Craig has a special picture this week at the FCConnection. Check out the whole photo here.
Features Research Archives
Merry Christmas CJ-2A
Ted has his CJ-2A dressed up for Christmas. You can see more pics of Ted’s CJ-2A here.
Hmm … I guess I should dress up Biscuit. If the rain abates, I will get him out and do something holidayish.
Another Christmas Illustration From Roberto
The Jolly & Renault: Competitors to the DJ-3A Surrey
UPDATE: Glenn spotted this unusual competitor to the DJ-3A Surrey. The seller calls it a Jolly, though the magazine picture below suggests it is actually the Renault (thanks DC). The one shown below has been in the Newport Beach area for years and was once owned by the founder of Armor All. It is up for auction on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180772628708
Included in the Auction is a picture of a Mechanix article that discusses the DJ-3A Surrey, the Jolly and a Renault Beach Wagon. I tried to find the original article, but couldn’t. However, I did the other Modern Mechanix articles about jeeps listed in the posts below this one. Great stuff!
Modern Mechanix Magazine Article about Kids and a Jeep
This article ran in the September 1949 issue of Mechanix. This might just qualify as the first Hi Hood!
Modern Mechanix Magazine Article on Jeeps
Mechanix ran this article and picture on the future of the jeep in December of 1944. I think I might have this picture somewhere else, but never new its origin.
So You Want to Build a Car in Your Basement?
Here is how this guy built a car . . . Note: I searched, but could find nothing to suggest this isn’t a true story.
The Story of Little Willy
While doing some searches, I ran across this picture, perfect for the season. Along with this picture is a the Story of Little Willy. You can read about it here. (Not all of the site works)
CJ-3B Stainless Body Kits Myrtle Creek, OR
UPDATE: Back in May of 2011 Mike forwarded me the below ad. This morning Craig pointed out that Dan over at Hemmings did a nice article about the stainless bodies along with the seller of these kits.
The buyer apparently bought out a stainless supplier in the Philippines. Call the seller for more info.
Utility Truck Specs Post
Glen pointed me to an intersting post at the OldWillysForum. The post is a link to a list of detailed specs for a 1957 Willys Utility Truck that John found on eBay. It’s pretty cool. Here is an example of one spec:
Wooden Jeep on display in France
Norman Saunders Art Work $22,000
Alex forwarded this to me. What you see below is the artwork Norman Saunders completed for use on the cover of the 1969 edition of Man’s Conquest.
For the Lover of Jeeps and Golfing Costa Mesa, CA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6495.
For $6,495 I could buy a very nice real jeep, though I’d get in trouble for driving it on a golf course.
“LSV Carts has hundreds of Custom Golf Carts in stock please check out our other listings. If you don’t see what you’re looking for please email us at electriccartwarehouse@yahoo.com or Call (714) 595-9662 and we will gladly list it on eBay for you. fast 23mph 2009 4 PASSENGER 48V ELECTRIC GOLF CART 48V w/ LIGHTS WILLYS ARMY JEEP BODY STYLE.”
Balsawood Jeep Kit from MODEL CRAFT
This is a picture of a boxed balsawood jeep kit held by the Australian War Memorial. The information below comes from the website.
Description: Boxed balsawood kit of a Jeep. Box obverse is illustrated in two colours with a PT boat and a jeep with the legend ‘MODEL CRAFT’. The sides are illustrated with patrol craft and trucks, accompanied by the legend ‘Manufactured by Model Aircrafts 1 Bond St Sydney’. Reverse is printed in red and blue with a listing of the other model kits available. Contents consist of a thin printed balsa sheet and smaller plain sheet and six long stringers, all wrapped in the plans for the kit. The instructions are damaged.
Summary: Little is known of Model Aircrafts Ltd. A Sydney-based company established in 1928 and operating from premises at 1 Bond St, Sydney, they manufactured a series of boxed balsawood aircraft, truck and ship kits. The evidence of their production is based on their wartime output, which is imaginative and extensive – and includes contemporary subjects such as the Mitsubishi Zero and the Hawker Hurricane – but extremely basic and evidently restricted by Australia’s wartime austerity drive and materials rationing. Thus, wartime contents for aircraft frequently provide merely a simple block of balsa and a 2.5 cm square of sandpaper with instructions to ‘shape fuselage according to the illustration’. Wartime plans are often signed ‘J Mercer’.
Toy Jeeps at Toycollector.com
I ran across a forum thread which showed some different jeep toys. Here are a few of them. Go to Toycollecter.com to see all the pictures.
1. Here is an airport jeep
2. I’m not sure if this is a ‘CJ-3B’ or a Mitusbishi 3B.
3. I thought this searchlight and flattie was great.
4. Apparently this was from Germany.
5. My sister would have collected this if she had known about it.
6. The box and the toy jeep on top don’t quite match . . . but still neat.
7. There are several different color versions of this Nicky toy shown on the site.
8. A Mitsubishi with a big gun.
9. This was my favorite picture: A replica packing crate for a 1/35 scale jeep in balsawood.
1953 CJ-3B Fire Brigade from the Netherlands
Here’s a great CJ-3B Fire Jeep out of the Netherlands I found on Flickr. Note the heavy duty fenders. (for a look at a couple of old pictures of Fire Jeeps, check out this post )
“A 1953 Willys Jeep CJ-3B was part of the factory fire brigade at DE (Douwe Egberts) in Joure, Friesland. Together with its 1935 mobile pump, it wasn’t retired from stand-by duty till 2004! Now in a private collection.”
The pictures were taken by David Van Mill in 2007 at St. Nikolaasga, Friesland, NL
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davydutchy/798736096/in/photostream/
M.H. Keough’s Watercolor Illustration of an MB
I did some searches for ‘Willys Snowflakes’. Not surprisingly, I couldn’t find any. However, I did find this wonderful watercolor illustration done by M.H. Keough from the UK.
She writes on Flickr, “I love painting military vehicles ‘settling in for the long rust’. There’s a quiet dignity surrounding these old warhorses that I hope my art conveys.”
You can see the photo on Flickr here.
You can go to her blog here. Fine prints (22″ x 16″) are available through her website, however her online store seems down?
It Is Getting Cold Outside
Roberto tells me he is practicing his French. Here’s an illustration he made the other day. I believe it roughly translates as, ‘it is so cold even ducks will freeze’. Yes, winter is here! Of course, as always, Roberto slipped in a jeep . . .
Len’s 1942 GPW
Len says he became a jeep fan while watching episodes of MASH. Despite being interested in jeeps, he waited to buy his first jeep. Finally, three years ago, he took the plunge and found a 1942 GPW in Eastern Oregon. He brought it back to his home near Seattle to start a rebuild. He thought it would take one year. But, as many jeep enthusiasts learn, it took him more time than expected. Now at the end of year three, he is almost done. Though he has learned a lot, he swears he will never do another jeep rebuild.
The jeep itself had a pretty rough body, probably because it was raced for a short while. However, the front of the frame and frame horns were in amazingly great shape and original. Every part of the jeep has been pulled apart and rebuilt. His goal has been to build a jeep out of original, rather than replacement parts. The engine runs well and sounds great.
Len believes the small pits and dents in the body and fenders adds a nice historical feel to the project. Amazingly, he has managed to locate a variety of parts out of junkyards around the Seattle area. For example, he has found two original pintle hitches from junk yards. He has found all kinds of F stamped bolts. He found a prototype, pre combat, rim. He found a headlight bucket. The list of parts he found was surprising!
One of the most amazing stories he told was that the jeep didn’t come with a hood that matched the original body. Since the hood was in poor shape, one of the things he began looking for was a better hood. One of his buddies mentioned that his father had a GPW hood. Len picked up the hood and was stunned to see it had striping similar to his jeep. When he got it back to his garage he discovered the hood matched the body exactly! After Len investigated things further, it turned out his friend’s father had sold the jeep to the guy in Oregon. So, Len now had the original hood of the jeep. Even better, the original hood numbers were still readable. Talk about a small world!
Len’s goal with his jeep is to complete the rebuild, drive it for a few years, and then donate it to Fort Lewis, because the Fort’s museum doesn’t have a WWII jeep in it, though it does have later models. Len still needs a few more items to complete his build, one being a ford script driver’s seat. I’ve got a lead on one for him, but if anyone knows of any others, please comment below.
Len mentioned that his wife has been a big support of his effort, though their agreement includes one demand by her: She gets to drive it first. Congrats on the great rebuild.
Willys ‘Fruit’ Truck from Vietnam
Glenn forwarded this unusual toy on eBay from Vietnam.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250887002550
Ted’s Jeep Collection
Ted dropped me a note today thanking me for helping sell his CJ-3B. He also offered to share some pictures of his jeep collection. After seeing the pictures, I thought everyone else would like to see them too, especially his 2A which has more gadgets on it than a swiss blade knife! Thanks for sharing Ted (and looks like the kids enjoy the jeeps, too!).
Bantam Festival Sets the Jeep Parade Record
The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival organization received official recognition from the Guiness Folks that they set the Parade record. Read more here.
Willys Truck Options
It seems to be a Willys/Jeep Truck and Wagon day. So, let’s start with this old brochure Glenn forwarded to me. I’d like to see a brochure that shows all 50 options referenced in the brochure. Note this is a brochure put out by Willys of Canada.
Robin’s Willys Truck with a Tow Package
Robin spotted this nifty truck with a rare towing package. He has shared a bunch of pictures on Flickr. Here are a few below. Cool truck!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157628165251197/
M&M Flattie
Ann bought me this M&M Jeep from the M&M store when we were at Times Square (the last one there). While a cool little toy, it seemed a bit overpriced until I spotted the same toy at Amazon.com for TWICE the retail price! http://www.amazon.com/Military-Vehicle-Candy-Dispenser-Jeep/dp/B002XOBIWU
For a better price, go straight to the online M&M store
Ann was having fun, too