We made it home after driving 10,043 miles through 27 states. Time to rest. I’ll summarize the trip tomorrow night. Thanks to everyone who helped make it so special!
News Research Archives
The Pig Cutting Board
Tom Gallagher loves his CJ-3Bs. He also works with wood (professionally). Last summer he gave Ann and I a small pig cutting board as a marriage present. I use it every day and love it. If you are looking for a nice cutting board, check out one of his. (Not a paid endorsement or anything, but he did just launch a new website so I wanted to give him a plug).
Updates For the Next Couple of Days
Between the Bantam Festival presentations on Friday and Saturday (both at 1pm at or near the History area — I can’t say for sure at the moment) and that fact that we are camping (which makes charging our equipment difficult), there will likely be few updates. I’ll throw up a few old posts though.
We will be camping at Amphitheater C.
SCHEDULE FRIDAY:
9AM: We will be arriving at Coopers Lake
1PM: My Presentation starts
1:30PM: I will be selling/signing Finding Virginia books and should have a couple more Amber Panels books as well.
5PM: We’ll be participating in the downtown Butler Jeep Rally
SCHEDULE SATURDAY:
1PM: My Presentation starts
1:30PM: I will be selling/signing Finding Virginia books and should have a couple more Amber Panels books as well.
3PM: Docent in history building? TBD
Evening: Eating at the “Pigout”
SCHEDULE SUNDAY:
We hope to be on the road by 11AM. We plan to stop in at the Packard Museum in Ohio.
I expect to have time Sunday evening to do updates.
1953 CJ-3A Brady, NE No Price
UPDATE: Was on eBay. Now on Craigslist.
(03/29/2013) Has rear PTO. Looks in good shape.
“I HAVE A 1953 WILLYS JEEP IN GOOD CONDITION, MODEL CJ3A, NEW CARBURETOR,NEW STARTER HAS A WINCH ON FRONT AND HAS PTO ON BACK, TAN IN COLOR, CONTACT 308-530-6418 OR 308-530-3423. IF INTERESTED IN PICTURES PLEASE CALL AND WE WILL SEND THEM.”
Custom Flatfender St. Louis, MO $5500
UPDATE: Now No Price. Was listed at $5500.
The work looks good, but the frontend design is unexpected. Those old dogs look in good shape.
“I have a built from ground up 1944 Willys Jeep, it has a regular jeep frame and Willys body, extremely nice, never seen rain or anything, garage kept. NO TITLE, but can get a builders title. Have over $13,000 invested in it. Will sell for $3500 OBO, motivated seller. If live at far distance and unable to pick up, will deliver for fee. You can call/text 618-917-7777, for any questions you may have. tHANKSs”
Next Stops
Sunday evening we’ll be traveling to Burlington, VT. From there we’ll be going through the NY Mountains to reach Oswego, NY, monday night. Why Oswego? I am hoping to find out more about the two women who did the around-the-world tour in an FC. They were teachers at the University there.
Tuesday night we’ll land in the Buffalo/North Tonawanda area. If I can get a good price, we’ll stay there a week. We’ll be preparing for the Bantam Festival and our trip home.
Photo of Jeep at Specker Motors
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Marc spotted this reprinted photo on eBay. I tracked Specker Motors to Marquette, MI. You can see more pics here.
No Updates today
Spent the night last night in Connecticut and had a nice time meeting extended family I hadn’t ever met. We’ll likely be staying in southern Mass tonight. Then we’ll wind northward through Mass and into Maine. We’ve been talking about trying to reach Acadia NP. More tonight.
Oh, am behind on emails, so I hope to catch up tonight.
1948 CJ-2A Aumsville, OR **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5500.
This build looks clean, but having the speakers mounted like they are means you’ll have to cover them whenever jeeping. Maybe that part is removable? The hood scoop is unusually shaped.
“1948 willys sb400 chevy 3 spd runs good all new wiring ,gauges ,seats ,stereo ,33 baja claws on weld wheels real head turner $5500.00”
Buffalo News Article
Thanks to Gary, I got connected to the Buffalo News, which picked up my story of bringing a plaque of my great great grandfather Rudolph Wurlitzer to the North Tonanwanda History Museum.
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130525/CITYANDREGION/130529746/1019
Year? CJ-2A Rio Verde, AZ $2500
This jeep has floating rear hubs and the crank starter.
“This jeep has a crank start as well, original windshield.
4 wheel dtive.
OBO”
East Coast Willys Club
CORRECTION: I accidentally wrote that Paul launched this new website when is was actually Kyle.
Kyle Butcher has launched a new jeep club. He asked me to share that information:
This New club merges pre-1970 jeep loving people. It isn’t just for flat fenders but all classic Jeeps. Great start and great group of people. There are also multiple options. You can join as a member and recieve member benefits or just go on the forum and the facebook for free, up to you. http://www.eastcoastwillys.org and east coast willys association on facebook.
This is an organization to bring pre 1970 Jeep enthusiasts together.
To join go to the online store and select membership.
ANYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN AND PARTICIPATE IN EVENTS. THIS IS BASED OFF OF PRE 1970 JEEPS AND EVENTS ARE DESIGNED FOR THOSE VEHICLES.
1953 Parade in Which Texas Town?
Joe submitted these pics and question:
Question: What happens when you combine the festive atmosphere of the Texas State Fair, a U.S. Army Band and a battalion of M38 Army Jeeps.
Answer: You have a huge parade and tax the driving skills of 24 soldiers with driving in close-order formation.
These LIFE photos by John Dominis are available for sale on the internet. Do an Image Search on “LIFE Jeep-Borne Army Band”. I count 24 jeeps………. Can anyone identify the name of the city in Texas where this was photographed?
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/34e6a0f9c68b49a8.html:
Happy Mothers Day — No Updates Tonight
Between Antique Fire Engines, 16,000 toys, and a French Laundry, our trip from Mackinaw City to Fenton, MI, proved to be fascinating and fun. We have plenty of pics to share, but those will have to wait for at least a day.
Happy Mother’s Day MOM!
Sailor Driving CJ-3A Pulling a Stage
I’m sure there’s a story behind it, but I fear we’ll never know why a sailor was driving a CJ-3A and pulling a stage through a neighborhood.
“Original vintage snapshot photo, circa 1940s or 1950s. Sailor at the wheel of a Jeep, pulling a trailer that looks to be a stage – “When The Rains Came.” We do not have any details about the location of this photo. Some minor age toning, otherwise a nice image- as seen in scans. Measures about 2-3/8″ x 3.5″
View all the information on ebay
1946 CJ-2A Elk Grove, CA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4500.
“VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:
Presented today for your consideration is a 1946 Willys Jeep Flat Fender. This vehicle is street legal and set up for your off road adventure. Willys jeeps from this era are very hard to find and this one is set up right. Fold down the front window, remove the top, put it into “climb like a mountain goat” low-low and enjoy the great performance of this true American icon! Back seat area with seat belts lets the whole family enjoy the ride, or simply pile in your buddies and a cooler and hit the trails! No rust underneath, or on body panels. ”
Sorry for the technical delay
Hi all. We had a temporary technical delay. Something was gnawing at the sites resources. I suspect bots are attacking . . . again.
We are just entering St. Paul. After an absence of jeeps for the last two days, we finally spotted a CJ-2A perched on the hillside along I-94. More on that tomorrow.
1949? M-38 Riverside, CA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $7500.
(08/13/2012) This appears in good shape.
“A military icon of the 19th century, this W.W. II Style jeep manufactured by Willy’s is rare and sought after by collectors and rein-actors alike. Runs good, 5 new tires, M.P. police lights work, starter is weak.”
Steger Pedal Jeep Tucson, AZ $550
I don’t remember seeing another Steger appear for sale.
“This pedal car was found in the rafters of a garage in Chicago. It was purchased at an estate sale where it was found. Original wood bodu. Refurbished. Asking 550 obo”
Just a few updates tonight
I’m working late on the book tonight to finish Draft 4 of my new book, which I expect will be the last major draft. So only a few updates tonight. I’ll do some more throughout the afternoon on the way to Seattle tomorrow.
No Updates Thursday
I cooked dinner and enjoyed a movie with my wife tonight, so no updates on Thursday.
CJ-5/FC Jeep Sign Raleigh, NC **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was No Price.
If I could only fit this in the jeep I’d buy it and bring it back with me. I’m sure someone else will enjoy it.
“Sign from a 1940 1950 Willys Jeep dealer lights up and flashes World Largest Jeep ManufactuerOF 4 Wheel Drive Vechicles”
1951 CJ-3A Blackville, SC $4500
UPDATE: Was on eBay. Now on Craigslist.
“1951 Willys Civilian Jeep – runs great, everything works except gas gauge, SC title in hand. This model came equipped with factory heater. I call this a Marine Corps Dress Blue Jeep, ready for parades, etc.”
4 Turbine Rims Tri Cities, WA $250
No pics provided. They are near me somewhere if anyone is interested.
“5×5.5. ford, jeep, dodge, zuk. some raiders. 15″ classic turbine wheels. 40 spokes. $250. no text366 6296”
Henry Keeps Rolling
2013 March/April Trip (Ordered by Date) to The FC-Roundup and the Southwest
Henry’s Performance (2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo All-Wheel Drive)
Gerald asked about our 2012 Grand Cherokee’s performance during our trip. He also asked if our jeep had a name yet. Yes, the jeep has a name: Henry. It was Ann’s idea, since most of her life she’s owned a Ford. We even traded in her Ford Mustang for the jeep (now there’s a great wife — willing to trade in her car to get a jeep!)
Henry has the basic Laredo GC with the 3.8 with the towing package upgrade. It has fulltime all wheel drive, but doesn’t have low range. We bought it with approx 4k miles for $28,500. Our goal was to have a mildly off-road, a snow, and a camping capable vehicle.
Having put 6,000 miles on Henry in the last five weeks we have found the jeep has exceeded our expectations. Rated at 23mpg we regularly get 25mpg at 75mph without air conditioning (it hasn’t been warm enough to run the air). The jeep handles well enough that I don’t miss touring with my BMW 540i. My BMW has better passing power, but I can live without that.
The jeep is well equipped for working in the passenger seat. Two electrical outlets allow me to keep my computer / phones/ broadband device powered. The windows could use some tinting to help reduce computer screen glare.
Not only are their cup holders in the middle, but the doors have auxiliary cup holders, which work well for bottles of water or empty cans. We really appreciate the door cup holders!
The jeep has the push button starter, which I’d never used, but really like! I keep the key in my pocket and Ann keeps one on her. There is no fumbling with keys to open doors or start the jeep. As long as the electronics and computer work over the long term I will continue to like this feature!
The packing capacity seems good. We’ll know just how good it is when I try to pack 2 terra tires into the back. My wife is convinced they won’t fit. I am convinced I can make them fit!
Here are a few pics of Henry offroad.
2013 March/April Trip (Ordered by Date) to The FC-Roundup and the Southwest