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Willys-Overland Equipment Book

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

special-equipment-book-willys-overland1

On Friday I received a Willys-Overland Equipment Book binder that I won on eBay. The book contained a few surprises, such as a 4-page Monroe brochure and a number of early Newgren brochures that rarely hit eBay. The main part of the binder, a collection of 1947 equipment brochures, appears to be as complete as I’ve seen. In addition, at the back of the book, are second-supplement 10-1-1949 brochures that are either updated versions or new brochures. It is so packed with brochures that I will need to remove some to make sure none get damaged. I ended up pay $128.50 and that proved to be a good value.

The biggest surprise was the inclusion of a note from the seller, Nancy, mentioning how this booklet came from her father. The note was thoughtful enough that I reached out to learn more about him.

special-equipment-book-willys-overland-note

I learned that Richard H. Malone was from Westport Island, Maine. He received his bachelors at the University of Pennsylvania, then served in Vietnam. After the war, he raced cars and motorcycles. He and his wife were so passionate about motorcycles that they owned Honda dealerships in Brunswick and in Portland, Maine. They were also both passionate about jeeps, owning jeeps from Willys to modern jeeps and all models in-between. Before her death, Nancy’s mother sold a “panel-sided” jeep, which I’d guess was a Willys Delivery Sedan, under the condition that the new owner had to have a garage for it! Nancy still has her mother’s 2001 Grand Cherokee.

So, as the temporary custodian for this binder, I’ll add a note to it about it belonging to Richard H. Malone, as he deserves credit for preserving this history for us.

A few pics from the book:

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Body Extensions For Early 1/4 Ton Jeeps

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

UPDATE II (01/22/2024):  A puzzle has been solved. It was the Transport Motor Company that offered a full-width body extension that we’ve seen on several jeeps over the years.

tmc-document-body-extension-clipped

This excerpt is from this document on Farmjeep.com: https://www.farmjeep.com/lifts/other-hydraulic-lifts/transport-motor-company-tmc-hydraulic-lift/

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UPDATE (09/13/2020): This DENCO body extension brochure appeared as part of the 10/01/1949 Second Supplement of the Willys-Overland Equipment Book brochures. 

Interestingly, the 1948 First Supplement of brochures showed a Newgren collapsible body extension (see a few brochures down or click here) very similar (identical?) to this 1949 DENCO Body Extension brochure. Both extensions offer 7 cubic feet of space and note that a spare tire can be mounted to the side. They also both seem to have the same style of stabilizer bar that connects to the PTO bar. I wonder if Newgren sold this design to Denco in late 1948 or early 1949?

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UPDATE 04/28/2020: Someone in Georgia is selling newly built beds.

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Originally published in 2016: This may come as a surprise (not) that early jeeps weren’t known for their vast amounts of space. We’ve all seen military photos showing jeeps packed full of stuff, like this SAS desert fighter:

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When the war ended and CJ-2As were introduced, a couple companies recognized the need for more room and solved the problem by creating add-on bed extensions (also known as bed extenders and body extensions). These bolted to the back and, usually, had supports that dropped to the PTO bar to help support the extra weight. Then, the tailgate was fixed to the very rear of the extension. The goal of this post is an effort to identify the different companies and their products.

As early as August and September of 1946, two different patents were filed, both by the same people.I have been unable to discover if that first patent model was ever built, but the second one has two sides that fold down similar to the Newgren (shown in #2).

Various Bed Extensions identified so far:

  1. Porter Reed Bed Extension: One of the earliest known bed extensions was produced by Porter & Reed. It was marked along with a half top, creating a truck out of a jeep.
    porter-reed-hardtop-closeup-bed-extension
    porter-reed-hardtop-extendedbed-1 porter-reed-hardtop-extendedbed-2
  2. Newgren Bed Extensions: The Newgren Company also entered the bed extension field in the later 1940s with two different versions. The first was their standard bed extension:1947-special-equipment-newgren-body-extension2
    The second model Newgren offered was a collapsable version.
    1947-special-equipment-bed-extension-newgren-collapsible
  3. S & B Corporation’s Jeep Panel Body: About the same time Newgren and Porter & Reed introduced their extensions, the S & B Corporation made their own spin on adding more room by selling a kit that converted the jeep into a panel van.
    s-b-corporation-panel-truck-from-cj2a-brochure1-lores s-b-corporation-panel-truck-from-cj2a-brochure2-lores
  4. Koenig Bed Extensions: By 1955, Koenig had entered the market. Whether the company designed their own or bought out one of their competitors isn’t know (to me), but Koenig sold the extensions for at least a decade. This first ad is from 1955, the second from 1960, and the third from the mid-1960s.
    1955-koenig-cab-brochure3-extended
    1960-koenig-hardtop-brochure4-extended
    1966-koenig-hardtops-brochure4-extendedHere is an example of a Koenig data plate:
    koenig-bed-extender-cs-co3
  5. Wall & Borg Bed Extender: In the 1960s, a Lake Tahoe, California, company called Wahl & Borg introduced a unique bed extension. Rather than bolt on to the rear of the jeep, theirs slid out.
    wahl-borg-slide-out-bed-extender

There have been a number of bed extensions that have resold over the last ten years on Craigslist and eBay, some attached to jeeps and some by themselves. I have found it difficult to distinguish between them, never having owned or seen that many up close. You can see all the ones documents thus far on eWillys: http://www.ewillys.com/tag/bed-extension/

Derek Redmond also has some excellent information on extensions over at the CJ-3B Page. https://cj3b.info/Tech/BodyExtension.html

 
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1943 Article on Jeep Jumping

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

I was surprised to see that this June 24, 1943, article from the Colfax County Call out of Schulter, Nebraska, preceded Dick Ryan’s traveling jeep rodeo where jeeping jumping was also performed. This article appeared in multiple Nebraska newspapers in June of 1943.

Shown in this photo is Robert H. Storz, who is in the jeep, while watching is Lt. Col. Scruby. I can’t tell if Storz is a passenger or the photo is reversed. It looks to me that Storz may be a passenger, based solely on the placement of the tie-rods. But then, who is the driver?

Clipping from Colfax County Call - Newspapers.com

Who was the driver if not Storz? I’m not quite sure, other than according to the article the driver was a former member of Jimmy Lynch’s Death Dodge drivers. Jimmy Lynch’s Death Dodge drivers performed car stunts at fairs and other events prior to WWII.

According to Youtube, “Lynch’s shows for Dodge served to advertise the many advanced design features that made the 1939 Plymouth his choice to survive the severe abuse inflicted on the cars in those performances, including the famous “Roll of Death” in which the car did a full roll over the roof. Lynch would remain loyal to the Chrysler Corporation throughout his career as a daredevil as can be seen in this very entertaining film.”

You can see Jimmy himself in this short video (to see the car stunts go straight to the 7:15 mark).

There are more video examples of Jimmy and hit Dodge exploits on youtube.

 
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eWillys Sticker Spotted in the Wild

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Eagle-eyed reader Chuck spotted an eWillys sticker on the cowl of an M-38. The still image below was captured from the video at bottom of the August 23, 2020, Jeep Invasion.

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See the full video here:M38-w-ewillys-sticker-jeep-invasion-2020-lores

 
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Jeep Victims of the California Wildfires

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

Jerry shared these images from the California wildfires showing burnt jeeps.

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https://www.facebook.com/SchoenwaldPhotography/photos/a.1668584603309411/1668580093309862/ The proportions of this jeep seem off to me? The front clip looks lengthened. Maybe it’s the lens used to take the pics?

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https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200822/news/308229909/ 1951 Jeepster. The melted substance oozing out of the headlight is reminiscent of the melting clocks painted by Salvador Dali (he painted a lot of melted time pieces).

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https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10220370779693080&set=gm.10157152697576046 Look like a CJ-5 and an M-38 (or a Flattie with a replacement body).

 
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Sure, It’s Possible

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

Steve forwarded this photo found on Flickr and posted to the Just a Car Guy website. It features a CJ-3A parked (?) in front of a rickety bridge. Now, whether is a bridge or more of a pier-like platform for dumping stuff isn’t clear to me.

cj3a-potentially-crossing-bridge

 
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1944 Photos and Article Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.

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

UPDATE: here’s another version of the Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., Rough Rider jeep press photo that is now on eBay:

View all the information on eBay

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Originally Published June 26, 2016: This 1943 article shares news about Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and his jeep “Rough Rider”. A year after this article, at age 56, Roosevelt became the oldest service member to land on D-Day, winning the Medal of Honor for his efforts. He was later portrayed by Henry Fonda in the Longest Day. It is also claimed that Roosevelt was a part of the only father-son duo to land on D-Day, as his son Quentin II landed on June 6th also. Here’s a synopsis of his life. He died from a heart attack a few months after D-Day.

1943-03-11-milwaukeejournal-teddy-roosevelt-jr-jeep

Here is a photo from an eBay listing:
“This is an original press photo. Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, son of the famous “Rough Rider” rests on the bumper of his jeep, dubbed “Rough Rider,” and reads his mail. Brig. Gen. Roosevelt is director of Liaison to the Cef.Photo measures 8.5 x 6.75inches. Photo is dated 1-18-1944.”

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A Little Jeep Goes A Long Way Poster $279

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

This “A LITTLE JEEP GOES A LONG WAY”, if you take care of it framed poster was spotted in an antique store. It’s priced at $279 and claimed by the seller to be a prototype poster. How the seller would know this isn’t clear to me, but it looks like a pretty good sized and unique item.

There’s no size listed (and it might already be gone), but I’d estimate the size at about 30″ wide by 24″ tall (if the peg board holes are 1″ apart).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1641202336209808/permalink/2543053809357985

a-little-jeep-goes-a-long-way-poster2 a-little-jeep-goes-a-long-way-poster

 
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June 1951 Salesbuilder Magazine

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

This June 1951 Salesbuilder Magazine was volume 3, number 6. This issue includes a three page look at the Farm Jeep and Jeep Tractor vehicles and the Jeep-branded farm equipment. A large number of 1951 wagon-related advertising pieces are shown on the first few pages.

There’s also a number of Laurel C. Worman dealership photos, include pics of his Willys wagons on the front page and examples of his wagons stenciled with “Welcome Wagon” on the back page. Finally, thanks go to Barry Thomas for helping me snag this issue.

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1955 Press Photo of a Wagon on eBay

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

There’s no pic of the back of this press photo nor any credit for the agency/company that shot it. It appears to have dealer plates. Free shipping and the seller will consider offers.

View all the information on eBay

wagon-press-photo-az

 
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1965 Articles on the Phoenix Jeep Club

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

This first article about the Phoenix Jeep Club was published on February 04, 1965, in the Arizona Daily Star. It gave some background information on the club, it’s family friendly attitude, and shared some of the good works the club performed.

1965-02-04-arizona-daily-star-phoenicians-jeep-club-lores

This second article was published six months later on August 15, 1965, in the Arizona Republic. It discusses the work the club was doing to help fight the screw worm.

Clipping from Arizona Republic - Newspapers.com

 
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Jeep Herders License Plate Topper on eBay

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

It listing price of $295 ain’t cheap, but you can make an offer. There is more info about the club here.

View all the information on eBay

“eldorado-jeep-herders-sign”

El Dorado California Jeep Herders Club 12″ x 4″.

eldorado-jeep-herders-sign1 eldorado-jeep-herders-sign2

 
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Marty’s Race Jeep

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

Marty was able to complete the work on his race jeep in time to make it to this weekend’s jeep race in Glenwood, Washington. This is a pic from the property where the race was held (beautiful setting). His kids, Ian, Emerson, and Miranda, look like they are having a great time.

He reports there were a few glitches, but he got them worked out enough to make some runs.

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2020 FC Jamboree Still on Track to Be Held Sept 11-12

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

UPDATE: This weekend is the FC Jamboree. The theme is “sick” FCs; some dark humor for some these pandemic-days.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1003832893384124/

2020-fc-jamboree

 
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1950’s Special Equipment Booklet on eBay

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Seller is accepting offers on this late 1950’s Special Equipment booklet.

View all the information on eBay

“5 1/2 X 8 1/2 inch booklet. All pages shown, soiling and wear to covers, inside pretty clean.”

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1959 Jeep Trip to Walden’s Ridge in Tennessee

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

Buss Walker, the author of this July 28, 1959, article published in the Chattanooga Daily Times, learned an important lesson on his first attempt to jeep onto Walden’s Ridge: never jeep without tools. The lesson was learned and our intrepid travelers were more successful on their second attempt.

1959-07-28-chattanooga-daily-times-jeeping-tennessee1-lores 1959-07-28-chattanooga-daily-times-jeeping-tennessee2-lores

 
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February 1944 Ad for the “Original Jeep” on eBay

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

As late as 1944, as this ad demonstrates, the Minneapolis-Moline Power Implement Company argued that they had developed the original “Jeep”. But, it’s clear that they lost that battle entirely.

View all the information on eBay

“This is an Original old Vintage Trade Ad from 1944 This print ad Measures Approx: 11 1/4″ x 8 1/4″. This is Not a Photocopy or reproduction.”

1944-02-flying-magazine-minneapolis-moline-original-jeep-ad

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Western Jeep Ride at Santa Claus Land in Indiana

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

UPDATE II: Was this called a Western Jeep rid because it used the Western toy Jeeps

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Originally posted in 2013: Dan notes in the comments that this particular ride was ‘made by Vernon L. Spalinger Industries in Spokane WA. It was called the “Western Jeep”.’  These were very common rides at one time. This ride was also known as the Jeep-a-round.

“VERY RARE pamphlet from Santa Claus Land, Indiana. includes map of the grounds and of the state. Lots of pictures, facts, history and information about this amazing 1950s attraction!”

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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Jeeps

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

Tremaine told me he recently visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Waters and Kentuk Knob homes. At one of the gift shops there was book of Wright’s car collection, as he owned roughly 85 different cars over his life time. The book noted that at he owned three different jeeps over the years: a 1946 CJ-2A, a 1948 CJ-2A ‘Lefty’, and a wagon. While I was unable to locate a pic of the wagon, there is a photo on a Barrett Jackson page showing Wright’s two CJ-2As amongst some Crosleys.

CARS/HILLSIDE/SNOW/CROSELEYS

CREDIT: https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/an-architects-love-of-automobiles-frank-lloyd-wrights-passion-for-cars-took-many-forms/ It appears the jeep in the foreground is a 1948 CJ-2A “Lefty”, which makes the jeep in the background the 1946 CJ-2A.

 
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WWII Jeep Photo “Baby Oh” on eBay

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

Steve shared this WWII photo.

View all the information on eBay

“This is an original WW2 photo showing 3 soldiers in a jeep.
The jeep is named / painted on the side: Baby Oh!
This photo measures approx. 4 1/2″ x 2 3/4”

wwii-jeep-baby-oh1

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Photo of M-170 Medical Exercise on eBay

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

This photo is undated, so it’s unclear whether this is an original from the time period or a reprint. Still, it’s got some good details in it. The front fender suggests this may have been a CJ-4MA.

View all the information on eBay
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“Estate sale find of a vintage photograph of what appears to be a 1954 or 1955 M170 Frontline Ambulance Jeep being used in a medical emergency exercise, with several “patients” on stretchers inside the vehicle and one helmeted stretcher-bearer carrying one. Original period photo, not a modern copy or reproduction. Approximately 10 inches wide, 8 1/8″ tall. “Plate#79″ handwritten on the back.”

 
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11 Willys jeep Brochures **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

This is a good price for all these brochures. I already have all but the 3B brochure, otherwise I would have gotten it.

“Item Description:
Original 1950’s 1960’s Jeep Brochures, Group Lot of 11 (eleven) different items, no duplicates. Largest measures about 9″ x 12”. Includes pictures, data, dimensions, specifications, weights, descriptions, accessories, More! Includes Jeep, Willys Jeep, Dispatcher, delivery, van, hardtop, canvas full and half top, steel full cab, convertible, truck, tractor, tow truck, CJ-6, Universal, farm tool, farm power, CJ-3B, pickup, station wagon, Station sedan, utility, Kaiser Jeep Corporation, Wagoneer, 2WD 4WD, Gladiator, More! Good used condition, some wear, darkening, scuff, crease. Printing & pictures good used condition, some foldout to large poster-like sheets, enjoyable for “Goes Most Anywhere * Does Most Anything”.”

11-brochures-on-ebay

 
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Photo Slide of Ringling Brothers Jeep on eBay

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Here’s an interestingly modified Flattie for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

View all the information on eBay

“Original slide. 
Watermark is not on the slide.
 Raw image. Has been dusted but not cleaned. See pics for damage.”

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5 Vintage Jeep Colorado Jeep Slides on eBay

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

Looks like someone had a good day of jeeping in the Colorado mountains.

  1. Jeeping through some trees:
    mb-jeep-colorado-jeeping5
  2. Mountains in the background:
    mb-jeep-colorado-jeeping4
  3. Farther into the Mountains:
    mb-jeep-colorado-jeeping3
  4. Slim Trail photo:
    mb-jeep-colorado-jeeping2
  5. And the finally photo, similar to the shot above:
    mb-jeep-colorado-jeeping1
 
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Feb 1955 Wagon Ad on eBay

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

This is another wagon-focused ad targeting females, as it was published in Better Homes and Gardens in February of 1955.

1955-02-better-homes-and-garden-wagon-ad