Interesting old photo.
Features Research Archives
March 25: Tucson, A Titan, and Tombstone
<– Day 7 – March 25: Jeep Signs in Tucson | Overview | Day 9 – March 26: Space History and White Sands –>
Today we had multiple stops planned. Overall, our goal was to drive from Tucson, Arizona, to Tularosa, New Mexico.
After posting the picture from Moab of the CJ-2A mounted on a sign at Ivan’s, Joe pointed me to two similar places in Tucson, AZ. He even included addresses, which saved me time (thanks!). The first place, Willy’s works was a parts store and focuses on civilian and military jeeps. The ‘jeep’ yard held a variety of jeeps. The second place was Jack’s Government Surplus, which naturally focuses on military items. Around Jacks were all kinds of great parts’ yards. I wished I had the time to explore all the different yards!
We did not have time to explore either place. We stopped, took pictures and drove off. So, call or check them out the next time you are there.
Willys Works: 1933 W Gardner Ln,Tucson, AZ (520) 888-5082
Jack’s Government Surplus: 5181 E Drexel Rd, Tucson, AZ 85706 (520) 574-0300
Below are my pictures. You can see some ones from 2010 on Flickr. In the pictures you’ll see a M-38A1, a FC, and a M-151. I’m sure there is more.
J.B. Martin: St. Bernard and His Jeep
Jim forwarded this wonderful story to Derek who forwarded it to me. It’s a heart warming tale of a man and his jeep told by the man’s daughter. A mechanic by trade, J.B. Martin, from Richmond, Missouri, drove a ‘beefed up’ 1945 MB. According the article he is credited with taking “children home in a snowstorm, a doctor to a snow-bound rural home, his family for bobsled rides, and in two days got around 60 cars started.”
March 24: Bernie’s Hotrod FCs and A Train Stop
<– Day 6 – March 23: Bernie’s Hotrod FCs and A Train Stop | Overview | Day 8 – March 25: Tucson, A Titan, and Tombstone –>
On Sunday March 24th, we made a quick visit back to the FC Roundup to get some better pics of Bernie’s rig. After that, we spent the afternoon exploring the Phoenix area. That evening, we drove south to Tucson.
We began the morning at the FC Roundup. Yesterday, I posted a couple pictures of Bernie’s FC. Here are some of the more interesting details:
1) This uses only aviation fuel
2) The engine’s exhaust is partially vented inside the boxed frame
3) The rear and side windows still need completing
4) The cab and the bed both tilt
5) There is no driveline. The transmission is coupled to the rear pinion using a drag racing coupler
The King and the Whirly Bird Book on eBay
The King and the Whirly Bird was written by Mabel Watts in 1969. It’s supposed to include a reference/picture to the “royal jeep”. Whether there really is a jeep, it’s a cute sounding book.
“This hardcover book was writtten by Mabel Watts, illustrated by Harold Berson. Published by Parents’ Magazine Press, copyright 1969.
Once there was a king who had a wonderful kind of flying machine called a whirlybird. He had a pilot named Joe who could fly the machine, but the king would not use the machine at all. “Birds fly. I’m not a bird!” said the king. He had to travel a lot so he used the coach or rode the stallion. He even tried the rickety old royal train, and the old steamship, and finally the royal jeep. None of those methods of travel worked very well. Finally, Joe the pilot convinced the king to try the whirlybird. “This is the way to travel! The whirlybird is the best!” said the king.
Excellent condition.”
Hamilton Pedal U-Haul Jeep and Trailer NY **Status Unknown**
UPDATE: Status Unknown. Was $650.
(03/26/2014) The Jeep has been restored, but not he trailer.
“IM SELLING A VINTAGE 50’S U-HAUL JEEP AND TRAILER. THE JEEP HAS BEEN RESTORED AND HAS ALL NEW DECALS. THE TRAILER COULD USE NEW PAINT. ASKING 650.00 NEG. EMAIL ME YOUR NUMBER AND WILL CALL BACK IN ORDER. PUT UHAUL IN TITLE SO I KNOW ITS NOT SPAM.WILL REMOVE LISTING WHEN SOLD”
The O.E. Szekely CJ-3A APU Navy Jeeps
I’ve been assembling some information on the O.E. Szekely and Associates Navy Jeeps built from CJ-3A parts. These were used to act as “Self-propelled electric power plants” on land and on battleships. They were made in three-wheeled and four-wheeled versions.
There is also a report that O.E. Szekely served 3 1/2 years in the USNR. This may have given him the contacts necessary to arrange the contract(s) for the APU Jeeps.
Link to a discussion on the CJ-3A Page
Link to a discussion at G-503.com
Some great photos from WillysArgentina of APUs
1. UPDATE: I dont’ know why I labeled this an APU. It was definitely in the Navy, but after further review, I see no reason to think it was a Szekely jeep. It is a Four wheel CJ-3A with a L-head that was listed here http://www.ewillys.com/2010/04/28/1951-navy-cj-3a-denver-co-ebay/
2. Four wheel CJ-3A APU with a F-head (and hood bump). The two extra gauges were added as well. Here are a couple pics of Tom’s jeep.
3. Three wheel CJ-3A APU with a L-head.
4. Three wheel CJ-3A APU with a F-head (and hood bump). The APU pictured in color below is from the Miramar Marine Corps Air Museum in San Diego
Uranium Boom Movie Poster and Photos **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on ebay.
I haven’t seen the movie Uranium Boom, but it received a rating of 6.5 stars at IMDb. There are a couple items from the movie on eBay.
This picture shows star Patricia Medina in a jeep.
Here’s the poster with the jeep:View all the information on eBay
Here are some original pictures: View all the information on eBay
March 23: 2013 FC-Roundup Saturday
<– Day 4 & 5 – March 21 & 22: Joe and Joe in Mesa, FC Roundup Part I | Overview | Day 7 – March 24: Bernie’s Hotrod FCs and A Train Stop –>
Just a few updates today (Sunday). Saturday was busy and a lot of fun at Jesse’s house. People were coming and going all day. There was plenty of good food, with hot dogs and beans at lunch and some delicious midday ribs from James in the afternoon. Blue sky and temperatures in the high 70s created perfect temperatures whether you were in the sun or the shade. Below are some of the day’s events.
After a group trip to Mother’s for dinner, we returned to find Bernie’s stunning FC combo:
Colin, George and I spent some time checking out Colin’s Jeepster:
Bob restored this beautiful column shift CJ-2A:
The ladies all jumped into Jesse’s refurbished Tour Jeep for a picture. He’s almost finished with it.
We celebrated Jesse and Andrea’s 50th anniversary and the FC-Roundup’s 10th anniversary.
<– Day 4 & 5 – March 21 & 22: Joe and Joe in Mesa, FC Roundup Part I | Overview | Day 7 – March 24: Bernie’s Hotrod FCs and A Train Stop –>
March 21 & 22: Joe and Joe in Mesa, FC Roundup Part I
<– Day 3 Part II – March 20th Part 2: Canyon De Chelly National Monument | Overview | Day 6 – March 23: 2013 FC-Roundup Saturday –>
Thursday March 21: We spent Wednesday night in Flagstaff, slept in, toured Flagstaff, then drove to Phoenix. It wasn’t all that interesting, as the only thing we documented was a stop at Pita Jungle in Flagstaff.
Friday March 21:
Ann and I dropped by Joe’s house in Mesa on Friday morning before heading off to the 2013 FC Roundup. While Joel has been around jeeps much of his life, Joe is newer to them.
Joe’s initial jeep goal was simple: militarize an old CJ-2A. So, he bought a running CJ-2A with a rough body. Then, he found a GPW body with a great body and frame. His plan was to put the body onto the CJ-2A frame, but his plan was thwarted when he discovered the frame and body matched. With Joel preaching “thou shallst not separate a matching body and frame”, Joe decided to focus on building up the GPW to an originalism state and just patch the floor of the CJ-2A.
As Joe began looking for parts, he found a T-84 transmission and transfercase. Though Joe only wanted the tranny and tc, the seller gave him a price on that plus CJ-3B parts that he couldn’t refuse.
So, a story as old as time, Joe’s one project has turned into three 🙂
The GPW has a few interesting items of note. First, the passenger side was cut and replaced with a swinging door. The door is better than bubba quality and looks like, based on paint comparisons, that it has been with the jeep a long time. Joe has decided to keep it as a conversation piece.
Also of interest is a hinge welded to the bottom of the Ford script seat frame. I suspect that’s a mystery which will never be solved.
After a great time with Joe and Joel, we headed west to central Phoenix and the FC Roundup.
FC ROUNDUP:
March 20th Part 2: Canyon De Chelly National Monument
<– Day 3 Part I – March 20th Part I: Dead Horse State Park | Overview | Day 4 & 5 – March 21 & 22: Joe and Joe in Mesa, FC Roundup Part I –>
For more than a decade Canyon De Chelly National Monument has been on my bucket list of places to visit. I’d read about the beautiful canyons and seen pictures of the Puebloan dwellings perched high within the walls. Yet, I had never visited the place, because its location deep within the Navajo Reservation has kept it from being a convenient side trip. In fact, if you do a search of the web, you’ll find a variety of potential visitors asking if it is worth the trip. While many of the responses gush over the place, Ann and I were deeply disappointed.
We arrived at 4pm under a cloudy sky, having driven through hundreds of miles of Navajo Reservation land (an experience in itself). The winds were blowing pretty good, adding to an already cool day. Fortunately we had plenty of warm clothes, so cold temperatures couldn’t stop us. We entered the visitor center to pay our park fee and learned that the park is free. We thought that strange, but took it as a sign of good fortune.
We told the ranger we knew little about the park and asked if he could make some suggestions on what to see. He described a north tour and a south tour, with the coup-de-grace being Spider Point, the farthest vista along the south drive. We chose to save the best for first and began driving along the south drive.
As soon as we entered the park, we saw the jeep tour sign. Then, there was cowboy woman’s coffee shack, and the term shack might be stretching it, for it wasn’t that nice. But, it was local flavor so we just mentioned it and moved on. But, the local flavor never disappeared. As we drove up the park road we’d see view points for the canyon on our left and Navajo homesteads on our right. As we talked about it, we realized we weren’t in a park, but in the Navajo’s back yard.
After twenty minutes of driving we rounded the Spider Point access road when we saw an unwashed filthy old man wearing a dora explorer pink backpack. He popped out of the bushes some distance in front of us, crossed the road, and was walking off into the middle of nowhere. Ann looked at me and said, “Well, that’s not odd . . .” Several hundred feet later we saw these two young men of Navajo descent digging with a couple shovels on what seemed to be park land. It just seemed odd.
Ten minutes later we were standing at the parking lot at a fence with a beautiful view of the canyon. There was one other car, so it was very quiet. I particularly liked the low budget pointers used to direct visitor’s eyes to different Puebloan ruins. Just as I was beginning to think this might be a cool place, Craig showed up. Well, I guess he didn’t just show up, rather he jumped out of a plateless mini-van that barely slowed down before it sped off again.
It took all of thirty seconds for Craig to amble over to us and introduce himself. Craig’s high pitched feminine voice was unexpected; so was the smell that followed him. Craig claimed that his grandmother owned the hogan that just happened to be located at the end of the walking path off of Spider Point. He asked if we like to see that? I said yes, just to see what his response was. He took off excitedly down the path to the observation point. Meanwhile, Ann saw two men of apparently Navajo descent disappear into the bushes nearby. We never did figure out where they went.
Given our location, Ann joked that her Spidey senses were on full alert. I had to agree with her, as something felt completely wrong with the situation. Yet, feeling intrepid, we decided to walk down to the observation point path so we could see the view. We found a cool spot and took some photos, lingering to let Craig disappear.
Eventually we made it to the observation point itself, though I could see Craig lurking at a point beyond the view point. After a few quick photos, neither of us were enjoying the view. It just felled odd. So, we decided to get out of there.
About a mile passed Spider point was another view point. Parked just to the side of the parking lot was the same van that dropped off Craig. Someone sat inside, waiting for something. So, we sped off to the main road.
At the main road, we began to weave our way back to the park entrance. We saw another spur road that led to another view point. What the heck, we thought. We drove to the parking lot, only to find a peddler of trinkets and necklaces waiting for anyone to appear. We’ve run across similar peddling at Four Corners and Gooseneck State Park in Utah, but never in a national park. That being the last straw, we decided to leave the park.
It turned out we couldn’t leave the park fast enough. The road back to the entrance had a speed limit of 45mph. The road had no shoulders. It bobbed and weaved down a hillside. I was traveling 50mph. A white car behind me was following at a reasonable distance. At one point I looked back at the car and, out of no where, a yellow school bus appeared. It was riding the rear of the white car. The bus was aggressive enough that it caught my attention.
We were halfway down to the park entrance when I saw the white car pull off at a view point. If I were the white car I would have done the same thing. In fact, because the bus was going to be behind me, I sped up to 55mph, figuring that would keep me ahead of the bus. It seems I thought wrong. I watched the bus round two corners behind me, the weight of the bus would cause it to lean. The driver compensated by veering multiple times into the opposing lane. It took several shifts of the steering wheel before the bus driver got control. Once the driver found a straight away, all he/she knew how to do was go fast, because even at 55mph, that driver caught me quickly .
I had two choices, I could remain at 55mph and have some freaking careless driver riding my butt, or I could pull off and let the driver go by. I chose the latter course, because I didn’t need to put our safety risk. Sure enough, that bus roared passed us and we never saw it again.
We thought about stopping at the Visitor’s Center and complaining, but it was closed by the time we arrived, so we bolted. Heck, we wanted our money back, even though we hadn’t paid anything!
As we were about to leave Chinle, the town where Canyon De Chelly is located, Ann noticed the High School had double perimeter fencing, an outside fence consisting of a security fence (barbed wire) and an inner fence. Between the two fences was a security car patroling the area. To enter the school a person had to go through a security booth. Given Chinle is in the middle of nowhere, it was surreal.
That was our image as we left the area. That school bus might as well have followed us out of town, because we weren’t wasting anytime leaving. Besides, there was nothing there that we hadn’t seen at Mesa Verde, Zion, Canyonlands, or other parks in the NPS or Utah State Park system.
We left Canyon De Chelly and drove to Flagstaff, where we spent the night. Tomorrow, March 21st, we will spend a little time in Flagstaff, then leave for Phoenix.
<– Day 3 Part I – March 20th Part I: Dead Horse State Park | Overview | Day 4 & 5 – March 21 & 22: Joe and Joe in Mesa, FC Roundup Part I –>
Jumping Jeep Moss Agate From Mitchell, Oregon
As best as I can figure out, there is a real type of agate called Jumping Jeep Moss Agate. If anyone can chime in on this, feel free. The “Shirts” in the story refers to Shirts Quant, who was a real person.
Here’s the story I found . . . “ANOTHER FAMOUS DISCOVERY IS THE JUMPIN JEEP MOSS AGATE FIND NEAR MITCHELL OREGON. NOW SHIRTS AND A FELLA BY THE NAME OF MITCHELL LOCATED THIS CLAIM WAY UP ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. THEY WERE GETTING SOME FANTASTIC AGATE OUT. THERE WAS A HUGE BOULDER OF SOLID MOSS AGATE WITH REDS AND GOLDS, BUT THEY COULD NOT BUDGE IT. THEY GOT THE IDEA OF BRINGING UP AN OLE WILLYS JEEP AND IT HAD A WINCH ON THE FRONT END, MAN THEY WINCHED THAT HOSS UP AND HIKED TO THE JEEP AND GRINNING THEY TURNED ON THE WINCH AND THE ROCK BUDGED A BIT AND BEFORE THEY COULD STOP IT THE JEEP TOOK OFF ROLLING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WITH THE ROCK!!! IN THEIR HASTE THEY HAD FORGOT TO ANCHOR THE JEEP. SHIRTS SAID THEY JUST STOOD THERE IN AWE HE LAUGHED AND SAID “A COUPLE TIMES THAT JEEP WENT WAAAAY UP AIRBORNE” HE SAID FOLKS FROM ALL OVER HAD TO COME AND LOOK AT THAT JEEP…”
http://stores.ebay.com/RHODES-CABBIN-AND-GEMS/THE-PROSPECTORS-PAGE.html
Here’s one picture of Jumping Jeep Plume Agate:
Santa Driving a Jeep in Ad
JJ spotted Santa driving a jeep in this ad by Walk Kelly from 1942. You can find more Walt Kelly illustrations where JJ found this one at The Golden Age.
Wooden Jeep Sign **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Maybe someone is looking for this unique sign?
“Thank you for visiting my eBay Auctions and Store. 3D Signs specializes in unique hand crafted signs and plaques. These signs make the perfect gift and are not available from any other eBay seller!
DESCRIPTION
This is a single sided sign, routed on Real Wood in my wood shop. It is painted with bright acrylic paints, and finished with multiple coats of clear lacquer for long lasting protection. Your new sign comes ready to hang with a sawtooth style hanger already installed.
This sign measures approximately 11″x 15”
2013 Moab Easter Safari T-shirt
You don’t see a DJ-3A (albeit modified) show up on a t-shirt too often! I spotted this shirt in several Moab t-shirt shops.
Paul’s Flat Fender Project
UPDATE: on Paul’s project:
Paul has continued to complete work on his project. He shared these links and photos for your view pleasure:
You can see some of the progress photos here:
http://s175.photobucket.com/user/paulferrari/media/willys/53DAD097-C18D-4D5E-BB78-BEF2D37B5E13_zpsrcjdey1r.jpg.html
http://s175.photobucket.com/user/paulferrari/media/willys/4B436EEE-E91B-404F-AF7F-AA757B65F8E9_zpse7lrzqqw.jpg.html
http://s175.photobucket.com/user/paulferrari/media/willys/63C88179-0BEE-4728-896A-E2E473D9D5B3_zpsre4hviik.jpg.html
http://s175.photobucket.com/user/paulferrari/media/willys/50B1AB18-DA34-4E68-8DA0-EB4EADAAAC43_zpscaratstq.jpg.html
http://s175.photobucket.com/user/paulferrari/media/willys/0347D13B-9FFF-41D8-9A2B-C9E5A809B6B2_zpst4pjrxkg.jpg.html
Monroe Implement Lift Parts List
This is a reproduction parts list for a Monroe Lift that might interesting someone.
“**THIS IS A FIXED PRICE ITEM. BUY IT NOW!!! NO BIDDING – NO WAITING**
**FREE 1st CLASS MAIL SHIPPING IN U.S. ONLY**
DESCRIPTION:
MONROE WILLYS JEEP IMPLEMENT LIFT ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST
UP FOR SALE IS 1 REPRODUCTION ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST FOR THE MONROE HYDRAULIC IMPLEMENT LIFT FOR THE CIVILIAN WILLYS JEEP MODELS CJ-2A & CJ-3A. 15 PAGES PRINTED 1 SIDE, PUNCHED FOR A 3 RING BINDER NOT INCLUDED. LISTS ALL PARTS WITH ORIGINAL PART NUMBERS, FULLY ILLUSTRATED INCLUDING THE QUICK DISCONNECT SET.”
Vintage Wagon, Plane and Family Photos on eBay
March 20th Part I & Part II: Dead Horse State Park
<– Day 1- March 18th-19th: Phoenix Az or Bust! | Overview | Day 3 Part II – March 20th Part 2: Canyon De Chelly National Monument –>
We began the morning in Moab. Our goal was to explore Moab some, then head south for Canyon De Chelly, then onward to Phoenix.
Our first stop of the day was north of Moab along Highway 313. It’s BLM land were I used to camp when visiting Moab. I’d throw a sleeping back on the slick rock and sleep under the stars. That was back in 2000-2003. Now, this area is closed to camping. It is one of the downsides of the rise in tourism in the area.
Next, we continued along Highway 313 toward Dead Horse Point State Park. It’s has amazing vista overlooking Canyonlands National Park, with it’s twisting, turning rivers wriggling amongst a vast rocky landscape. The views are incredible, even on a cloudy morning. I’m sure on a sunny, cloudless morning, the rock would be a bright reddish-orange.
Supply Sergeant in Bakersfield, CA
Art’s favorite military supply store, Supply Sergeant, is in his old stomping ground of Bakersfield, CA. The store includes a M-38.
Photo of Jeep at Gas Station **SOLD**
UPDATE: This could be a blue star hardtop. The photo was on eBay.
The jeep is small in the photo, but I thought the hard top looked interesting. The rear window has an angle in back and it looks like the front door has a very small window. This is a reprinted photo.
1945 Mobiloil Mobilgas ad on eBay
Good price on a large, hard to find ad.
“This is a 1945 Vintage magazine advertisement for Mobiloil/Any G.I. on Any Jeep will tell you Regular machine service in “Gospel in the Army.” This is an original advertisement that was featured in Life magazine.
Size: approx. 10.5 x 13.5″
Photo of WWII Jeep in Welding Shop on eBay
Here is a copy of a photo from the National Archives. This seller has more great photos on eBay.
“This is a 8″ X 10” U.S. MARINE CORPS GLOSSY PHOTOGRAPH FROM THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. “No photo date or information is available other than USMC PHOTO stamped on back”. Condition is excellent.”
Brian’s CJ-3B
Just one post tonight. I have a meeting in the morning and then will try to do some posts on our way south Tuesday in the late afternoon.
Imagine heating up a pan on the stove. Now, imagine the sizzling sound of a water droplet landing on the hot skillet. That’s what I heard this morning as Ann piloted the jeep amongst the beautiful mountains south of Baker City, Oregon. The sounds of sizzling might be appropriate inside a kitchen, but it is not the type of sound one wants to hear while inside their new jeep.
The first time I heard a sizzle, I thought it was my imagination. The second time I heard it, I began to notice the smell of smoke; still, I thought it was my imagination. I would have asked my wife if she heard it, but she was busy cruising down the road wearing her earphones and listening to a book on tape, while I tackled more edits on my book. With no sanity check available, I returned to the dire situation faced by my characters.
The third sizzle sounded longer and more clear. No longer suspecting it was my imagination, I reached down to the passenger floor where the small portable pump for an air mattress was charging. One touch of the pump and I knew we had a problem. I immediately unplugged the pump and held it up so Ann could see it. She looked over and saw smoke coming out of the top. I too saw the smoke. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t supposed to do that.
As I held it, I heard another sizzle. I began to wonder if I was holding a potential bomb. Shades of the Boeing Dreamliner batteries and cockpit fires flashed before my eyes. I looked at my wife. She looked at me. Figuring we need to do something, she hit the brakes and veered off to the side of I-84, no doubt freaking out the few drivers behind us.
I put the still sizzling and smoking pump on the ground. I watched it, wondering what to do next. Deciding the worst was still not behind us, I grabbed a water bottle and doused the pump. As the water poured into and threw the pump, the smoke and heat subsided and the threat diminished. We were soon back on the road. An hour later, we properly saluted the pump as we unceremoniously disposed of it.
Shortly following our pump adventure, Brian emailed me to see if we could arrange a time to meet near Salt Lake. He said he’d bring his CJ-3B. Of course, jeeps are crack to me, so I couldn’t possibly turn down that offer. Though we only had a brief visit, it was fun to look through what he calls his “Frankenjeep”. It’s got an aftermarket body that’s in great shape and has a few other oddities, but the drive train appears stock and it’s a jeep that the family enjoys.
Thanks for taking the time to meet Brian!
“The Kitchen of the Undesired Animal”
Nicolle from Amsterdam facebooked me this morning. He wanted to share his jeeps, which both have tiny kitchens in the rear. Based on the food I saw on his Facebook Page, he doesn’t need a large kitchen to create great looking food. When I asked him to interpret the sign on his jeep, he said it translated as “The Kitchen of the Undesired Animal”.