Features Research Archives

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1944 Article on “WAC Jeep Day” in Fort Worth, Texas

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

This May 18, 1944, article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram describes the upcoming “WAC Jeep Day”. The Fort Worth recruiting team would offer free jeep rides to those women who fit the WAC’s specifications. I’m guessing the women had to be “U.S. citizens between the ages of 21 and 45 with no dependents, be at least five feet tall, and weigh 100 pounds or more.”

1944-05-18-fortworth-star-telegram-wac-recruitment-jeep-lores

 
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1946 ‘Come in and Drive a Jeep’ Ad

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

Instead of qualifying for the WACs, it might have been easier to wait two years and drive a jeep with no strings attached! This ad published in the May 29, 1946, issue of the Knoxville News for the Sam Horne Company shows a woman test driving a jeep.

1946-05-29-knoxville-news-sam-horne-co-drive-jeep-lores

 
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1945? Photo of CJ-2 with Compressor

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

There’s not specific date for this photo of a CJ-2 sporting a large compressor that’s powering a jack-hammer. This photo is housed at the National Museum of American History.

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1814581

Gelatin silver print, civilian uses for a Jeep - pneumatic tools, 1945-1946. 2013.0327.1256.

Gelatin silver print, civilian uses for a Jeep – pneumatic tools, 1945-1946. 2013.0327.1256.

 
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And the Packing Continues . . .

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

Over the past year, thanks to the pandemic and my Mother-in-Law’s health issues, we’ve traveled less. This has left more money to purchase vintage jeep documents. I purchased enough that I got behind on organizing them, so packing has been a good excuse to spend the past two days restructuring the binders so everything can fit.

There are binders of company brochures, 3rd party special equipment brochures, magazine articles, dealer newspapers, catalogs, and ads. This effort has been fueled by reader donations and ad revenue, along with gifts of from readers, so thanks to everyone out there! I see myself as the temporary custodian of these. My hope is to donate this collection in the future so others can benefit later. Much of the information on that table has been published on eWillys.

The binder on the lower right contains issues of Kaiser-Willys News, Willys News, and Jeep News produced from 1953-1963. I’d estimate I have roughly half of the issues produced. It also contains a couple issues of the mid-1950 Globe-trotter magazines (I believe there were more than 20 plus issues of those produced ..  a guy in the midwest told me a few years ago he had two dozen or so he wanted to sell, but wanted $1000 for them; I couldn’t justify that on my budget at the time). 
catalogs-and-binders1

The set of binders shown below houses only domestic jeep-related brochures produced by Willys-Overland and Willys Motors (so roughly 1945-1962 … so, for example, there are no spec equipment brochures in those binders). I’d call this the core of my collection as I’m attempting to get all of these I can, including revisions to certain brochures (see next two posts). Unfortunately, some of the early brochures do not fit into the 8″x11″ binders, so I also have some large portfolio binders to house them (and large print ads, some posters, and other items) as well.

catalogs-and-binders2

One goal of this collection had been to write an advertising history of Willys-Overland/Willys-Motors/Kaiser-Jeep, which showed the progression (and missteps) from the jeep as a 4-in-1-tool, to a jack-of-all-trades utility vehicle(s), to jeeps-as-a-fun toys, which the journey is the reward.

Part of the reason for making the smaller history posts over the years has been to write such a book in small parts; well, that and to determine if there was anything to write about. Because of this approach, there is plenty I can assemble from the site posts at this point to create a book framework, but there is still much more work to be done on that type of book.

At this point in life, I don’t want to write a book and simultaneously run the website, since for me that’s a 7-day a week proposition. Because, once I start writing, my head is so busy with ideas, and the need to write them down, that I can’t not write. I become obsessive, which is really the only way I can get big projects done (perhaps others can multi-task better?). After SLAG, which was two solid years of research and writing, I had to take a long break as I was mentally exhausted.

So, will a book arise out of all this? I’d say it’s a strong maybe, with a litany of qualifiers (Ann’s health, demand of the new home and property, and others). Whatever happens, I’ll keep collecting these brochures …

Somehow, this short post became a long one … how does that happen? Was I avoiding packing? Maybe …. Well, back to packing!

 
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Revision Comparison of DJ-3A Form 59-06

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

While packing, I discovered I had two different version of this DJ-3A Dispatcher brochure from 1959. Willys-Motors published this brochure as Form No. 59-06, but then republished it under Form No. 59-06 R1.

The biggest visual change happens on the folded out page, where an extra yellow box has been removed and the text header repositioned.

The biggest textual change seems to be the subtraction of the “cast-in-head intake manifolding” from the foldout page in the gray area to the back page of the revision brochure, burying it under the specifications section under ENGINE.

It’s not clear to me that it was worth reprinting the entire ad for that change, but maybe I’m missing something.

This is the unfolded interior page:
1959-06-dj3a-dispatcher-brochure-revision-comparison1

This is what I call the back side of the unfolded page:

1959-06-dj3a-dispatcher-brochure-revision-comparison2

 

 
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1961 CJ-5 Brochure Revision Comparisons

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

This is another set of brochure-and-revised-brochure that I didn’t realize I had. The 1961 CJ-5 brochure Form No. 61-06 was revised to 61-06 R2 (I’ve not seen a 61-06 R1). One reason may have been the Specifications area misprint of the ring and pinion ratio of 5:38 on the original brochure, then updated to 4:27 on the revised one. There addition of the ventilating windshield verifies that it was still around as of 1961. There other changes are in red.

This is the unfolded interior:

1961-06-cj5-brochure-comparison1

This is the unfolded backside. For some reason, the spring specs were revised, too.1961-06-cj5-brochure-comparison2

 
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1950 Willys Sedan Delivery Brochure Blue

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

I’d forgotten that I’d bought this brochure until it arrived yesterday. So, here’s yet another 1950/51 Sedan Delivery brochure with the same brochure number of SD-73-MI–80M–350. This one has a blue front and a copper-colored(?) delivery sedan on the main page. I’ll get the page comparing these sedan delivery brochure updated after I post some others tomorrow.

This is how the folded front page looks:

1950-03-FORM-SD-73-MI--80M--350-sedan-delivery-brochure-blue1-lores

This is the folded back page:

1950-03-FORM-SD-73-MI--80M--350-sedan-delivery-brochure-blue2-lores

When unfolded vertically, this page appears:

1950-03-FORM-SD-73-MI--80M--350-sedan-delivery-brochure-blue3-lores

When unfolded horizontally, this page appears highlighting the new Hurricane engine:

1950-03-FORM-SD-73-MI--80M--350-sedan-delivery-brochure-blue4-lores

When completely unfolded, this page appears:

Photos

And, finally, this is how the back appears when unfolded:

Continue reading

 
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Desktop Pen Holder w/ Gold CJ-5 on eBay

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

This seller has sold several of his father’s items from the time he worked for Willys in the Caribbean. It’s a unique item, but the price seems high given it doesn’t have the original pen.

View all the information on eBay

“Rare VTG Vintage 1950/60’s Gold Willys Jeep Desktop Pen Holder Wood Base in Very Good Used Condition. Base Only – No Pen Included. Base measures approximately 3-3/4″ x 4-3/4″. Cork pads on bottom. Needs a detail job. Minor scuffs and scratches associated with age and use. Please review the attached photos to determine your opinion of the cosmetic condition of this item. The photos are important part of the listing. What you see is what you get. I do my best to describe items accurately, but there may be some dirt, scratches, scuffs, discolorations, and/or other occurrences of wear that I may have overlooked. Again, please carefully review the photos to make your own evaluation of cosmetic condition, and do not hesitate to ask any questions, or request special photos prior to purchase. Thanks!

My Father obtained this pen holder while working in fleet sales for Willys in the Caribbean and Central & South America in the 50’s and early 60’s.”

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cj5-pen-holder1

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Continue reading

 
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Photo of Custom WWII Jeep in Japan on eBay

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

Here’s another customized jeep. This one was photographed in Japan after WWII.

View all the information on eBay

“Post WWII Willys Jeep Camp Zama US Army Base Japan Vintage Snapshot Photo….actual date not known”

fancy-jeep-no-date

 
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1953/1954 Photo of Jeeps at Mirror Lake, Colorado

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

This photo of jeeps at Mirror Lake is hosted at the Salida Regional Library. Given the CJ-3B in the photo, but a lack of CJ-5s, this photo was likely taken around 1953 or 1954. The caption reads: “The Jeep Club at Mirror Lake during their tour of Cottonwood and Tincup Passes in Colorado. This image is from the Salida Museum Negatives Collection.”

https://salida.marmot.org/Archive/salida%3A1449/LargeImage

1953-1954-jeeps-at-mirror-lake-colorado-lores

PHOTO CREDIT: Salida Regional Library, Salida, Colorado https://salida.marmot.org/Archive/salida%3A1449/LargeImage

 
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1973 Article on PNW4WDA Clubs and Jeepers

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

This July 28, 1973, article in the Longview Daily News shares information on the rising number of jeep clubs in the Longview area. I figured the text would be easier to read if I posted it separately at bottom. The CJ-5 on the upper left is running the recently introduced Desert Dogs.

1973-07-28-the-daily-news-longview-was-jeep-clubs-lores 1973-07-28-the-daily-news-longview-was-jeep-clubs2

 
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James Sessions WWII Images on Menus

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

Bill shared an image of a menu from the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha. It was one of several hotels that featured James Sessions’ images on hotel menus. Anyone know the history behind why hotels were doing that?

For a complete overview of the Willys-Overland WWII (and post WWII) illustrations featuring jeeps, this page demonstrates how the illustrations unfolded over the years 1941-1946. For an analysis of how the changes in verbiage may have reflected changes as Willys-Overland during the war years, view this page.

I’m sure there are more examples than the ones gathered below. Here is what I have so far:

This is the Blackstone Hotel example that Bill shared:

New-Guinea-Jeep-bill-willys-overland-hotel

This one is from the Lexington Hotel in New York City:

lexington-hotel-menu-thanksgiving1

And this one is from the Hotel New Yorker:

1944-manhattan-room-nyc-menu2

This menu:

1944-menu-benjamin-franklin-hotel-pa1

The Benjamin Franklin also ran this other menu with a different illustration:

1946-menu-born-in-war

 
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Ramsey Bulletin 114 For the X-200 Winch (CJ-2A/CJ-3A)

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

This Bulletin 114 from Ramsey Winch includes a good illustration of the underside of the jeep with a Ramsey X-200 PTO winch installed. A price listed was also included with the brochure. Below this post, you can see the truck and wagon brochure version of the X-200 winch.

1952-02-12-ramsey-bulletin-114-x200-1-lores 1952-02-12-ramsey-bulletin-114-x200-2-lores 1952-02-12-ramsey-price-list1-lores 1952-02-12-ramsey-price-list2-lores

 

 
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Ramsey Bulletin 115 For the X-200 Winch (Truck/Wagon)

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

This is the same X-200 winch pictured in the post above, but setup to function on the longer wheel-base Willys Jeep trucks and wagons. The is Ramsey Bulletin 115:

1952-02-12-ramsey-bulletin-115-x200-1-lores 1952-02-12-ramsey-bulletin-115-x200-2-lores

 
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M-38/M-38A1 Rims and Back Spacing

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

Morgan stated in a comment that he was a little confused as to why some of the M-38/M-38A1 rims had back spacing changes. Can anyone help answer his questions?

Morgan wrote, “Trying to get a handle on M38/M38A1 military Jeep wheels is difficult at best (let alone all the other Jeep wheels!).

1. Do only military wheels (all 16″ ??) have weep holes? Correct me but I’ve noticed that maintaining a 12 o’clock alignment of the valve stem hole puts the weep hole of a 16″ x 4 1/2″ at 3 o’clock. And the weep hole of a 16″ x 5″ is at 9 o’clock. While the top lug hole on the 16 x 4 1/2″ lines up with 12 o’clock, it’s the bottom lug hole on the 16″ x 5″ that lines up with 12 o’clock.

In addition the backspace on the 16 x 4 1/2″ is about 3 1/4″ while the backspace on the 16 x 5″ is about 3 3/4″. Now admittedly, my research is limited and maybe I’ve only learned enough to be dangerous, but it’s the backspace that got me going.

2. I’m wondering if the shorter backspace on the 4 1/2″ (setting the tire farther from the frame and brake drum) would allow a tighter turn radius (without rubbing? or no issue?) than the deeper backspace on the 5″ (which would move the rim/tire closer to the frame?) ?? Why such a difference in backspace?

3. And of course if the mere presence of a weep hole would allow a quick accurate idea of a wheel’s exact measurements, that would be a plus. I think I’ve correctly learned that the accurate measurement of a wheel’s diameter and width is always inside the rim ?!?

4. I’ve also heard that the military wheels are a higher grade, and stronger ?!?

 
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1945? VEC CJ-2A Fire Jeep Berkey, OH **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Auctioned through sealed bids.

Jerry Huber confirmed that this is a 1945 VEC CJ-2A, serial number #11822. Jerry added, “That would place the body at the end of the 1945 production run. The Fire Dept. documents that they got it in the spring or summer of 1946, which is still possible with the time for the Darley Fire Conversion. There is also a story that the vehicle had a frame failure shortly after they got it from Darley and it was returned to the Willys Plant in Toledo where the frame was replaced with a heavier duty and reinforced unit. I have heard that story before but can’t verify although some one with more history on the unit may be able to confirm.”

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

Originally posted Mar 2, 2021: Listed as a 1947, this is likely a 1945 VEC CJ-2A. It’s got rear hubs, indents, early windshield, a column shift and (I think) the earliest “WILLYS” data plate. Bidding is allowed from March 1, 2021, though April 02, 2021.

“Public Notice – Richfield Township is placing the 1947 Willy’s Jeep Fire Apparatus for sale via SEALED BID. Richfield Township is accepting SEALED BIDS for purchase of the 1947 Willy’s Jeep Fire Apparatus from Monday 3/1/2021 through Friday 4/2/2021 at 4:00 PM. The vehicle is sold as is with no warranties or guarantees made of any kind. This vehicle has been garage stored and maintained throughout its lifetime with Berkey / Richfield Township Fire Department as the original and only owner. The vehicle is open to inspection Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The vehicle sale is subject to a minimum bid of $10,000. The bids will be opened on Monday 4/5/2021 and highest bid above the minimum sale amount will be awarded. Sealed Bids must be addressed to Fire Chief Keith Clonch at 11450 W. Sylvania Avenue, Berkey, Ohio 43504.”

1947-cj2a-berkey-fire-jeep1 1947-cj2a-berkey-fire-jeep2 1947-cj2a-berkey-fire-jeep3 1947-cj2a-berkey-fire-jeep4 1947-cj2a-berkey-fire-jeep5

 
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No Updates Monday

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

I spent all of Sunday packing up the office, so no Monday updates. I’m behind on comment responses, so bear with me.

Before packing up the jeep ‘toys’ yesterday, I took this photo. It’s not all the toys, but it is most of them. I never set out to collect toys, as I didn’t have the room. Still, somehow, I ended up with these. It’s probably good that I restrained myself; less toys to pack!

toys-lores

 
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Judy the Jeep Girl

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

In an effort to promote Bond drives during World War II, around 1944 Sgt. Jack Kreismer created “Judy the Jeep Girl”. The character, sometimes described as a paper doll, while other times described as a cartoon, has proved a difficult image to track down. To help raise bonds, July ‘traveled’ from California to Salt Lake City, then on to the Washington, D.C.

A photo of Jack and Judy appeared in the June 1, 1945, issue of Minute Man. It’s the best example of Judy the Jeep Girl that I could find:

1945-06-01-minute-man-judy-jeep-girl-kreismer-lores

You can see that Jack (on the left) and Allen Overby (on the right) are holding a booklet. Apparently it is a souvenir booklet that features Judy.

The only newspaper representation I could find for Judy is a less-than-perfect sketch that appeared in the Salt Lake Telegram on June 19, 1944. Judy is left to the man in the box (sauna?).

1944-06-19-salt-lake-telegram-judy-the-jeep

Later, on January 15, 1945, Elenor Roosevelt commented on Judy’s activities:

1945-01-15-evening-news-harrisburg-pa-judy-the-jeep-girl

 
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1946 Photo of Louisiana’s Forestry Jeep

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

This June 29, 1946, photo in the Daily Advertiser shows off an early MB conversion into a Louisiana Forestry Jeep. Developed by the Louisiana Foresty Commission, the state purchased five of these rigs.

1946-06-29-daily-advertiser-louisiana-forestry-jeep-lores

The Weekly Town Talk out of Alexandria, Louisiana, also ran the photo on the same day, but with a different caption:

1946-06-29-town-talk-louisiana-forestry-jeep-lores

 

 
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Kaiser’s Flintstone Mobile (aka the “KLI”)

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

Cruising through some online photos yesterday, I stumbled upon a Kaiser Jeep prototype called the Sport Low Investment” (XLI) vehicle. Apparently, employees dubbed it the Flintstonemobile. Figuring Derek likely did a write up on this vehicle, I went over to the 3B page and sure enough, he’s got an informative write up on it: https://cj3b.info/Factory/FactoryXport.html

XLI-flintstone-mobile-toledo-library

PHOTO CREDIT: Toledo Lucas County Public Library https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll33/id/134419

XLI-flintstone-mobile-toledo-library2

PHOTO CREDIT: Toledo Lucas County Public Library https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll33/id/134408

 
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CJ-5 Lighter Middleton, CT eBay

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

The starting bid is $75 for this unique lighter. It’s one I hadn’t seen.

View all the information on eBay

“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A 5 INCH LONG WILLYS JEEP MODEL CJ5 CIGARETTE LIGHTER.
THE JEEP LIGHTER IS IN GREAT CONDITION
THE JEEP IS WELL DETAILED AND THE CONSTRUCTION IS VERY WELL DONE. ITS HEAVY.
THE LIGHTER SPARKS WELL.
THERE IS NO LIGHTER FLUID IN IT AT PRESENT.
A NICE, RARE, JEEP LIGHTER”

cj5-lighter-middletown-ct4 cj5-lighter-middletown-ct5 cj5-lighter-middletown-ct6 cj5-lighter-middletown-ct7 cj5-lighter-middletown-ct8 cj5-lighter-middletown-ct9

 
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1952 Ramsey Winch Kit Brochure

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

This four-page Ramsey Winch Kit brochure is labeled Bulletin 105.

1952-ramsey-bulletin-105-winch-brochure1-lores 1952-ramsey-bulletin-105-winch-brochure2-lores 1952-ramsey-bulletin-105-winch-brochure3-lores 1952-ramsey-bulletin-105-winch-brochure4-lores

 
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Ron Fitzpatrick Open House Sunday May 23, 2021

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

Ron’s holding an open house, a military vehicle show and sale, this year on May 23, 2021, in Central Point, Oregon.

2021-05-23-ron-fitzpatrick-open-house

 
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Ford GPW Training Engine/Transmission/Transfercase

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

Thanks to Hans Loix for posting pics of this Ford GPW training engine/trans/tc to Facebook (and to Roger Martin for pointing them out to me).

ford-gpw-training-engine-transmission-transfercase2

ford-gpw-training-engine-transmission-transfercase10 ford-gpw-training-engine-transmission-transfercase3 ford-gpw-training-engine-transmission-transfercase4

Continue reading

 
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1951 Photo of ‘Jeep’ Crate Destined to Thailand on eBay

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

I’m a big confused by the ‘Jeep’ image stamped onto the side of the crate. In 1951, Willys-Overland was downplaying the use of jeep as a brand. This photo looks to be more like a post 1953-Kaiser-purchase photo. I tried to find a 1951 time-frame photo of a boxed jeep, but couldn’t find any I could compare to this one. Any thoughts on this?

It’s possible, given the photo was published as part of a 1987 article, that someone just guessed on the time-frame of this photo. Also, the fact that Thailand remained active in South Korea until March of 1955 might also provide an explanation for why these boxed jeeps were heading to Thailand.

View all the information on eBay

1951-jeep-crates-going-to-thailand1 1951-jeep-crates-going-to-thailand2