Features Research Archives

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Winter 2020 Issue of the Dispatcher is Available

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

The new issue of the Dispatcher Magazine has been released. Jim Allen’s article on the Jeep Creep and other prototypes in the late 1950s was very interesting (something I’ve never documented), as were the restoration articles on the Tonka Surreys and the Jeepster Convertible. As always, there’s lots of good stuff in this issue!

2020-winter-dispatcher-magazine

 

 
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Mark Felton’s WW2 Bazooka & Rocket Jeeps Video

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

Craig shared this video from Mark Felton that focuses on the WW2 Bazooka and Rocket Jeeps.

 
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January 1951 Brochure for the CJ-3A

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

This is a CJ-3A brochure I’d never documented before finding on eBay the other day. It is form no. CJ3A-M2-50M-151-GG.

1951-01-form-no-cj3a-m2-50m-151-gg-1-lores

This is the back of the brochure when folded:

1951-01-form-no-cj3a-m2-50m-151-gg-5-lores

This is the first page seen when unfolded part way:
1951-01-form-no-cj3a-m2-50m-151-gg-2-lores

This is the brochure completely unfolded:1951-01-form-no-cj3a-m2-50m-151-gg-3-lores

This is the back when completely unfolded:

Photos

 
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1953 Photo of Working Model Jeepster

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

The Tribune newspaper out of Coshocton, Ohio, shared this photo and caption on the May 24, 1953. It shows three-year-old Terry Schley driving a model Jeepster his father built for him. It includes a feature that auto braked when the foot is lifted from the accelerator.

1953-05-24-the-tribune-coshocton-oh

 
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Photos of early DJ-3A Hardtops with Side Glass

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

UPDATE: 2 more photos of DJ-3A Hardtops with side glass (note also the use of the modified hardtop with glass on the Jeep Creep jeep above). The first is a different 1956 DJ-3A with the same type of hardtop (side windows and small rear window) was posted to Facebook.

So, does this mean Willys Motors had planned on selling DJ-3As with side windows, but for some reason changed its strategy? Or, did they only intend these tops for commercial/governmental use?

1957-08-ann-arbor-mi-police-dj3a-fb

Caption: August 27, 1956. New Police Equipment: This new jeep, recently acquired by the City of Ann Arbor – Police Department, is being used to service parking meters throughout the city. The small vehicle has proven ideal for swinging into small spaces while meters are emptied. Patrolman John Biederman drives the jeep and is assisted in the meter collection by George Kaercher.

This second is undated, but shows a DJ-3A with a windowed hardtop for the Triangle Drive-in. It was posted to Facebook by Michael Canup.

dj3a-winder-ga-fb-triangle-drive-in

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The photos of this RHD drive DJ-3A were posted by Andy to Facebook. They show a RHD DJ-3A at work for the Los Angeles School Police Department (that’s the department’s insignia on the door).

This is a 1956 RHD DJ-3A. It has the small rear window top that was halted sometime around late 1956 or early 1957 (http://www.ewillys.com/2020/03/17/different-version-of-the-koenig-manufactured-hardtop/), but also has the Hall tail lights which I am surprised to see on a 1956 (https://cj3b.info/Dating/Taillights.html). Oddly, it also has the rear side windows on the hardtop, which wasn’t common for the DJ-3As, but the side windows were standard for this model of the CJ-5 hardtop. So, this must have been a special order?

There was another photo taken with what appears to be the same jeep (same number on the door), but having a different driver (at least a different cap) named Officer Verne Schlotzhauer, while Captain Maurice W. Calfee watches the officer. The car to the right is different, also. This appeared in the July 24, 1956, issue of the Valley News, Van Nuys, California:

1956-07-24-valley-news-vannuys-ca-traffic-jeep-lores

The top pic was also syndicated to newspapers. The image below appeared in the June 22, 1956, issue of the Des Moines Register:

1956-06-22-desmoines-register-police-jeep-la-dj3a

 
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Kent Frost Jeep Photos from 1955 and 1957

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

The Huntington Digital Library has some more Kent Frost photos from his trips through Canyonlands and other southern Utah places. The photos represent two different trips. Most pics are from an October of 1955 jeep excursion, while one photo is from May of 1957.

This first photo from October of 1955 is a great photo that shows Kent and Fern Frost standing in front of a CJ-2A with a Porter & Reed hardtop. I’m not sure if this was one of their jeeps or not.

1955-10-kent-frost-southern-utah-jeep-trip-j-ballard-atherton2

CREDIT: None …. Caption: Fern and Kent Frost next to a CJ-2A. DATE: Oct. 1955.

1955-10-kent-frost-southern-utah-jeep-trip-j-ballard-atherton3

CREDIT: J. Ballard Atherton …. Caption: Frost Jeep Party. DATE: Oct. 1955.

1957-05-01-kent-frost-lizard-rocks-joseph-lawrence-duziak5

CREDIT: Dudziak, Joseph Lawrence …. Caption: Camp of Kent Frost jeep party near Lizard Rock.. DATE: 1957-05-01

1955-10-kent-frost-southern-utah-jeep-trip-j-ballard-atherton4

CREDIT: J. Ballard Atherton …. Caption: Frost Jeep Party. DATE: Oct. 1955.

Continue reading

 
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1957 Movie Black Scorpion w/ CJ-3A

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

Blaine spotted a CJ-3A with a trailer in the 1957 Movie “Black Scorpion“. The flick captures the emotional turmoil of scorpions who, once trapped inside a volcano, are released by volcanic activity. Ready to party like velociraptors on Adderall, the scorpions reek havoc on the rural communities surrounding Mexico City. Here’s more on the story from trailersfromhell.com and imcd.com.

The main character drives the CJ-3A, so apparently the jeep appears often in the film.
1957-movie-balck-scorpion-cj3a

1957-movie-balck-scorpion-cj3a2

Here’s the trailer for the movie, though there’s no jeep featured in it.

 
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Jim’s Auction Roofless FC

• CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Anyone know more about Jim’s Auction’s Roofless FC? Jim’s Auction operates out of Montrose, Colorado. I’ve been unable to find another pic of the FC. https://www.jimsauction.com

jims-auction-service-fc-jeep-roofless

 
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International Flat Fender Club’s New Website

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

UPDATE: Lew let me know that the IFFC updated it’s website: https://internationalflatfenderclub.org/index.php?threads/welcome-to-the-iffc.2/. IFFC is also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1641202336209808

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iffc-fb-pic

Originally posted 02/11/2013:  International Flat Fender Club (IFFC) is an umbrella organization founded by Lew Ladwig that encourages and supports localized, online clubs, called Patrols.

According to the website, “The IFFC is subdivided on regional patrols (If possible, seek out your local patrol). That is where the fun starts! No patrol in your area, start one!

The Founding Patrol is the Colorado Flat Fender Club. We formed roughly 15 years ago. Many thanks to Mike, Bruce, Fred, Darin, Wally and Audrey and my amazing wife Frankie!

The rules are there are no rules. You are responsible for your own safety and good times. Any person who takes a leadership or organizational role has absolutely no responsibility to you. Attend all events at your own risk! You participation is considered an agreement to the above terms.”

carolinas-flat-fender-club-logo

 
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June 1961 Willys of Canada Jeep Truck Ad

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

This 1961 French Canadian Jeep Truck ad was published by Willys of Canada, Limited, in the Le Bulletin des Agriculteurs. This trucks in this ad don’t have the ‘hockey stick’ trim nor the one-piece windshield.

1961-06-le-bulletin-des-agriculteurs-willys-of-canada-truck-ad-lores

 
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Unusual Auxiliary Transmission … Can Anyone Identify It?

• CATEGORIES: Features, OD Other, OD Borg Warner/Rancho, OD Saturn/Warn This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: While still unidentified, we have learned thanks to the Dutch_Jeeper on the CJ-3A page that the auxiliary transmission is an “under-drive” rather than an overdrive. He pulled this out of his CJ-3A, then disassembled it.

You can learn more and see more pics here: https://cj3apage.com/Forum/index.php?topic=2318.msg19546#msg19546

auxiliary-transmission-underdrive01

auxiliary-transmission-underdrive02

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Originally Posted February 5, 2021: An owner of a CJ-2A posted onto Facebook these photos of an unusual auxiliary transmission. I only am aware of two that work between the T-90 and Dana 18 (the Warn and the Husky). Anyone recognize this?

IMG_1879 Continue reading

 
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1972 Pikes Peak Winner a CJ-3A Race Jeep?

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

A reader heard a rumor that the winner of the 1972 Pike’s Peak “in the unlimited class was a cj3a”. I found a video of the 1972 race, but no jeep was mentioned:

I also learned that the overall winner on one day of the 1971 Pikes Peak Hill Climb trials was Bob Sievert (his obit) in a jeep, but Bob failed to win that year. His rear end broke during his race up the hill, forcing him to rely on his front wheel drive. Still, he finished 5th in the four-wheel-drive class. Here are the results of that 1971 race, though no pics are provided that show why type of jeeps were raced:

Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, July 12, 1971.

Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, July 12, 1971.

In 1973, Bob did win the Non-Production Truck division of the Pikes Peak race. There’s supposed to be a mention about him and his jeep in the July 1973 issue of Hot Rod Magazine. Eventually, I was able to find a photo of Bob from 1973, but it appears he raced using a modified Jeepster Commando:

There was another jeep entry in 1973, this CJ-5 operated by Ken Anderson, but no mention of how well he did:

1973-pikes-peak-cj5

So, I’ve been unable to confirm that a CJ-3A was used or modified for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, but I’m sure CJ-3As, as well as WWII jeeps and CJ-2As and other vintage jeeps were raced given there was a 4WD class. Anyone else have more info or photos?

 
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1949 Direct Mail Station Wagon Brochure

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

This December 1949 Station Wagon Brochure was part of a direct mail campaign. The form number is SWDM2-45M-1249. This one isn’t in very good shape, but it’s the only one of these I’ve ever seen.

1949-12-station-wagon-form-no-SWDM2-45m-1249-brochure0-lores 1949-12-station-wagon-form-no-SWDM2-45m-1249-brochure1-lores 1949-12-station-wagon-form-no-SWDM2-45m-1249-brochure2-lores 1949-12-station-wagon-form-no-SWDM2-45m-1249-brochure3-lores

This shows the brochure fully opened:1949-12-station-wagon-form-no-SWDM2-45m-1249-brochure4-lores

This is the backside of the brochure fully opened.

1949-12-station-wagon-form-no-SWDM2-45m-1249-brochure5-lores

 
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1950 Photo of Roy Fisher’s Willys “Jeep” Dealership

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

This 1950 photo from the Gateway to Oklahoma History archives shows Roy Fisher’s jeep dealership. His dealership was active between 1946 and 1950 in Oklahoma City, OK. It was sold about the time this May 1950 photo was taken. Note the CJ-2A Fire Jeep in the second story window. The vintage Willys sign with the drop “J” logo is cool as well.

Here are a few ads from the Roy Fisher Willys ‘Jeep’ dealer era.

1947-1948-roy-fisher-willys-jeep-ads-lores

1950-01-05-daily-oklahoman-roy-fisher-dealer-wagon-ad-lores

January 05, 1950, Daily Oklahoman.

Here is the sale announcement from the May 25, 1950, issue of the Miami News-Record out of Miami, Oklahoma:

1950-05-25-miami-news-record-ok-roy-fisher-motor-co-sold

 
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1951 Photo of Jeeps Carrying Personnel during Korean War on eBay

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

It looks like these jeeps were stuff full for the drive to the front.

View all the information on eBay

“This is an original press photo. An American convoy,part of reinforcements being rushed to the front to stem advance of tank led North Korean forces, prepares to move forward Photo measures 7.25 x 8.5 inches. Photo is dated 3-2-1951.”

1951-03-02-korea-jeeps2 1951-03-02-korea-jeeps3

 
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1950? De Luxe Station Wagon Brochure

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

There’s no form number or date on this De Luxe Station Wagon brochure. Between the brochure below and this other “DeLuxe” brochure, three different forms of the word “Deluxe” are used:  “Deluxe”, “DeLuxe”, and “De Luxe”. So, I’m not sure which is correct?

Though the below brochure is more consistent with its use of “De Luxe”, the brochure itself is not as luxurious in style as the other “DeLuxe” brochure. I also suspect, given this brochure highlights the Hurricane and Lightening Engines, that this is a later brochure than the other DeLuxe brochure.

One other question. On the back of this brochure it shows a De Luxe Station Wagon in red. Was that actually offered? I don’t see it as an option on the back of the brochure where options are listed.

1950-deluxe-station-wagon-brochure2-lores

When folded, this is the back of the brochure. You can see the red colored De Luxe Station Wagon.1950-deluxe-station-wagon-brochure3-lores

This shows the brochure opened part way and highlights the engine choices:

1950-deluxe-station-wagon-brochure4-lores

This shows the brochure fully opened:

1950-deluxe-station-wagon-brochure5-lores

This shows the brochure fully opened from the back:Photos

 

 
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Scott’s “De Luxe” Wagon Remodel

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

Speaking of De Luxe wagons,  I wanted to share Scott Gilbert’s effort to create a De Luxe looking wagon from his wagon. He was diligent enough to locate NOS cane stickers for the sides, an item stored away for years that was owned by someone on a non-jeep forum. I’m looking forward to seeing how his wagon looks once he finishes the restyle.

willys-scotchlite-cane-design-stickers1-lores willys-scotchlite-cane-design-stickers2 willys-scotchlite-cane-design-stickers3 willys-scotchlite-cane-design-stickers4 willys-scotchlite-cane-design-stickers5 scott-wagon-mesh-lores

 
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Circa 1951 French-Canadian Willys-Overland Newspaper Ad

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

No date on this circa 1951 French-Canadian Willys-Overland jeep ad.

1951-french-candian-jeep-ad-lores

 
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1954 Italian Video of Jeep Race in France

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

This was filmed in July 07, 1954.

Italian description: Descrizione sequenze:Francia: partenza della gara automobilistica ; fasi della gara di velocità della Jeep su un terreno accidentato ; la jeep vincitrice della gara ; il pilota della jeep affaticato dopo la gara ; 

Rough English translation: Sequence description: France: start of the car race; stages of the Jeep speed race on rough terrain; the winning jeep of the race; the jeep driver tired after the race;

 
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Circa 1954 Photo of Jeep on Lake Mendota Ice Fishing

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

This photo from the University of Wisconsin Digital Achrives was taken around 1954 and shows a jeep atop the Lake Mendota Ice, surrounded by fisherman.

Lake Mendota borders the northern side of downtown Madison, Wisconsin. In the early 1990s I lived in Madison for a couple years, but rarely spent much time near Lake Mendota.

Learn more here: https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AGOAAUBBNQBJC28P

This first photo is a closeup from the photo below it. The jeep appears to be a pretty stock MB.

1954-1955-wisconsin-edu-library-madison-lake-mendota-ice-fishing-closeup 1954-1955-wisconsin-edu-library-madison-lake-mendota-ice-fishing

 
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1946 ‘Jeep’ Station Wagon Brochure

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

There’s no form number or date for this brochure, so my best guess is that this is was one of the earliest station wagon brochures.

Curiously, the illustration on the front appeared in a September 1946 Saturday Evening Post ad, but with several changes. The ad is more formal, while the brochure’s illustration is more informal. For example, the ‘Dad’ has a tie and no fishing pole,  while the ‘Mom’ has a different color of dress and purse. The wagon color is more purplish in the ad, while the wagon is red in the brochure.

1946-09-21-sat-evening-post-new-station-wagon-49-lores

And now for the brochure:

1946-jeep-station-wagon-brochure2-lores

This is the back of the unfolded brochure:

1946-jeep-station-wagon-brochure3-lores

When first opened, this page appears:

1946-jeep-station-wagon-brochure4-lores

When completely opened, this three-panel view appears.

1946-jeep-station-wagon-brochure5-lores

Continue reading

 
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WWII Photo Collection on eBay

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

The starting bid for the collection of 677 photos starts at $1000. It does include a few images of jeeps, including a Ford GPA Seep, an MB, and a Ford GP named “Marie”.

View all the information on eBay

“An awesome circa WWII original photograph album with approximately (677) photos. (567) on album pages that can be removed and (110) other photos. Mostly WWII US Army/Military from an album that came apart. They include some great images with lots of examples below. The 1939 Rose Bowl Football Game (soldiers must have attended) USC University of Southern California vs Duke Bluedevils, Tanks and Crew, Black Officers and soldiers, Uniforms, Helmets, Jeep Willy, Trucks, guns, vehicles, Baseball 86th R.C.A., Boxing, pin up girl in bathing suit, airplanes, blimp, Pasedena, California, Radio City, Mess, Medical, 25th Armored Engineer Battalion, Hollywood Canteen, Toyko Express, Beer, Cigars, girls, ladies, getting married wedding pic, USA flag, UCLA pennant, large Santa Claus, milk crates, shovels, family, etc. An awesome group of 1940’s photographs.”

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1966 Jeep Accessories and Spec Equip Booklet on eBay

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

The buy-it-now price is $8.99 for this 10-page Jeep Accessories and Special Equipment Booklet. One item I didn’t know was Jeep approved were the longitudinal rear seats seen on page 4.

View all he information on ebay

“Up for grabs is this vintage booklet for your JEEP. This booklet shows so many fun accessories and special equipment you were able to add to your Jeep. The booklet shows normal wear plus the staples are rusty so they stained the center fold of the booklet.”

1966-02-jeep-special-equipment-booklet0 1966-02-jeep-special-equipment-booklet1 1966-02-jeep-special-equipment-booklet2 1966-02-jeep-special-equipment-booklet3

Continue reading

 
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Scheneker Iron Works of Buffalo, New York

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

NEW UPDATE: Here are some more pics of the Scheneker Iron Works Demonstration Jeep that I snagged on eBay. The first pic shows the Dozerette. The other three show the snow plow.

year-schencker-works-cj2a-demo-jeep1-lores year-schencker-works-cj2a-demo-jeep2-lores year-schencker-works-cj2a-demo-jeep3-lores year-schencker-works-cj2a-demo-jeep4-lores

This shows the same(?) Demonstration jeep with a lift bucket. I’m not certain whether it’s the same jeep or not.

photo-scheneker-iron-works-fork-lift-lores

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

UPDATED and posted April 18, 2020:

scheneker-ironworks-willys-snow-plow-brochure

The Scheneker Iron Works company of Buffalo, New York, produced some interesting pieces of specialized equipment for the jeep. The first items appear in the Willys-Overland Special Equipment Book starting in the late 1940s and the last evidence of their association with the jeep was in 1957. Other than that, I could uncover very little about this company. So, if anyone has any more background information on Schenker, please let me know!

One early item produced by Schenker in the late 1940s was the “Jeep” Dozerette, a scraper.

scheneker-iron-works-dozerette1-lores scheneker-iron-works-dozerette2-lores

Here is a more colorful ad:

1951-dozerette-scheneker-ad

Another odd item that I don’t remember ever seeing in the wild is this Scheneker all-purpose lift:

1954-scheneker-all-purpose-lift-brochure-lores

Another item which didn’t sell all too well was this Sheneker loader (none of the various loaders sold all that well).

schenker-iron-works-loader

This was posted as part of an article on loaders from FarmCollector.com.

I believe this is a Sheneker All Purpose Loader (see more pics here):

DSC05472

There are a few of these Scheneker backhoes around. Glenn shared one with us that was being rebuilt during our 2013 trip to Maine.

1955-scheneker-backhoe1 1955-scheneker-backhoe2

1955-scheneker-backhoe3 scheneker-backhoe-brochure1 scheneker-backhoe-brochure2

The last item, the snow plow, is what I believe to be the most common item manufactured by Scheneker. It was available from at least 1948 through 1957. Several of these have been for sale over the years, with and without jeeps.

Given the VEC CJ-2A and the lack of a model identifier, I believe these two images show “Model A”, or the first model:

scheneker-snow-plow-oh6

scheneker-snow-plow-oh5

As indicated on the second page below, these brochures appear to feature “Model B”:

scheneker-iron-works-snowplow-1-lores scheneker-iron-works-snowplow-2-lores

Here’s a comparison between the first model and Model B:

schenker-snow-plow-model-comparison

Scheneker included a 30 day warrantee:

1950s-scheneker-snowplow3-guarantee

This early 1950s brochure features one of the company’s snowplows on a CJ-3A:

Here’s the earliest sign I have that the company produced a “V” model snow plow and a Model T for trucks and wagons:

scheneker-snow-plow-willys-industrial-book-lores

At some point, the company introduced both a Model T (for Trucks and Wagons).

1955-scheneker-snowplows-brochure1 1955-scheneker-snowplows-brochure2

1955-scheneker-snowplows-brochure3

By 1957, Scheneker was manufacturing various snow plow models for CJ-5s, Trucks, Wagons, and FCs:
1957-scheneker-ironworks-brochures2-lores 1957-scheneker-ironworks-brochures1-lores

1957-scheneker-ironworks-brochures-prices1

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When the company ceased operations isn’t clear, but I have no brochures later than 1957.

 
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Early Willys-Overland Dealer Signage Brochure

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

UPDATE: Thanks to Matt, I’ve added a photo of the front page of this six-page 8″x11″ brochure:

willys-cars-trucks-signage2

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I recently purchased a 1952 Dealer Signage Brochure off of eBay. After receiving the brochure (I will post in a couple days), I realized the seller of the brochure mistakenly added the photo below to the auction, which at the time puzzled me because the signage didn’t seem to fit how Willys-Overland was positioning itself in 1952 (no ‘jeep’ signage, only Willys). Now, I think this image is from one of the earliest post-war dealer signage brochures.

I tried asking the seller if they have more pics of the early brochure. Unfortunately, communicating with the seller of the 1952 has proven difficult (after a few emails, it’s clear that the seller either can’t read very well or isn’t proficient with English).

So, does anyone recognize and/or have scans of this brochure?

1946-willys-signage-brochure-2-pages