Features Research Archives

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Future of eWillys

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

This is a tease …. Barring something unforeseen, our contract indicates this is the future of eWillys …. And, no that’s not a street, it’s the parking. When all is finalized, I will explain more.

ewillys-new-home

 
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Alaska Road Trip Puzzle w/ Jeep

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

My wife thought this puzzle was too good to pass up, given our 2017 Alaska Or Rust trip, so she surprised me with it. This puzzle is available through a variety of sellers (one of which is Amazon). The illustration was done by Ken Zella.

jeep-puzzle-suns-out

 

 
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1943 Article on FDR and Jeeps

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

This article shows FDR in jeeps. It was published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune February 02, 1943.

1943-02-02-star-tribune-FDR-jeeps-lores

 
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1955 Photo of Tornado Damaged Jeep … Udall, Kansas

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

This may have been a CJ-3A. It lost a battle to a Kansas Tornado. The photo was taken on May 25, 1955, and is a part of the National Archives of Kansas.

jeep-tornado-udall-ks

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/283888 National Archives of Kansas 05/25/1955

 
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Jeeping Videos on Hemmings

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

Bill shared this short article written by Daniel Stroh where organized four videos featuring folks and videos you may have seen on Facebook. These guys have been busy the last few years:

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2020/12/06/these-jeepers-make-black-bear-road-the-most-dangerous-road-in-the-country-seem-like-a-sunday-drive

Here’s one of the videos showing parts of their trip over Black Bear Pass:

 
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March 1957 French-Canadian Ad for the FC-150 + Sign

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

UPDATE: Todd shared a sign that matches the Jeep sign which appears in the lower part of the ad at the bottom of this post. I’ve not seen one quite like this, so I imagine it was only available in Canada?

The sign was double sided, but he separated the halves so he could hang them on the wall. Here are some pics:

1950s-tek-jeep-dealer-sign-quebec-canada2

1950s-tek-jeep-dealer-sign-quebec-canada1 1950s-tek-jeep-dealer-sign-quebec-canada3

This is the back of the sign. It was made by Tek, a company still in business in Canada.

1950s-tek-jeep-dealer-sign-quebec-canada5

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This March 1957 ad in an unknown magazine highlighted the FC-150 distributers.

1957-03-fc170-french-canadian-ad-lores

 

 
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Photo of Seabee MB on Gaudacanal(?)

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

Gayland shared this photo of a Seabee MB NCB 6 (later changed to an MCB in 1949). He added, “I don’t know the location but suspect it is Guadalcanal. MCB6 was the first Seabee unit in combat when it joined the Marines on that island. Seabee equipment, at least in the Pacific theater, was painted the same color Marine equipment. Haze Gray shows up a little too well in the jungle.”

1940s-seabee-mb-on-guadacanal

 
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1948 Photo From Sweden

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

The good looking MB in this photo has a nice top. What kind of structure is that? A Cabin?

The Swedish translates to English as: “Staff trip to Storvallen 1948. From left: Uno Branden, Britta, Ingrid Hellström, Einar Montén and Astrid Walster.”

https://jlm.kulturhotell.se/items/show/143324

1948-swedish-photo-people-hut

 
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‘Jeep’ Earth Moving Equipment Brochure on eBay

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

You can see better pics of this type of brochure here: http://www.ewillys.com/2020/05/18/1951-jeep-moving…uipment-brochure/

View all the information on eBay

“JEEP Willys Jeep Earth Moving Equipment BROCHURE PAMPHLET. 2 page fold out 1940-50’s has 3 punched holes to fit in 3 ring binder. Condition is good “Used””

earth-moving-brochure1

earth-moving-brochure2

 
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March 1950 Four-Wheel-Drive Willys Truck Brochure

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

This over-sized 4WD truck brochure folds out to roughly 22″x17″. It’s form number is 4WDTM1-3CM-350. This first image shows the front of the brochure:

1950-03-form-4wdtm1-3cm-350-truck-brochure1-lores

This second image shows the back prior to unfolding:

1950-03-form-4wdtm1-3cm-350-truck-brochure2-lores

When opened vertically the brochure reveals this page:

1950-03-form-4wdtm1-3cm-350-truck-brochure3-lores

Unfolded one more time, and this page showing off the Hurricane engine appears:Photos

When fully unfolded, this great image of the truck is shown:

Photos

This is how the back looks when completely unfolded:Photos

 
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Bruce Meyer, Manx Inventor, Passes Away

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

The man who launched the dune buggy industry passed away at age 94. He sounds like he was an interesting guy.

https://jalopnik.com/im-so-sad-to-say-that-bruce-meyers-the-man-who-created-1846312022

This is an hour-plus video about the Meyers Manx:

 
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1944 MB? Idaho Falls, ID $9000

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

UPDATE: Price is now $9000.

(10/16/2020) What a crazy contraption. “El Burrito”‘s got style. It even has a mural on the back. I’m not quite sure how the rear extends, but it looks like someone would be safe from bugs.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/379875466485663

“A Prospector’s Dream or a mini RV!
A unique vehicle for the right individual. A fold out six foot bed behind the seats, and a “kitchen” underneath. Email me for videos showing the set ups. A 1944 WWII surplus jeep purchased in 1954. It is a Willy’s 4 cylinder. I think it might be a CJ 6.
Needs new gas tank (has 2 tanks, if you want to replace both) Seals and belts are dry, but should absorb fluids back when added. It was started, but turned off to avoid running bad gas through the carburetor. All the mini-van modifications can be removed to restore to original jeep without too much conversion.
If interested E-mail phone number to pungoriver@live.com and I will call you for further information. If you like make a bid.
It has been garaged.”

1944-mb-Idahofalls-id02 1944-mb-Idahofalls-id01 1944-mb-Idahofalls-id0 1944-mb-Idahofalls-id1 1944-mb-Idahofalls-id2 Continue reading

 
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1948? Jeep Station Sedan Brochure

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

In 1950 the Jeep Station Sedan line was upgraded with the Lightening 6 engine. Apparently, that didn’t stimulate sales, as the Sedan model was canceled later in 1950. For some reason, there’s no form number attached to this brochure (I can’t figure out why some brochures have form numbers and some don’t). The four-page brochure opens horizontally. Since it didn’t fit on my scanner, I ‘scanned’ it with my phone, but it didn’t scan all that well. It doesn’t look as dirty in person as it does in the pics.

Photos Photos Photos Photos

 
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1942 Photo ‘Demonstrating’ the Walkie Talkie

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

This April 03, 1942, photo shows Corporal Joseph Vober and Cecelia Marchio ‘demonstrating’ the new wacky-talkie that is installed in a jeep.

I didn’t learn much about either person pictured in the photo. Cecelia married, becoming Cecelia Maselic (Ceclia’s brother Daniel was a Marine in WWII and Korea). I believe Joseph Vober would go on to marry Evelyn Lau.

1942-04-03-minneapolis-star-joseph-vober-cecelia-marchio

 
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1965? Go-For-Digger Trencher Brochure

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

I *think* this Go-For-Digger brochure features the trench on the back of an International D-1300 1 ton truck. Can anyone confirm this model? This brochure is Catalog No. 1865:

year-go-for-digger-form-1865-international-brochure1-lores year-go-for-digger-form-1865-international-brochure2-lores

 
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1965 Photo of CJ-2A From Sweden

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

As best as I can translate, the Swedes in this CJ-2A are celebrating National (or World) Children’s Day. Maybe the signs provide more information.

 
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Go For Digger Trencher Brochure

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

This Go-For-Digger trencher brochure is undated and has no form number. It’s likely from the late 1950s.

This first image shows the front page:

year-go-for-digger-trencher-8162-1-lores

This is how the brochure looks when fully opened:

year-go-for-digger-trencher-8162-2-lores

The is the back page:

year-go-for-digger-trencher-8162-3-lores

 
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Go For Digger Back Hoe Brochure

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

There’s no date on this Back Hoe Brochure from Go For Digger, but it is likely from the late 1950s. This brochure was accompanied by a letter:

year-go-for-digger-trenching-machine-letter-lores

year-go-for-digger-backhoe1-lores year-go-for-digger-backhoe2-lores

 
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1944 Article Says the Big Three Automakers Are Tepid on the Post War Jeep

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

The April 27, 1944, article in the Star Tribune out of Minneapolis argues that Ford, GM, and Chrysler did not believe the post-war jeep would be as successful as hoped, due to (1) the hard suspension and (2) a lack of appeal to the “woman of the family”. It seems they were right to be wary from a family perspective, but the big three didn’t foresee the wagons, which attempted to address both of these issues.

1944-04-27-star-tribune-big-three-tepid-on-jeep

 
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1946 Jeep Trip From Hawaii to the Midwest

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

This photo captures three friends traveling from Hawaii to the midwest via Minnesota. Akira Tanaka, sitting in the driver’s seat, helped establish the military intelligence company that was part of Camp Savage in Minnesota.This was published in the September 16, 1946, issue of The Minneapolis Star.

I tried to learn more about these three, but didn’t have much luck. There was an Akira Tanaka that went to work for General Motors and built himself a home that was featured in a 1955 article in the Detroit Press. So, it’s possible that he graduated from College in Michigan, then went to work for GM. If that’s the case, he developed several automotive patents for the company.

1946-09-16-minneapolis-star-hawaiians-drive-to-mn-lores

 
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June 1962 Jeep Pick-up Truck Brochure

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

This brochure pushes the wide-ranging capabilities of the Jeep truck. It is Form No. 62-06.

The is the front of the unopened brochure:

1962-06-truck-brochure-4WD-1-lores

This is the back:1962-06-truck-brochure-4WD-2-lores

When first unfolded, these complementary flaps appear:

1962-06-truck-brochure-4WD-3-lores

When the page flaps are opened, the brochure is fully opened revealing this page:

1962-06-truck-brochure-4WD-4-lores

This is the back of the brochure when fully opened:

1962-06-truck-brochure-4WD-5-lores

 
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1967 Jeep Sportster Ad on eBay

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

It’s a one page ad from a magazine, but it contains a couple photos of the rare Australian Jeep Sportster (more about them and the Combat here).

View all the information on eBay

“This is an original A4 size advertisement for the 1968 Kaiser Willys Jeep Sportster. Advertisement is in good condition for it’s age. Advert measures 28 x 20cm or 11 x 8in. All advertisements are mailed in clear plastic slip with cardboard backing for protection. Please email me if you have any questions. Will post overseas.”

1967-jeep-sportster-australia-ad-lores

 
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August 1957 FC-170 French-Canadian Ad

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

This 1957 French-Canadian ad for the Forward Control Jeep was published in August. The magazine is unknown.

1957-08-fc170-french-canadian-ad-lores

 
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1944 January Drive in a Ford GP

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
944-01-30-minneapolis-star-tribune-ford-gps-wilensky3-lores

A side photo of Smiley, John Henkels ‘new’ Ford GP.

The January 30, 1944, Sunday issue of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune made John Henkels and his son front page news for the purchase of their 1941 Ford GP from Wilensky’s auto parts. What a cold drive back to Fulda, Minnesota, that must have been!

944-01-30-minneapolis-star-tribune-ford-gps-wilensky2-lores

Continue reading

 
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1945-1946 Ads for Army Surplus Jeeps in Minneapolis

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

This ad appeared within the classified ad section of the October 04, 1946, issue of the Minneapolis Star. It was posted by American Motor Sales, which was located at 1220 West Broadway. Whether the company actually had Ford GPs for sale isn’t clear; most likely, it was just standard MBs or GPWs.

46-10-04-minneapolis-star-jeeps-ford-gp-surplus-sales

A few days later, the Downtown Chevrolet Company advertised in the October 09, 1946, issue of the Minneapolis Star that they had 100 surplus jeeps available for customers:

1946-10-06-minneapolis-star-surplus-jeeps

Subsequently, an ad was placed by Twin City Motors, which also claimed to have jeeps (either GPWs or FORD GPs or both):

1946-10-11-minneapolis-star-twin-cities-motors-ford-jeeps

So, how did these companies obtain the jeeps? As we saw yesterday, there were some bidding opportunities that allowed Hyman Berg and others the opportunity to purchase multiple prototype jeeps. So, perhaps these Minneapolis-based companies also scored some prototypes that way?

What we do know is that the government was selling jeeps to veterans (previous stories highlight sale in Hawaii and California). And, those jeeps sold pretty quickly.

For example, in late 1945, the government’s War Asset group put 10,000 jeeps up for purchase by veterans. Those 10,000 jeeps were promptly sold (November 30, 1945, the Star Tribune):

1945-11-30-minneapolis-star-surplus-jeeps-sold-out

A month later, an article  from the Dec 08, 1945, issue of the Minneapolis Star, announced that another batch of 10,000 jeeps had been made available as of December 1945:
Continue reading