Features Research Archives

To Top

1958 CJ-5 Indian Valley, ID $3000

• CATEGORIES: CJ5, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This CJ-5 has an M-38a1 “arctic” top with the wood doors. It seems in reasonably good shape. The side of the body threw me a bit as it appears to lack the “JEEP” stamps on the cowl sides. However, the passenger side looks like it may have had some bondo work, so that may explain why this lacks the stamp (likely either cut and repaired OR bondoed over OR both).

The seller included pics of a text message where some anonymous expert labeled the jeep a “ch3a”[assuming they meant CJ-3A), based on the “one-piece windshield”. The texter continued, writing, “In military lingo I believe it is a m38 … My best guess it is a 47/48 is is definitely military because of the gas cap.”

Hmmm …

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/470642740657768

1958-cj5-indianvalley-id2 1958-cj5-indianvalley-id3 1958-cj5-indianvalley-id4 1958-cj5-indianvalley-id-text 1958-cj5-indianvalley-id-text2

“1958 Willys Jeep cj5 hard top project in assembly phase. Parts cleaned painted surfaced for gaskets. On most parts. Block still needs to go to machine chop. Transmission ready for assembly T case is intact. PO did axles and hubs. Before purchase so it rolls. PO also gave a manual and a kizer willys mag for parts most the stuff is outlined With some notes from PO.

Lots of work has been done to this already & lots of leg work already done lots of new parts already new brake lines new brakes new U joints diffs serviced hubs are packed I would really like to see this go to a good home to run someday. Sooner than later I just don’t have the time My loss is your gain. In the kizer willys mag I found the tub of this Jeep $4700 Let alone all the new parts. Already purchased countless man hours already done dismantling cleaning resurfacing. Somethings already reassembly I’d say it’s a steal”

 
To Top

1973 Stainless Steel Jeep Las Vegas, NV **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3A, Features, stainless/jewels • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6500.

(03/07/2020) It’s a project. Has curved rather than flat fenders.

“For sale rare 1973 stainless steal jeep style body . Needs to be fully re-stored (was bought for that purpose) Has title to the jeep Asking 6,500.00 or 6,000 Cash Only”

1977-stainless-jeep-lasvegas2 1977-stainless-jeep-lasvegas3 1977-stainless-jeep-lasvegas4 1977-stainless-jeep-lasvegas5

Continue reading

 
To Top

No Updates for June 6th

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

Updates will return on Monday morning.

I’ve added another club patch to my collection, courtesy of my sister who spotted it at a garage sale. Our club members knew the Go-4-All club members well and we joined together on various trips during the early 80s (and likely later). The Go-4-Alls were generally from the South and East Puget Sound (Washington) area, as was our club.

go-4-all-jacket1 go-4-all-jacket2

This was one of those trips, probably in 1982, on the Manashtash Ridge Trail in the Cascade Mountains, I think. This is a mix of Wandering Willys and Go-4-All jeeps.

wwjc_go4alls_trip

 
To Top

Facebook Marketplace’s ‘Disappearing’ Ads

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

fb-marketplace

Has anyone else noticed this behavior by FB Marketplace?

Disappearing ADs:

Yesterday, Ann told me about her recent experiences with FB Marketplace. While I have only posted one item to FB Marketplace (a car that sold in a day), she has posted multiple items (furniture from the old house). She said that her listing will appear for a day or two, then seems to disappear to the point that it’s hard to find using FB’s search mechanism. A week or two later, she receives a notice informing her that for $3, she can make her ad more visible.

So, basically, you can list for free, but then you need to pay money to make it easier for potential buyers to spot your ad. (other folks have reported their ads can be difficult to locate, such as here and here and here).

This better explains issues I’ve had with FB Marketplace. While doing searches, I occasionally find jeeps that I see for the first time, but have actually been available on FB for weeks. Knowing that I’d already searched in the region previously, sometimes multiple times, it has puzzled me as to why I haven’t seen some ads on a more timely basis.

Example: I regularly (at least semi-weekly) search FB ads in California, yet sometimes jeeps pop up that have been listed for a couple weeks that I have yet to see.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, I’m not a fan of FB Marketplace (the search function sucks and I don’t like that you have to sign up with FB to view ads), but there are so many jeeps (and jeep groups) on FB that it’s hard to run eWillys and not follow FB. If my wife’s experience is accurate, then FB is manipulating (no surprise) ads far more than I realized. 

Users Using Free & $1 ads to get priority:

Additionally, this user claims that ads listed for $1 (but with a price listed within the description)  actually get higher billing than a similar ad with the price correctly listed in the price field. I couldn’t find much discussion about this on the internet. It’s worth examining closer.

 

 
To Top

Video of 1946 CJ-2A Priced at $26,900 (Has Sold)

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

This 1946 CJ-2A has sold, but I thought the video was worth seeing. The jeep looks in good company surrounded by those classic cars. While it has a few extras (modern soft top and a gas can holder off the PTO bar), it’s still a beautiful looking example of an early 2A.

Here’s the original ad: https://www.schmitt.com/inventory/1946-willys-jeep-cj-2a/

1946-Willys-Jeep-CJ-2A-1

 
To Top

1963 Slide of Hawaii Gala DJ-3A on eBay

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

This Hawaiian rental DJ-3A Gala looks great shape.

View all the information on eBay

“You are looking at an original Kodachrome slide featuring a young woman posing for a picture with a pink Willys Jeep tour vehicle while on a trip to Hawaii in 1963.”

1963-hawaii-surrey-slide

 
To Top

November 1953 Willys Motors Ad on eBay

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

This understated 1953 post-Kaiser-purchase ad was published in the November issue of The American City Magazine.

View all the information on ebay

“953 WILLYS MOTORS UTILITY VEHICLES SALES ART AD
AUTHENTIC MAGAZINE ADVERTISING.
OVERALL PRINT AREA IS 7 X 10 INCHES.
IN GOOD CONDITION.”

1953-11-the-american-city-willys-motors-jeep-ad

 
To Top

Early 1960s Anglo-African Trans-World Safari

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

1963-03-four-wheeler-mag-derek-linton-fc-lores

The March 1963 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine included an article by Brian L. Pinn about the Anglo-African Trans-World Safari, the pics and text of which can be found at The FC Connection.

It turns out there’s a bit more information out there, though not as much as I’d hoped to find, especially given that the group of travelers that made up the trip had access to cameras and film and also given that in January 1963 American Television script-writer John Hicken was supposed to join the group to film the around-the-world adventure.

Without that storehouse of info, or a book, or a movie, we only have the following scraps to better understand the adventure.

South African Derek Linton came up with the idea to travel the world in 1958. At some point, in order to gather equipment, Derek travelled to the United States in 1959. He was photographed at a Ham Radio station in Burlington, Kentucky, a visit later reported in the January issue of Short Wave Magazine:

This map shows the proposed route:

1959-derek-linton-safari-map-burlington-ky

On September 19, 1961, a photo of Derek Linton and Gerald Cubitt (unsure who he is) was taken by Henry Bush. It’s part of the Henry Bush collection at Shutter Stock:

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Henry Bush/ANL/Shutterstock (5693954a) Anglo-african 1st Expedition Adventurers Derek Linton (left) And Gerald Cubitt. Box 634 413101543 A.jpg. Anglo-african 1st Expedition Adventurers Derek Linton (left) And Gerald Cubitt. Box 634 413101543 A.jpg.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Henry Bush/ANL/Shutterstock (5693954a)
Anglo-african 1st Expedition Adventurers Derek Linton (left) And Gerald Cubitt. Box 634 413101543 A.jpg.

In the July 27, 1962, issue of the Warren County Observer, a syndicated article appeared by John P. Callahan that shared the news of how the idea for the trip originated and the progress the travelers had made:

1962-07-27-warren-county-observer-derek-linton-safari-lores

Finally, on January 05, 1963, the Evening Standard (London, England) reported that John Hicken was going to join the crew:

1963-01-05-evening-standard-london-derek-linton-trip

In March 1963, the Four Wheeler article appeared.

There is also a mention in a 1963 issue of Business Week about the travelers, but I’ve been unable to determine which issue.

After that, I have been unable to learn more about the journey.

 

1959-1960-derek-linton2

 
To Top

Jeep Sign Prices

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

Ann and I have been taking about transforming the two rooms in the shop (one which would have been my office and the other the wood shop) into a large single room that would contain all my jeep stuff, plus an area for a pool table. Essentially, it would be more of an entertaining space where I could host visitors who might drop by for a visit.

With that in mind, I was looking around at some potential jeep-related signage, a couple things that would be focal pieces. I know prices are hefty on signage, but I wasn’t prepared for the price I found on this 94 1/2″ by 46 1/2″ late 1950s sign. It sold in February of 2020 for $20,000 (before shipping and buyers fees)!!

https://www.icollector.com/RARE-JEEP-4-WHEEL-DRIVE-VEHICLES-DEALER-SIGN_i35651345

jeep-sign

I guess it’s posters and banners for me! lol.

 
To Top

A Creative Hardtop Made During WWII

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

David M. Barlow posted this photo of a jeep top his father made while serving in the Pacific on the island of Peleliu during WWII. Now we know where George Barris got the idea for the Model “T” Buggy top, lol.

George Barris’ Model “T” Buggy:

barris-model-t-buggy

 
To Top

1948 Truck Zimmerman, MN $3300

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

This could be a good find.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/146699050787096

1948-truck-zimmerman-mn2 1948-truck-zimmerman-mn3 1948-truck-zimmerman-mn4

“1948 Willys pickup with an f-head 4 cylinder engine. Not a Jeep, but Willys is not an option. I have too many vehicles and need to clear some things out. I bought the truck last winter and have only driven it around the yard. It’s cooling truck in pretty good shape for its year. It was originally a flatbed model. I have the factory flatbed but it needs new wood and some metal work. The current bed is pretty good though. The truck is not mint/concourse condition. I bought some new mud tires, wiring harness, and all new glass for it but they are not installed. I also have an alternator, 12v coil, and 6v converter so it can be run on 12v if you want.”

 
To Top

Creeper’s Jeep by Hardie Gramatky on eBay

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

UPDATE: I found this article that highlights the inspiration behind the book Creeper’s Jeep. It was published in the Bridgeport Post on August 22, 1948:

1948-08-22-bridgeport-post-creepers-jeep-lores

The book is still available on eBay, but they aren’t cheap: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=%22creeper%27s+jeep%22&_sacat=0

======================

Originally published May 18, 2016: This book was listed on eBay.

“This listing is for a vintage book entitled “Creeper’s Jeep” by Hardie Gramatky. It is a cute story about a guy who owns this jeep that wants to share it with his family. They do not take to the idea at first but after a few incidents decide to give it a try. Great illustrations: see pictures. Former library copy with some of the usual markings.”

creepers-jeep-book-hardi-gramatky1 creepers-jeep-book-hardi-gramatky2 creepers-jeep-book-hardi-gramatky3

Continue reading

 
To Top

Newest Toy: Sahara Recherches Petroliferes

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

UPDATE: After Joe’s comment I examined what I believe was the dash. It was then I noticed that inside the “engine bay” was printed “Hotul”. Here’s the best pic I could get of that. My assumption is that at least part of this jeep was made from recycled material.

sahara-jeep-7

This well-loved toy jeep popped up on eBay. The lettering refers to a French/African oil refining company? I thought it was unique enough that I put a low bid in and one it. Anyone know more about this toy? It’s about 4″ long, so it’s not a large toy.

sahara-jeep-1 sahara-jeep-2 sahara-jeep-3 sahara-jeep-4

Continue reading

 
To Top

Dave’s Unknown Seats … FJ-40 Seats

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

UPDATE: Thanks to folks smarter than me, I believe these are FJ-40 seats, though the hand rails may have been added.

The guy who sold them to Dave claimed they came from off the wheel house of an M-38A1 (also known as the wheel well), but when Dave tried them on his M-38A1, they didn’t fit.

unknown-seats1-lores

unknown-seats2-lores

Here’s how well the fit (or didn’t fit) on the M-38A1:

unknown-seats4-lores

unknown-seats3-lores

 
To Top

The Meyer’s 1949 Jeep Trip From Panama

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

In 1949, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Meyer drove in a CJ-2A from the Panama Canal to Decatur, Illinois. The article below provide the only records I could find related to their trip. This first article summarizes the adventure and shows a great photo of “DOPEY”. It was published in the Decatur Review, June 16, 1949:

1949-06-16-decatur-daily-review-william-jeep-trip-from-panama-lores

This second article is a pictorial of the trip that was published June 18, 1949, in Bloomington, Illinois’ “The Pantagraph”:

1949-06-18-the-pantagraph-bloomington-il-william-jeep-trip-panama-lores

This is a different summary of the trip, but contains no photos. It was published in the Daily Advertiser (Lafayette, Louisiana) on May 13, 1949:

1949-05-13-daily-advertiser-lafayette-la-williams-jeep-trip-panama2-lores
1949-05-13-daily-advertiser-lafayette-la-williams-jeep-trip-panama

This last article was published June 17, 1949, in the Herald and Review out of Decatur, Illinois:

Continue reading

 
To Top

Article on the British “X Troop”

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

Mark spotted this interesting article on a secret group of fighters, all with Jewish backgrounds, that undertook some bold missions. The article included a photo of a jeep that has a roll-bar-like contraption, though maybe it was used to carry stretchers or supplies?

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/30/opinions/memorial-day-x-troop-wwii-fighting-anti-semitism-garrett/index.html

2021-05-31-cnn-jeep-garrett-opinion-1-exlarge-169

 
To Top

Jeep in the 1963 Episode “I’ll Be Judge — I’ll Be Jury”

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

Blaine share this brief look at the February 13th, 1963, episode of the Alfred Hitchcock Hour, where in the first 30 seconds of the show, a jeep almost runs over one of the main characters. The jeep has an odd windshield; it looks a little wider than normal.

Here’s the full episode: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7anysc

This clip was taken at the 1:58 mark.

1963-02-15-alfred-hitchcock-hour-ill-be-judge-lores

1963-02-15-alfred-hitchcock-hour-ill-be-judge-lores2

The jeep briefly, and only partially, appears again at the 31:46 mark.

 
To Top

Tom and Jerry Comic Car Sells for $290

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

This Tom and Jerry Comic Car sold recently for $290! It included the original box. It looks in pristine shape. Thanks to Blaine for spotting it.

https://bid.bidfastandlast.com/ui/auctions/63215/5374043

tom-and-jerry-comic-car2

tom-and-jerry-comic-car8 tom-and-jerry-comic-car3

Continue reading

 
To Top

Just A Few Updates Tuesday

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

Just a few updates today. Regular updates resume Tuesday morning.

This poor CJ-3A …

 
To Top

1969 Article on the Jeep Camper

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

This October 21, 1969, article from the Daily News-Post (Monrovia, California) included some great photos. It’s quite a spread! The review of the unit was very positive, almost a little too positive.

1969-10-21-daily-newspost-monrovia-ca-jeep-camper-article-lores

 

 
To Top

Jeep Camper Ads

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

Since we are on the topic, here are a few different jeep-camper ads from 1969/1970.

The ad below was published in the May 21, 1969, issue of the Courier Journal out of Louisville, Kentucky. This ad included Jeep’s 2-Car Cars ad campaign:

1969-05-21-courier-journal-louisville-ky-jeep-camper-ad-lores

 

This third-of-a-page ad appeared in the August 7, 1969, issue of the Napa Valley Register out of California:

1969-08-07-napa-valley-register-jeep-camper-ad-lores

This much smaller ad appeared in multiple newspapers across the country. This screen shot is from the August 13, 1969, issue of the The Times Recorder out of Zanesville, Ohio:

Continue reading

 
To Top

Circa mid-1940s Photos of Jeep Dealership **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on Ebay.

Given the lack of other models and the early signage, these early jeep dealership photos were likely taken between 1945 and 1947. At first I thought the dealer has signs in the window, but I think the “signage” is actually window paint images (note the different fonts used for ‘JEEP’ in the window images). There is a nice early OFFICIAL 1946 “J” signage on the front of the building.

“I believe upsate new york, love the mobil oil gargoyle sign as well.”

5-jeep-dealership-images0

5-jeep-dealership-images5

5-jeep-dealership-images2 5-jeep-dealership-images1 5-jeep-dealership-images3

Continue reading

 
To Top

Willys Jeep Wood Bar Canton, GA $2450

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

The wood grille looks well done.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/fuo/d/canton-willys-jeep-bar/7323728922.html

“Custom oak and walnut bar with replica of 1953 Willys truck front end. Back cabinet includes black granite counter top. Comes in four pieces and needs some assembly. Can be modified to replicate a different car or truck front end, or none. Wired with GFCI outlet for lights, fridge or microwave. Needs to get out of my shop to make room for my next project. Make me an offer.”

willys-jeep-bar-canton-ga2 willys-jeep-bar-canton-ga3 willys-jeep-bar-canton-ga4

 
To Top

1946 Willys-Overland Semi-Annual Report

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

It’s been a crazy couple months. Somewhere along the line I obtained copies of the March 1946 Semi-Annual Willys-Overland Report. I think this came from Barry’s Farmjeep site, but I couldn’t find it yesterday.

This report demonstrates that Willys-Overland was trying to lay the groundwork for two basic product lines: A Utility Line of vehicles and a Passenger Line of vehicles. The company also claimed that the passenger line vehicles would be introduced in 1947.

1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-01 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-02 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-03 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-04 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-05 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-06 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-07 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-08 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-09 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-10 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-11 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-12 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-13 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-14 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-15 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-16 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-17 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-18 1946-03-willys-overland-semi-annual-report-19

 
To Top

1944 “Invasion Cuts” Video

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

This video has clips showing captured equipment, surrenders, demolitions, and more. At the end there’s a look at several first aid jeeps bearing four stretchers at a time.

“A look at captured vehicles and weapons. Dark interior shots of German officers. M/S German soldiers and officers outside. M/S tents. M/S bombed street in town, American soldier looks at wrecked tank. Various shots as soldiers and civilians walk along street and talk to each other. M/S soldiers looking at dead body. C/U dead German soldier on ground.

Various shots of parents looking at their new baby in hospital. M/S Germans and Americans. M/S mother and baby in hospital. Germans come out from building with white flag of surrender and hand over their weapons. More soldiers come out with their hands up. Various shots of Americans with German prisoners, they search their uniforms and disarm them. M/S as American soldiers run up road. C/U sign ‘Cherbourg’. C/U’s soldiers firing. Various shots of wounded soldiers. Various shots as Americans march columns of German prisoners up road, including women. Various shots as the German soldiers are disarmed. M/S field hospital. M/S of jeep with injured on stretchers on front and back it drives along. Various shots as injured are carried onto landing craft. The camera pans across them. M/S as one man is handed a cup and takes a drink. C/U of him. C/U men looking at nazi armband. Various shots troops boarding landing craft. “