Features Research Archives

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1943 Article on Ford Assembly Plant in Richmond, CA

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

This July 8th, 1943, article in the Oakland Tribune shares information and pics on the Ford assembly plant in Richmond, California. Note the rationing table at the top of the page.

1943-07-08-oakland-tribune-ford-plant-lores

 

 
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1964 Australian Jeep Ad on ebay

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

I thought the doors on the CJ-6 were interesting in this August 12, 1964, jeep ad. I’ve not seen those doors anywhere else, so maybe they were artistic license?

View all the information on eBay

1964-08-12-adelaide-aust-ad

 
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1970 M-718A2 Upland, CA **Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: Features, M-151 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $15,000.

(01/12/2021) “Selling a rare military AM General M718a1 Ambulance. Same as M151a2 just setup in the ambulance configuration. Clean Ca title on planned non-op. Pre-smog. Runs and drives great. New nos carburetor and fuel lines. Clean tub never been cut, wrecked, or rolled. Soft top is in decent shape, no rips or tears. tires all have decent tread. Extremely rare Jeep in this configuration and condition. Asking $15,000 no trades.”
1970-m718a1-upland-ca0 1970-m718a1-upland-ca1 1970-m718a1-upland-ca2

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1970-m718a1-upland-ca3 1970-m718a1-upland-ca4

 
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2021 Willys Rally in Moab Pics

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

Steve Elkins shared these pics he took at this year’s Willys Rally. He and Blaine attended the Rally for the first time. He counted over 40 Willys and a few more modern iron participating in the event, but didn’t have a head count.

He felt the Red Cliffs Lodge was the perfect venue for such large event. He wrote that the beautiful setting on the Colorado River was an oasis in the desert. The facilities were well maintained and the staff was awesome! He plans to “definitely return to this destination in the future”.

Steve noted that just about every Willys was represented, including Flatfenders, Pickups, Stations Wagons, a Parkway, and one FC. Non-Willys included wranglers and one Jeepster Commando. There was mostly modified Jeeps in attendance, but still there were an impressive representation of Jeeps equipped with an original Power Train. Those with beautiful paint jobs aren’t afraid of getting them dirty.

IMG_6310-2021-willys-rally IMG_6301-2021-willys-rally IMG_6305-2021-willys-rally IMG_6307-2021-willys-rally IMG_6308-2021-willys-rally

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1952 “Jeeplechase” Video

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

This video include Ridge Runner footage we’ve seen before, but I’ve never seen it called their exploits a “Jeeplechase”.

“Yakima, Washington, United States of America.

Various shots of Jeeps climbing a steep hill.

Various shots of Jeeps going over rough ground.

SV. Jeep leaping off ground as it breast hillock.

MV. Jeep emerging from brush.

SV. Jeeps going through line of fire.

Shots of Jeeps going through muddy pool – one jeep splashes driver of broken down vehicle.

LV. Three jeeps going through pool together.

SCU. Mud spattered drivers. They take off caps, centre one reveals white bald patch.

N.B. This is some kind of driver training exercise for part of the American defence plan. The drivers are know as Ridge Runners.”

 
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1951 “Jeep Chasing Is New Sport” Video

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

Here’s another Yakima Ridge Runner’s video with narration that murders the name of “Yakima”.

“LV. Jeeps racing over rough country. CU. Jeeps flashing past camera. SV. Jeeps racing around tight corner. CU. Jeeps flashing past camera. SV. Angle shot, jeeps climbing steep hill against skyline, & LV. SCU. Jeeps bumping over rough country. SV. Jeep bumping in air, & SV. SV. Towards, jeep jumping through air. SV. Jeep jumping through air. Tarpaulin falls off back. Jeeps bucking – several shots. Passenger nearly loses seat. MV. Jeep racing past camera. MV. Line of jeeps going down hill. SV. Jeeps racing through water. MV. Jeeps driving through mud splashing over drivers, & SV. & MV.”

 
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1951 “Jeeps While You Wait” Video

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

This is another example of a “jeep-assembly” demonstration.

“Jeeps While You Wait (1951)
Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

LV. Elevated, officers watching demonstration in jeep assembly, four men with RCEME SCHOOL written on backs ready to assemble jeep. CU. Officer firing gun to start demonstration. SV. Demonstration team jack up frame and fit in engine. CU. Jack being put onto chassis. CU. Soldiers putting on wheels. CU. Soldier doing up wheel nuts. CU. One of demonstration team. SV. Two members of team putting back axle into position. SV. Team fixing on back axle. LV. Elevated body being put on completed chassis. CU. Body being put into position. CU. Clock. SV. Team fixing on bonnet. CU. Soldier looking on . LV. Team piling into jeep. SV. They drive off.”

 
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1967 Article on Fruit Harvester Mounted to a CJ-5

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

An article from February 10, 1967, in the Fort Myers’ News Press highlighted the creation of a Fruit Harvester by local inventor Robert Wehr. The device could be mounted to a variety of vehicles, but in this case is pictured mounted on a CJ-5. I was unable to find another other articles about this invention.

1967-02-10-news-press-fort-meyers-fruit-harvester-lores 1967-02-10-news-press-fort-meyers-fruit-harvester-pic

Here’s in the related patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US3413786

1967-fruit-harvester-robert-wehr1

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1954 Photo of Women Marine Reservists

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

This photo from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science shows Denver’s female Marine Reservists piled onto an M-38. The women were in their second week of training in San Diego.

https://dmns.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/DMNSDMS~4~4~170428~121051

1954-07-16-women-marine-reservists-sd-ca-lores

PHOTO CREDIT: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, July 16, 1954.

“A jeep load of Denver’s Woman Marine Reservists arrive at a San Diego beach to enjoy some swimmin’ and sunnin’ as a part of their two weeks of summer training here at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. They represent the Woman Marine Disbursing Platoon, 1st 155 Millimeter Gun Battalion of Denver. The unit has just begun their second week.”

 
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1941 Video Footage of Edsel Ford and the Ford GP

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

This video was part of the press release information by Ford that introduced the new Ford GP. We’ve seen much of this footage previously.

“This black and white 1941 demonstration film, produced by Ford Motion Picture Laboratories and narrated by Michigan sportscaster Harry Wismer, shows U.S. Army Truck, ¼ ton 4×4 Command Reconnaissance vehicles in action at and around the Ford River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan (TRT 0:23).

Opening titles (0:07). Dedication: “This film is respectfully dedicated to the officers and men of the United States Army in the name of American Industry…” (0:27).

A trio of Ford 4×4 Reconnaissance Cars or GPW “Jeeps” exit a Ford River Rouge Plant garage in single file. Edsel Ford, president of the Ford Motor Company delivers the initial order of 1,500 U.S. Army cars to then-Brigadier General Charles H. Bonesteel III, speaking into a WXYZ radio microphone (0:45).
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Year? Photo of a M-38 Fire/Brush Jeep on eBay

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

This m-38 fire/brush jeep has some unusual mods.

View all the information on eBay

m38-brush-jeep-photo

“You are bidding on (1) 35mm Fire Apparatus Slide of Burrilville RI Brush 1 1952 Willy’s Jeep X-US Army

Slide is in excellent condition. If image appears to be cut off it is from my scanner. Actual image is fine in slide mount.

Original photographer retains the copyright on the image.”

 
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SOLD ….

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

Our old Pasco house hit the market Wednesday afternoon. By 4:00pm yesterday there were four good offers, two of which were $20k over the asking price ($379,000). My Mother-In-Law accepted the best offer ($26k over the asking price with no inspection required) last night. It’s just another reminder that it’s a red-hot market out there for sellers!

With that step done, we are closer to regular updates returning.

My son and his gf are in town this weekend, so updates will be scarce, but things ought to return to normal next week (I know, I said that last week, lol).

 

 
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1945 “Laying Telephone Line in the Saar” Video

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

The most of this video shares some great footage of a weasel, with the footage alternating between stringing telephone lines and zipping along flooded roads. It feels like the kind of story Ernie Pyle would write about. A jeep appears briefly near the middle of the video.

“Saar,Germany.

Clapper board: “3rd Army, 26th Division. ‘Weasel’ lays wire in flooded Saar valley. Camera: Lt. Elk, Feb. 9th 1945”.

Various shots three American soldiers driving around flooded area in jeep with caterpillar wheels (“Weasel”). A roll of telegraph wire hangs off back off vehicle, GI ties end of wire to tree, vehicle drives off leaving trail of telegraph wire. Various C/Us GIs stripping ends of wire to attach to tree.”

 
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1943 Photos of Ford GPA “SEEP”s

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

These photos appeared in the Des Moines Register on March 17, 1943.

1943-03-17-desmoines-register-ford-gpa-seep-lores

 
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California Transportation Department “Sno Jeep”

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

UPDATE: Here’s a side view photo of the Sno-Jeep.

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Originally Posted April 10, 2021: This CJ-2A with duallies all around appears in undated photos taken in Los Angeles. Photographed by Doug White, the jeep is described as a “Sno Jeep”. Note the chains with mini-paddles on the front and the tall, extended exhaust in the back.

I’ve been unable to find any additional information about this jeep. There might be some mention of it in the Los Angeles Department of Transportation archives (if such archives exist).

 
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1943 “MacArthur – GIs Training” Video

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

This short 25 second video includes a Ford GPA driven into a stream as part of training.

“Various shots of General Douglas MacArthur watching GIs (General Infantrymen) training. The soldiers swing on ropes, drive small DUKW style jeep through river, and crossing rope bridges.”

 
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1950s? Photo of a Thrif-T-Van Bodied Van with Kaiser-Willys

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

This REPRINTED 11″x17″ photo from eBay shows a Thrif-T-Van body on an unknown chassis with Kaiser-Willys printed on the side. Anyone have insights into this?

View all the information on ebay

“1950 ‘S KAISER WILLYS PANEL VAN TRUCK 11 X 17 PHOTO”

1950s-thrif-t-van-kaiswer-willys-photo

 
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1943 War Bonds Kids’ Jeep Club

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

This April 21, 1943, ad in the Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas) encourages kids to join a jeep club designed to raise money through war bond sales. It includes an illustration of a Ford GP.

1943-04-21-victoria-advocate-tx-jeep-club-bonds-kids-lores

 
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1954 “Marilyn Monroe in Korea” Video

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

Marilyn Monore’s trip to Korea is featured. At one point she can be seen in an early M-38A1. The most fascinating part of the video to me was the sea of soldiers gathered to watch her.

“MS. Monroe on steps of plane waving. LS. G.I’s running. Various shots, Monroe in army uniform walking about. MS. Monroe running up steps to entertain troops. LS. Monroe on stage entertaining troops”

 
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1943 “Mountain Rescue Issue Title Is On The Spot” Video

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

Interesting video of the RAF mountain rescue team and their use of a jeep, ambulance and climbing skills to investigate crash sites in the hopes of saving pilots and crew.

“Various shots of RAF (Royal Air Force) Mountain Rescue Service at work. Their job is to rescue RAF pilots that have crashed in hills / mountains. The search party consists of ambulance, jeep and team of mountaineers. An aeroplane flies over head to locate crash site. Good shot of team walking along ridge silhouetted against sky. We see the mountaineers climbing rock faces. The crash victim is strapped to a stretcher for descent. The mountaineers keep in contact with the ambulance and aeroplane using walkie talkies.

This is the crew of RAF Llandwrog training in the Snowdonia Mountains.”

 
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1944 “Mountbatten Visits Troops” Video

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

This video focuses on Lord Mountbatten and a visit to see troops (in India or Burma?).  there are several clips of him traveling by jeep.

1944-lord-mountbatten-jeep

This closeup of the windshield appears at the 1:23 Mark.

“A jeep drives across bridge and into an army camp. Lord Louis Mountbatten inspecting troops lined up in the open – British and Indian, some black men seen. Lord Mountbatten addressing the gathered troops. Various shots of Lord Mountbatten walking around the camp talking to the men. A man on stretcher is carried towards a plane.”

 
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1943 “Mud and Flood” Video From Italy

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

The mud and water sure looked miserable! There’s at least one shot of an ambulance jeep.

“Army jeeps and lorries struggle through the mud tracks, they drive past ruined village. Allied soldiers trudge through the mud. Various shots of a completely flooded street in Borgo San Lorenzo, people stand in doorways and a lorry drives through. Soldiers lift children from a truck to their house, and a lady wades through whilst three soldiers push a bicycle.”

 
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HOTCARS.COM Looks Back at the M-715

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

Bill spotted this article the other day. I’m not all that familiar with the M-715 history, so can’t speak to the accuracy of it, but I found it interesting.

https://www.hotcars.com/kaiser-jeep-m715-looking-back/

Kaiser-Jeep-M715-Rear

 
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Update to Updates

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

Over the weekend we moved 99.99% of our stuff to the new place. We were only able to accomplish that goal due to the help of Ann’s family (a hearty thank you to all of them who helped). As you can see in pic below, taken after the first two rounds of moving, there was quite a bit of stuff. Once much of these items (aka crap) was put into the upper-level storage, a third round filled the shop again. Thankfully, we have a ton of storage in the upper level of the shop (note the hole in the back wall near the ceiling; that’s a winch-lift setup to elevate stuff into the storage area), so we can store a bunch of stuff until the MIL passes (then a bunch goes away).

2021-05-01-shop-lores

The next step is to get the kitchen arranged to my satisfaction, then turn my attention back to the shop-office. It needs paint and updating. After that, I can move everything into it. Then, attention will turn to the woodshed area (paint, hang over head lights, setup up shop vac PVC system). Once that’s done, then the shop itself will get clean and arranged. I suspect this will take a couple weeks.

As for when updates will resume, we still don’t have broadband internet. Only DSL is available in our area at this point (though we were told that for $50,000 we could get Spectrum cable–Spectrum is still a few country blocks away from our place–to which we said thanks, but no thanks). My hope is to return to regular updates by Monday May 10th.

 
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1952 “Army Unveils New Jeep” Video

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

This video shows the press’ introduction to the M-38A1. Note the “AUTO. DIV. TEST” stenciled.  on the side of the jeep.