

There are two of these Jeep Parts’ postcards available on eBay. Given the FC-170 and the split window trucks and wagons, I’d say this is a 1958 or 1959 postcard.

View all the information on eBay

“Vintage Jeep Parts Advertising Brochure Big Postcard 5” x 8” in Excellent Condition see pictures. Richie Motors Cumberland Wisconsin.”

1959-5-8-postcard1

1959-5-8-postcard2

 
To Top

1948? Willys Sales and Service Postcards on eBay

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

UPDATE: These are still available. Price is $100.

(12/06/2022) This may represent all the postcards in this series from what I believe is either 1948 or 1949.

View all the information on eBay

“THIS AUCTION IS FOR 10 VERY RARE,ORIGINAL EARLY WILLYS JEEP SALES & SERVICE DEALER POSTCARDS, & AN ORIGINAL WILLYS OVERLAND LUBRICATION AGREEMENT BOOKLET FOR THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT

ORIGINAL – NOT A REPRODUCTION.
40’S VINTAGE
10 DEALER SALES AND SERVICE PAPER POSTCARDS.
ALL THE BACK SIDES ARE THE SAME AS PHOTO SHOWS.
THE PHOTO’S SHOW THE 10 DIFFERENT FRONT SIDES WITH THE COLORED GRAPHICS AND ADVERTISING INFORMATION.

AS AN EXTRA ON THIS AUCTION LISTING IS AN ORIGINAL, UNUSED, WILLYS OVERLAND LUBRICATION AGREEMENT
BOOKLET FOR THE VEHICLE GLOVE BOX.”

1949-postcards-ten-ebay2

1949-postcards-ten-ebay3

1949-postcards-ten-ebay4

1949-postcards-ten-ebay5

Continue reading

 
To Top

1943 Music The Rythum of the Jeep on eBay

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

This sheet music doesn’t show a jeep, but describes the experience of riding in one. The buy-it-now price is $25.

View all the information on eBay

“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A COMPLETE, RARE, ORIGINAL , USED, PIECE OF SHEET MUSIC CALLED “THE RHYTHM OF THE JEEP”

WORDS BY VERA BROWN AND MUSIC BY FRANK BARON

1943 VINTAGE

PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY KEITH PROWSE AND CO. LTD. LONDON-WI. 1943

THE SHEET MUSIC IS IN GOOD SHAPE WITH CLEAN, CLEAR, AND LEGIBLE PAGES. VERY SLIGHT WEAR FROM AGE, STORAGE, AND USE.

A RARE AND ORIGINAL PIECE OF WILLYS JEEP RELATED LITERATURE”

1943-rythym-of-the-jeep-music1 1943-rythym-of-the-jeep-music2 1943-rythym-of-the-jeep-music3

According to this thread, the words to the song are as follows:

Jeep Jeep thats’s what they call it, Just needs a G.I. to hold it,
Bounc-ing o-ver road and lane, driv-ing this tune round my brain.
Have you ev-er tried THE RHYTHM OF THE JEEP its a gal-lop and a wriggle not a creep,

You must find a lease.and-len-der, who is just a sol – id send-er but be carefull you don’t end up in a heap
When you hear a rat-tle and a little hoot Then its time for you to shake a dainty boot—-

All the book-ies will be leap-ing and the Ser-geant Ma-jor weep-ing
When they get THE RHYTHM OF THE JEEP

You bend your knees– and then you boog-ie to your partner with a Beep – Beep – Beep – Beep, You cud-dle up,
but you had bet-ter watch your drivin cause your’e tak-ing a ride in a Jeep.

Jack and Jill no long-er ling-er on a hill
Now-a -days they’re Su-sy -que-ing with a will

At the Palais you will find them with the gang all there behind them Jiv-ing to THE RHYTHM OF THE JEEP——

 
To Top

Just a Few Updates

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

Just a few updates today. I should have the irrigation done by tomorrow. Calves got moved today, so hope to move our steers in the next day or two. We have family stuff this weekend, so my hope is to have more regular updates next week.

 
To Top

Late 1940s Uses for Jeeps

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

UPDATE: This was last published Jan 08, 2018.

This was published in a late 1940s sales book. One guy claims he hooked up his windshield wiper vacuum hose to his milking machine to streamlined the milking.

Scan10079-1946-testimonial-jeep-uses Scan10080-1946-testimonial-jeep-uses

 
To Top

New Steers & More Irrigation

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

It’s been a busy week, hence the lack of updates. Yesterday our new 1000lb+ steers arrived. They are raised about an hour away. We already have one sold, though we’ll raise it over the summer for the new owner. The other should be sold over the next few weeks. We’ll move them to our pasture (from the neighbor’s pasture) in the next day or two.

We now have 2 steers, three cows and four heifers. We’ll be breeding the three cows and one of the heifers. The other three heifers will be sold or slaughtered in the fall.

2024-04-14-steer-50 2024-04-14-steer-127

Much of the week was spent installing the new irrigation. Part of it was to install two sprinkler heads in front of the guest house, while the other new work involved hunting down the main trunk line of a zone we hadn’t been using because it had broken. Lacking any map of how the six zones of irrigation is spread across 2.5 acres, it took some hunting to finally locate the leak causing the problem. Once that was done, I routed the main line under the walkway and to a central location where it will branch out for watering our blue berry shrubs and six new raised beds. Hopefully, I’ll have all that done later this week.

This first pic shows the run needed to power two sprinkler heads in zone 1.

2024-04-13-irrigation-beds-littlehouse5

Zone 1 ends at the corner where Zone 5 sneaks under the sidewalk.

2024-04-13-irrigation-beds-littlehouse6

In late 2022 I capped zone 5 after discovering it as part of digging something else (the previous owner used zone 5 with one irrigation sprinkler, which we eliminated. The plan was to repair zone 5, but it took until now to do that. The easiest way was to direct the line north as shown here, then cut west under the sidewalk.

2024-04-13-irrigation-beds-littlehouse7

Continue reading

 
To Top

1965 Work-and-Hobby Horse Ads

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

UPDATE: I ran across another of these Work-and Hobby Horse Ads from 1965. It appears to be part of a campaign, but I don’t know how many ads were created. I’ll update this post as I locate others.

This ad is available on eBay and was featured in the Farm Journal Magazine and possibly others:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad4

Here’s one from PINTREST and features a Tux Park IV:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad

This ad from PINTREST shows off both the CJ-6 and CJ-5 Tux Parks:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad3

This one was made into a metal sign, so it’s not an exact copy of the ad. It’s for sale on eBay:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad2

=========================

This was originally published March 06, 2022: Barry Thomas (Farmjeep.com) shared this 1965 ad that shows a CJ-5 being used as an extra farm hand. If anyone happens to have any ads showing a CJ-5 on the farm or with a lift, Barry would be very interested in it.

1965-cj5-farm-jeep-ad

 
To Top

Hemmings Article on the 1958 Maverick

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

1959-wagon-maverick-brochure1

Hemmings published this somewhat odd article (https://www.hemmings.com/stories/1958-jeep-maverick-special/) about the 1958 Maverick introduction. I use the term “odd”, because of the history that’s included. Let’s consider a few items:

  1. The company company formed in 1953 under Kaiser was called Willys Motors, Inc., not Willys Motor Company.
  2. Yes, W-O produced MBs, then MCs, but I’m pretty sure military production didn’t stop during 1956?? Seems there were some M-170s and M-38A1s produced? And what about the civilian jeeps sold to the military and government?
  3. Besides the military vehicles, I’m pretty sure there were one or two civilian jeeps produced for consumers prior to the introduction of the Maverick Special in 1958.
  4. How is there zero mention that there was an active relationship between the Maverick show, Willys Motors, The Kaiser companies, and the Maverick Special wagon (the late 1950s Jeep News issues certain thought it was a big deal)?
  5. Why was it a slow seller? Was it a lack of 4WD, poor marketing, an underpowered engine, or something else? Why wasn’t the market “ready” for this model?

This kind of feels like it was written by an AI program, then not vetted by an editor. In fact, it kind of feels like a regurgitated version of this news article: http://www.ewillys.com/2016/07/07/the-new-maverick-special/

Hemmings can do better …

 

 

 
To Top

Keith’s FC Dashboard

• CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Keith Mette showed off his new FC dashboard on Facebook. It’s a bit of artistry that I could never build. My biggest concern would be working on things behind the dash (albeit an issue with many vehicles).

keith-mette-fc-dashboard1 keith-mette-fc-dashboard2 keith-mette-fc-dashboard3

 
To Top

1948ish Monarch Hydraulic Controls Brochure on eBay

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

UPDATE: I’ve added the updated scans. This is actually a nicely illustrated brochure. I don’t think my scans really captured the color. 

Here’s a brochure I’ve never seen that I just purchased on eBay. My guess is it a late 1940s brochure. I’ll update it with better pics when it arrives.

1948ish-monarch-road-machinery-brochure1 1948ish-monarch-road-machinery-brochure2

 

 
To Top

FC Tour Jeep: Steering Progress

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

I haven’t had much time for jeep play, as the property, cows and gardens have required and will require a great deal of my attention over the next week. Next weekend we will be welcoming two additional 1000lb steerings that get slaughtered in August or Sept (hopefully), while our three young heifers need to be moved to the neighbor’s pasture where they will spend the summer bulking up for slaughter (or sale) next fall. And, so much more!

So, there will be limited, if any, updates for the upcoming week. I’d say I’m taking a vacation week, but it won’t be much of a vacation!

As for the steering, I welded the floor notch into the floor cover and welded a shelf to the frame for the heim joint. I still need to drill the holes for each of the shaft couplers, get a stock rubber replacement boot for the Rack and Pinion joint, and paint some of the parts, but otherwise the steering is ready to go. Once I get the stock seat installed, I’ll revisit the height of the steering wheel; I may need to shorten the steering column and shaft by a couple inches. But, that’s an easily done thing after everything is together.

2024-04-07-steering1

I have a plan for running these brake lines along the interior of the frame (not inside the frame), but I will likely wait to redo them until after I pull the cab. So, these lines will be clamped and more neatly run once the steering is in place.

What you see for the bracket holding the V-dog is a 3/8″ angle piece welded vertically to a 3/8″ thick horizontal angle piece held to the frame by three bolts that were already there. It’s a snug fit, but there’s just enough room to make it work.

2024-04-07-steering2

You can see some of the welds underneath the frame that need to be cleaned and reworded.

2024-04-07-steering3

I added a slot to the Heim Joint bracket because without it disassembly would be difficult.

2024-04-07-steering5

My longer transfercase cable should be here Monday or Tuesday, so the transfercase shifter will be the next install. Once that’s in place, I can install the new gauges and build the new transmission cooler bracket. All that will be followed (or coincide) with the new gas pedal setup based on the late 1960s VW bus. Then comes the e-brake and, finally, the wiring.

 
To Top

FC Tour Jeep Updates: The 4WD Shifter

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

Spring sprang for a few days this week, necessitating mowing, fertilizing, irrigation-de-wintering, and some other projects. but yesterday I got a chance to get a few more things figured out on the FC.

TRANSFERCASE SHIFTER:  I received the 4WD/Hi-Lo Range shifter from JB Customs, out of Salem, Oregon, which builds a variety of transfercase shifters and other products. I had ordered a setup for a NP231, hoping that I could modify it for the NP207. The quick answer is, yes, I was able to install and shift the transfercase, a big win! But, there were a few things I had to address along the way.

This pic shows the shifter, its cable, and the bracket for installing the cable in front of the shifter. The whole unit seems well built.

2024-04-04-4wd-lo-range-shifter1

This is the cover plate for the shifter. You can see the rough black bead of glue(?) around the top edge. I’m not so impressed with this plate, but, for my needs, I will be making a squared off aluminum cover plate anyway, so this isn’t a big deal to me. My custom cover plate same dimensions as the automatic shifter top-piece. Not shown is the knob with the correct shifting pattern on it. However, I also plan to add some indicators on the custom cover-plate showing where 2WD, Neutral, 4WD and 4WD Lo positions are located (in case Ann or someone else is driving).

2024-04-04-4wd-lo-range-shifter3

The first challenge I ran into was the difference between the shifter arm that is on the NP207 (on the left) and the shifter arm that came with the package (on the right). Obviously, there are several discrepancies. Even the “notch” width-size of the new arm was slightly smaller than the one I had. The fact the NP207 arm slot is angled seems an important aspect of the arm, too. So, I ended up lengthening the original by welding a piece of steel to the top[. It will work just fine (I forgot to take a pic of the finished part).

2024-04-04-4wd-lo-range-shifter2

I ran into a problem with one of the transfercase bolts; it is too short, so I will have to go buy a longer 15mm bolt. I also found that the transmission shifter cable was bumping into the transfercase shifter, so I built a custom piece to hold it in place (just a zip tie for test purposes).

Once I got those problems dealt with, I hooked up the shifter, ran the cable underneath the frame, and tested it. The shifter moved the transfercase through its options with ease. This was an important win!

2024-04-04-4wd-lo-range-shifter5 2024-04-04-4wd-lo-range-shifter4

The final issue I ran into was cable length. I had a choice between a 60″ and 72″ cable. Long story, but I went with the 60″ when I should have ordered the 72″ (which I thought might be way too long). It turns out the 72″, which I ordered today, will work perfectly. 

So, once I get everything in place and tested, I will pull everything apart and add the finishing touches.

STEERING UPDATE: Yesterday, I welded together the bracket to hold the V-Dog steering unit. I also formed a new sheet metal floor cover to span the floor’s access hole and connect with the top of the V-Dog, which will help tie things together.  (I don’t have pics just yet).

MINI-GAUGES:  I mocked up three 1.5″ lift-size mini gauges and also added a test plate for the power switch. Having the gauges in that position helps hid them, but allows me to see them if need be.

IF I got this route, I will make one solid dash plate for the three gauges and the switch, so it looks more like one unit. The gauges would also need to be rotated for easier reading.

The knob below the gauges is a Wildwood brake proportioning valve. I haven’t done anything with that at all yet. I’ll likely replace the aluminum plate, but that’s probably all I will do to it for now (I”m not sure if I really need this or not … I believe it’s this product).

2024-04-04-3-gauges

 
To Top

1973? Welcome Brochure From A.M. General

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

The latest date published in this brochure is April of 1973, so my guess is that this was printed in mid-to-late 1973. It covers the history, mission, facilities, models, executive staff and other details. These aren’t he best scans, but they’d work for recording this bit of history.

1973-am-general-welcome-brochure01 1973-am-general-welcome-brochure02 1973-am-general-welcome-brochure03 1973-am-general-welcome-brochure04 1973-am-general-welcome-brochure05

Continue reading

 
To Top

Powr Matic 10-Spline 4WD Automatic Hubs

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

Jeff posted photos of these unusual hubs to Facebook. I’ve never seen a set. It appears they are 10 spline, automatic hubs. The name Powr Matic is stamped in three spots on the hub’s cover. Google searches weren’t any help either. There is a PowrMatic company that specializes in HVAC products, but there’s no evidence that they produced any hubs, though the company was around in the 1950s and 1960s.

So, anyone know anything about these?

powrmatic-hubs1 powrmatic-hubs2 powrmatic-hubs3 powrmatic-hubs4

 

 
To Top

Wooden WW2 Models Muncie, IN $40

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

Roger Martin spotted these models for sale. The price seems reasonable.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/388763990699764

“These WW 2 models were made by Bruce Abbott over 80 years ago. Some damage on the trucks but could be fixed, I think all parts are there, except for a wheel off the strobe light.”

wood-ww2-models-muncie-in8 wood-ww2-models-muncie-in

 
To Top

1958 Yakima Ridgerunners Jeep Roadeo Program

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

Adam posted this rare 1958 Yakima Ridgerunners World Championship Jeep Roadeo Program to Facebook. You can view the Facebook post here.

1958-yakima-ridge-runners-race7 1958-yakima-ridge-runners-race8 1958-yakima-ridge-runners-race9

 
To Top

1946 Berkey Aux Fire Dept Testimonial

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

UPDATE: This Fire Department testimonial was initially posted October 28, 2017.

This testimonial included a detailed list of fire jeep specs. 
1946-testimontial-berkey-aux-fire-dept2 1946-testimontial-berkey-aux-fire-dept3 1946-testimontial-berkey-aux-fire-dept4 1946-testimontial-berkey-aux-fire-dept5 1946-testimontial-berkey-aux-fire-dept6

Continue reading