Nate spotted this article in the 1st Responder Newspaper about the Kennebunk Fire Department’s 1947 CJ-2A, which is still in service.
There’s also a pic of the jeep on the department’s website:
Nate spotted this article in the 1st Responder Newspaper about the Kennebunk Fire Department’s 1947 CJ-2A, which is still in service.
There’s also a pic of the jeep on the department’s website:
UPDATE: As Jay points out, this may be a DJ-5 as it lacks shifters for the transfercase.
This *might* be an ex-luggage DJ-5. Note the shape of the passenger-side rear fender. This is a CJ, not military.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/282740803251197
“Military style jeep, kaiser jeep. Does not run. Antique vehicle As is”
UPDATE: Jerry Huber confirmed that this is a 1945 VEC CJ-2A, serial number #11822. Jerry added, “That would place the body at the end of the 1945 production run. The Fire Dept. documents that they got it in the spring or summer of 1946, which is still possible with the time for the Darley Fire Conversion. There is also a story that the vehicle had a frame failure shortly after they got it from Darley and it was returned to the Willys Plant in Toledo where the frame was replaced with a heavier duty and reinforced unit. I have heard that story before but can’t verify although some one with more history on the unit may be able to confirm.”
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Originally posted Mar 2, 2021: Listed as a 1947, this is likely a 1945 VEC CJ-2A. It’s got rear hubs, indents, early windshield, a column shift and (I think) the earliest “WILLYS” data plate. Bidding is allowed from March 1, 2021, though April 02, 2021.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322534451279857/permalink/1556809471185676
“Public Notice – Richfield Township is placing the 1947 Willy’s Jeep Fire Apparatus for sale via SEALED BID. Richfield Township is accepting SEALED BIDS for purchase of the 1947 Willy’s Jeep Fire Apparatus from Monday 3/1/2021 through Friday 4/2/2021 at 4:00 PM. The vehicle is sold as is with no warranties or guarantees made of any kind. This vehicle has been garage stored and maintained throughout its lifetime with Berkey / Richfield Township Fire Department as the original and only owner. The vehicle is open to inspection Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The vehicle sale is subject to a minimum bid of $10,000. The bids will be opened on Monday 4/5/2021 and highest bid above the minimum sale amount will be awarded. Sealed Bids must be addressed to Fire Chief Keith Clonch at 11450 W. Sylvania Avenue, Berkey, Ohio 43504.”
This June 29, 1946, photo in the Daily Advertiser shows off an early MB conversion into a Louisiana Forestry Jeep. Developed by the Louisiana Foresty Commission, the state purchased five of these rigs.
The Weekly Town Talk out of Alexandria, Louisiana, also ran the photo on the same day, but with a different caption:
These two 1947 photos can be found as part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway digital archives.
UPDATE: 2 more photos of DJ-3A Hardtops with side glass (note also the use of the modified hardtop with glass on the Jeep Creep jeep above). The first is a different 1956 DJ-3A with the same type of hardtop (side windows and small rear window) was posted to Facebook.
So, does this mean Willys Motors had planned on selling DJ-3As with side windows, but for some reason changed its strategy? Or, did they only intend these tops for commercial/governmental use?
This second is undated, but shows a DJ-3A with a windowed hardtop for the Triangle Drive-in. It was posted to Facebook by Michael Canup.
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The photos of this RHD drive DJ-3A were posted by Andy to Facebook. They show a RHD DJ-3A at work for the Los Angeles School Police Department (that’s the department’s insignia on the door).
This is a 1956 RHD DJ-3A. It has the small rear window top that was halted sometime around late 1956 or early 1957 (http://www.ewillys.com/2020/03/17/different-version-of-the-koenig-manufactured-hardtop/), but also has the Hall tail lights which I am surprised to see on a 1956 (https://cj3b.info/Dating/Taillights.html). Oddly, it also has the rear side windows on the hardtop, which wasn’t common for the DJ-3As, but the side windows were standard for this model of the CJ-5 hardtop. So, this must have been a special order?
There was another photo taken with what appears to be the same jeep (same number on the door), but having a different driver (at least a different cap) named Officer Verne Schlotzhauer, while Captain Maurice W. Calfee watches the officer. The car to the right is different, also. This appeared in the July 24, 1956, issue of the Valley News, Van Nuys, California:
The top pic was also syndicated to newspapers. The image below appeared in the June 22, 1956, issue of the Des Moines Register:
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”
Roger Martin spotted this unique build, an M-38A1 transformed into a wood splitter. No description provided.
This 1979 March-April Volume 3, Issue 3, of Jeep Line, an employee newsletter, highlights the implosion of the Willys-Overland Administration building.
View all the information on eBay
“Here I have a
Near Mint
The Jeep Line
Vol. 3, No. 3
March-April 1979”
UPDATE: The buyer of this in June appears to have relisted this at a higher price.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/4203866812973080
“225 V6 Jeep Dauntless 2 barrel engine, 3 speed manual 4×4 transmission, emergency lights on top, water tank and hoses in back, front and bottom brush guards, new 15” white spoke wheels, Nexen mud tires size LT235/75R15 front and rear, extended rear bumper with platform, trailer hitch”
Older pics: Continue reading
UPDATE: Still Available.
https://zanesville.craigslist.org/atq/d/dover-62-willys-jeep-firetruck-4×4/7235413915.html
“This is a nice running 1962 Willys Jeep firetruck,Has redone 2yrs ago,All new brake lines,brake bands and.whell cylinder,and master cylinder,body work was done and painted.Nice show vehicle..only 42,000 miles,has original, light on top, and working siren..6cylinder hurricane motor,4wheel drive,3speed on floor,high and low range”
I couldn’t locate a corresponding photo of this in a newspaper. The rig looks interesting.
View all the information on eBay
“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.
Roger shared this color photo of a Chicago Fire Department FC-170 designed to eject smoke. It was posted to this Fire Engine Facebook group. This appears to be engine #1.
A similar black and white photo was printed in the February 1969 issue of Popular Science. This appears to be engine #2.
Glenn forwarded this ad. He added the following info:
“Hi Dave, This early 2wd pickup is for sale locally. I’ve talked with the owner. It was fire dept. owned, patina and all, never previously restored, and has had lots of recent mechanical work completed. It is local and I’d be happy to do an evaluation for a potential buyer. Especially up here in Maine, we don’t often see the 2wd version.”
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/231943895190792
“1948 willy’s pickup 2wdother item have all new brakes powder coated rims, rebuilt carb have receipts, manual,spare rear fenders 4 cyl three on the tree all original bro accepted”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(08/12/2020) Marty spotted this rare (only one of two according to the seller) Krisit Company KT-4G Snow Cat. It uses a CJ-5 body with a Meyer hardtop.
https://www.facebook.com/commerce/products/1964-kristi-kt-4g
“This is 1 of 2 ever produced KT-4G units
Perfect item for a snowcat collector who’s looking for a unique snowcat or a very rare Kristi cat, and Yes… this is a Jeep CJ cab on it, which makes it all that better and more rare – fitting in with your Jeep collection as well.
Running engine when parked few years ago, tracks still got life in them if one wanted to simply get it started and run it for a season or more. Some rust on floor pans, but nothing that cant be quickly fixed/repaired for upcoming seasons use, or put this machine through a proper restoration and make it a museum peace for everyone to envy.
Its very complete with all of the original parts, rest can be easily purchased at most auto-part stores.
Unit is not oversized, thus making it easy to transport and deliver”
UPDATE: Price dropped to $3800.
(03/20/2020) This old Portland Fire jeep is supposed to run and drive, once the clutch is finished.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1747082655457321
“‘Selling my dream project. Tough times require tough decisions. This is a 1952 M-38 Willys Jeep. 4WD miracle. RUNS AND DRIVES, doesn’t stop great. Brand new clutch. Comes with extras, and a $50 gift card to the Jeep parts store I never got to use! Serous inquiry only, please no tire-kickers. Almost all original. Started life as a Korean war jeep, then went on to be used for the fire dept in Portland. You can see the OD green under the red FD paint. Very cool and nostalgic. Email me with any questions you have, I’ll be happy to answer. Title in hand. $100 deposit. ”
This nice little nugget of Willys history has been posted since 2011, but somehow I missed it. The Kaiser Willys blog has three photos of a CJ-2 (not CJ-2A) Fire Jeep that includes the “JEEP” plate across the front of the windshield.
https://blog.kaiserwillys.com/the-postwar-willys-cj-2-fire-jeep
This Willys-Overland Fire Pump needs an L-head, but it seems an unusual item. It looks like the trailer was not original to the unit, based on these two photos from G503:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WillysSwapMeet/permalink/2800695516870376
“1943-dated Willys American fire pump. US Army Corps of Engineers, 250 GPM.
“Willys American” cast into the pump body. Enclosure is gone.
The base is the fuel tank. Mounted on a 2 wheel trailer chassis with antique tires and 2” ball hitch.
No suspension and old tires so needs to be hauled on a trailer.
Has WWII OD paint under the red paint.
I removed the engine and bellhousing for use in WWII jeep restoration. Selling with the engine front plate, manifolds & carburetor, governor, oil filter & bracket, fan and fan shroud and generator. You will need to supply a Willys L-134 motor and bellhousing to put this back in operation.”
Unclear which Portland city this served.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1747082655457321/
S”elling my dream project. Tough times require tough decisions. This is a 1952 M-38 Willys Jeep. 4WD miracle. RUNS AND DRIVES, doesn’t stop great. Brand new clutch. Comes with extras, and a $50 gift card to the Jeep parts store I never got to use! Serous inquiry only, please no tire-kickers. Almost all original. Started life as a Korean war jeep, then went on to be used for the fire dept in Portland. You can see the OD green under the red FD paint. Very cool and nostalgic. Email me with any questions you have, I’ll be happy to answer”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $12,500.
This has a tilt bed and some power train updates along with a dump bed. Daryl’s the seller and deals in vintage jeep parts (I’ve bought a few things from him).
“1963 Jeep FC-170
Has a 4.3 v6 and 4l60E out of a 2000 GMC Jimmy with 30k miles when swapped.
All brand new 11″ Bendix brakes, brake lines and dual pot master cylinder.
Both axles just serviced.
Just did tune up, hoses and belts.
Has hydraulic dump bed.
This truck will drive across the country and get 20 mpg doing it.
Any trades would be Cummins swapped Chevy square body, Willys CJ flatfender Jeeps
Clean Washington title in my name.”
UPDTE: **SOLD** Was $4500.
This cool-looking oddball is a long-parked FC that has a hunting bed on the back.
“1958 Jeep fc170 with hunting bed Truck has been parked since 1976 Will need brakes,tires gas tank, carb rebuilt ect but is pretty much complete Has a little bit of rust here and there but a good solid truck for the most part Has a super hurricane 6cyl flat head and a 3 speed manual Pto winch 4×4 Clean Fl title asking 4500 obo or possibly trade for something cool that runs and drives no bikes or boats”
This February 9, 1946, article shares the news of the Lincoln, Nebraska, police department’s new surplus jeeps. These war surplus jeeps out of nearby Fort Crook were equipped with radios obtained from the Omaha police department.
The Oakdale Minnesota fire department was formed in 1953 with one old CJ-3A Fire jeep and some Fords. The below poor-quality still was taken from a history video of the Oakdale fire department. It shows the CJ-3A.
A March 30, 1947, article in the Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News introduced the Forest Service’s ten new CJ-2As to California readers. These vehicles were equipped with two-way radios to aid fire control.
The article notes that a Weasel was being tested, along with the development of a four-wheel-drive vehicle that would be better for forest fire fighting, but I could find no references on the internet to an offload vehicle designed by Ira Funk.
A niche journal focuses on forest fire fighting called Fire Control Notes published at article in the January 1947 issue concerning quarter-ton-tanker jeeps made from WWII vehicles. You can see the full journal here: https://archive.org/details/firecontrolnotes08unit/page/n5/mode/2up?q=jeep