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1977 FJ-40 Arlington, MA $3500

November 13, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features, Other 4x4s This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Bill sent this link for a reasonably priced FJ-40. I don’t know how accurate the restoration is so far, but based on other prices I’ve seen, this seems to be a pretty reasonable one.

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/d/arlington-1977-fj40-toyota-land-cruiser/7229421275.html

“1977 FJ40 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER FOR RESTORATION

This is a project I took on 2 years ago. I have gotten it to yard drive but it still needs more work. I fell into a deal with a gorgeous 1965 T-Bird and I just haven’t had the bandwidth to dedicate myself to the Land Cruiser.
Quick History: This vehicle was on the road until 2012, from that point on it sat in a gentleman’s driveway until 2018 when I bought it off him. He had owned it since 1985 and done some adventures up in Canada with it. He had even installed an auxiliary fuel tank to get extended range. During his ownership he had the engine rebuilt TOP and BOTTOM, the engine is NICE.

Since I bought it, I worked initially on getting it running. I replaced the original carburetor and it ran well. The cooling system and heater hoses were in terrible shape and I replaced them all with heavy duty clamps.

Unfortunately, at one point I switched the fuel source to the aux tank and it seemed to clog the fuel delivery. Long story short, there is an issue getting fuel to the carb, although I replaced the fuel pump, and filter.

What the vehicle still needs:

There is rust on the steel exterior body panels, especially the windshield frame and the bib. But the tub is aluminum and in fine shape. The fenders are fiberglass and doing great! The frame has rust. To make it off-road worthy you should reinforce several spots.

You will need to replace the exhaust system.

Tires hold air really well and have good tread, but are older.

Then you need to deal with the fuel problem. I would recommend a new fuel tank and new fuel hoses. A new mechanical fuel pump (if you need it, I put in a new one) is not expensive).

Ideally I would like to sell the seats separately to get some of my investment back, but I am flexible. So if you def want the seats, we can talk.

This is not a sale; it’s more of an adoption! I would like to talk on the phone first and then show you the vehicle.

I have the title in hand!

Here’s a video of the cruiser starting:

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Willys Sales and Service Signs on eBay

November 12, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE III: This green sign is a terribly fake sign with ‘vintage’ rust on eBay to demonstrate that the other signs could easily be fake-aged. Note that the size of this sign 11 3/4″ is the same as the two at bottom. There are other fake Willys-related signs of this size as well (like this pre-war one) (example of an honest seller of this type of sign):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-JEEP-4-WHEEL-DRIVE-VEHICLES-PORCELAIN-SIGN-OIL-GAS-DEALER-WILLYS-ARMY/193738986265?hash=item2d1bbe5319:g:ltsAAOSwkTFfpKgR

UPDATE II: Maury emailed me about a second red/white/blue service sign that has appeared on eBay (see UPDATE: I). After a closer look at both signs, below are the reasons why I believe these are fake.

First, when Keith indicates these are fake, you best sit up and take notice.

Second, both of these signs have “MADE IN U.S.A. 1951” .. show me another Willys-Overland sign from 1946-1953 that is dated like that or marked “MADE IN U.S.A”.

Third, aside from the existence of that date, the problem with that date is that by 1951 Willys was removing “Jeep” from its literature to shift the over-arching brand to Willys, so I am unsure the company would have produced a sign like this.

Fourth, nearly all the literature I’ve found suggests that during late 1950/1951 WILLYS was printed at an angle in literature (signs could have been different, but it is hard to date signs to a specific year, because they are so often undated).

Fifth, and perhaps the biggest flaw, look at the single quotes. A review of this page http://www.ewillys.com/2019/12/25/logos-badges-between-1941-1963/ demonstrates that through 1953 the single quotes were solid lines of about the same width; this sign has more triangularish single quotes not seen until the mid 1950s.

I’m happy to be proved wrong about the signs, as I’d hate to know that the first buyer was taken. Plus, I’m no exhaustive expert on Willys-Overland physical signage, But, I see no reason to believe these signs are real.

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

UPDATE I: The first sign (at bottom) of this sign-type went for $212.50. A second sign of the same type has emerged on eBay from a different seller. It is at $48 with 10 hours to go.

View all the information on eBay

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

Originally posted October 27, 2020 — Caveat Emptor: This 11.75″ Willys Sales and Service Sign is one neither Maury and I have seen.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-WILLYS-JEEP-PORCELAIN-DEALERSHIP-SIGN-ARMY-GAS-OIL-IH-WRANGLER-ARMY

“Willys Jeep porcelain dealership sign in great condition. This noteworthy sign is revered by collectors of all types, when it comes to gas, oil, and automotive advertising. This sign measures 11.75” in diameter. This is truly an amazing sign to add to your collection, the sign displays really well, and adds a lot of charm to any environment it’s used in!

I’m parting with my vast collection of signs right now, including “pump plates”, “service station signs”, “lubester signs”, “automotive dealer signs”, and “aviation sign” so check out some of my other auctions for more great deals. ”

willys-sales-and-serviice-sign2

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Presidents and Jeeps

November 12, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Mark suggested we try a to link as many presidents to jeeps as possible. This is meant as a fun, apolitical post. Hoover was the earliest President to live through the invention of the jeep, which is why I start with him.

#31 Herbert Hoover: The only mining engineer to become president, he won acclaim in the mining community for his and his wife’s translation of De re Metallica into English. As President, in 1930 he appointed John North Willys, founder of Willys-Overland, to the ambassadorship of Poland. Yeah, I know it’s a stretch, but it’s the best I could do.

#32 Franklin Roosevelt: Of course, there are lots of different photos of FDR in jeeps. Here’s on from 1942:

https://www.mcmahanphoto.com/lc405.html

#33 Harry Truman: I couldn’t find one of Truman in a jeep, but I found one of him inspecting a jeep in 1942 at Fort Banning:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F302374562461388960%2F&psig=AOvVaw3p3fqVgMXwt8UUpwp5Kd9z&ust=1605114822213000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwj9yNfnvPjsAhVQATQIHbC5CI8QjRx6BAgAEAc

#34 Dwight Eisenhower: Like FDR, there are numerous pics of Eisenhower in jeeps. Here’s a press photo that sold on eBay:

http://www.ewillys.com/2019/05/17/1944-photo-of-eisenhower-in-france-on-ebay/

#35 John Kennedy: I was struggling with JFK until I found him in 1963 behind a jeep in Costa Rica thanks to the CJ-3B Page:

https://www.cj3b.info/Finds/FindsJFK.html

Continue reading →

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1945 Article Notes South American Jeep Interest

November 12, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

As of October of 1945, columnist William E. Jones notes that distributing agencies had already been established in South America. But, Willys-Overland would have a difficult time filling those orders right away, as a lack of transmissions, other production issues, and initial American orders from dealers totaling 30,000 jeeps, left the company scrambling to produce enough jeeps to meet demands.

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John Ittel Passed Away Yesterday

November 11, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

John Ittel at age 16 in his first vehicle, a 1947 CJ-2A. https://www.farmcollector.com/tractors/farm-jeeps-zm0z20aprzhur

I received word yesterday that John Ittel passed away yesterday. He was well known at the annual Willys Jeep Rally for his collection of PTOs, lifts, and farm equipment. While I missed a chance to meet him, I did work with him in 2013 to purchase and ship him a rare Farm Aide Lift (see all the before/after pics here) from a farmer near me to his place in Ohio.

Here’s the Farm Aide lift’s condition before restoration:

Farm Aide Lift before John Ittel’s restoration

To make sure the lift arrived safely, I engineered a special crate for it. When John received it, he mentioned that he liked my crate and that I should go in to the crate building business. We both had a virtual laugh about that.

My warmest thoughts to his family.

The ‘great’ crate of 2013

This pic shows the Farm Aide lift in 2016, post restoration:

The Farm Aide lift after John’s restoration of it. (see all the before/after pics here)

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National Archives Early Jeep Testing

November 11, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Documents, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Early look at a jeep being tested for farm work in 1942.

For you history geeks out there like me, the national archives operates a blog called the “Text Message” where archivists can share a bit of the massive information troves that make up the National Archives, complete with references. Unfortunately, in this case, the references have not been posted online, but at least researchers can now use the breadcrumbs from the post to help track down the relevant documents if need be.

One particular post, written by archivist Joseph Gillette in 2019, highlights the early tests of the jeep for farm work. One bit of info I found interesting highlights the War Department’s dedication to its troops. When Willys-Overland volunteered to send some new jeeps to the Ag Department for farm tests, the War Department responded it could not spare the new jeeps as soldiers desperately needed them, but it would authorize the use of used ones in running condition.

Read the entire blog post here: https://text-message.blogs.archives.gov/2019/04/23/it-will-do-everything-except-climb-a-tree/#_ftnref2

Here are some additional images from the post:

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Kent Frost – A Man of Canyonlands

November 11, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Books, Features, Old Images Jeeping, videos, Willys Wagons • TAGS: kent-frost, wagon-trailer. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: I’ve added two newspaper photos to this post about Kent. One shows him signing copies of his autobiography. The other depicts him with a huge walking stick, one I’m sure could come in handy while exploring ‘his’ beloved canyons.

Even today, Kent’s shadow looms large over the area. Just this last week the Moab Museum screened the “My Canyonlands” film about him.

1971-06-17-The_San_Juan_Record-kent-frost-signs-book2-lores

June 17, 1971, The San Juan Record: Kent Frost signing books.

2004-02-11-The_San_Juan_Record-kent-frost2-lores

February 11, 2004, The San Juan Record: Kent Frost holding a walking stick.

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

Originally published April 1, 2013:

(Above: Kent Frost on the front of his CJ-5 probably helping the driver negotiate an awkward angle)

(Originally Published April 2011) Without a doubt, my favorite part about running this website are the unexpected, interesting people to whom I’m introduced (if only virtually). One of those people is Kent Frost, a product of the Four Corners area and whom we caught glimpses of in Alan’s color photos of the 1961 Four Corners trip.

Doug commented on one of the Four Corner posts that he had read a book by Kent Frost called “My Canyonlands”, published in 1971. I’m very happy that Doug mentioned the book, because I ordered it and have enjoyed it immensely. Kent describes all kinds of adventures and early trips into remote areas of the four corners region. He loved to explore and hike, later jeep and river run, and that remote area has given him a lifetime of experiences.

Continue reading →

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Women’s AMC Digital Watch on eBay

November 11, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

If you are old enough like me (I can now get the over-55 discounts … wahoo!) to have worn an LED watch, you may appreciate this compelling rise-and-fall article of the US LED watch industry during the 1970s. (Around 2000 I stopped wearing watches … I have found that I really dislike wearing any jewelry/watches/etc and now even only wear my wedding ring when I’m out and about).

Well, even AMC got on board this short-tracked train digital watch trend by issuing AMC digital watches as dealer promotion items. A woman’s version of the watch is for sale on eBay. Unclear if it works or not, but it certainly is an unusual item. One of the pictures shows compares the man’s watch to the woman’s watch, but the man’s is not for sale.

View all the information on eBay

“Women’s AMC/Jeep Digital Watch. Dealer promotional item. Condition is “Used”. Has not been tested to see if it works. Was used for display only. It is gold in color. The larger men’s watch is NOT for sale and only used for a size comparison”

Men’s watch compared to the woman’s watch:

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July 1945 “Jeep Has a Rendezvous With …”

November 10, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This article was published in the July 15, 1945, issue of the Journal Herald out of Dayton, Ohio. The title of the article is “Jeep Has a Rendezvous With America’s Postwar Era”. It proceed the official press release kit by a few days, so neither photo came from that first press kit.

The jeep shown on the right is a Willys MA. Back in 2013, a full press photo was sold on eBay. Curiously, the headlight on the driver’s side was missing.

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1945 Jeep for Junior Ads

November 10, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Artists/Drawings, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Did all the Kool Kids get Jeep For Juniors for Christmas in 1945? Well, more likely Kool Boys as the Kool Girls were offered a tea party set. Hopefully, the aspiring Jeep Girls asked (and received) the jeep, too.

Clipping from Arizona Republic - Newspapers.com

November 08, 1945, Arizona Republic.

November 10, 1945, Arizona Republic.

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1945? Jeep Planning Brochure on eBay

November 10, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Listed as a 1945 brochure, my guess is that this was produced in the Fall of 1944. See photos of all the pages of this brochure here.

View all the information on eBay

“ITEM:::: This Listing is for a 1945 Willys Jeep “UNIVERSAL JEEP–FARM TRACTOR-POWER UNIT-TRUCK-CAR” Tractor Truck Car Dealer Showroom Sales Brochure………

DIMENSIONS:::: About 10 1/2 by 8 1/4 inches and there are 24 pages with covers…….

CONDITION:::: The Condition is generally as follows:::: Inside pages are Very Good….. Covers are Good with moderate general evidence of age & handling (Please refer to pictures & e-mail for details)……….”

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1951 Station Wagon Post Card on eBay

November 8, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Postcards This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This 1951 postcard for the Willys Station Wagon (no ‘jeep’ reference) is form number SW1-2CM-451GG. The postcard is large at 11 x 8.25 inches.

View all the information on eBay

“1951 Willys Station Wagon Sales Brochure Flyer Original : you are bidding on a 1951 Willys Station Wagon Sales Brochure measures 11 x 8 1/4 inches in good condition!!! Rare hard to find”

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1957 Revell Radio Jeep Poster on eBay

November 8, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Models This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This unusual poster for a Revell radio jeep and trailer is an unusual find. This 1957 poster is pretty cheap compared to the 1956 version of the model, which is on eBay for $225.

View all the information on eBay

“Vintage 1957 Revell Radio Jeep & Trailer Two Sided Dealer Store Display Poster – from a Revell Co. Employee Collection. Has some wear & a fold line. From a smoke free home. Be sure to see my other listings for some other items from this collection.

History of this item: I recently purchased a collection of model related items from a local auction house. They would only tell me that the original owner was a former Revell employee, unfortunately the auction company would not disclose any names or information about the consignor of the collection. The majority of this collection is related to the 1950s Revell models, but there are some items from many other companies. I have been advised by several collectors that this person was most likely a Revell Co. Representative and he would have travelled to Toy Fairs & Industry Trade Shows of the time, where he would have promoted Revell Products and also acquired advertisements from other companies. Please do not contact me about purchasing any items from this collection, they will be listed for auction as I have the time.”

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

Here’s an image of the toy itself from eBay:

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Year? Jeepney Salem, OH SOLD

November 8, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features, Other 4x4s This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** in 2020. Rudy noted that this was sold at auction in 2014.

(07/05/2019) Craig shared this nice looking Jeepney. It’s got a number of cool details, including a map of the midwest painted on the ceiling. Listed as a 1946, I couldn’t say for sure if that year is accurate or not.

“1946 F-134, T-90 3 speed, if you want a vehicle to take to the car and Jeep shows that will always bring a smile and draw a crowd this is it!! Super rare to find in this country, Jeepneys were made after WWII when we left our Jeeps in the Philippines, the people there were very crafty and creative, they turned the WWII Army Jeeps into colorful people haulers, there are only a few in this country, here is your chance for a cool vehicle for your collection that is guaranteed to stand out.”

Continue reading →

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1956 Article on the New FC-150 Jeep

November 7, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Old Images, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The Ventura County Star-Free Press published an article on the new FC-150 Jeep in the December 04, 1956, issue of the paper.

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Willys-Overland Dealer Ad Out of Escondido, CA

November 7, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This July 11, 1947, ad was published in the Weekly Times-Advocate by Willys-Overland dealer Collins and Sharp out of Escondido, California.

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3 Meyer Product Brochures on eBay

November 6, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

These three Meyer Product brochures come from Canada.

View all the information on eBay

“FOR SALE – LOT OF 3 JEEP ( WILLYS ) AND MEYER SNOW PLOW BROCHURES, CONDITION IS IN PHOTOS AND ITEM DETAILS.”

Continue reading →

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1963 Meyer Products Catalog

November 6, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I just purchased this binder of Meyer Products. I’ll scan it when I get a chance.

“Vintage 1963 Meyer Snow Plows Jeep Dealer Book Binder – Advertising & Meyer IPC. Condition is “Used”. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.

This binder/book contains sales and technical information to help Jeep dealerships sell Meyer snow plow products. Included in the book are sections on:

1) Selling Data
2) Product Literature
3) Optional Equipment
4) Prices and Specifications
5) Parts/Service Information
6) Plows
7) Lifts/Controls
8) Mounting

There are some nice 1960’s color advertisements for Jeep and Meyer, parts lists, and illustrated parts catalogs.

The book is used but in very good condition. If you operate a Meyer Snow Plow or if you are interested in collecting Jeep related materials this could be a nice addition for your collection.”

Continue reading →

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Pre-WWII Meyer Products Snow Plow Brochure on eBay

November 6, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This brochures shows that Meyer was well established in the plow industry before the arrival of the jeep.

View all the information on eBay

“1940’s Meyer Snow Plows Advertising Foldout Brochure
Description: Up for sale is a 1940’s Meyer Snow Plows Advertising Foldout Brochure.
Approx Measurement: 11″ x 8.5″.
Condition: VG-. Age and handling wear throughout. Nearly split along the fold. Still a nice rare item.”

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1945 Photo of Gen. MacArthur Returning to Corregidor on eBay

November 5, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This photo shows General MacArthur returning to Corregidor Island and crossing it via jeep.

View all the information eBay

“1945 Press Photo General MacArthur Riding in Jeep at Corregidor Island. This is an original press photo. General MacArthur returned to the Rock March 2, 1945, nearly three years after leaving for Australia, and inspected the ruined fortress. Corregidor IslandPhoto measures 10 x 8.25inches. Photo is dated 03-02-1945.”

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1948 Article Introducing the Jeepster

November 4, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

A July 27, 1948, article in the San Bernardino County Sun introduced readers to Willys-Overland’s Jeepsters.

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1943 Article on Rockridge School Bond Sales For Jeep Purchases

November 4, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This March 21, 1943, photo and article highlight Rockridge School’s (Elementary?) WWII war efforts.

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Late 1950s? Sales Associate Prospect Book on eBay

November 4, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Maury shared this unusual booklet. I can’t imagine many of these survived.

View all the information on eBay

“Complete booklet, with no missing pages. A guy I know cleaned out a dealership years ago, and I got this from him. It is pocket sized and measures 2.5 inches by 6 inches. Box 11.”

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1943 Photos of the Ford GPA

November 3, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The July 27, 1943, issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer included two photos of the newly developed “Amphibious Jeep”. The writing on the side of the top SEEP reads, “Ike’s Invasion Taxi”.

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1944 Article on Jeep Driver Efforts

November 3, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This October 21, 1946, article describes the effort one jeep driver made in hopes of saving a dying soldier and the confusion of trying to find their aid station.

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