Features Research Archives

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Late 1940s Willys-Overland Dealer Matchbook

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

This looks to be a Willys-Overland produced matchbook that allowed dealers to add their names. In this case, Ike’s Haugland Motor Company out of Wheaten, Minnesota, added its brand to this matchbook. The interior of the matchbook was the biggest surprise to me, as it listed the 9 reasons why the jeep can do all it does.

1940s-ike-haugland-minnesota-matchbook1 1940s-ike-haugland-minnesota-matchbook3

1940s-ike-haugland-minnesota-matchbook2

 
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1950 Press Release Photos on eBay

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

These are interesting, but seem pretty high priced at $360. One photo reportedly includes Delmar Roos.

View all the information on eBay

“This is a 1950 Willys Overland press release. It has five pictures in the folder with an explanation of each picture stapled to the back. The folder is not in perfect shape, please see pics. One photos has a crease in it”

1950-press-release-photos-delmar-roos2

1950-press-release-photos-delmar-roos3

1950-press-release-photos-delmar-roos4

1950-press-release-photos-delmar-roos5

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Slide Depicting CJ-2A Brush/Fire Jeep on eBay

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

I wonder where this jeep is.

View all the information on eBay

“You are bidding on a 35mm slide of
Paden City (WV) Willys Jeep Brush Truck/Forestry Unit
Credit to the original photographer, who retains any copyright
Shipping and Handling – $2.00”

brush-jeep-slide-cj2a

 
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GEE-I Jeep w/Box Chicago, IL $50

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

Roger Martin spotted this GEE-I Jeep with its display box. Shipping is only $10.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/159410239058143

“VINTAGE 1940’s THE BRAMD NEW GEE-I JEEP PUSH BUTTON CONTROL ,SOLID RUBBER WHEELS,FORWARD REVERSE NOT TESTED DONT NO IF IT WORKS. VIBRO-ROLL PRODUCTS MANUFACTURE OF QUALITY TOYS PITTSBURGH PA. WITH ORIGINAL BOX WITH SOME SHELF WARE”

gee-i-jeep-with-box1 gee-i-jeep-with-box2 gee-i-jeep-with-box3 gee-i-jeep-with-box4

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1966-1971 Universal Jeep Service Manual Roseville, CA $20

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

This is a 1976 372-page manual (reprint) that includes information on the rare (non-postal) DJ-5s and DJ-6s.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/d/roseville-jeep-universal-cj-dj-factory/7253156744.html

1976-manual-jeep-sac-ca1 1976-manual-jeep-sac-ca2

“1966 – 1971 Jeep Universal CJ / DJ – JEEP Factory Shop Repair and Service Manual – SM-1046 / High-quality, 1975 reproduction 372-page manual which was written and first published by the experts at the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Jeep Corporation, for use by their dealership mechanics. Now, this great service manual can be yours!

MODELS COVERED:
1966 Jeep CJ3
1966 – 1971 Jeep CJ5
1966 – 1968 Jeep CJ5A
1966 – 1971 Jeep CJ6
1966 – 1968 Jeep CJ6A
1966 – 1971 Jeep DJ5
1966 – 1968 Jeep DJ6
1966 – 1967 Jeep Universal

Has wear as seen in the pictures, a little dirty on the outside but, all the pages are in excellent condition – Leave your nice books at home and keep this one in your Jeep!”

 
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Photos From Reconditioning at Esslingen, Germany on eBay

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

This series of 5″x7″ photos were taken at the Esslingen Germany shop where jeeps were reconditioned. It’s not clear if these are reprints, but still a rare bit of history.

1. This image shows recondition jeeps parked and ready:
photo-esslingen-germany-reconditioning7a photo-esslingen-germany-reconditioning7b

2 . This image shows more recondition jeeps parked and ready:
photo-esslingen-germany-reconditioning6a photo-esslingen-germany-reconditioning6b

3. This jeep is hanging from a hoist as part of its rebuild:
photo-esslingen-germany-reconditioning5a

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July 1953 Newspaper Announcement for Kaiser Willys

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

On July 30, 1953, newspapers across the country ran full-page or nearly-full-page ads announcing the combination of Kaiser Frazer and Willys-Overland into Kaiser-Willys. Maury spotted an actual ad, though not full-page, from the Minnesota Morning Tribune that is for sale on eBay: View all the information on eBay

Here’s an example of a full-page ad below that was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer:

1953-07-30-philadelphia-inquirer-kaiser-willys-lores

 
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Year? Photo of Ford GPA Seeps on eBay

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

This undated photo shows a line up Ford GPA Seeps ready for action.
View all the information on eBay

“World War II Photo Stockpile of Amphibious Jeeps or Ford GPA Seep, 8″x10″”

1940s-ford-gpas-seeps-1

1940s-ford-gpas-seeps-2

 
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1962 Newspaper Ad For Hatari Movie

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

This ad appeared in the October 30, 1962, issue of the Indiana Gazette (Indiana, Pennsylvania). Like other newspaper ads I found, no jeeps were placed within the movie ad itself. I know lots of other literature showed jeeps, such as movie posters. However, I was surprised to see no jeeps in any newspaper ads. Apparently, Ruffners, a jeep dealer in Indiana, Pennsylvania, didn’t like this either, so the company placed their ad within a Hatari Ad.

1962-10-30-indiana-gazette-hatari-lores

 
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1962 Photo of Bob Pearsall Motors Promoting Hatari

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

UPDATE:  This post originated with an 8×10 glossy photo at the very bottom. Now, there is a small photo (from a personal camera?) version of the same photo for sale on eBay. It almost seems a reprint? 

View all the information on eBay

“Good vintage condition; some corner and edge wear, 3.5″ X 3.5″ and 4.5″ X 3, glossy. Please see the photos for more details. Smoke free home.”

Compare this vintage photo with the larger one at the bottom. Coincidence that they look the same?
1962-hatari-john-wayne-jeeps1-1 1962-hatari-john-wayne-jeeps1-2

I thought I’ve also seen this image around as well, but I can’t find another example at the moment.

1962-hatari-john-wayne-jeeps2-1

1962-hatari-john-wayne-jeeps2-2

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Original Post March 2, 2020: Since I posted this, Barney has determined that this is likely a 1963 Tux Park III CJ-5. He reports the following:

“I went to my library and W-1155 particulars for the Mk III show it CJ5 only. The one for the Mk IV printed in 1964 W-1175 show availability as a 5a and 6a.”

1962-hatari-bob-pearsall-motors-jeep-promo

“Here’s a classic & very scarce 8″ tall by 10” wide B&W glossy photo from a Chattanooga, Tennessee Jeep dealer advertising the John Wayne movie “Hatari” back in 1962 -Photo features a real photo image of a man (presumably a local radio DJ from WKDA radio named Eddie Kilroy) dressed in safari gear with a pith helmet and rifle seated in an open jeep with signs all over the outside of the vehicle reading: “See and Drive the new Jeep Tornado OHC Powered Bob Pearsall Motors”… “Kilroy is Here! to see Hatari! Starring John Wayne NOW Tennessee Theatre.”… “See and Drive the new Tornado OHC Powered Jeep at Bob Pearsall Motors”… “I’m Eddie Kilroy the great game player from WKDA 1240 on the dial. Follow me to Hatari! at the beautiful Tennessee Theatre”… “See Hatari! Tennessee Theatre. See Jeep Vehicles in Action! Bob Pearsall Motors”

The vehicle is parked in a downtown lot with other billboard signs all around too-The photo has some wear with a minor center crease, but still a neat dual collectible item that will display nicely! How many of these throwaway items survived? This is an ORIGINAL item, NOT A REPRODUCTION item!

 
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Undated Slat Grille Photo on eBay

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

Here’s a 7″x9″ photo that includes a Slat Grille MB.

View all the information on eBay

“WWI
Army
Willys Jeep
Springfield Rifle
Photo #1
Size: 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches
Condition: Good condition”

slat-grill-photo-1

slat-grill-photo-2

slat-grill-photo-3

 
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Tucson’s CJ-5 Garbage Jeep

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

In 1963, the city of Tucson, Arizona, was looking to save money on garbage costs. That summer an experiment was tried whereby a CJ-5 towing three garbage trailers was used to cut garbage transportation costs. I could not find any information on how long the experiment lasted.

This first photo showing the jeep, trailers and how a trailer was dumped into a larger truck, was published in the Tucson Citizen May 24, 1963:

1963-05-24-tucson-citizen-cj5-garbage-jeeps-lores

This article from May 22, 1963, published in the Arizona Daily Star, provides more information on the experiment:

1963-05-22-arizona-daily-star-jeeps-garbage

 
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CJ-5 Modified Into a Train Engine

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

Roger Martin shared this Canadian Jeep Junkee photo of a CJ-5 that (I think) has been transformed into a train engine. I tried to learn more, but had no luck. It’s unclear to me where this might be located.

jeep-train-cj5

 
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Reporter William Rives’ First Jeep Ride

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

In a June 11, 1941, article in the Austin American-Statesman, William T. Rives describes his first “blitz buggy, jeep or jitterbug, as it is variously called” ride while visiting Camp Bowie in Brownwood, Texas.

1941-06-11-austin-american-statesman-reporter-rides-in-jeep

 
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A 1941 Attempt to Ban the Term “Jeep”

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

This article was syndicated through numerous newspapers. So frustrated was one Captain with the multitude of definitions for the word “Jeep” that he warned soldiers not to use it and cited examples of why it was so confusing. This article is from the Johnson City Press out of Tennessee, November 14, 1941:

1941-11-14-johnson-city-press-tennessee-jeep-names-lores

 

 
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Wood Jeep From India

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

I bought this wood jeep on eBay. It’s solid wood with a good weight and some fun designs. One instription suggests this was made in India. A message on the bottom suggests this was purchased or completed on October 07, 1998, and was either for or from someone named Robin.

wood-jeep-india-1998-3 wood-jeep-india-1998-4 wood-jeep-india-1998-5 wood-jeep-india-1998-6

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1941 Article Shows Jeep Backing Up City Hall Steps

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

The Argus-Leader out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, published this photo on November 28, 1941, showing a Ford GP backing up Sioux Falls’ City Hall steps. It includes another “75mph” claim.

1941-11-28-argus-leader-sioux-falls-sd-lores

 
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1941 Article Highlights Bantam’s Complaints

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

This August 07, 1941, article in the News-Herald out of Franklin, Pennsylvania, underscores that Harry S. Truman was going to “blow the lid” off the “lobbying” actives of the OPM as a result of American Bantam being “frozen out” of a jeep contract. Truman showed them, lol.

Clipping from The News-Herald - Newspapers.com

 
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1941 Article: 1300 Miles in a Jeep

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

It sounds like this report and soldier had a very uncomfortable ride in the “roman rack”. I am a bit surprised that the jeep garnered so many laughs. Note the BRC-40 in the top pic. The article appeared in The Morning Call, out of Paterson, New Jersey, November 22, 1941.

1941-11-22-the-morning-call-paterson-ny-lores

 
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1941 Article Highlights Hollywood’s “Jeep Keepers”

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

This is the first time I’ve heard the term Jeep applied to a prop storage box. This article appeared in the March 04, 1941, issue of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

1941-03-04-stlouis-post-dispatch-hollywoods-jeep-keepers-lores

 
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1940s? Paris-Themed Christmas Card

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

This neat, undated Christmas card with a Paris WWII theme is $3.95 on eBay. The back side is blank.

View all the information on eBay

“Vintage flat greeting card, “A Merry Xmas”.
Not dated- I presume it is circa WWII.
5″ x 7″. Stains, creases, edge and corner wear including bends, age tanning. It has an old paper smell.

year-paris-christmas-card

 
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1944 Harris Bearings Jeep Ad on eBay

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

UPDATE: This is back on eBay.

This Harris Bearings ad appeared in a 1944 trade journal of some kind.

View all the information on eBay

“This is an Original old Vintage Trade Ad from 1944 This print ad Measures Approx: 11″ x 5″.”

1944-harris-bearings-ad

 
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1941 Photos — Those Incredible Jeeps Can Float!

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

UPDATE: Here’s another floating jeep article that seems appropriate to add to this post. It appeared in the March 17, 1941, issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

1941-08-17-philadelphia-inquirer-floating-jeep-lores

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These two photos appeared in the August 10, 1941, issue of the Salt Lake Tribune. The jeep pictured is a Ford GP.  There should be one or more press photos on eWillys, but I will have to combine them when I have more time.

1941-08-10-slc-tribune-floating-ford-gps-lores

 
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Barney Goodwin’s 1963 DJ-3A

• CATEGORIES: DJ-3A, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This 1971 photo shows Barney Goodwin in his 1963 DJ-3A. No doubt he was the coolest kid at his Houston, Texas, High School!

barney-dj3a-lores

 
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4 Photos of Willys MA and 1st Armored Division on eBay

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

No dates provided on this series of four photos that feature a Willys MA. This basic description describes them all:

Offered is an original WWII time period photograph. It belonged Lt. Salvador Joseph Cuttitta who was enlisted with the 6th Armored Infantry and trained with 1st Armored Division. He was then transferred to serve with the 5th Armored Division. There is some tape on the corners as seen. Picture measures approximately 3 1/4″ x 4 1/2″ inches.

  1. Photo 1 of Willys MA:
    willys-ma-photos1
  2. Photo 2 of Willys MA:
    willys-ma-photos2
  3. Photo 3 of Willys MA:
    willys-ma-photos3
  4. Photo 4 of Willys MA:
    willys-ma-photos4