Features Research Archives

To Top

International Patent Plate?

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

Robin just brought home a 1951 truck from Wyoming. Accompanying his new purchase is the plate shown below. Was this a plate used on exported trucks? Neither Robin nor I remember seeing a plate quite like this. My google searches yielded nothing.

patent-plate-export-truck-lores

 
To Top

Nov 1945 Yank Magazine Cover on eBay

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

This is certainly an unusual photo.

“Yank, the Army Weekly was a weekly magazine published by the United States military during World War II. The idea for the magazine came from Egbert White, who had worked on Stars and Stripes during World War I. The first issue was published with the cover date of June 17, 1942. The magazine was written by enlisted rank soldiers only and was made available to the soldiers, sailors, and airmen serving overseas. It was published at facilities around the world—British, Mediterranean, Continental, and Western Pacific—for a total of 21 editions in 17 countries. Yank was the most widely read magazine in the history of the U.S. military, achieving a worldwide circulation of more than 2.6 million. Each issue was priced from five cents to 10 cents because it was felt that if soldiers paid, they would have a higher regard for the publication. Each issue was edited in New York City and then shipped for printing around the world where staff editors added local stories. The last issue was published in December 1945.”

View all the information on eBay

1945-11-23-yank-magazine-lores

 
To Top

1940s Ad of Jeep flying off the Empire State Building **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay

The point of this ad is that the force on the tires of a B-29 landing is equal to that of a jeep flying straight down from the Empire State Building.

“Nice quality vintage print ad from Shell Industrial Lubricants during WWII , featuring a jeep dropping from the Empire State Building. Mentions Goodyear and B-29 Superfortress.
there’s a small dark stain on the lower left corner, but it could be covered up by a picture frame.
Measures 10″x13″ From 1940’s Fortune Magazine”

1940s-shell-lubricants-flying-jeep-lores

 
To Top

“If Jeeps Could Talk” Photo of Drawing on eBay

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

As I understand it, this is a vintage photo of a drawing.

“All photos are original and of period. No reproductions unless otherwise noted. Photo Size: 3.5″ by 3.5”

View all the information on eBay

1945-vintage-cartoon-if-jeeps-could-talk-lores

 
To Top

1959 Photo of a Proud Hunter with his Elk on eBay

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

Perhaps the elk head held down the hood, because if you look at the fender you’ll see the hood clamp is missing.

“You are bidding on lot # 59079 Original 1959 Press Photo 2×2 Negative Hunter Vtg Jeep 12 PT Elk Head
This is an original press photo negative from Southeast Kansas. I have copied all the info from the original negative sleeve onto the sleeve that this will be mailed in. The auction description and title may include info from the sleeve, the negative itself and additional info I have researched (such as car make/model, etc.) The date is the date of the negative, NOT necessarily the date of a car pictured.”

View all the information on eBay

hunter-with-elk-on-front-of-jeep-lores

 
To Top

Willys MA Photos on eBay

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

Several other photos are included with these two Willys MA photos.

“From a lot of 29th Inf Regt photos I’ve selected a small group showing highlights from the motor pool. Of particular interest are the two shots of the early Willys MA jeep. You can just barely make out the unit stencil on the front bumper. I’ve included shots of a couple Dodges with better unit markings – all vehicles are parked in front of same garage (Ft. Benning?) Period photos of the MA jeep are not all that common. All images have same back mark and are all 3.25″ x 4.5″.”

View all the information on eBay

willys-ma-photo2

willys-ma-photo1

 
To Top

Midway Sweep Rake Brochure

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

This rare brochure just sold on eBay. Anyone ever run across a working rake? It was sold by the Midway Lumber Company out of St. Paul, MN.

midway-rake1

midway-rake2

 
To Top

Sad truck wasting along the roadway

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

Mike shot this cool, but sorrowful picture.

truck-along-road-mike-sullivan

 
To Top

Vintage Metal FC Toy on eBay

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

How about this neat old FC Toy?

“Vintage Jeep toy. I think this would be a great toy for someone looking to start collecting, or someone who likes to fix vintage toys up. I have a bunch listed.”

View all the information on eBay

forward-control-metal-toy-japan1

 
To Top

Wyandotte Tin Jeep and Trailer on eBay

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

This may be a rare toy. I didn’t find any references to it on the CJ-3B Page or anywhere else.  Wyandotte was a brand name used by the All Metal Products company out of Wyandotte, Michigan.

“This vintage tin toy jeep and trailer is made of heavy sheet steel and resembles a real WW II jeep. The windshield will fold down flat and the hood raises. It has a spare tire. There is a small hole on the right rear side that you could bolt the spare on. It is marked Willys on the front bumper and the windshield frame. Each tire is marked WYANDOTTE TOYS MADE IN U.S.A. This is a good sized toy. The jeep is 11″ long, 5″ wide, and 5 5/8″ high with the windshield up. The trailer is 10 1/2″ long, 4 1/2″ wide and 3 3/4″ high. The wheels all turn and are made of rubber. The tailgate on the trailer opens and closes.

It has some spotty surface rust but is still solid. The hitch is missing from under the jeep. I would have made one for it but have not found a picture of one. It should be about 1 1/2″ long with a hole in it and attaches with a single bolt.”

View all the information on eBay

wyandotte-tin-toy1-lores

 
To Top

Postcard of Huntington Beach Jeep Tram

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

UPDATE: Was on eBay. **SOLD**

Here’s a jeep tram that is pulling tourists along the Huntington Beach Pier.

jeep-tram-huntingtonbeach-postcard1-lores

jeep-tram-huntingtonbeach-postcard2-lores

 
To Top

Always FOLLOW a Half Track . . .

• CATEGORIES: Event, Features, M-38, Reader Stories • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Paul forwarded these pics to consider. The moral is, always follow a half track!

Last Saturday I visited the local military vehicle show and I saw an amazing sight.  Among the various military trucks, Jeeps and one half track on display there was a Willys  M 38 which had suffered a bit of body damage when the previously mentioned half track didn’t quite stop soon enough.  I don’t know the reason for the meeting of these vehicles but the attached pictures show the results of contact between one very light and one very heavy military rig.  The poor M 38 got the worst of this bump but the half track also suffered when it received a scratch in the paint on the front drum.  Sad to see but I don’t believe anyone was hurt.”

m38-halftrack-rear-ended1 m38-halftrack-rear-ended2 m38-halftrack-rear-ended3

 
To Top

1943 Newsweek Ad

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

Here’s another Newsweek Ad from 1943. I will have to fill in the issue information later, as I don’t have it with me. This was a two page ad in the center of the magazine.

1943-newsweek-jeepisthename-2page-ad-lores

 
To Top

A good looking CJ-3B from Colombia

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3B, Features, International • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Sebastian’s father spotted this jeep and share the picture with us. Note the extended rear.

He writes, “My dad spotted this nice 3B in Villavicenio, Meta (Colombia). It seems
to be used for work or daily drive, the yellow plate means is registered
as a regular car. The white top looks nice and goes well with the
tires. However, it seems a little larger than normal. It seems there is
a cat or a dog underneath.”

cj3b-sebastian-villavicencio-colombia

 
To Top

Postcard of Gold Prospector in Mojave, California on eBay

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

I’m really wondering about the text on the back of this card. I can’t tell what it is promoting. The title claims this is Bruce Minard a gold prospector in Red Hill, Mojave, California.

“NICE UNUSED STANDARD-SIZE CHROME POSTCARD……..1950s/60s ERA……IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.”

View all the information on eBay

bruc-minard-gold-prospector-postcard

 
To Top

Henry Comicus Postcard with Jeep on eBay

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

This card ships from the UK.

View all the information on eBay

second-hand-jeep-stops-at-blonde-card

 
To Top

Craig’s Pic of the Week: The Teahouse of the August Moon

• CATEGORIES: Craigs Pic of the Week, Features, Old News Articles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Craig scanned this photo from an issue of Jeep News. It was take at the set of “The Teahouse of the August Moon“. I’ve never heard of the movie, but it’s rated pretty well at imbd. You’ll likely recognize Glenn Ford, driving the jeep, and Marlon Brando, pointing at something.  It looks like a Ford GPW based on the bumper.

jeep-stars-in-role

 
To Top

2013 Military Vehicle Show at Falcon Field

• CATEGORIES: Event, Features, GPW (Ford MB), M-38, MB This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Major Joe forwarded some pics from the 2013 Military Vehicle show at Falcon Field in Mesa, AZ. There were quite a few jeeps at the event.  Thanks for sharing!

He wrote, “I attended the annual Military Vehicle show at Falcon Field here in Mesa Saturday (had to find another way to get my Willy’s/Flat fender fix since your site was down!). Anyway, I thought I’d share the pics with you (attached). It’s a great event, and included military motorcycles, dozens of non-jeep vehicles, a half track, helicopter, and many aircraft (always on display since this is the home of the AZ chapter of the Commemorative Air Force).”

2013-02-23_11-44-11_690

2013-02-23_11-44-29_544

2013-02-23_11-44-46_145

Continue reading

 
To Top

Old Tin Jeep (Custom?) **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay

This is a cool model jeep with an unusual look. It looks custom made, but I just don’t know.

“I found this all metal toy at a garage sale and it looked really old so I got it. I did some research and found it was made around World War 2 and that its made out of what I presume to be tin. The wheels are all metal, not rubber, which suggests their manufacturing date is early 1940’s. This is obviously made by hand and all the parts appear to be there with no major damage or missing  attachments. There is a number 41 on the bottom which I assume is the year it was made. I couldnt find this toy any where else online so It’s obvious it is not a common find.  It has a notable sense of quality and is about 9″ by 4″ in size. It has some weight to it because it is made out of solid metal, no plastic. This piece looks great and has a really cool antique charm.”

1940s-tin-jeep-toy-homemade1

 
To Top

Matchbox Jeep Puzzle on eBay

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

This is a pretty simple puzzle, but I doubt many exist.

“This is a 5″ X 7″ jigsaw puzzle produced in 1969 by the Fred Bronner Corporation, the US importer of Matchbox cars to promote the British line of diecast model cars.  There are 8 puzzles in the set, and I have all eight listed now on eBay. Six of the eight listed are still sealed in the factory shrink-wrap. This particular one, the Standard Jeep number 72, has no shrink-wrap, but all pieces are there, and it is in excellent condition.”

View all the information on eBay

matchbox-puzzle-lores

 
To Top

“Go Chargers” Jeepster Toy Las Vegas, NV **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $100.

How about this perfect jeep for your favorite San Diego Charger fan.

“THIS AWESOME ALL METAL JEEP CUSTOM BEACH CRUISER HONORS THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS!
HAND PAINTED, WITH A CUSTOM MADE WIND SHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS, WITH CUSTOM INTERIOR PENNANTS AND SCALE FOOTBALL, WITH CUSTOM MADE GRAPHIX MAKES THIS COOL CAR A MUST FOR ANY CHARGERS FAN YOU KNOW.”

chargers-beach-cruiser-jeepster-toy5

Continue reading

 
To Top

1953 Alfa Romeo AR51 Matta 4×4 Surrey, UK on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Other 4x4s • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is located in the UK, but is being shipped to the US. See the description for more info.

“This rare 1953 AR51 Matta 4×4 has been in my storage for years. It is amazingly original and unmolested, a real surviver. I guess the reason why I never touched it is the fact that it is a real time wrap, never restored or modified in anyway, as many of these AR51-52 were. It still has its original gray paint, with some surface rust here and there. It looks to be complete with all unique parts, windscreen fittings, wiper motors with wipers, headlamps screens, etc. The Matta is very solid, doors shut perfectly (they are detachable by lifting them off when open!), all panels sit properly. As far as I can tell it has never been dismantled or restored in any way. There are rust spots, but generally surface rust, as the metal is very thick.

There are some rust holes, mainly in the floors, but of course very simple to repair. All original mechanically – engine is original dry sump , still turning by hand, complete with all ancillaries, air filter etc. Interior is very simple, but all original, seat frames, complete instrument panel etc. Seat covers are shot, but springs are there and should be usable. It has a dual spare wheel, one originally fitted on the hood, the other now loose, possibly fitted at rear. Top frame bows are there, the top fabric has deteriorated over the years. The main rust issues that can be seen are some floor rust holes, and some rust at the underside of the hood. One of the side rails at the rear is a bit bent downward, but can be easily straightened.
It is not road worthy and would need restoration (to my opinion a very sympathetic restoration – not to destroy the original look)
I will include the “Matta” book, which is an excellent reference and parts book.

This is a rare and original Matta, I have seen several of these over the years, but never one in such an original condition.
It is located in my storage in the UK, now being shipped over to the US. Since I have decided to sell it on, I thought of advertising it prior to shipping. The new owner can choose the port of destination. Shipping cost of approximately $1200 is to be paid by the buyer.
Please email for more information you might need.”

View all the information on eBay

1953-alfa-romeo-surrey-uk

 
To Top

Ad from Newsweek

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

How about this great ad from the August 9, 1943, issue of Newsweek. I’ll be posting a different one from Newsweek tomorrow. This is pieced together from two different pages.

1943-newsweek-jeeponthemind-2page-ad-lores

 
To Top

Salesbuilder Magazine from Willys Overland

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

I spotted and purchased it on eBay today.  There were three other issues, but I got outbid with a few seconds to go on the rest.

1951-02-salesbuilder-4
Continue reading

 
To Top

Somewhere in Southern France in a Seep

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

UPDATE:  Alex makes a good argument that these images are more likely on the Mediterranean rather than in the Arromanches,  which is an area in Northwestern France.