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Letter I wrote during the summer of 1986

• CATEGORIES: Biscuit, Features, Trips, Women & Jeeps This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Last month I discovered a letter I wrote in 1986 during my first summer at Roche Harbor. I sent it to my parents, who promptly put it a filing cabinet. Looking for some personal records, I discovered the letter. For anyone who hasn’t read my book (Finding Virginia) the following letter probably won’t mean much. For those that have read it, there are many familiar themes throughout the letter that also appear in the book. That fact my letter covers jeeps, cooking, and a girl shows you that I remember the summer of 1986 pretty clearly!  However, one event I didn’t include in the book, because I didn’t remember it, was going on a date and having the jeep breakdown. That’s so classic me.

Before I get to the letter, below is a picture of my first jeep two months after I wrote the letter. Cullen and I had come over the Naches trail the previous day, damaging the fiberglass front passenger fender in the epic battle against gravity I describe in the book. We slept that night at the Beverly Dunes. In the morning, we drove towards Moses Lake. Around noon, we stopped and took this picture. After the picture, we proceeded to Moses Lake, then on to Idaho. We stayed in CDA for a couple hours, then started back to Anacortes by way of Stevens pass to catch the 6AM ferry back to the islands. It was a long day.

On the front of the jeep you can see a large chain, which, among other uses, was the shovel tie down. Behind that is a trusty warn winch that saved me many times. The grill is fiberglass and, though already patched once, split into two during this trip. The headlights are 5 1/2 rather than 7″. The smaller size and a wiring problem insured lighting at night wasn’t very good. As you can see, bungie chords were a must for holding down the hood. Wedged between the passenger seat and the roll bar is an old canvas collapsable bucket. It’s still in my parents garage. We carried an extra red gas tank, which is attached to the roll bar on the passenger side. If you look near the rear wheel well you can just make out the racing number from the 1985 summer convention.

blue_jeep_after_beverly_dunes

Click on the link below to read the letter.

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Rosko Toy DJ-3A Surrey Toy Jeep **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

This includes a box.

“I will be putting up for bid several tin friction and battery operated cars and airplanes that my neighbor is parting with. Many are in fantastic condition.

NO RESERVE !!!!!!

This is a large 10 1/2 ” tin battery operated 1950’s Surrey Jeep made by T.N ( Nomura) of Japan in 1950’s.
In excellent condition.
It is 100% unrestored original.
The original two tone paint is beautiful. Very deep colors and gloss.
The chrome trim and bumpers are excellent with brillant shine
Has all its tires and hubcaps which are all original.
Driver in excellent working condition.
Battery box and cover excellent. Switch works but end piece broken off as seen in pic.
Tested with D batteries and all actions work great. Actions are; lighted headlights, mystery drive actions, and automatic steering with driver turning steering wheel.”

rosko-toy-surrey-jeep1

 
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1968 New Mexico Jeep Trip

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

The May 1968 issue of New Mexico Magazine has a good story and pictures on an annual jeep trip by the Las Cruces Four Wheelers and the Las Cruces Jeep Club. Fifty-five people in 17 four wheel drive vehicles, including at least one Landrover, Scout, Bronco, Flatfender and CJ-5 (several of these), made the 32 mile trip through a portion of the San Francisco River.

The article includes a map, pictures, and tales of their exploits. As you can see from the pictures, they spent plenty of time deep in water, crossing the river back and forth. The article begins on the map page (page 2). It’s a pretty large picture.

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Craig’s Pic of the Week: Low-Cost Dealer Signs

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

Craig found this article in the August 1956 issue of Jeep News.  A pair of signs only cost $7.00 at the time.

1956 August issue Road Sign

 
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1954 Swedish Army Training Jeep Photo

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

That’s a pretty nice testing cage.

“You are bidding on an original 7 x 9 Wire Photo of WWII Swedish Army Instructor Training With Jeeps . Photo is dated July 1954 WWII Swedish Army Instructor Training With Jeeps.”

View all the information on eBay

1954-swedish-army-jeep-training-photo

 
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Signal Corp Photograph on eBay

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

This is an interesting photo.

“Original B/W Photograph These are all original and stamped US Army Signal Corps”

View all the information on eBay

signal-corps-photo-with-people2 signal-corps-photo-with-people

 
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1947 CJ-2A Argentina Ad on eBay

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

This is another good ad from Argentina.

“**** VINTAGE & VERY RARE ORIGINAL ARGENTINA MAGAZINE ADVERTISING !!!.- ****
1947 – JEEP WILLYS-OVERLAND #4 !!!.-
MEASURES APPROX: 7.5” X 5.5” / 19 CM X 14 CM.-”

View all the information on eBay

1947-cj2a-argentina-ad2

 
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1947 CJ-2A Argentina Ad on eBay

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

I’m not entirely sure how that equipment is attached to the rear of the jeep.

“1947 – JEEP WILLYS-OVERLAND #1 !!!.-
MEASURES APPROX: 7.5” X 5.5” / 19 CM X 14 CM.-
REALLY HARD TO FIND !!!.-
GREAT COLLECTOR ITEM !!!.-”

View all the information on eBay

1947-cj2a-argentina-ad

 
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Happy Valentines Day

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

Have you gotten your Valentine a gift? No? Well, what says Happy Valentines better than a set of boxers with Pink Jeeps all over it?  Order your set from Pink Jeep Tours today. (Hope my wife doesn’t see this . . .)

pink-jeep-tours-valentine-boxers

 
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PIctures from the 17th Annual All Breeds Jeep Show 2012

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

Mark posted pictures and a video of last July’s All Breeds Jeep Show in York, PA, over at sell-a-jeep. The next All Breeds show will be held July 20 & 21, 2013.

This link shows the parade of jeeps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKzOd1hnXQ4

Below are a few pictures of the event. View more pictures at sellajeep.com.

2012-all-breeds-show1 2012-all-breeds-show2 2012-all-breeds-show3

 
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Create Your own Ford GP Postcard at $1.15 per card

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

This is a do-it-yourself Ford GP postcard at Zazzle.com. It appears you can print just one card, or print more and get some discounts.

Clck here to learn more at Zazzle.

ford-gp-postcard-at-zazzle

 
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1944 & 1945 Champion Spark Plug Canadian Ads on eBay

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

Here are two different Canadian Champion Spark Plug ads that include jeeps.  The first one looks Ford GPish.

“ORIGINAL STUNNING 1945 WWII ARMY SOLDIERS CHAMPION SPARK PLUG AD CANADA WILLYS JEEP ARMY. Magazine ad, measures 5″ x 6″ approx, in very good condition.”

View all the information on eBay

1945-ford-gp-champion-spark-plug-ad

* * * * * *

“ORIGINAL 1944 CHAMPION SPARK PLUGS MOTOR AD CANADA JEEP ARMY RATION COUPON GASOLINE. Magazine ad, measures 5″ x 2″ approx, in very good condition.”

View all the information on eBay

1944-ford-gp-champion-spark-plug-ad

 
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Jeep Sign from Pam Clock **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: This was on eBay.

“Awesome Jeep Pam Clock up for bids. Great condition. Reads Pam Clock Co Inc New Rochelle New York USA at the bottom. Lights up and keeps time.

If you would like more photos, have a question, or would like to make an offer feel free to message me. Has slight aging towards the bottom of the ring but no cracks in the glass. The jeep face is made of glass as well.”

jeep-pam-clock

 
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1957 Snow Blower Ad from Canada **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

I can’t imagine there are many of these ads left.

“ORIGINAL RARE 1957 JEEP WILLYS CANADA WHEEL DRIVE AD ( JEEP SNOW BLOWER ) CANADIAN”

1957-jeep-snow-blower-canada

 
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Jeeps Being Repaired in Bangladesh

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

I found this picture on Flickr. That’s a long line of jeeps.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/magtravels/5576180543/

jeeps-in-bangladesh

 
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Forget Me Not Greeting Card with Jeep on eBay

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

How about this neat card.

“Very Nice condition Soldier’s greeting card with only some minor creases; no writing, stains, blemishes, etc.  Measures 4-3/4″ by 5-3/4″.”

View all the information on eBay

soldier-forget-me-not-card1

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1966 Koenig Hardtop and Accessories Brochure on eBay

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

This brochure includes pictures of the bed extension and the optional vertical doors (I think Andy’s Airport Jeep had these).

View all the information on eBay

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2 Pretty Jean Jeep Courier Photos on eBay

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

Anyone know the history of the bumper? I haven’t seen one with so many numbers.

“2 original WW2 U.S. photos (2.5 by 3.5 inches), slightly curled from age.”

View all the information on eBay

pretty-jean-courier-photo2 pretty-jean-courier-photo1

 
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Schenecker Demonstration Jeep w/ Hydraulic Lift

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

This Schenecker Demonstration Jeep shows off the hydraulic lift bucket. Really great photo that was just on eBay.

scheneker-ironworks-demonstration-jeep-lift-hydraulic

 
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The Road Runner & Wile E Coyote Comic

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

I’m not sure if the jeep is fast enough to catch the Road Runner.

View all the information on eBay

road-runner-jeep-comic

 
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2 Austin Champs Miami, FL **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $8500

(08/23/2012) This might not be a bad price.  One of these looks in pretty good shape.

“Very rare Jeep, 4×4 or 2×4, Austin Champ, 24Volts, everything water proof, four independent wheels heavy duty, 4 cylinder in line Rolls Royce. I have two ready to be restore, unfortunately I have no place and time to work on it. Both are in great shape, both engines are free, and one of them did runs.”

 
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1959 DJ-6A Photograph on eBay

• CATEGORIES: DJ-3A, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is an original photograph of the 2WD DJ-6A.  It begs the question, whatever happened to it?

” This is an “ORIGINAL PERIOD GLOSSY PHOTO” of WILLYS MOTORS LEFT SIDE VIEW OF DJ-6A JEEP DESIGN TRYOUT VEHICLE NO. 475 WITH TAIL GATE BUT NO TOP, photo date – 1959. The condition is very good and measures 8″ x 10″. (SORRY BUT ANY PINKISH HAZE REFLECTION THAT YOU SEE IN MY PHOTOS ARE FROM THE TRANSPARENCY WITH MY LOGO ON IT AND “NOT IN THE PHOTO”. I will be listing more military photos in the weeks to come of tanks, trucks, jeeps,etc. if you are interested.”

View all the information on eBay

1959-dj6a-rare-photograph

 
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Baier Ges-Gesch Lighter with Ashtray

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

Here’s a Baier lighter and Ashtray.

“Vintage Baier Germany Ges Gesch 1950’s Lighter Truck Jeep w/ Wagon Ashtray. Length with the wagon attached is 9 1/8″. Height of the truck is 3″. Condition is good. It needs some polishing and cleaning up. The lighter is in the hood of the vehicle and the roof lifts for storing cigarettes. It is marked on the bottom Baier Ges Gesch. Please email me with any questions.”

baier-lighter-germany-1

 
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Ford GP photo from the Library of Congress

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

I ran across this photo of a Ford GP at the LIbrary of Congress.

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/fsa.8b09264/

fordgp-library-of-congress

 
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Old Warn Overdrive Ad

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

I was surprised to see this ad for Warn Overdrives in the September, 1965, issue of Popular Mechanics.

1965-09-popular-mechanics-warn-overdrive-ad