Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles Research Archives

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Rare Holden-Modified Marine Ambulance

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, GPW (Ford MB), Unusual, videos • TAGS: , .

This is an edited version of an ad for a Holden-modified ambulance for sale in 2010 (or maybe it wasn’t a Holden?). Now it contains some information on Holden-Modified Jeeps.

  1. http://yankreenactment.nl/jeep/the-holden-jeep/history/
  2. G503 link about Holdens and another

 

This video shows a Holden at Iwo Jima:

Here are some photos of a Holden modified jeep that was for sale in 2010.

 

 
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Reason #63 for a trip to Italy

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Museums, Old Images, Website

Some of the folks over at the ww2talk.com website had a discussion regarding the Museo Storico Piana delle Orme – Latina (Italy).    The museum describes itself as a “historical theme park designed to accommodate one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world: planes, tanks, locomotives, wagons, radio, weapons and hundreds of military vehicles, agricultural tractors, threshers, trams and coaches, tools and thousands of objects of all types and sizes. Dedicated to the twentieth century, the Museum is a journey through 50 years of Italian history. 14 themed to tell the traditions and culture of the peasant, the great works of improvement, the Second World War but also to show the vehicles and means at the dawn of industrialization and great toys with which children entertained themselves.

For the purposes of ewillys, the highlight of the trip might just be the opportunity to check out these two modified flatties a little closer (ok, hopefully we could find many more highlights as well!)

In the foreground, we have a MB that has been converted into a tow truck.  Behind, and to the left, is a jeep with a water tank(?) on the back of it.  Maybe a water transporter?  This photo was taken by “Captain Bill”.

 
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Art’s 1946 CJ-2A Fire Willys and Trailer

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, trailer • TAGS: , .

Bruce surprised me today with some pics of a Fire Jeep.  He noted that after reading the section that includes Fire Jeeps, he thought I might be interested in seeing a couple pics of Art’s Jeep.  After reviewing the pics, I asked him for permission to publish them.  Bruce was kind enough to contact Art, who in turn has been nice enough to let me share them with you.  If you haven’t seen Art’s Jeep on the CJ-3B page or at one of the Willy’s reunions, then you are in for a treat.

One of the more interesting factoids I ran across while doing a search for Art’s Jeep on the internet was a discussion on the CJ-2A Page Forum regarding Bill’s effort to include Art’s Jeep in a Calendar of Fire Vehicles.  It turns out that Daimler Chrysler wants a piece of any Calendar pie for showing a Jeep Grille (specifically, a $500 guarantee and 12% royalties).

So, that got me thinking. What about Jeeps on pay websites?  Could Daimler, for example, begin asking for royalties from a site like the Jeep Forum, which has paying members, on which plenty of images of a Jeep Grille exist?  At this point, my opinion is they can’t, because they haven’t enforced their rights (if they even have them) to do so.  But, I’m gonna research this more.

Anyway, here’s some pics of Art’s Willys.  Thanks for sharing Art 🙂

 
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Fire Jeepish Pics

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles

The CJ-3B Page has some great pics of Fire Jeeps.  Here’s a few I found by accident on this page.

 
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Book: Willy – The Little Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Books, Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles

Here’s a kid’s book called Willy:  The Little Jeep Who Wanted to Be a Fire Truck.  I haven’t read it yet, but it’s supposed to be based loosely on a real event and a real 1947 CJ-2A.  The book has its own website.

From Amazon.com, “Join Willy as his dream of becoming a fire truck takes some surprising twists and turns. Travel with him on an adventure that brings him from the sidelines to center stage and safely back home again.

Written originally as a Christmas present for a friend, WILLY has already captivated children of all ages. As one reviewer noted, “The book is written for a child, but has so much meaning for adults as well. I don’t mind admitting that a tear of joy rolled down my ‘headlight’ too!” Others have described Willy as “lovable,” “endearing,” and “plain ol’ fun.”

The story, penned by volunteer firefighter Don Estes, is based on actual events that happened in Clinton Corners, New York and Clinton, Connecticut.”

View all the information at Amazon

 
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1955 Fire Truck Vidalia, La **Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Unusual, Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

UPDATE: Status Unknown. Was listed at $2100

I’d like a closer look at the bed to see what makes this a fire truck.

“1955 Willys / Jeep FIRE TRUCK, Kaiser Supersonic 6 cylinder, 4X4 works, runs well, Needs brakes bled and new home.”

1955_truck_vidalia

 
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1945 Follow Me Jeep Pics

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, War Images

Here are some great “Follow Me” Pics of one jeep.    Thanks Bruce!

follow_me_jeep

Follow_me_45 jeep

follow_me_45_back

Follow_me_45 dash

 
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Ebro Trucks from a Jeep Pickups website

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, International, Unusual

Here’s some a couple great pics of an early Ebro Cameador.  You can view more images at http://www.angelfire.com/nb2/jeeppickups/Ebro.html.

Jeeps first started being assembled in Spain in 1952 by a company called VIASA, which means Vehículos Industriales y Agrícolas, S.A in spanish. I am not sure if VIASA ever made pickups, as I cannot find any records of them being produced. However, in the late 1970’s VIASA was absorbed into EBRO, another spanish company. The only pickup that I know of produced by EBRO was called the Campeador. It was a forward control pickup available in either single or double cab version, which was called the Duplex, as well as a van, called the Toledo/Furgon. At some time, Hotchkiss in France also produced these vehicles, but I can’t find any pictures of them. Production of these vehicles was from 1971-1985 in France.  The Ebro name was discontinued in 1980.

ebro_jeeps

brochure_ebro_van

 
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The White Mice

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, MB

This excerpt is from an article title White Mice, which is about policing European highways during and after the war.  Included is a MB painted in the distinctive colors:  White vehicle with a black hood.  If you go to the website article,  you will see a variety of cars with this motif.  This would make an unusual restoration project.

The 62nd Military Police Company was created on November 30, 1943 and activated in North Africa a day later. Originally, it was a standard combat MP unit, and participated in the campaigns in France, the Rhineland and Ardennes-Alsace. Following the end of the war, the unit was reorganized twice, first as the 62nd Military Police Service Company in June 1948 and then as the 62nd Military Police Highway Patrol Company on September 20, 1951, when it was reattached to the regular Army forces occupying American Zone of Germany.

Corporal Edward Olson in a Highway Patrol Willys MB. Note the permanent roof and the large combination siren-warning light on the fender.

Unlike standard military police units, the Highway Patrol was created not only to enforce laws and regulations, but to handle other duties typically handled by civilian police agencies. These included assisting motorists and promoting traffic safety. On a given day, a trooper might work traffic, investigate a crime, or perform escort duty for a convoy. Or all three, just like his civilian counterpart.”

 
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1946 VEC CJ-2A Vista, Ca **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: , .

UPDATE:  This seller also restored this CJ-2A with a similar theme.

A well executed and creative build.  These are exactly the kinds of non traditional restorations I’d like to see more of that properly record the wide and varied deployment of the jeep.

The builder/seller writes, “1946 Willys V.E.C. CJ2A #14, 422 – County Sheriff  Patrol Jeep: I’m relisting this beautiful Willys with a lower reserve. However, don’t make the mistake of believing that I’m giving it away!  I just recognize that the market is soft right now.  I know what I have put into this restoration.  This is my fourth and final restoration of a 1946 Willys Civilian Jeep (CJ) 2A.

I became interested in the 1946 CJ-2A because it was the first production 4 wheel drive vehicle available to the public and is the grandfather of all modern SUVs.  This particular CJ-2A restored as a Sheriff Patrol Jeep was restored as a tribute to my own Grandfather who was a deputy sheriff in Southern California during the 1940’s and early 1950’s.  This CJ-2A is a faithful restoration of the type patrol vehicle that may have been used by the sheriff in the California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona back-country. The Federal siren and all Unity lights are period vintage police equipment.  The STOP light on the left front fender is a vintage Griffin model used by Military Police on jeeps during the Second World War.

1946_cj2a_sheriff_vista

Continue reading

 
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1959 Tow Truck Colorado Springs, Co $3500

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Willys Trucks

1959_willystruck_coloradospringsUPDATE:  Still available

I think this is cool.

“I have a 1959 Willys good condoition for the year it is. Ive put 3500 into it the engine needs some work this i a one of a kind truck im selling due to layoff and need the money. Asking 3500 or best offer you can call for more info or arange a time to come and look at call 475-1841 between 5pm and 8pm Thank you for looking and have a good day.”

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1238786823.html

 
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Follow Me Jeeps

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, MB

UPDATE: I keep seeing the ‘follow me’ jeep from Portland for sale, so I thought I’d rerun this post from last year …

While looking for something else, I stumbled upon a website showing a model of a “follow me jeep”, which is shown to the right. The website notes:

Follow Me jeeps were jeeps that were used at airfields to help control ground traffic of airplanes at an air base.Follow Me jeeps used close to the front remained the normal olive drab paint color, but at bases farther to the rear, the jeeps became brightly colored.

I’ve never heard the term “follow me jeep”, though I did know they were used at airfields.  However, I had never seen a jeep painted this way before.  So, I wondered if the paint job was someone’s fantasy of what a “follow me jeep” might have been.

However, after doing a little searching, I found a page on Brian’s Military Jeeps Site that discusses, in depth, some of the unique characteristics of a “follow me jeep” plus some very specific restoration information, including an image of a jeep with the “gas attack” paint:  portions of the jeep could change color if certain gasses were present.

And to the right is a black and white image of a checkered jeep and checkered trailer.

 
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1966 FJ-6 Ice Cream Truck Las Vegas, NV **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, News, Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

1966_icecreamtruck_lasvegasUPDATE: **SOLD** was $4800

Brian forwarded this sweet treat to us.  This is a Willys Fleet Van.

“1966 ice cream truck / willys jeep fleetvan.  Right hand drive, 4cyl engine, auto trans, commercial glass slide top freezer, candy rack, charlie brown peanuts theme graphics, music player, up to date safety swingout & signs, all lights & blinkers operate, a/c unit, generator rack on rear bumper “generator not included” very clean little “starter” ice cream truck. $4,800 obo or trade for ??? Will return emails promptly, if your looking at this ad the ice cream van is still available.”

 
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1959 CJ-6 Brush Truck Puyallup, Wa $9500

• CATEGORIES: CJ-6, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: .

1959_cj6_puyallupI haven’t seen a CJ-6 brush truck before.  It looks great.

“1959 Willys Jeep CJ6 Fire Jeep, 4 Cylinder Hurrican Eng. 3 Speed, 100 Gallon Water Tank, 5 hp Briggs & Stratton Eng., Hale Pump, Ramsey Front Mount Winch with Manual
5,500 Original Miles, All Emergency Lights & Siren Work, 2nd Owner, Comes with original Tilte, Owners Manual. Dearlers Invoice > Purchase Price, Runs Very Nice for 50 Years Old, $ 9,500 Dollars,  Cell # 253-380-0565”

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/1139671387.html

 
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1961 CJ-3B Fire Truck Connecticut eBay

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3B, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Unusual • TAGS: .

UPDATE:  CJ-3B back on eBay in new auction

This is strange .. it appears this is the same CJ-3B that was for sale on eBay in Ohio a few months ago.

“1961 Willys CJ3B Fire Truck 4×4. Original condition. No rust. Only 4729 original miles. 4 cylinder gas engine. 3 speed manual transmission. Brass self priming water pump, approx. 60 GPM @ up to 200 psi, works fine, can also pump and roll. 160 gallon water tank, redone in 2002, no leaks. 2 ground sweep nozzles, 2 hose reels with 5/8″ hose and nozzles. 4 stainless steel indian tanks, 2 axes side mounted. 2 full purple K powder extinguishers. 300′ 1.5″ forestry hose. PTO driven Ramsey winch. Set up to look like the Tonka fire jeep. Spare axles, carb, grille screen, and original service records included.”

View all the pics on eBay

 
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1959 FC-170 Firetruck Sarasota, Fl eBay

• CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: , .

I've got a friend in California that has an old firetruck he would drive to work every so often.  I always thought that would be fun, but I think this firetruck would be even cooler.

"1959 Willys Jeep FC170 Forward Control fire truck. Runs good – may need some brake maintenance. 7,200 actual miles. Manual Transmission. ALL ORIGINAL!  This vehicle has not been stripped. It is 100% original – even the windshield wipers! Includes Fire Extinguishers and fire blanket canister (with original fire blanket inside). Even the lights and siren are working! The headliner is begining to come down and the interior needs some work. There are no dents on the exterior.The vehicle has only been driven in local parades for the past several years."

View all the pics at eBay 

 
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1961 CJ-3B (fire engine) Ohio ebay

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3B, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Unusual • TAGS: , .

Obviously, these aren't available every day, especially with less than 5k miles.  A great collector piece!

"1961 Willys jeep, 4270 original mileage ( no misprint) original 4cylinder engine, 4 wheel drive; 3 speed manual transmission; 5 ton front -pto driven winch ( original equipment) very good tires; 160 gallon water tank that is easily removable; siren and lights.Maintainance records will be provided. This Willys can be put back into original state easiliy. Always garaged; This vehicle was used as a brush fire vehicle by fire department. Buyer will receive extra rear axle and original tire and rim. must sell as per Federal Grant requirements."

View more pics on eBay