This October 16, 1960, article introduced the Redlands Geckos Jeep Club out of Redlands, Calfiornia.
October 1960 New Redlands Geckos Jeep Club Article
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Old Images Jeeping Research Archives
1957 Hemet Jeep Cavalcade Article
This article and photo appeared in the April 07, 1957, issue of the San Bernardino County Sun. The two jeeps shown are part of the 14-member Rialto Sidewinders Jeep Club. The two men pictured are W. H. Casaday(seated) and Bill Deal.
1955-1956 News Articles About Operation Pineapple
June 23, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images Jeeping, Old News Articles • TAGS: Adventure, operation.
Just this update for Tuesday.
April 22, 1956, Los Angeles Times. Strangely, this photo was published months after arriving in Los Angeles (they were likely here in late December 1955 or early January of 1956). See map below.
The trio began and ended their trip in San Paulo, Brazil. This map shows that they passed Los Angeles on their way home, then headed east towards New Orleans, the trio’s last stop in the United States.
Most folks are already familiar with this trip, but I wanted to add these news reports to the database of Operation Pineapple information. One of the articles noted that the three travelers did not try an American hamburger, because hamburger was fed to dogs in Brazil.
This first article was published shortly after Jan Stekly arrived in New Orleans, because he wasn’t allowed to travel through Mexico. It was published in the August 11, 1955, issue of the Shreveport Journal:
August 11, 1955, issue of the Shreveport Journal. Jan Stekly is shown in the photo.
Postcard of Death Valley Desert Camping in a CJ-3B on eBay
Neat old postcard showing a campsite in the desert with a CJ-3B. The photo was shot by Al Christman (presumably, there were at least two folks camping).
1959 Hemet De Anza Borrego Cavalcade
June 16, 2020 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Old Images Jeeping, Old News Articles • TAGS: cavalcade.
1959 marked the 11th annual Hemet to Borrego via De Anza trail Cavalcade. That year over 400 vehicles joined the adventure. The author and photographer of the below article, Del Schrader, was transported over the trail via two German DKWs. The article was published in the March 22, 1959, issue of the Los Angeles Times.
Jeepers Jamboree: The First 30 Years Book
I won this book on eBay the other day. With more than 450 pages, the book is full of photos, history, and stories related to thirty years of the Jeepers Jamboree, the Rubicon trail trip that became an annual event. This particularly edition includes signatures of Mark Smith (founder of the Jeepers Jamboree) and Peg Presba (the book’s author).
There’s another copy of this book for sale on Amazon, but it’s more than what I paid.
CJ-3B Adventure on Cape Hatteras
This adventure was recorded in the April 30, 1955, issue of the Saturday Evening Post.
1962 Photo of Jeeping in the Dunes of Padre Island on eBay
The seller of this June 18, 1962, photo claims this was South Padre Island, but the original script on the back of the photo labels it Padre island, which is north of South Padre (I know, that location may seem obvious). According to Wikipedia, South Padre was closed until 1962, which makes it more likely that this is Padre and not South Padre. That said, I’m no expert on this region.
View all the information on eBay
“1962 Press Photo Jeep “Off Roading” on South Padre Island Sand Dunes, Texas. This is an original press photo. Jeep rolls across sand dunes of Padre Island in Texas. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 06-18-1962.”
1958 Jeepers Jamboree Photos
These 1958 Jeepers Jamboree photos reside in the UC David digital archives. They were taken by Jervie Henry Eastman.
Eastman also shot this photo of Ted Corder’s Willys dealership, located in Susanville, California. I’d say this was taken in the late 1940s?
Escape From Burma in Ford GPs
February 7, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Magazine, Old Images Jeeping • TAGS: Life-Magazine.
During a 75,000 mile adventure between 1940 and 1942 Life photographer George Rodger photographed the growing war across Africa, Europe, and Asia. During the latter part of his adventures he found himself using, then abandoning, Two Ford GPs sent to the Chinese as he and his fellow adventurers escaped Burma. He reported on these adventures, through photos, in the August 10, 1942, issue of Life Magazine.
The 1959 Jeep Calvalcade “Rush to the Rockies” Centennial
Photo from the Denver Post. Both Life Magazine and the Denver Post covered the event. Note the white wagon above. It appears in a couple of the color photos below.
UPDATE: These Life Magazine photos and some other information was originally posted in 2011. A couple days ago I confirmed that these photos were from a special 1959 Jeep Calvacade, organized as one of many events during the 1859-1959 Rush to the Rockies Centennial Celebration.
I’d love to get a digital copy of the below brochure if anyone has one.
Some folks attached these flags to their rigs.
I hope to gather more information about the Jeep Cavalcade soon. In the meantime, I’ve only been able to document that one of these photos appeared in print in the December 28, 1959, issue of Life Magazine (the one below).
Old School Jeeping Photos
I ran across these photos today posted by a guy who grew up in the Skyway Cliffhangers Jeep Club, a club based in my hometown of Renton. The photos below highlight the kinds of paint jobs I remember back in the 1970s. As a kid, part of the fun of going to playdays and jeep conventions was to see all the different paint schemes (colors, designs, and accents), tires choices, cage architecture, engine experimentations, and other modifications. You can see lots of old PNW Jeeping photos here:
http://rockdnlockd.forumotion.com/t644-kick-n-it-old-school
1974 Jeepers Jamboree Slides on eBay
These are five slides from a larger collection of slides showing the 1974 Jeepers jamboree available on eBay for sale. Check out the first photo of the CJ-3B; the hood has some strange bends where it meets the grille.
Stebbins Service Testimonial
This 1947 Willys testimonial did not have a signature.
Hemet Jeep Club Cavalcade Photos
These photos appeared in the 2008 book HEMET, part of which was scanned into Google Books. In this case, the captions suggest that these were photos of the first cavalcade (listed in the caption as ’48, but ’49 according to a long-time club member),
To me it looks as if there’s at least two M-38A1s, but I can’t confirm that with this lo-res image. The year credited is 1954.
The caption on the photo below suggests this was taken in 1948, but the CJ-3A shown at the front places the next two photos later than that. In fact, the CJ-3A pictured appears also appears in the 1949 photos from Life Magazine. So, these were most likely taken in April of 1949.
An M-38A1 (or CJ-5) can be seen in the background, suggesting this is at least 1952 or later.
UPDATE: Operation Pineapple — the 1955 44,000 Mile Trip
UPDATE: The world can be such an amazing place sometimes. Last night we got to spend time with Hugo Vidal and his son Fernando. Hugo’s memories of his 1955 trip are very clear, enough so that he’s writing a book about the adventure. His book begins with Operation Pineapple and will end with Alaska Or Rust.
Hugo was enjoying looking through the Willys News periodicals from the mid 1950s. He recognized some of people in them.
Originally posted June 23, 2015: The CJ-3B page does a good job covering the history of Operation Pineapple, a 1955 trip by three Sao Paulo Boy Scouts: Hugo Vidal, Charles Downey, and Jan Stekly. You can read everything about it here: http://cj3b.info/Finds/FindsPineapple.html. The Allpar site has additional information and a later photo of Hugo: http://www.allpar.com/racing/road-rally/operation-pineapple.html
Adding to those links, I have found a couple additional photos and more information about the trip. The first photo was published in the September 1955 issue of Willys News:
Note the missing tire on the spare rim. Hugo says they went through eleven tires. During their trip they had no mechanical issues.
California’s Lodi News-Sentinel published a story about the last leg of their trip on January 18, 1956.
Vintage Rubicon Trail Video
This vintage Rubicon video was linked to on Facebook.
CJ-3B Drag Racer and Plow Jeep
The September 1961 issue of Hot Rod Magazine included this reader-submitted photo. The owner explained that the jeep did well as a drag racer (in the stock 4cyl class I’m sure) when they weren’t using it as a plow jeep.
V-8 Jeeps & The Sidewinder Cruise
In September of 1961, Hot Rod Magazine published this article about the Saleea Al Jemel jeep club’s Sidewinder Cruise (first documented jeep club, formed in 1946) in Southern California. The article covers various V8 upgrades installed in flat fender jeeps, with a focus on Brian Chuchua’s Plymouth V8 install.
Old Faithful, Honorable Purple Heart Winner
Thanks to Keith for the tip about Old Faithful.
According to this page, the Associated Press captured this photo of “Old Faithful” on the island of Bougainville in 1944.
Recently, Jeep shot a commercial highlighting a little known fact that a jeep named “Old Faithful” was awarded an honorable Purple Heart for its service in Guadalcanal and Bougainville during WWII (not to be confused with a jeep that was named “Purple Heart“). The jeep was later put on display at the Marine Corps Museum, but, according to an article in Adweek, it disappeared and its whereabouts remain unknown.
The September/October 1944 Army Ordinance reported on Old Faithful:
Old Faithful was a Willys built jeep that served four Marine generals through the Guadalcanal campaign and the Bougainville invasion. Old Faithful was officially awarded the Purple Heart for “wounds”–two shrapnel holes in its windshield received during the Jap battleship shelling of Guadalcanal on October 13, 1942.
Old Faithful, the first American vehicle ever to be so decorated, was retired from active service by official Marine Corps order on December 22, 1943. Faithful to the last, this jeep’s motor, which has never been overhauled, purrs as smoothly today as it did on the historic day of August 7, 1942, when it first rolled onto Guadalcanal’s famous Lunga Beach. During its duty in the Pacific area,
Old Faithful served as official car for many distinguished leaders, including the late Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, Adms. Chester Nimitz and William F. Halsey, Vice Adms. A.W. Fitch, and J.S. McCain, Marine Corps Commandant Lieut. Gen. Thomas Holcomb, his successor Lieut, Gen A.A. Vandegrift, and many others. In 1944, Old Faithful, after a long journey, arrived in heaven and now reposes in the Marine Corps Museum at the Marine Corps Air Station Quantico, Va.
Also in 1944, the Marine Corps Chevron included this photo and article on “Old Faithful”:
WAR RELIC’ “Old Faithful,” retired after 18 monthsservice in the South Pacific as a command oar, was displayed in San Diego’s War Bond drive. It is being inspected by Majs. Granville Mitchell (left) and Douglas J. Preacher.
Battle-Worn Jeep Back In U. S. On Bond Tour
“Old Faithful,” first Marine jeep to be landed on Guadalcanal and among the first on Bougainville, was exhibited at the Plaza War Bond center in downtown San Diego this week in connection with the Filipino Day program.
The jeep was retired on Bougainville recently after having traveled more than 11,000 miles of jungle terrain as a command car. During its 18 months’ service “Old Faithful” served four Marine generals as well as carrying every ranking Marine officer and visiting official on the two battle-torn islands.
Previously, the jeep had been awarded a “Purple Heart” for holes in its windshield, received when a Jap battleship shelled Guadalcanal. It is on its way toward becoming a museum piece at the Marine Corps Museum, Quantico.
Kent Frost and his CJ-5 at Needles
Here’s another photo of Kent Frost and his CJ-5 at the Needles in Canyonlands National Park, probably before it was a park.
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/USHS_Morton/id/595/rec/4
1949 Photo from Colorado River Crossing
This Utah State Historical Society photo by Jack Breed from 1949 is just beautiful! Three unidentified men are standing around a National Geographic Society Jeep, part of a Society exploration party into southern Utah. They are observing the site called “Crossing of the Fathers” at the Colorado River. I shared a color version of this photo back in 2013, but the black and white photo is equally beautiful.
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/USHS_Class/id/30852/rec/11
1961 Video on San Juan County, Utah
As a former Utahn, I found this video interesting. I never knew that Mexican Hat was named for a rock formation (but I’ve only been through there once). The video is a half hour. To view it, click the photo below. Then, click the “Play” button.
Travelogue produced and narrated by Al Morton for San Juan County, Utah, in 1961. It covers the scenic sights of San Juan County, including Rainbow Bridge, Looking Glass Rock, Monticello, Blanding, Bluff, Recapture Canyon, the Valley of the Gods, Mexican Hat, the Goosenecks of the San Juan, Monument Valley; Hovenweep National Monument; Newspaper Rock; Natural Bridges National Monument; the Canyonlands Needles area, Angel Arch, and Dead Horse Point. A significant portion of the film involves a Jeep tour run by Kent and Fern Frost. Includes references to local industries, the Navajo Indians, and the settlement by the San Juan Mission in 1878-1879. Run time: 30 minutes, 3 seconds;
1963 Photo From Canyonlands
This 1963 photo shows a jeep exploring the Needles area in anticipation of Canyonlands National Park. The park was established in 1964.
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/USHS_Class/id/28787/rec/5
Rare DJ-5 Yellow Surrey
December 25, 2015 • CATEGORIES: DJ-3A, DJ-5 & DJ-6, Features, Old Images Jeeping, Old News Articles • TAGS: Surrey.
UPDATE: Originally published 12/13/2011
Bruce provided this research on Surreys and found a picture of this very rare Surrey. Of the DJ-5 Surrey he writes, Only 30 were built on what looks like the dj platform. It looks to be 2wd using the full ‘JEEP’ wheel cover, rear spare, steps, 60/40 seats up front & rear seat, daffodil yellow & white interior & candy striped yellow & white top w/fringe.
According to the Saskkatoon Star Phoenix June 17 1968: “For many years a familiar sight south of the border particularly at southern hotels & resorts, the ‘Jeep’ Surrey has been introduced to Canada, Kaiser Jeep of Canada Limited, Windsor, Ont has produced 30 for a special program. Painted daffodil yellow & white interior, its chief characteristic is a yellow & white candy striped fringe top. It can also be outfitted w/fully-enclosing convertible top for winter motoring.”
