Features Research Archives

To Top

January 1956 Koenig Hardtop & Misc Brochure

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

This is Koenig bulletin #156, one that I finally purchased and scanned. This brochure marked a change in model numbers from Koenig’s 1955 brochure; the “-5″s were eliminated in favor of individual hardtop numbers (which I imagine was easier for consumers to understand). See a Koenig hardtop brochure history here.

1956-01-bulletin-156-koenig-hardtop-1-lores1956-01-bulletin-156-koenig-hardtop-2-lores1956-01-bulletin-156-koenig-hardtop-3-lores1956-01-bulletin-156-koenig-hardtop-4-lores

 
To Top

ACE Model Willys-Ma Torrance, CA $15

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

Unfortunately, the seller won’t ship model, which is very Willys-MA-like. Otherwise, I would have snagged this. Great price.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2600242193600795

“No holds No shipping Cash only Xposted”

ace-model-willys-ma-torrance-ca

 
To Top

9 Jeep Safari Belt Buckles Westminster, CO $85

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

Here’s an unusual collection of belt buckles from past Jeep Safaris.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/406060797361623

“Selling the lot for $85 or best offer! Shipping is available!”

9-jeep-safari-belt-buckles1 9-jeep-safari-belt-buckles2

 
To Top

1944/45(?) Berg’s ‘King of Jeeps’ Brochure

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

This Berg’s brochure is interesting in that it contains no references to the CJ-2A or a civilian jeep, suggesting that it came out between 1944-1945 (to me it looks a little earlier than this Berg mailer). Within the flier, Berg claims Berg Truck & Parts Co. was begun in December of 1942 to sell JEEPS. He also notes that the company had appeared in news reels, magazines, and Life Magazine.

Here’s the front page of the brochure:

1945ish-bergs-king-of-jeeps-brochure-1-lores

This is the back page. 1945ish-bergs-king-of-jeeps-brochure-2-lores

When opened, you’ll find this third small page. Since Berg is offering standard jeep parts for sale, it can be assumed that this flier is at least from 1944. Note the trailer chassis ad, too.1945ish-bergs-king-of-jeeps-brochure-3-lores

When flipped over, the brochure offers an array of Ford, Willys, and Bantam jeep parts.

1945ish-bergs-king-of-jeeps-brochure-4-lores

When fully opened, there are even more military-related parts, but no word of civilian parts:

1945ish-bergs-king-of-jeeps-brochure-5-lores

This is how the back looks when fully opened.

1945ish-bergs-king-of-jeeps-brochure-6-lores

Interestingly, while Berg’s Truck Parts may have opened in 1942, Berg didn’t receive any jeeps until November of 1943 and it was only 16 jeeps (likely aall were prototypes). Here’s a report of those first jeeps from the November 27,1943, issue of the Chicago Tribune:

1943-11-27-chicago-tribune-bergs-first-jeeps

A month later, in December of 1943, this press photo showed the ‘King of Jeeps’ himself Hyman Berg loading up one of those jeeps, a Bantam BRC-40:

1943-12-28-berg1-brc60

Continue reading

 
To Top

Wilensky Auto Parts’ Ford GPs

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

UPDATE: The press photo at bottom appeared in the January 24,  1944, issue of the Minneapolis Morning Tribune (seen below). It seems that Harvey Wilensky must have also won a bid for jeeps about the same time as Hyman Berg did.

1944-01-24-star-minneapolis-tribune-walensky-auto-parts-ford-gps

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

Originally Posted November 16, 2013: This photo shows a lineup of surplus Ford GPs for sale. The selling price: $750 at Wilensky Auto Parts in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

ford-gps-for-sale-minnesota-newsclipping1 ford-gps-for-sale-minnesota-newsclipping2

 
To Top

Koenig Hardtop Bulletin 149

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

The one-page brochure is Bulletin 149 from Koenig Iron Works and showcases the full hardtop (more on Koenig hardtops here).

1949-01-koenig-hardtop-form-149-brochure1-lores

1949-01-koenig-hardtop-form-149-brochure2-lores

 
To Top

January 1957 French Canadian Ad for the FC-150

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

This January 1957 ad appeared in an unknown publication on behalf of Willys of Canada.It featured an introduction to the new FC-150.

1957-01-french-canadian-fc150-ad-lores

 
To Top

Only This Update Monday

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

Updates will resume Tuesday morning.

In the meantime, Bill shared this video by Nick. In it, he obtains a ran-when-parked jeep, only to discover that a ‘2-hour’ repair job took a little longer than he planned. This is always the danger of a ran-when-parked jeep. Note that this has a rare Worman half-cab.

 
To Top

1951 Brochure: Power! … Where It Counts!

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

This 1950 or 1951 brochure focuses on the main 4WD vehicles offered by Willys-Overland, including the 4WD Sedan Delivery, he 4WD Truck, the 4WD Station Wagon, and the CJ-3A Universal Jeep. There is no form number on it. I’m dating this as 1951 because 1) it doesn’t mention the f-head being ‘new’ and 2) the 1950 truck and wagon brochures are more colorful and larger, whereas the 1951 brochures feel a little more subdued in their use of color.

1950-power-when-it-counts-brochure-1-lores 1950-power-when-it-counts-brochure-2-lores 1950-power-when-it-counts-brochure-3-lores 1950-power-when-it-counts-brochure-4-lores 1950-power-when-it-counts-brochure-5-lores

 
To Top

1944 Article on the Burma Jeep Trains

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

The article shares information on why the GI’s had to use jeeps on the tracks and the dangers they faced. The photo is from a later newspaper.

1945-01-31-evening-sun-jeep-train-burma-lores

January 31, 1945, in the Evening Sun, Baltimore, Maryland.

From the Tucson Daily Citizen, October 23, 1944:

1944-10-23-tucson-daily-citizen-jeep-trains-lores

 

 
To Top

1944 Photo Angelo Tempesta Sleeping on Jeep on eBay

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

This photo shows jeep driver Angelo Temesta sleeping on the hood of his jeep.

View all the information on ebay

“For sale is an Original WW2 US Army Press Photograph of a named Solider Sleeping on Jeep Willys in St. Lo France, dated July, 1944. Measures 5″ x 7″. There is wear and a creases in the middle. Other edge wear and minor creases. Please see all photos.”

1944-photo-st-lo-france-sleep-jeep1

1944-photo-st-lo-france-sleep-jeep2

 
To Top

1952 Willys Signage Brochure

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

This rare 1952 brochure highlights the signage available for dealers and includes an order brochure. What you’ll notice is that there’s no reference to ‘jeep’ anywhere (unlike the 1946 brochure) and demonstrates Willys-Overland’s efforts to reduce the ‘jeep’ branding within the company.

You’ll also note the somewhat awkward use of “Common Sense” within the title. This may have been a nod to the “Willys Makes Sense” ad campaign during 1951.

1952-signage-brochure-willys-overland-03-lores 1952-signage-brochure-willys-overland-04-lores 1952-signage-brochure-willys-overland-05-lores 1952-signage-brochure-willys-overland-06-lores 1952-signage-brochure-willys-overland-07-lores

Continue reading

 
To Top

September 1949 CJ-3A “How to Cut Costs” Brochure

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

UPDATE: One of these brochures is available on Bay for $9.95 +shipping.

View all the information on eBay

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

Originally posted September 25, 2020: 

This brochure has a form number of CJ3A-M1-250M-9-49, which seems to indicate it was published in September of 1949. Some of the art for this brochure was completed a year and a half earlier for a newspaper ad (see bottom of post).

Photos

Photos

Photos Photos

Continue reading

 
To Top

1957 French-Canadian FC-150 Ad From Kaiser-Willys of Canada

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

This ad appeared in a 1957 magazine, but don’t which one. It shows the truck, FC-150, Sedan Delivery (4wd?) and CJ-5. I guess the 3B isn’t profitable? Given the lack of an FC-170, I’d say this was likely printed early in 1957.

1957-french-canadian-fc150-ad-lores

 
To Top

1947 Photos of the Indianapolis Speedway Fire Jeep

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

These two 1947 photos can be found as part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway digital archives.

 
To Top

March 1943, Ford Announces it Will Begin Ford GPA (SEEP) Production

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

A variety of newspapers announced on March 09, 1943, that Ford would being producing Ford GPA (SEEPS) at its production plant in Detroit.

1943-03-09-petoskey-news-sea-jeeps-ford-plant

 
To Top

Auto Mix FC-170 Tow Truck and VW Beetle Vinyl Toys on eBay

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

Andy spotted this rare combo of vehicles still in their blister package. It’s currently priced at $149.99. The pics aren’t the best.

View all the information on eBay

“Product Name: “JEEP TOW TRUCK WRECKER (WITH ORIGINAL HOOK!!) + VW BEETLE” ULTRA RARE!
IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND IN ORIGINAL BLISTERCARDED CONDITION!
Colour: Red + Blue.
Note: No deformation. New!. Original from the late `60ties to early `70ties.
Produced by: NP, Norddeutsche Plastik, Germany.”

automix-fc170-tow-truck-toy

 
To Top

1950s Hinde & Dauch Paper Jeep Trailer on eBay

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

Apparently, this Hinde and Dauch cardboard trailer was part of a package that included a jeep? Anyone know more about it?

View all the information on eBay

“DESCRIPTION OF ITEM: A very rare toy, This was made by Hinde & Dauch Paper Company in the early 1950s, Sandusky Ohio You can google the information, The body is made of paper cardboard and measures 10 1/2” long, 5 1/2” wide, 3” tall. The wheels are wood, It’s in very good condition with some scuf marks. Please see picture and judge for yourself on the condition.”

1950s-hinde-dauch-paper-trailer-jeep0

1950s-hinde-dauch-paper-trailer-jeep1

1950s-hinde-dauch-paper-trailer-jeep2

1950s-hinde-dauch-paper-trailer-jeep3

1950s-hinde-dauch-paper-trailer-jeep4

 
To Top

1962 Station Wagon Brochure

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

The most interesting this to me about this brochure is that the front of it shows the wagon in front of 1962 Seattle World’s Fair icons. In terms of brochures, based on what I’ve seen, Willys-Overland and Willys-Motors didn’t usually include that kind of iconography.

This is the front:

1962-station-wagon-brochure1-lores

The back (when unfolded) is blank:

1962-station-wagon-brochure2-lores

Unfolding the brochure vertically yields these images:

1962-station-wagon-brochure3-lores

Opening either wing reveals the unfolded imagery:

1962-station-wagon-brochure4-lores

This shows the unfolded back:
Continue reading

 
To Top

1952 Video of Yakima Ridge Runners in Italian

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

This 1952 video is slightly different than another video (Jeepers Creepers) containing some of the same clips.

vs. this version (which most of us have seen):

 
To Top

June 1949 Southern Utah – Glen Canyon Trip

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

These two photos from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science Digital Archives includes these two photos from a June 1949 trip though Southeastern Utah, specifically the Glen Canyon area. It’s unclear who these folks were or whether this was an official survey party or just an jeep adventure.

 
To Top

1957 French-Canadian FC-150 Ad From Kaiser-Willys of Canada

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

This ad appeared in a July 1957 magazine, but don’t which one. As Vernon noted about this ad, the ad below also shows a truck with a stake bed extension. Any ever seen that option?

1957-07-fc150-truck-french-canadian-ad-lores

 
To Top

February 1945 Ireland Denies Jeep Trademark

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

On February 11, 1945, the Pittsburgh Press shared the news that Ireland had ruled that the word Jeep could not be trademarked there. There were two reasons for that decision: 1) the word had not been stamped on the vehicle(s) and 2) the term ‘Jeep’ had fallen into public domain as a result of usage.

Both concerns seem valid. Even today, there’s confusion around the brand in terms of Willys vs. Jeep. However, one could argue that both issues were the result of Willys-Overland’s effort to win a war, thus the company sacrificed normal naming (in terms of vehicle models), advertising, and trademarking issues. So, why should they be penalized?

1945-02-11-pittsburgh-press-Ireland-jeep-trademark-denial

 
To Top

Fiberglass Drag Jeep Bodies Monticello, IL **Status Unknown**

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

UPDATE: **Status Unknown. Was $1800. As of June of 2023 the link no longer works.

(11/26/2020) There’s a company out of Illinois selling drag ‘jeep’ fiberglass bodies called Dunn & Gone Racing, Inc. (some of the ads on the racing junk site are old, so, this may or may not be available).

https://www.racingjunk.com/Sand-Drag-Racing-Cars/184108659/RAMROD-JEEP-BODIES.html?category_id=&search=jeep&quickSearch=1&np_offset=32&from=search#6

jeep-drag-race-bodies

jeep-drag-race-bodies2

“The newset addition to our high quality fiberglass family
—RAMROD—
Each body is hand laid with the best resins and glass available
Specs
overall length 143 inches
cage opening width 30 ½ inches
rear width 63 inches
front width 52 inches
Basic wheel base from rear center to front center 96 inches
untrimed rear wheel well opening 34 inches, trimmed 39 inches
no body work required, just wetsand and paint!!!!
1800.00 in stock and available NOW
Thanks
JD
Dunn and Gone Racing Inc.
Located in Monticello Illinois”

 
To Top

March 1950 Dealer’s Day Booklet

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

As best as I can tell, this booklet was part of a Willys-Overland Motors Dealer Day presentation on March 30, 1950. This particular booklet came out of Canada, so I am not positive whether this was a Canadian event or a Brand-wide (US, Canada, and other?) celebration.

At 5″ x 7″ the booklet is smaller than I thought it would be.
1950-03-30-dealer-day-pamphlet-1-lores 1950-03-30-dealer-day-pamphlet-2-lores 1950-03-30-dealer-day-pamphlet-3-lores

1950-03-30-dealer-day-pamphlet-4-lores

Continue reading