This photo of a couple jeep maneuvering through mud and over a series of logs was published in the October 14, 1944, issue of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Features Research Archives
Western JEEP Toy Ads on eBay
UPDATE: Here are three Western JEEP toy ads on eBay.
1. This ad appeared in the May 1946 issue of Toys and Novelties. It looks to be an early ad for the Western Jeep. I didn’t realize it was manufactured out of Seattle.
2. This ad appeared in the Playthings Magazine in September of 1946. It announced that the Western Jeep had proven too popular and was sold out. There was a kiddie ride called the Western Jeep that look like it used this style of jeep (see post below this one).
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3. This ad appeared most likely in a 1946 issue of Toys and Novelties. The seller of this ad is purposefully obscuring the date and magazine, so it isn’t clear whether when this ad was published.
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4. This ad appears in a 1947 magazine, probably Toys and Novelties. It announced a new low price (though the price of the ad on eBay is anything but low):
Coast Guard’s Miracle Jeep aka Invader Jeep
The Coast Guard’s “Invader Jeep” (with photos here and photos/article/film here) was apparently also called the “Miracle Jeep”. The designer was Chief Petty Officer Charles D. Benjamin.
For starters, this short news reel clip has a reference to it in the Descriptive Log as a Miracle Jeep: https://www.historicfilms.com/tapes/14555_1773.97_1798 . Here’s a screen shot:
The March 18, 1944, issue of the Dayton Herald refers to the Coast Guard Super jeep as a “Miracle Jeep” as well:
The June 25, 1944, issue of the Indianapolis Star also refers to the jeep as the “Miracle Jeep”.
1979 Spain Jeep Rally video
Here’s another, less exciting video with more safety equipment. I don’t understand why they are racing with the windshield in place? And, I’m glad when I raced I didn’t have so many people so close to the track.
Desert Foxes Jeep Club Patch on eBay
Currently priced at $149.99, it looks like a club jacket patch. According to the California 4-Wheel Drive Association’s history page, the Desert Foxes formed out of long reach prior to April of 1959. The club was one of the charter members of the Association.
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“Original Desert Foxes Jeep Club Member Embroidered Patch Iron-On Sew-On 7 1/2”. Condition is “Used”.”
Willys-Overland Inscribed Lighter on eBay
This is priced at $750. This has a late 1940s-early 1950s Willys-Overland logo along with the cursive inscription of Liz Hunnicutt. I tried to matched Liz Hunnicutt with Willys, but I didn’t have any luck with Google searches.
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“Rare Zippo Lighter Willys-Overland Automotive Advertising 1937/1950
Pat. 2032695
The Insert is a 2517191
Good Condition with Good Snap
Inscribed Willys-Overland On One Side
Inscribed Liz Hunnicutt on The Other
VERY RARE LIGHTER – ESPECIALLY INSCRIBED WITH LADY’S NAME (POSSIBLE WAR TIME)”
1950 Sunset Fishing Line and Twine Contest Ad
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on ebay.
(07/07/2020) In May of 1950, Fishing Line and Twine sponsored a contest that is described in the Field and Stream ad below . The grand prize consisted of a Willys-Overland Station Wagon, Trailorboat, Harris Trailer, 7 1/2 h.p. Marting outward motor, My Buddy tackle box, Hodgman wader, Montague rod, Ocean City reel, set of Voo Doo Lures, and a spool of Sunset fishing line.
To win the contest, a person simply had to write down their favorite fishing ‘tall tale’ in 150 words or less and send to the Sunset Line and Twine, located in San Francisco. There were 22 weeks of weekly prizes and then the five top prizes.
“1950 Print Ad Sunset Fishing Line Willys Overland Station Wagon Contest”
Valentine Welder & Mfg Co. Lightweight Jeep Prototype Photos
Nick Oxander found and shared these photos on Facebook. It appears this lightweight prototype was manufactured by the Valentine Welder & Manufacturing Company; yet, this same vehicle has been credited in other places, such as Hemmings and on eWillys, as the KEL Kaiser extra-light jeep. Anyone have an insight into this conundrum?
1958 Jeep Race Video from Europe (Belgium)
UPDATE: According to Jordi, this Spanish language news film describes a jeep race in Belgium.
No helmets, no safety equipment … craziness! This video from Europe shows some gutsy folks running WWII jeeps hard through the mud. (if the video embed doesn’t work, go here).
Rodes i fang 1958 from Peter G Mozzone on Vimeo.
Marx Nellybelle Jeep with Pat, Dale and Bullet w/ Box on eBay
I don’t know what this is worth, but they have some good pics of this rarely seen Nellybelle Marx jeep and box. The eBay seller is asking $750.
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“Marx NellyBelle Willys Jeep ( car Truck) with Pat, Dale and Bullet. This listing is for a really nice condition Willys NellyBelle Metal Jeep with the Original Box. Also included is Pat Brady, Dale Evans , Bullet the Dog and one Hammer.”
2004 “Corveep” Build
Here’s a unique build that married a wrecked 2004 Corvette with a free 1968 Jeepster Commando. The builder calls it a “Corveep”. There’s a series of pics that document some of the challenges involved in marrying the two vehicles, including lengthening the Commando body.
1963 Article on AZ Search and Rescue Meeting Fashion Show
The Maricopa County Jeep Posse held the 4th Annual National Jeep Search and Rescue convention in 1963. As part of the event, wives and daughters of the Maricopa County Jeep Posse planned to pose as models for a pool-side fashion show. They would model clothes from the Scottsdale Wigwam. I can’t speak for the Scottsdale outlet, but I am just old enough to remember our local Wigwam store and ‘fashionable’ isn’t a word I’d use to describe it. It was more like the precursor to the Dollar Store.
More 1960s Meyer Snow Plow Installation/Instructions
Below are there additional Meyer-related Installation, service and instruction documents. First is four-page Form No. I-318R for installation of Meyer Power Angling:
Next is Form No. 1-119R9 for installation of snow plow lifts powered in several different ways:
1945 Christmas Card w/ From Budapest, Hungary on eBay
Neat little unscripted and signed card with a jeep and Christmas tree from Hungary.
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“Original signed old Xmas card without envelope from Budapest 1945. Good condition, (please see scan). Dimensions are (folded): 108 X 155 mm.
I will send this item Worldwide. Shipping by registered Air-Mail only (Worldwide) is 4.20 $ for 1-3 Postcards.”
December 1945 Popular Science Jeep for Young GIs
There are two different project jeep designs described in the December 1945 issue of Popular Science, pages 162-166. The simpler one was designed by Herbert Pfister of New York City, while the second was designed by H. A. Machlan of El Campo, Texas.
1954 Photo Willys Project Engine eBay
Is this some kind of diesel engine? This photo comes with a second photo of a fluid cargo carrier.
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“Here I have a set of 2 Willys File Photos featuring:
* PROJ. 8511-01 T.C.P. Engine Number 14371 (1) Dated 5-28-54
* Fluid Cargo Carrier
Photos measure about 8 ½ x 11 inches including the borders and are punched. Punch holes do NOT affect the photos (See Scans).
Here’s the Fluid Cargo Carrier photo:
1966 Photo of M-38A1 w/ Mine Detector on eBay
This M-38A1 press photo with a mine detector made it into a lot of newspapers. Here’s an example from the April 20, 1966, issue of the Crowley Post-Signal out of Crowley, Louisiana:
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“1966 Press Photo U.S. Army jeep mounted mine detector shown in St. Louis. This is an original press photo. St. Louis: New mobile mine detector perfected for Vietnam will allow the jeep mounted detector to clear 6 foot path at speeds from 10 to 1 mph depending on terrain. The transistorized probe is counterbalanced by large spring in front of jeep to prevent the wheels of the device from exerting enough pressure to set off a mine. On detection of mine the device automatically brakes and declutches the jeep. The mine detector was demonstrated at United States Army Mobility Equipment Center in St. Louis 4/19.Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 04-19-1966.”
2 8″-Long Wooden Jeeps on eBay
This pair of wood jeeps has a buy-it-now price of $27, plus $8.25 shipping. They are stamped 2013, so they aren’t very old.
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“High Quality, Handcrafted Wood Jeep. These are vintage style toys. No metal was used to make the Jeeps. They are crafted with wood and glue only. The wood varies but pine and alder were primary used. The wheels turn and the windshield goes up and down. Each Jeep measures approximately 8″ x 4″ x 2.75″.”
Wood CJ-5 Jeep with Trailer on eBay
Here’s another wood jeep, this time sold with a trailer.
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“Handcrafted Wood Jeep with Trailer. No metal was used in making these items and stay true to the vintage style toys that inspired them. The wood varies but pine and alder were primarily used. The wheels turn and the windshield goes up and down. The Jeep measures approximately 8″x 4″x 2 3/4″. The trailer measures approximately 8 1/4″x1 3/4″x3 1/2″.”
1972 Raleigh Cigarette Ad with a MB/GPW? on eBay
UPDATE. Another one of these ads is on eBay. The image is from a 2012 post.
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“Original
Magazine Print Ad
Approx. 9 x 11_inch
Satisfaction Guarantee
I will make right any wrong
I ship every day”
1948 Article on Utah Reserve Training Center’s Rescue Jeep
This February 29, 1948, article in the Salt Lake Tribune describes Utah Reserve Train Center’s rescue jeep, describing how it works with the new mobile radar truck.
1969 Photo of Albany Rescue Jeep on eBay
I couldn’t locate a corresponding photo of this in a newspaper. The rig looks interesting.
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“1969 Press Photo Rescue Jeep for Albany Police Department, New York. This is an original press photo. Rescue Jeep for Albany Police Department, New York. Police garage. Photo measures 9 x 7inches. Photo is dated 08-07-1969.
Highland Auto and Truck Supply Folding Knife on eBay
This is a unique folding knife for a former parts supply company. I couldn’t locate the company after a quick Google search.
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“Vintage Folding Knife Military Jeep & Truck Parts Advertising Japan Great Graphi. Condition is “Used”.”
Clark County Jeep Posse Patch **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** on eBay for $27.00.
Probably not many of these around.
“Vintage Las Vegas Nevada Sheriffs Clark County Jeep Posse Patch. Condition is “New”. Patch has not been used or attached to clothing. Background is brown and the embroidery is gold/yellow. Approximate patch dimensions: 4 3/4″ high x 4″ wide. It appears the Jeep Posse was an all volunteer unit under the Sheriff’s Office direction from 1952 into the early 1980’s when it was disbanded.”
CJ-5ish Key Chain Puzzle on eBay
Here’s an unusual item. Starting bid is $10, with $10 shipping from Canada.
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“This key chain came from our family run smoke shop that was closed in 1959 & stored ever since in a smoke free home in temperature controlled environment. Comes complete with original instruction card”