Features Research Archives

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Jeepsters and the Sunkist Lady

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

UPDATE: This Jeepster photo is making the rounds on Facebook; this post provides a little more info.

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Posted December 24, 2020: This article provides more information about this stunt Jeepster and plane. It was published in the March 20, 1949, issue of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

1949-03-20-fort-worth-star-telegram-jeep-jockey-endurance-jeepster-plane1-lores 1949-03-20-fort-worth-star-telegram-jeep-jockey-endurance-jeepster-plane2-lores

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Originally Published Dec 8, 2012:


The Sunkist Lady was an Aeronca 15AC Sedan airplane flown by Dick Riedel and Bill Barris used to set a world-record for endurance flight.  They spent a total of 1008 hours and 2 minutes aboard the airplane, ending their flight in April of 1949. Unfortunately for them, their record was broken six months later.

What makes this relevant for jeep fans was that to keep the plan in the air, the crew used Jeepsters borrowed from local dealers to race down the airport runway so the crew could hand fuel and food to the two pilots.

Thanks to Colin for forwarding the story!

Here is a link to a story and a video about the flight (124 MB): http://www.cityoffullerton.com/depts/airport/the_sunkist_lady.asp

Here is a second article:  http://vintageairphotos.blogspot.com/2012/03/saga-of-sunkist-lady.html. The picture below is from that article.


 
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Kaiser Jeep Wagonen Tie Clasp & Cuff Links on eBay

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

For you Gladiator fans out there, here are some fun items! This seller has some gold CJ-5 cuff links and clasp for sale as well.

View all the information on eBay

“Willy’s Overland advertising Jeep pickup truck tie clasp pin & cuff links”

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1946 Images of CJ-2A on eBay

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

3 of the 5 images in this small photo collection show a CJ-2A with a canvas top taken in 1946. The CJ-2A was new or near new in them.

View all the information on eBay

“5 Colonel Leck & Willys Jeep CJ Black & White Photos 1943 & 1946”

5-images-3-images-of-cj2a

 
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1961 IKA Industries Kaiser Argentina Calendar on eBay

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

Matt spotted this cool, rare calendar from Kaiser’s Argentina arm. Sell will consider offers, but the buy-it-n ow price currently is $349.90, especially given this is coming from Argentina where the exact same item is priced at US$71.20 (61,702 Argentine Pesos).

View all the information on eBay

“ORIGINAL CALENDAR IN VERY GOOD CONDITION.
SMALLS DETAILS IN COVER.
MEASURES: 58 CM x 42 CM.
PLEASE SEE THE PICTURES !”

1961-ika-argentina-kaiser-calendar4 1961-ika-argentina-kaiser-calendar5 1961-ika-argentina-kaiser-calendar6 1961-ika-argentina-kaiser-calendar7 1961-ika-argentina-kaiser-calendar8 1961-ika-argentina-kaiser-calendar9

 
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1940s? Matchbook Cover on eBay

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

This “J” logo with the Willys sign is odd, as the Willys sign is shown moved to the left. Usually, the “J” portion of the logo “hangs” off the Willys logo.

View all the information on eBay

“TEMPESTA JEEP WILLYS DODGE CAR MATCHBOOK COVER: DEXTER, MAINE MATCHCOVER”

willys-jeep-j-logo-matchbook1 willys-jeep-j-logo-matchbook2

 
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McCulloch/Kaiser VS57 Supercharger Midland, MI $1000

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

Andy shared this rare item.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1151516099178460

“Kaiser Manhattan VS57B supercharger, with bracket/idler. This is the forerunner to the Paxton SN (Short Nose) blower. My dad pulled this off a car (no idea what) in a junkyard probably 50 years ago. The VS is Variable Speed, with a solenoid under the cover that adjusts the inner sheave of the drive pulley to change its diameter and drive speed. The “B” indicates it’s from a Kaiser Manhattan, regulated to 4 psi of boost, and has a 6-volt solenoid. Condition is unknown, but it rotates freely, as does the idler pulley, and should be considered a rebuildable core. I’ve got a 50-year old belt you can have to figure out the size. Will ship on your dime.”

mcculloch-kaiser-vs57-supercharger-midland-mi1 mcculloch-kaiser-vs57-supercharger-midland-mi2 mcculloch-kaiser-vs57-supercharger-midland-mi3

 
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Roper Post Hole Auger Baldwinsville, NY Make Offer

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

Andy spotted this one. Appears to be missing the arms and the driveshaft (1955 brochure)?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1139549280742202

“Up for sale is a Roper Post Hole attachment that I believe goes to a Willys Jeep. Was on our property when we bought it, so I don’t know much about it. Auger wiggles at gear box, so believe gear box is free. What you see is what I have. Will sell to the best reasonable offer”

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1947? ‘Jeep’ Station Wagon Ad on eBay

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

This ad was published in Time Magazine, date unknown, which often published unique ads that I haven’t seen other places. The use of Willys-Overland about the model name suggests to me it might be a 1947 or late 1946. I don’t remember the Jacobsen Manufacturing or its mowers appearing in any other ads.

View all the information on eBay

1947-ish-time-magazine-jeep-ad

 
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Photo of CJ-2A w/ Koenig Hardtop on eBay

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

Priced at $10 OBO, this is a nice looking CJ-2A. Not obvious date.

View all the information on eBay

cj2a-photo

“Beautiful photograph from roadside America. Jeep CJ-2A with full hard top. Super-clean vehicle. Post-war period, photo is undated. Suburban background subject matter. Pic is chemically produced on glossy scalloped-edge photo paper and is a good black and white. Rectangular pic measures 3.5″ x 5.25″ and is in excellent condition.”

 
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Mexican Monument to First Jeep to the San Javier Mission in Mexico

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

UPDATE: Thanks go to Floyd for updating this post about the jeep monument in Loreto, Baja, Mexico. Sadly, it appears this jeep is no longer sitting on the cement pad shown in the pictures from Guillermo De Lara (see at bottom). Instead, it’s sitting in someone’s backyard. Floyd didn’t get a chance to see what’s currently sitting on the pad (if still there) and Google Earth still shows the jeep at that spot.

Here are Floyd’s pics. He was visiting Loreto for 10 days and walked past the jeep multiple times, but didn’t notice it due to the leaves and dark backyard.

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Using Google Earth, I screen captured these two pics. So, now we have a better idea of where this was located when sitting on the cement slab of the monument.

loreto-mounument-jeep1 loreto-mounument-jeep2

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Originally posted September 27, 2019:

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I ran across information about the above monument by Guillermo De Lara when he posted it to the Facebook page of Jeep CJ Mexico. There’s more history about this posted to this Baja thread: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=31087. However, according to a book by Ann O’Neil, the actual jeep was a pickup and not an MB/GPW like that pictured. I’ve purchased the book and will update this post with the actual vehicle and the broader story.

Continue reading

 
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Some Speedometer Gauge Questions

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

Just a few updates today. The cows were involved in some shenanigans when I switched around their Hotwire, which dashed my hopes to provide updates. So, blame the cows!

Over the past few days I was able to finally clear out the wiring. I expect the under dash area to be this free of wiring when I’m finished. I also want the dash to be as easily removable as I can make it.

I also removed the gauges and extra wide mirror across the top of the windshield (don’t have a good before-pic). I wanted to free the top of the windshield for some sun visors for those drives into the late evening sun.

Still to be built is a piece the bolts under the dash, wraps around the steering column, and attaches to the other side of the dash. That will be a challenge for me (I think a stock piece might be too small?)!

2024-03-27-dash-wiring-removed

SPEEDOMETER QUESTIONS:

In my quest to preserve some sense of stock-ness to the cab, I am hoping to learn more about the the stock speedometer’s features as possible. But, I do have some questions.

These questions refer to this Stewart Warner 0-9 speedometer:

sw-speedometer

  1. MATCHING GAS GAUGE AND SENDER. Given the stock gas gauge reads from 73 ohms empty to 10ohms full, while the Ford tank sender varies from 16 ohms empty to 158 ohms full, I have a great mismatch.  If I want to use the stock gas gauge, which I’d prefer, I could try changing the sender. Or, I could try manipulating the resistance by adding resistors. I don’t want to do either of those things. Instead, I ran across this product called “MeterMatch” by Tanks, Inc.. Anyone familiar with it??
    metermatch-tank
  2. BETTER SPEEDOMETER INDICATOR/WARNING LIGHTS: Has anyone tried replacing the stock indicator lights with LEDs. Or, has anyone tried this kit? https://www.amazon.com/Aero-Lites-Speedometer-LED-Retrofit-Scrambler/dp/B0BVMWLY8C
    lights-kit
  3. OIL WARNING LIGHT: Anyone know offhand what the trigger pressure is that sets off the large Stewart Warner Speedometer oil pressure light?
  4. AMP WARNING LIGHT: Anyone know offhand what sets off the AMP warning light?
  5. ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE: Anyone know if these temp/ohm numbers are correct for this gauge?

    Thanks for any help!

 
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Smokey Bear Jeep Puzzle

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

John shared this puzzle that includes Smokey Bear and, as he also noted, a somewhat inaccurate jeep. Still, looks fun!

I found a used version on eBay, which I bought. There are some others on eBay, but watch the shipping prices! You can buy this new at Cabelas (closest one to us is 2+ hours away) for $29.99 or Amazon for $39.99 or other sellers at varying prices.
smokey-bear-puzzle-jeep1

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FC Tour Jeep Progress

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

There were lots more internet searches, measurements, and disassembly over the past two days. One of my goals is to have the option to put in an original heater into the heater space, so keeping that area free has been a goal. In keeping with that, I decided to remove the power switch and put it in the spot where the vacuum hub switch was located (Just to the right of the driver’s seat). Meanwhile, the hub vacuum switch is removed and sitting temporarily on the engine; it will eventually go near the transfercase shifter to make it clear they work together.

Here’s where the switches were originally located:

2024-03-24-powerswtich-hub-switch2

Here’s another diagram. Here I have test-installed the switch, which fills the hole left by the vacuum switch, but sits lower than the vacuum switch. Meanwhile, I’ve mocked up how the transfercase lever should look once it is installed, with an arrow showing approximately where the vacuum switch will land next to the shifter.

2024-03-24-moving-power-switch-hub-switch

Moving the power switch shortens the run from the battery and starter to the switch, it also cleans up the area behind the grille. In addition, when looking through the grill from the front you could see the wiring crossing the tunnel to the bottom of the switch.

Yesterday, I spent time staring up at the tunnel area from the ground, measuring tape in hand, pondering and plotting. I discovered that the water pump fan, used in this case to cool the transmission cooler, will not allow any of the after-market transfercase shifters to fit. Given the fan doesn’t really align all that well with the cooler anyway, I have decided to get a transmission cooler-electric fan combo. I can position in under the tunnel in a way that is more flexible.

So, things seem to be coming together. I still want to find a place for the extra gauges and am pondering a 4-in-1 gauges which will be a more compact and less obtrusive option, but haven’t found one that satisfies the specs.

 

 

 
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May 1980 Cracked Magazine Cover M*A*S*H & Jeep

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

Barney Goodwin shared this May 1980 issue of Cracked Magazine that features an illustration of M*A*S*H folks riding in a WWII jeep. I was a big fan of Mad Magazine, but don’t remember trying out Cracked.

You can have your own copy, as there are several for sale on eBay. (here is the cheapest I found).

1980-05-cracked-magazine

 
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1962 Photo of Sprayer on CJ-3B on eBay

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

The caption reads “Fruit Fly Spraying: Dick Burke getting things set on jeep sprayer before going out to the home where fruit flys were found”

View all the information on eBay

“This 7.5 x 9.25 inch photo has corner and edge wear. The image has spotting, creasing, and scratching. June 16, 1962. George Wheeler, Miami Herald Staff Photo.”

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FC Updates

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

The weather over the weekend was beautiful, so progress was made on all fronts, from the first mow of the year, to spraying the fence line, to dragging the pasture, to building the “grow” op. Because of all that, the FC progress was a little slower, especially as I went round and round on an accelerator solution.

I created a couple gas pedal linkage prototypes that didn’t work like I’d hoped, so back to the internet I went. Finally, I landed upon a late-1960s VW bus linkage from the British company Butty Bits that gave me a clear path forward. Below is one example. I discovered I have room under the cab to construct something similar to what I show below.

This pic of the linkage comes from the Heritage parts center. The top of the linkage bolts to a pedal, then travels through the floor to a lever that rotates counter clockwise as the pedal is pushed down. I plan to build and test something later today with some small Heim joints I already have.

bus-vw-gas-pedal-linkage

I also had a chance to modify the stock FC support bracket so that it will hold a 2″ column. Here I’m testing together the column, the brake setup, and the dash. It’s all fitting together (whew). I also experimented with my flip-up fuse-box idea, which will go on under the left of the dash. The idea is to have fuse box that can rotate down when needed, but otherwise remain mostly hidden (no pics of that just yet). We’ll see how that idea plays out ….

2024-03-21-fc-steering-column

Among the other spring side projects was this “grow” operation in the master bath, built from leftover steel for max functionality and minimum beauty. Ann wanted a green house, so we build a mini-version atop the whirlpool tub we never use (we plan to turn this area into a larger shower at some point). Ann has grown these plants (beets, peppers, spinach and others) from seeds from last year’s plants.

2024-03-22-grow-op

Finally, yesterday my son reminded me that March Madness had started. It’s the first time I’ve tried to watch it without cable or dish TV (we don’t get cable and cut the dish last fall).

It turns out, Youtube TV has got this figured out! There was an automatic four-panel setup on Youtube TVs Home Screen showing each of the channels’ games. Not all of our cord cutting has been a great experience, but this feature was really useful and easy to use.

2024-03-22-youtube-tv



 
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FC Seat Differences

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

While spring cleaning, Craig took some photos of various FC seats he has so he could assemble a primer on the differences between seats. You’ll need Facebook to see this and join his “Jeep Forward Control FC-150 FC-170 & M-series. Buy/Sell/Trade/Tech Talk” group. He hopes to have this on the FC Connection in the future.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/835668236472205/permalink/7713417725363854

Here is one example: “FC150 Narrow-track Drivers seat. This one needs a little mount fixing but you can see that it bolts down on all 4 corners. Front mounts 13″ center to center.”

narrow-track-driver-seat9

 

 
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1943 Press Photo Demoing the Jeep on eBay

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

The date of this photo could probably be tracked down more precisely given the description below.

View all the information on eBay

“Soviet official show guest with Secretary Morgenthau. Washington, D.C. Major General A.I. Belyaev of the Soviet Air Force, now chairman of the government purchasing division of Russia in the United States, second from right, and Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, right, visited the Army-Treasury Back The Attack War Show at the Monument grounds. Here they are watching a jeep perform. The monument is in the background. USA-Army history. Photo measures 8.5 x 6.75 inches. Photo Is dated 1943.”

1943-press-photo-jumping-jeep1

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October 11, 1954, CJ-3B Pricing Trade Letter on eBay

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

This CJ-3B pricing document includes special equipment pricing as well.

View all the information on eBay

1954-10-11-cj3b-pricing-willys-motors1 1954-10-11-cj3b-pricing-willys-motors2 1954-10-11-cj3b-pricing-willys-motors3 1954-10-11-cj3b-pricing-willys-motors4

 
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February 1955 Pricing Document from Willys Motors on eBay

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

This 3-page item is a pricing document for dealers, but also contains some detailed model information.

View all the information on eBay

1955-02-11-kaiser-willys-document1 1955-02-11-kaiser-willys-document2 1955-02-11-kaiser-willys-document3 1955-02-11-kaiser-willys-document4

 

 
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1962 Photo of Jeep Truck with Tall Ladder in Florida

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

Tom Jirik posted this photo to Facebook. That ladder had to have been wobbly??

1962-florida-pines-truck-large-ladder

“From the 1962 Yearbook of Agriculture published by the USDA. Caption: “In Olustee Experimental Forest in Florida, slash pines selected for high yield of naval stores gum are control-pollinated to produce superior trees.””

 
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Circa 1956 Jeep 4-Wheel-Drive Sign dothan, AL $5000

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

This sign appears in good shape.

https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/1084688676155238

“49 1/2″ x 13 1/2″ x 8″ Original Willy’s Jeep dealership flickering flashing sign”

1960s-fc150-cj5-jeep-sign-dothan-al8

1960s-fc150-cj5-jeep-sign-dothan-al9

 
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September 1947 WO Sales News

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

Thanks to Matt for sharing this document. This 16-page September 1947 issue of WO Sales News begins by announcing the addition of the “step” on CJ-2As. In an older comment by Bill Norris, “According to the 49 parts manual they [the steps] were available on 2As after serial number 129806”. This seems in relative accordance with the timing of the article.

The next story introduces the Laurel C. Worman hardtops, followed by another introduction, the Jeep-A-Trench.

On page six is an interesting story about a caravan of wagons that brought television to smaller towns across the country. To that point, television was only available to areas within a fifty mile radius of a large tower. When the jeep caravan arrived in towns, it offered twice-daily shows via a portable studio setup.

On page eight is a discussion of how to arrange and display jeeps. There are many car museums that could benefit from these insights! I’m not much of a fan of “parking lot” style museums.

The remainder of the pages discuss dealer info, marketing, testimonials, and other highlights.l

1947-09-WO-Sales-News-01 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-02 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-03 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-04 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-05 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-06 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-07 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-08 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-09 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-10 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-11 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-12 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-13 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-14 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-15 1947-09-WO-Sales-News-16

 
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Annual CT Military Vehicle Show June 15, 2024

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

The Comvec-Connecticut Military Vehicle Collectors Club will be holding its annual military vehicle show and flea market June 15, 2024.

COMVEC_2024_FLYER

 
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Year? Photo of PFC Richard Schweers in Jeep

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

I tried to find out more information about Richard Schweers, but had no luck linking a person with this name to military service.

View all the information on eBay

“This is an original press photo. Pfc Richard Schweers uses field radio in Army jeep. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated”

1943-richard-schweers-radio-photo1

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