International Research Archives

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1945 GAZ 67B Russian Vehicle

August 17, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: Steve notes the original GAZ was built in only 50 days based on a newspaper clipping.  Here’s additional information:

http://wwiijeepparts.com/Archives/WW2RussianGAZJeep.html

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Darrel wrote me recently noting that he has a 1945 GAZ-67B living in his garage. He said it was also known as an Ivan-Willys, which is similiar to a real Willys, because it has a Ford-A engine that was made in Russia under license.  It is cool! Thanks for sharing Darrel!

Darrel writes, “The GAZ 67 World War Russian vehicles were produced from 1943 to 1953. There were only 5000 of these models made during the war, but in total there were  92,843 of these models produced. It had a 4-cylinder 3280 cc gasoline motor and a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph).”

And here is a GAZ 67 and GAZ 67B  video with some strange music …
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0kDkRRyIOg

 
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Women and Jeeps From Flickr

May 15, 2011 • CATEGORIES: CJ-3B, Features, International, Women & Jeeps This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Here are some fun pics from Flickr.  The last one is an illustration that isn’t a great pic.

This image is from Colombia.

The step has been modified, but this is a nice looking flattie.

She’s King of the World (that would be a Titanic reference)

I do not know the artist or name of the painting.

 
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All Dressed up for a Wedding

May 3, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Claus forwarded this story and pics today from South Africa. As I told him, marriage can be a rocky road, so it only makes sense to start out newlyweds in a jeep!  You might remember Claus’ brother’s build, which can be seen here.

Claus writes, “The past weekend my brother was asked, by one of his friends, to provide his jeep as their wedding car. Apparently the jeep was centre of attraction and completely shadowed the newlyweds hehehe :-). It even was part of the decor at the reception hall.”

 
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Who Needs a Road? A 1960s Trip around the World

May 2, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Books, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Harold Stephen loves old jeeps.  He loved them so much he spent time exploring the world in both a CJ-5 and a Landcruiser during the 1960s.  In 1965-6 Harold Stephens, along with Al Podell, picture editor of Argosy magazine, formed the Trans World Record Expedition and set the world’s record for the longest non-repetitive miles motor trip around the world (42,500 miles). They captured their trip in their co-authored book, Who Needs a Road. I just bought a copy and you can find a paperback copy for sale here.

Prior to their joint trip, Harold purchased a CJ-5 and shipped it with a small trailer to Europe.  He writes, “Three months in Europe, and no accommodations to worry about. I camped in the shadows of medieval chateaus and age-old monasteries. When I could find none of these, I camped in farmers’ cow pastures. Many times I awoke to discover cows nibble at my shoes outside my door. If farmers came, they were usually friendly, providing I had closed the gate behind me, and often invited me to the farmhouse for coffee and homemade bread.”  You can read more about his CJ-5 European adventure here, including a two month stay in a Russian Jail.

He eventually made his way back to Spain, parked his Jeep and returned to the US. He sold his story to Argosy Magazine and then his editor asked him if he would be interested in an around the world tour in a Toyota Land Cruiser (I tired to find the argosy article, but was unsuccessful).  He said yes, so he and a few others went pack to Spain, picked up a Landcruiser, snagged his jeep, and then started off on their journey.

This is Harold with his CJ-5:

Here’s a good pic of the Landcruiser

Read all about their Trans World Record Expedition at the transasiaexpedition.com website

Here is Harold’s Personal Site

 
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The British Jago Geep (now Sandero) Kit

April 24, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International, Other 4x4s, VEEP (VW Jeep), Scamp, Others This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Pronounced “Jay-Go”, the Jago Geep was brought to my attention by Robert, who had never seen one either.  So, I warmed up my googler this weekend to learn more about them.

According to this Sandero website, British Business Partners Geoff Jago and Richard Park launched the Jago Geep Kit car in 1971, making it one of the first kit cars in the UK.  In the same way a dune buggy kit was sold in the US to be placed atop a VW Chassis, the Jago Geep Kit was initially intended to be place onto a Ford Anglia 105E and then later atop the Ford Escort MK1. There were five general variants of the Geep kit produced, but because they are all kits, it is doubtful that any are exactly alike once assembled and individual builder details were added.

In the 1980s, due to illness, Park sold the remainder of the company to Jago.  In 1985, 25 specially manufactured kits were produced to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Geep.  Sometime in the 1990s, the company changed from the Geep model to the Sandero model, but I haven’t learned why.  Most recently, and in the post below, a Series II Land Rover was used as the chassis.  You can learn more at the Jago Owners Club.

From the 1984 through 1990 Jago produced a kit car called the Samuri, a four seat utility vehicle designed to fit atop the Ford Escort.

Here’s the nicest looking Jago Geep I’ve seen (so far):

Here’s a Jago Kit used as a drag jeep:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=395G0NXB1zo

See Dave’s Kit Car Here:

Here’s an image of the Jago Samuri:

 
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The World’s Best Coffee Jeep

April 21, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, International • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Here’s another reason to travel to Colombia.  Sebastian’s father spotted this gem.

Sebastian writes, “My dad took these pictures today in Rio Negro, Antioquia, Colombia. I have seen Willys being used for almost everything in Colombia, but I never saw this before, a moving coffee shop. Look all the details, the art on the doors and on the tailgate, the speakers (stereo) on the roof, the coffee machine inside, the ketchup on the side, it has everything! The name displayed on the sides reads “Camperito del Café, lo mejor del mundo”, which roughly means the coffee jeep, the best of this world. No doubt about that.”

 
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More on this unusual CJ-?A/MB Wagon in Bali

April 10, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, International, Unusual, Willys Wagons, Wood bodies • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE:  Rudolf sent some additional pics of this rig. Steve gives a good analysis within the comments section.

Rudolf forwarded me this unusual CJ-?A/MB wagon.  Rudolf reports that this is titled a 1944 and was used for public transit in Bali.  Given the full floating rear end, the rearend might have been from a MB.  It reminded me of another vehicle with a similar wood rear end that is located in France  (see the red image below).

From France (CJ-3B Page, Offroadaction.ca)

 
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WWII Jeep at Small Museum in Auchonvillers, France

March 30, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International, Museums This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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If you happen to be in France and staying at the Avril Williams Guest House, in Auchonvillers, France, you must take a trip across the street and visit the small museum.  There you will find a set of compact dioramas from several wars.  In the World War II diorama sits a restored MB or GPW of some vintage.

I found a pic of the jeep at this website, which follows someone’s journey through the battlefields of France.

 
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Mahindra History Overview

March 24, 2011 • CATEGORIES: International, Mahindra, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Thanks to Brian for spotting this video.  Though the music overshadows the narrator in many instances, there are a wide variety of images presented that make it work a look.

 
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Jeeps on their Sides — Australian War Memorial

March 13, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International, Old Images • TAGS: , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Warren alerted me to the Australian War Memorial Online and found these images of jeeps on their sides.

There are more tipped jeeps here and here.

 
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Really Cool Wooden Top from Iceland

March 7, 2011 • CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Features, International, Wood bodies • TAGS: , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Here’s a great shot of an unusual wooden hardtop for a CJ-2A.  The wood appears knotless, too.

And here is a link to the CJ-3B that sits right new to it.

 
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A Lineup of Jeeps from Eglisstadir, Iceland

March 7, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Here’s a cool image from 2006  taken in Iceland that I found on this Flickr Site.

You can see an imagine of a CJ-3B falling apart here, but the image is copyright protected.

 
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Colombia Yipao Videos

March 3, 2011 • CATEGORIES: International, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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I was checking some stats tonight and learned that readers from the country of Colombia constitute one of the largest blocks of readers of eWillys outside the US. So, in solidarity, I thought a few Yipao videos were in order 🙂

Part way through, watch as the driver climbs out while the jeep keeps spinning!

In this one, the driver jumps on top of the jeep while it spins:

This one includes a bee cage:

 
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Location of WWII Jeep Monument Kyiv, Ukraine

February 28, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Features, International, Monuments/Statues This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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For quite sometime I have wondered where the below monument was located.  I finally found out, from G503.com, where it is located.  It is the Monument of Red Army WW2 drivers in Kyiv (Ukraine).  Check out a variety of great pics from G503.com.

jeep_statue

From G503 we can see the other side.

 
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Unusual CJ-3B with Tool Indents

February 23, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Roberto spotted this unusual Mitsuibishi CJ-3B with extended tool indents at Jeep Forum.  I’ve not seen anything quite like it.

 
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Nissan Patrol 4W61, 4W65/4W66

February 22, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International, Nissan This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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On the heals of last night’s post on the Nissan 4W60, we have the next major model of Nissan 4x4s  which are sort of CJ-3Bish. They were produced from 1955 – 1960.  You can learn about them here:  4W61, 4W65/ 4W66.

The 4W61 was produced from 1955 – 1958.

This is the 4W65 produced from 1958-1959. Now, while these have the correct side pieces, you can see the fenders look more like the 4W61.  So, compare the front of the two below photos with the Black and white photo underneath.

http://www.earlydatsun.com/nissan4w65.html

The 4W66 was produced for six months in 1959 and 1960. I don’t have any good examples of this, but here’s a modified firetruck F4W66.


Links:

http://www.earlydatsun.com/nissan4w61.html

http://www.earlydatsun.com/nissan4w65.html

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/members-nissan-patrols-19/rays-restored-1958-4w65-patrol-20479/

http://offroadsz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1483

http://rmp-o.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=986&start=20


 
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NIssan Patrol 4W60

February 21, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International, News This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Roberto wrote to me asking if I knew of any manuals or other information for the restoration of a Datsun/Nissan 4W60 for a friend that is considering restoring one  (if anyone knows of a manual, please let me know).  Well, I didn’t even know the 4W60 existed.  So, I started researching. Here are several models that followed the 4W60.

According to this site, Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi all submitted prototypes to the Japanese government in 1950 to win the rights to produce government 4wd vehicles. Mitsubishi would win, but Nissan and Toyota continued to develop 4wd vehicles anyway.

The Nissan Prototype submitted for consideration looked like this:

For the first production run starting in 1951, however, Nissan went with a very MB-like design.  I tried to find restored examples of these, but had no luck.

The second version of the 4W60 had a few changes. I found this image on a Russian auto website, but misplaced the link.

Here’s a brochure from the Rocky Mountain Patrol and Offroad Website

The would also make a Wagon (4W60 wagon) and a Truck (4w70 Truck).

Here are some useful links:

http://www.rmp-o.com/literature/pages/4W60%20brochure%20002.htm

http://www.rmp-o.com/literature/index.htm

http://www.earlydatsun.com/nissan4w60.html

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/members-nissan-patrols-19/rays-restored-1958-4w65-patrol-20479/

http://offroadsz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1483

 
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Wolfgang’s Travel Trailer & M-38

January 31, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International, M-38 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Wolfgang lives in Germany and has a great looking M-38.  But, I think that travel trailer is equally cool.  It was built in Belgium in 1977 and the model is a Coral T3.

BTW Wolfgang is looking for a Bell Crank.  Anyone have an extra one?  Just email me at d@ewillys.com.

Here’s the shot of the trailer:

Wolfgang and some friends were out jeeping recently.  As you can see, he’s not afraid to get it dirty, either.

I thought this was a really cool shot.  They are crossing a river on a small ferry.  The town in the background looks so picturesque!

 
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Rudolf finds more Willys: CJ-2A & CJ-3A in Bali

January 26, 2011 • CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, CJ-3A, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Check out the rims on the CJ-2A.  I’ve never seen rims quite like those.  I don’t have any specific information, other than the pics.

CJ-2A:

CJ-3A:

 
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Builds: Hugo’s CJ-3A in Uruguay

January 22, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Builds, Features, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: You can see the final build here.

A citizen of Uruguay, Hugo recently contacted me to appropriately correct me from confusing a town, Londrinha,  that doesn’t exist in Puerto Rico with one that does exist in Brazil (In this case, I believe I can blame Google Maps for my error!).

Because of this error, I got to know a little more about Uruguay, which it turns out I didn’t really know that much about.  One cool thing I learned is a hand was installed on (or more accurately into) the Punta del Este Beach in 1982 by Chilean artist Mario Irarrazabal.  He titled it the Monumento al Ahogado (Monument to the Drowned).  Apparently, he did another, different hand in a Chilean desert.

Hugo reports that the jeeping is excellent in Uruguay, though he hasn’t had much of a chance to jeep this summer (it is summer there of course right now), because his CJ-3A is currently dismantled in his garage for repair.  However, he did forward this picture.  Thanks for sharing!

 
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Rudolf Finds an MB in Bali

January 21, 2011 • CATEGORIES: International, MB • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Rudolf, a native of Holland, has moved to the island of Bali in Indonesia.  There, he stumbled on this unusual 6×6 last month.  Well, I guess he has found some other WWII flatties.  He thought readers might be interested in purchasing them if the export/import can be worked out.

Here’s a 1944 MB he found:

 
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Some low rider flatties from the Phillipines

January 14, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Features, International, stainless/jewels This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Following the stainless bodies last night, I figured I’d head to the Phillipines and find some non Jeepney, but equally interesting, flatties.  I didn’t have to search too hard for a good forum thread on what I’d call “low rider flatties”.  You can see the beginning of the thread here: tsikot.com or click on the pictures to get to the relevant page of the thread.

 
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Red CJ-3B from Canada (I think)

January 11, 2011 • CATEGORIES: CJ-3B, Features, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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This looks real nice.  I’m pretty sure those speakers in the back aren’t factory!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFvFWGNr2mE&feature=related

 
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Egon’s recently restored CJ-3A

November 13, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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When I last heard from Egon in early 2010, he was considering mounting a flat fender body onto his CJ-5.  However, during the intervening months he had the opportunity to purchase a mostly restored CJ-3A, which was originally brought to Europe for the Swiss Army.

The body on this flattie was replaced about 12 years ago, while the transmission and engine are original to the Jeep.  He spent time this year finishing the project, adding a roll bar, new rims and new tires.   He plans to use his new toy to hunt and explore in and around his Liechtenstein countryside.

I’ve also included a couple pics Egon sent me about a recent hunting trip to Russia where he spent time with some friends.  In his email about the trip, he mentions the All-Wheel-Drive Niva, about which I was unfamiliar;  So, I researched the Niva, which lead to this post.  He notes that the Niva functions well on the Russian terrain of Kirov, however it is a little small for a hunter and all his gear.

After Restoration

Continue reading →

 
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Hein’s Updated Electronics re-Power his F-head ….

November 2, 2010 • CATEGORIES: CJ-3B, Features, International, Reader Stories This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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I received an email from Hein a few days ago regarding his CJ-3B.  His email is a good reminder that if your engine lacks power, you might consider improving the electronics.  Thanks for sharing!

Hein writes, “Since the rebuild last-year,  I have been putting-off the replacement of the hand-brake cable.  So a call to Marathon-Spares (in Australia) was way overdue! While ordering these spares I had a chat with Neil about my rough running engine, thinking I should get a new set of points and condensor as well as bushes, cap etc for the distributor.

He told me he had just replaced the motor in his MB with a Toyota 2.4, because it is used as a daily-driver and advertising for his business, so he offered me the complete Dizzy out of his motor for a mere $75! Needless to say I didn’t hesitate a moment to include that in the package as well.  The interesting bit is that it is a solid-state unit requiring a Electronic-coil and the removal of the wound-wire ballast-resistor (we had to get a Auto-Electrician in to help with the wiring bit), but the result could not have been more Amazing!!!

Suddenly, it felt like I had replaced the whole motor ! The old F-head had so much more punch that it blew out the rusty spots on the muffler, so just yesterday I replaced the whole system with a slightly larger-diametre complete Stainless-Steel system, which not only further enhanced the performance but also gave the old-girl a distincly cocky snarl too.  I don’t think I am exagerating if I say the combination must have increased overall output by between 30 and 5o%! Other than finding a completely new one that was preserved in a time-capsule somewhere, this must be as close to driving one straight off the dealers floor in ’53 as you can come today.  I won’t even trade it for one of those brand-new Icon Replicas now, although I wouldn’t mind having one of them as a daily-driver too?”

Hein’s CJ-3B has been featured at the CJ-3B Page.