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Features Research Archives
Finally, All Three Jeeps in the Shop!
Yesterday, with cold weather arriving soon, I took advantage of a warm, but very windy day, to pull Biscuit off the trailer and put it on the hoist. Now, all three jeeps are in the shop.
But, before we gathered the jeeps, both Ann and her son Daniel, who has been helping us around the property, each took the race jeep for a run in the pasture.
Here I am giving Daniel a ride. Unfortunately, my long legs preclude me from shifting into second gear (that’s how tight it is). Once I fix that, I can go much faster.
Here are some still shots. First up is Ann in the cockpit:
Here’s Daniel just finished with a run around the pasture:
Ann’s stomach surgery this summer, which as helped her in numerous ways, including solving her several adverse reactions to gluten (unsure why?), has also helped her lose quite a bit of weight. This has helped reduce her over all pain and also allows her to easily fit into the race jeep. Though she didn’t drive too fast, she did have fun racing around our back pasture. Once she gets used to it, I expect she will enjoy racing at a PNW event.
David Tracy Finds a Stolen(?) FC-150
Jalopnik’s David Tracy recounts his adventure with a “barn-find” FC-150 that seemed too good to be true. As the story unfolds, you’ll see that you just never know about these jeeps.
https://jalopnik.com/im-not-saying-i-bought-a-stolen-car-but-im-also-not-sa-1848029778
Race Jeep’s Spacers Removed
On Sunday the southern winds blew threw Prosser, pulling leaves from the poplar trees and swirling them throughout the property. The winds also brought some warm temps, which made it a perfect time to be inside the shop getting some work done. It was finally time to tackle the spacers.
If you recall, right before I went into the hospital in June, I had started to remove the rear spacers, only to find out that they weren’t all that willing to budge. In addition, several Allen bolts were already stripped. Ugh…
So, yesterday, I got out several drills with differing sizes of bits to work through them. On the driver’s rear, all six bolts had to be drilled out. Though the bolts weren’t hardened steel, it still took a while to drill each of them.
Some fo the equipment involved:
The first drum successfully drilled:
Once all six bolts were drilled (about 45 minutes or work), the spacers split, revealing five-lug brake drums:
Thankfully, on the passenger rear, only three of the six had to be drilled. Once that was removed, I turned to the front end, only to discover that different spacers were used. It turned out that disc brakes were six lug, so that spacers were thinner and the lug nuts holding the spacers were visible, so no drilling was necessary. So, now I have six lug rims on the front and five lug rims on the back. I suppose that doesn’t really matter.
Here are the spacers.
With the spacers removed and the tires remounted, Ann and I took the “Crisper” for a spin in the pasture in the dark. It’s not much of a photo, but at least one photo sort of turned out okay.
The spin through the pasture was the longest test drive I’ve had with the race jeep. I discovered that I am still too tall for the seat setup, so that still needs to be changed. I also learned that I can’t shift into second gear, as my knee is in the way. Yep, there will need to be changes to this setup. But, the engine sounds great and racing around the pasture was pretty fun (even in the dark in first gear).
FC-Wrecker Photo on Facebook
Mike shared this photo of an FC-150 wrecker in New Jersey that was posted to Facebook. Mike actually remembers seeing this same FC in New Jersey back in 1961.
Painting Push
Ann took the opportunity last week to fly to Ohio to visit some of her relatives in Greenville, Ohio. So, I took the opportunity to make a big push to get a bunch of interior painting completed, hence why there were limited updates last week.
The interior (and exterior) of the house was themed with white, a light gray and medium blue. For our tastes, it was a bit cool on the inside; so, we wanted to warm it up and dress it up some. Having done a bunch painting during my college years, I’m pretty efficient when I get going. Two weeks ago we repainted the living/dining part of the house, then hung curtains. So, last week my goal was to paint the dormers, the hall, the kitchen nook, the foyer, and the hall way. Mission accomplished. Here are some pics for your amusement.
Here’s one of the living room and dining room during the painting process:
This is afterwards:
Here are the dormers beforehand: (and, no, I didn’t climb onto the ladder while it was on the scaffolding; instead, I used the bottom two steps of the ladder to make it easier to climb down from the dormer floor … but, I posted this pic to FB without explaining it because, you know, it is social media and I know some people would flip out …)
Ann’s Pics of Jarad’s Wagoneer
While visiting with relatives in Western Ohio, Ann didn’t neglect her ‘jeep’ duties. When she spotted this Jeep Grand Wagoneer in New Paris, she made her cousin pull over so she could take photos and meet the owner. She learned it is owned by Jarad Simpson and is his daily driver. He bought it out of Detroit. It was pretty rusted on the outside, but had a good interior, so he cleaned up the outside and runs it as is. He also owns a 1942 GPW. Great work Ann!
1964 Slide of Willys Tow Truck on eBay
Steve shared this cool photo/slide of a mid 1950s Willys Truck operating for a Shell gas station in Forest Park, Illinois. The photo is dated June 21, 1964.
View all the information on eBay
“RIGINAL COLOR PHOTO TRANSPARENCY (2″ x 2″ SLIDE) TAKEN 1964 WITH 1950’s WILLYS JEEP TOW/WRECKER TRUCK. TOWING 1958 PONTIAC. THE SHELL SERVICE STATION IN FOREST PARK, IL GAVE S&H GREEN STAMPS WITH PURCHASE.”
John North Willys Early History
This video from the Ontario County Historical Society. It shares some of John North Willys’ early history. Note that the historian uses the Williez pronunciation of the nation, which likely will grate with some folks.
1955 Resto-Modded Truck MotorBiscuit.com
Bill shared this article on a resto-modded-truck posted to MotorBiscuit.com.
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/1955-willys-overland-restomod-needs-jeep-gladiator/
1950s There’s a Jeep for Your Job Video
UPDATE: This video is making the rounds on FB, again, so, I figured I’d repost it.
Original Post March 2017: Listed as a 1940s promotional film, the inclusion of CJ-5s and the exclusion of DJs and FCs suggests to me it was created in 1955. There’s an extended look at a cargo personnel carrier near the end of the video There are also a variety of specialized equipment and hardtops shown.
1952 Photo of Corn to Dryer Plant
Sam spotted this photo with an 1946-1947 CJ-2A (and other photos) at the Digital North Carolina archives. According to the description, the photo shows “Van and George Watson hauling seed corn to dryer plat at Watson Seed Farms INC. with World War II Surplus Willy’s Jeep. Watson Seed Farms had 2 jeeps.”
1943 Photo and Article of Jeep Testing
1956 Willys Export Wagon Brochure
Willys Wagon T-Shirt @ the Moore Collection
Ann and I spent a night up at Leavenworth on Thursday. While walking the cold, wet streets (it isn’t snowing there quite yet), we found ourselves warming up by entering various shops (big mistake, as we found ourselves buying stuff). However, one of the cooler items I found was this t-shirt with a “hockey stick” wagon on it. If you like light, cotton/polyester blend shirt, this is a nice one. However, I had to go X-Large as the Large fit perfectly, but likely would have shrunk.
The shirts are available online, so check them out here: https://moorecollection.com/products/willy-wagon-tee-dusty-blue?_pos=2&_sid=a0494a1b3&_ss=r
At least they had the Christmas lights up! Crowds were light, so that was perfect for us.
Early Matchbook Cover on eBay
This is a rare matchbook cover of an early jeep pulling logs with a chain. The matchbook was for the Kansas Willys-Overland, INC, dealership.
1956 Jeep Family **Imitation** Poster
UPDATE: It’s no longer on ebay.
Well, some idiot (perhaps too kind of a word) has copied a version of the 1956 Jeep Family poster that I re-created (see also a comparison between the original brochure and the poster), reduced the size from 22″x28″ to 12″x15″, mounted it in a cheap frame, and is selling it for $49 plus $17 shipping on eBay. Whether the seller did all of that work or just bought a reproduction of my poster isn’t clear….
Worse, they are suggesting the “vintage” poster is from the 1950s (the content is, the poster isn’t), though the description also indicates it is “new”. BTW, the original size of the brochure was 18″ x 24″.
There are multiple differences between the original 1956 brochure and the poster I created, the most important of which is that I inserted a small, subtle “eWillys” into the poster so I could track it. There are a few other differences as well.
Yakima Ridgerunners Belt Buckle
I bought this unusual Yakima Ridgerunners Belt Buckle off of eBay. Whether the club was the first club or not is debatable, as clubs formed early in Southern California, too, but it seems my research indicated the club was the first incorporated jeep club.
1942 Photo of Jeep & Carless Tuesday on eBay
Steve spotted this photo that included a Ford GPW. This photo and its accompanying article was picked up and published in newspapers across the country. Carless Tuesdays was an attempt in 1942 by Peoria to save rubber by encouraging folks with odd-numbered license plates to live their vehicles at home on Tuesdays.
View all the information on eBay
“7.5 x 9.25 in fair condition with average wear and tear of handling.
PEORIA, ILL., NOV. 24–‘CAR-LESS TUESDAY’ GETS TRIAL–Peoria’s so-called “Car-Less Tuesday” doesn’t worry Arthur Locker (left), who uses his children’s shetland pony and cart to drive downtown today with G.A. Louthan (right). Derby hats and lap robe give pre-auto era atmosphere. Jeep proves contrast in rubber-saving traffic experience to see if workers can get to jobs with many cars “at rest.” ”
Here’s one example of the photo and article in the November 25, 1942, issue of the Decatur Herald out of Decatur, Illinois.
Kelly Manufacturing Company’s PTO Winch
UPDATE: Donald was kind enough to share example pics of the Kelly/Braden data tag and serial number tag.
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Originally Posted July 16, 2016: I never knew Kelly private labeled Braden PTO winches. Here’s a rare brochure that covers the products.
Green River Valley Jeepers Club Plaque **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $500 (best offer accepted).
The Green River Valley Jeep Club launched in 1965. It was a well-known club, especially since the Brooks were heavily involved in the PNW4WDA. I vividly remember the last Green River Valley Jeepers playday I attended (likely due to the kissing of a girl). I was a newly temp-licensed driver, so was 15 years old (so 1980). It was held just north of Enumclaw along some power lines; No doubt the area is surrounded by homes now. But, back then, it was rocks and mud and water holes.
“Old & Original. We believe this to be one (1) of only two (2) known signs handmade by the club’s founder 50yrs ago (circa 1970s).”
1943 MB(?) Philipsburg, MT **STOLEN**
Phil’s father’s 1943 MB(?) was stolen from his father’s property in Philipsburg, MT, around October 1st.
“This Jeep was stolen from my Dad’s property in the Philipsburg area on or around October 1st. The Jeep is a 1943 Willy’s Military Jeep. It is a unique custom build with a lifetime’s worth of work done to it. One of the most notable features it has a 3.3 Cummings diesel motor. Reward if found!”
Here are two pics. Other features not mentioned by Phil include the CJ-2A windshield, a replacement body with an M-38 fuel tank, CJ rims, a slat grille and a square-tubed roll bar.
AMC Jeep Sign on eBay
Chris has this Jeep sign up for auction on eBay.
View all the information on eBay
“Vintage AMC Jeep Dealership Sign 10ft X 2ft Good Color Displays Well No Reserve.
This sign is an original dealership piece. It has been repurposed. If you look closely at pictures you will notice older letters that once spelled out “Shafers Exxon PH 392-5646 Jeep”. Obviously it was used once as this advertisement but was repurposed to what you see now. As you can see it displays well either outside or inside. The photo of it on top of white table is backlit and displays good. It does not have a lightning element. I simply placed a flashlight behind it for photo. The ghost letters do appear in direct sunlight as shown by photos. Also the aluminum frame around the sign is in good condition but is missing an end cap on the left end. Please look closely at the pictures and if you need to see more please let me know. This is a rare one off for any Jeep sign collection!
As for the history, it came out of rural WV and was on display at a dealership near Rupert WV according to previous owner. I have attempted to do research on the phone number and dealership with no success. This is a local pickup only auction. Sign is located approximately six miles off of I-81 in SW Virginia. No reserve auction. Please do not ask me to end the auction for some ridiculous offer. If you’re that interested in the sign simply place your max bid and let the auction play out.”
1955 CJ-5 Fire Engine Brochure
In 1954, as part of the newly developed marketing campaign following Kaiser’s purchase of the Willys assets in 1953, Willys Motors created ‘Jeep’ Fire engine brochure SX-229-4, the front page of which is seen below (thanks to the CJ-3B page):
I was able to finally purchase the subsequent version of the ‘Fire Engine’ brochure, Form # W-229-5. It’s essentially the same brochure as the 1954 version, accept they’ve replaced the 3B with a CJ-5 Fire Jeep. The rest of the art work uses the same CJ-3B images from the 1954 brochure.
Jeep Swap Meet and Get Together Deering, NH Oct 30th
This weekend Bill Falconer and NEWJO will be hosting a swap meet and get together in Deering, NH on Saturday October 30th. There’s more information available on their FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/808459766507203/ … 134 Deering Center Rd, Deering, NH.