Features Research Archives

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1948 Letter Indicating Metal Shortages

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

Marc spotted this interesting letter. It sold on eBay last month. It goes to show that even hard top makers were having problems finding material to build their aluminum top.

1948-willys-newengland-jeep-letter

 
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Shot of Jim Carter from Vintage Four Wheeler Magazine

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

I bought a May 1975 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine, because it was cheap. I didn’t find anything interesting in it until stumbled across a picture of Jim Carter racing through mud on the last page. Jim and his wife Patti were long time friends of my parents and encouraged them to join the fledgling Wandering Willys Jeep Club. Those that have read my book might recognize the name.

For an unknown reason, JIm isn’t racing their jeep Otis, but someone else’s (or this photo is earlier than 1975). I do recognize that helmet though.

1975-05-fourwheeler-jim-carter-peak-putters-lores

 
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1948 Russian Jeep Manual and other Information

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

Marc uncovered several great G503 Russian site links.

This link includes information on jeep (and seep) manuals in english and russian. Here are a couple shots from the Russian book from 1948:

http://www.g503.ru/info/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=1460#1460

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And here is a thread with many different pictures:

http://www.g503.ru/info/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=143&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

 
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Photo of Fleetvan Assembly on eBay

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

There is a seller with a variety of 8×10 black and white photos of the FJ Fleetvan. Some auctions end soon. This seller also has photos of a three-wheeled delivery van made for the post office.

They are all original photographs purchased from the “HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER FOR TWIN COACH BUS COMPANY AND THE WILLYS JEEP FIRM IN TOLEDO OHIO ALL PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN BY HER WHILE WORKING FOR THESE COMPANIES”.

1) Here’s a rare picture of the assembly plant. View all the information on ebay

fleetvan-assembly-plant-photo

2) Here’s a line of vans on train cars: View all the information on ebay

fleetvans-on-train-photo

3) Back of van: View all the information on ebay

fleetvan-fj-photo-back

Continue reading

 
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1945 Photograph from Kiev, Ukraine on eBay

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

Nice shot of an MB and several other jeeps.

“100% Authentic Original SOVIET RUSSIAN WAR PHOTO SOVIET OFFICERS IN US MILITARY OFF ROAD CARS WILLYS PARADE KIEV UKRAINE 1945.
FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION.
SIZE 18 X 12 CM.
NOT POST WAR REPRINT.”

View all the information on ebay

1945-kiev-ukraine-photo

 
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Spotted this M-677 & Wagon Yesterday

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

Just a few updates tonight.

We were out for a short drive to downtown Pasco and back. Instead of taking our normal route, I returned home via some side roads. We were a couple miles from home when we spotted these two jeeps. Not often I see a M-677 parked in a driveway (unless I’m at Jesse’s house).

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Sand Pounders at Padre Island

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

I ran across an article about “Sand Pounders”, a name given to the soldiers that patrolled the beaches off of the Gulf of Mexico. The article included these two jeep pictures.

http://southpadretv.tv/here-lies-red-lady-85/

sand-pounders-padre-beach1

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1942 Wickwire Rope Ad

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

Here’s a neat ad.

“1942 HAULING JEEPS ACROSS RAVINES…ANOTHER JOB FOR WICKWIRE ROPE SALES ART AD.
AUTHENTIC MAGAZINE AD.
OVERALL MEASURMENT IS 7.5 X 10.5
IN GOOD CONDITION
I MAIL ITEMS DAILY AND PACKAGE THEM VERY WELL IN A POLY BAG AND DOUBLE CARDBOARD.
DELIVERY CONFIRMATION IS ADDED TO EVERY ITEM AT NO CHARGE.
COMBINED SHIPPING…….NO EXTRA POSTAGE……REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY YOU PURCHASE”

View all the information on ebay

1942-wickwire-rope-hauling-jeep-ad2

 
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Giclee Print of a Follow-Me Jeep

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

You don’t see many follow-me jeeps illustrated.

“This museum quality Giclee print is part of a series by photographic artist Michael Malak:
Series: Wings of Angels is a project being created to honor the veterans of WWII and as a tribute to pin-up and aviation of the era.
Model: Tala Marie.
Assigned Plane: P-38 Lighting.
Posed with the Follow Me jeep.
(Follow Me jeeps were used at airfields helping to control airplane ground traffic. Those jeeps used close to the front remained the OD (olive drab) color, but at bases to the rear, the jeeps were painted bright yellow.)
Art by Michael Malak of MALAK Photography.
Photo sessions were located at the Yanks Aircraft Museum in Chino CA. (Video Below)

Fine Art Giclée professionally printed on museum quality Photo Metallic Silver Paper with archival inks. The paper, printing ink and process used producing this print gives it that unique, vintage, antique look and feel from the era. The quality, detail and depth of color in this Giclée is exceptional. Size: 11″x17″. Print comes in an acid-free archival sleeve and backing board.”

View all the information on ebay

michael-malak-giclee-wings-of-angels

 
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Jeep Puzzle by Terry Redlin on eBay

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

Well, maybe it’s more bait shop than jeep puzzle, but it’s a home run if you like fishing and jeeps!

“This is Terry Redlin “WELCOME TO PARADISE” Bait Shop Fishing Jeep Country BOXLESS Puzzle!!
**NEW** in Manufacturer’s Bag… FACTORY SEALED!!
The puzzle is in Excellent Condition!!
This puzzle is 300 pieces & is 11″ by 15″ when complete.
This Puzzle is #5 from the Master Of Memories Collection.
Artist: Terry Redlin”

View all the information on ebay

puzzle-jeep-terry-redlin-welcome-to-paradise

 
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7 Jeep Postcards on eBay

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

The beginning bid on these cards is $5.00.

“Vintage Post Card Lot of 7 Jeep Postcards
5½ x 3½ inch cards
They are: Jeep Panel Delivery 2 & 4 Wheel Drive, Jeep Gladiator Townside 2 and 4 Wheel Drive (in red), Jeep Gladiator Thriftside 2 and 4 wheel drive (in blue), Jeep Wagoneer Station Wagon, Jeep Universal ( with Meyer Snow Plow), Meyer “Jeep” Cab, Jeep Gladiator (with a Power Balance Meyer Snow Plow).”

View all the information on ebay

7-postcards-1

 
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Larry’s CJ-2A

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

Larry forwarded me an ad for the Sawyer Motor Car Show in Saugherties, NY. He included a few pictures of his CJ-2A, so I asked him to send me some more pics.

He writes, “These pictures were taken on the 4th of July. The gentlemen in the passenger seat is Joe Sinnotti a WW2 Navy Seabee. I was asked to put some Stars and markings on my jeep.  Funny how a lot of people don’t know the difference between a real WW2 jeep and civilian one. My family and I enjoy driving around town. I have heard ‘hey look at that old army jeep’ plenty of times and have had plenty of pictures taken. I cant stop at a red light or park without pictures being taken. I love it when dads take their kid’s pictures by it. I tell them to put the kids into it — boy what a smile they get!  Hope years from now they can look back with fond memories.”

Thanks for sharing Larry!

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Larry’s son just got his driver’s permit. I suspect their will be some competition for the driver’s seat 🙂larry-swart-cj2a4

 
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Schools At War Jeep Campaign Poster

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

Marc spotted this classic poster on Flickr.

jeep-at-war-campaign-poster-flickr-lores

 
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Terry’s Jeep Farm in Kingston, NY

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

I’m sad to report that Terry Ackert passed away last month. He ran the Jeep Farm in Kingston, NY. We had a chance to meet him in 2011. Tom forwarded this obituary. Below is the summary of our visit with him.

(Published Nov 17, 2011) This past Monday Andy took us over to meet Terry and tour Terry’s ‘jeep farm’ in Kingston, NY.  The entrance to the farm is a jeep tour in itself, requiring a good solid hill climbing vehicle as the jeep farm sits atop a hill like the summit of some holy jeep mecca.  In fact, the entrance is guarded by two luscious beauties … two barbie jeeps that have, admittedly, seen better days.  Once we reached the farm, jeeps began appearing in the woods.

Terry has been collecting jeeps for years and, even despite the rainy day, relishes what he does.  While Andy, Terry and I talked, Ann was busily exploring the scene for the perfect shot.  I’m not sure she even knew it was raining, because she was in her ‘photo zone’.  Terry was impressed enough that he gave Ann a little tootsietoy jeep (which needs some rebuilding).  Though we didn’t get a glass of wine on this visit, as the rain discouraged socializing, if you visit him on a nice day he just might share a glass with you. Give him a call at if you need some parts: 845 657 6692.  Thanks for taking time for us Terry!

Terry and I pose.  I like his eyeglasses holders.

Here are a few pictures from the our time there:

Here is Ann’s first ever jeep (left), given to her by Terry, and Andy’s more complete version of the Tootsietoy jeep:

 
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Merapi Jeep Tour Community in Indonesia

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

Leslie forwarded this story from the New York Times.  In 2010 Mount Merapi in central Java, Indonesia, erupted killing 300 people. Following the eruption, visitors arrived to check out the damage. An enterprising man named Christian Ignasius bought a CJ-2A to provide tours of the area. That little operation has grown into enough jeeps and guides to serve one thousand tourists a month.

Here’s the article at the New York Times

I also found some great pics. These two are form the this website.

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This image is from an online new article:merapi-jeep-tour-community1I found this picture of the volcano and a jeep on Flickr:

merapi-jeep-tour-community4

 
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French ‘Sedan’ Jeep at Bangshift

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

While looking for something else I ran across this Sedan-modified jeep at Bangshift. According to the article, someone combined a Renault 4L with a MB or GPW. I can’t find any clues as to which jeep was used.

http://bangshift.com/blog/roadside-find-from-france-a-crossover-suv-built-decades-before-the-concept-existed.html

french-sub-jeep-sedan-bangshift

 
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Coast Guard Lengthened Jeep AKA The Invader Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, GPW (Ford MB), videos • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Coast Guard Super-Jeep at the National Guard Militia Museum in New Jersey.

Posted at bangshift (though I couldn’t find this original link), referenced by Jalopnik, linked to by Kaiser Willys, and forwarded by Colin, here is a great video  of a coast guard “super jeep” in action.

NEWS ARTICLES:

1) From the May 06, 1944, Perth Mirror in Australia:

TRAVELS 60 MPH OVER SANDY BEACHES
At a Coastguard Station on the Atlantic Coast, U.S. Coast Guards men recently demonstrated a new super-jeep, carrying 10 men and traveling up to 60 miles an hour over sand. Officials said the super-jeep was developed to meet special problems of Coast Guard shore patrols. Chassis of a regulation jeep was halved and steel shafts inserted to add one yard to its wheelbace. Seats for 10 were installed and specially designed wheels employed to permit travel over any kind of beach.

2) Volume 70 of the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings discusses the results of the Coast Guard Jeep. Unfortunately I don’t have access to the whole document. I do have this:

As a basis for comparison, the regular Army jeep tried to follow the super-jeep over the same course, but foundered in the deep sand. The super-jeep was developed in the Coast Guard transportation office to meet the special demand that branch of services has for a vehicle capable of moving through sand . . .

LINKS:
http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=108&t=177213 (three good photos of an original coast guard jeep)

 

 

 
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Mechanical Grenade Launcher on a MB

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

I spotted these pictures at Dieselpunks, though the pictures appear to originate from a Russian site. The grenade launchers were designed by the NKEP (Narodnyy Komissariat Elektricheskoy Promyshlennosti – state commissariat for electrical engineering) to be flameless and quiet.

Go to the dieselpunks website to learn more.

mechanical-grenade-launcher-dieselpunks1 mechanical-grenade-launcher-dieselpunks2 mechanical-grenade-launcher-dieselpunks3

 
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Jeep Tie Tacks and Cuff Links **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay

Here’s an unusual set of items.

“Here is a super cool lot of vintage lot of 1960s Jeep Tie Tacks and Cuff Links featuring the 2 Jeep Tie Tacks, a Jeep Gladiator Pickup Tie Tack, and Cuff Links featuring the 60s Jeep Wagoneer and Gladiator. The Jeep Gladiator Pickup Truck is marked Mercury Industries, with the rest are not marked. The lot is sold as pictured, looks and displays great with very good colors, and would be a very nice addition to your collection!

Please take a look at my vintage collectible listings, and I will gladly combine shipping to save you money.”

1960s-tie-clips-cuff-links

 
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LeMons Thunderhill Organizer’s Choice DJ-5

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6, Features, Racing This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

DJ-5 owners . . . take heart! Who says a mail jeep isn’t fast? This modified — ok highly modified — DJ-5 won the 2012 Organizer’s Choice Trophy at the 2012 24 Hours of LeMons Thunderhill in California.

road-racing-dj5-24-hours-lemons-thunderhill road-racing-dj5

 
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Jeep Sweep in Popular Science

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

The December 1949 issue of Popular Science highlighted this unique attachment for the jeep. You can view this article on Google books.

You can also buy the issue on eBay

1950-04-popular-science-jeep-sweep

 
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1980 Photo of the Hallandale Broward County Jeep Tram **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay

The original Broward County Jeep Tram was launched by Hugh B. Cramer in 1946. Hugh brought five jeeps with him from Buffalo that could be linked together and drive out onto sandy beaches.

Hugh’s plan didn’t succeed, but a jeep tram did root itself in Hallandale. According to this article, the jeep trams were begun in 1982 as an adjunct to the bus system, but this photo suggests it happened earlier. The city paid for the majority of the costs. As of 1990 the trams were still running based on the picture at the bottom.

1. “You are bidding on an original press photo from 1980 featuring Tram in Hallandale. . Photo is 10” x 8” in size.”

1980-broward-county-tram-photo1

2. You are bidding on an original press photo from 1990 featuring Voyager Tram… Broward . Photo is 10” x 8” in size.

View all the information on ebay

1990-tram-service-broward-county

 
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1955 Roper Pump Brochure

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

Here’s a good brochure for a Roper Pump.

Continue reading

 
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1948 Assembly Line Drawing on Flickr

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

Marc discovered these drawings on Flickr. I’m not sure where they were published originally.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/autohistorian/8607955035/in/set-72157620825781760/

1948-willys-overland-assembly-flickr-drawing2-lores

http://www.flickr.com/photos/autohistorian/8609062408/in/set-72157620825781760

1943-ford-jeep-ink-drawing-poster-lores

 
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Ads from Automotive Digest **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay

This June 1943 Automotive Digest has several jeeps ads.

“This is a nice original example of AUTOMOTIVE DIGEST magazine from mid 1943. In most ways it is like any other example of AUTOMOTIVE DIGEST, but this issue contains several nice ads from various manufacturers featuring a variety of World War II jeeps like the Ford GP, Ford GPW and / or Willys MB slat-grills, the standardized Ford / Willys jeep and the GPA or amphibious jeep.”

1943-jumping-jeepers-seep-ads. 1943-victor-gaskets-ad 1943-hall-manufacturing-ad