This full page article published July 22, 1941, in Baltimore’s Evening Sun includes photos of Bantam BRC-60s and Ford GPs.
Old Images Research Archives
1941 Full-Page Article on the Jeep
This is a second full-page article on the jeep, this time with two large photos in the May 04, 1941, issue of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Article and Photos of the Bantam T2E1
UPDATE: This article from August 28, 1941, published in the Daily News (New York City), describes the Bantam BRC-40 T2E1. This is the second generation of of the T2E1, (reportedly, the first generation of the T2E1 had a the full body, which itself was a derivation of the T2, an anti-tank jeep that had the gun between the seats; however, there apparently is some debate on how to define the versions).
Also mentioned below is the Ford Swamp Angel. I’ll have more info on that in an upcoming post.
This is a T2E1 from an angle I’ve never seen. It was published yesterday on the Quest Masters Museum Facebook page:
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Originally published May 31, 2020:
An article from 1941 appears to describe the T2E1 Bantams shown in photos below (a few more photos here also). The article describes the rifles as 47mm, while the photo captions correctly describe the rifle as a 37mm. Perhaps the difference is that the article was written in July, while the photos were taken late in August? So, maybe, 47mm rifles might have been initially considered? (47mm anti-tank guns were developed by France as early as 1931)
This article was published July 21, 1941, in the Lansing State Journal out of Michigan:
#1 Originally posted 01/31/2014:
This is likely a reprint, but still a good photo of the Bantam BRC-40 T2E1.
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#2 Posted August of 2018:
1941 Photo of Bantam at DC Steps **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay. This photo was floating one of the Facebook groups, but didn’t include the caption, which describes the passengers. This was originally published here Dec 23, 2014.
The question of the license plate came up on Facebook (as in, why does it have a license plate), while the question of “giant jeep” came up in a previous post on eWillys. The thing that’s been a head scratcher for me is that this jeep is carrying three grown men in the front, with space between the driver and the two passengers.
What is for certain is that in May 1941 Charles Payne (exec assistant to Bantam President Frank Fenn), was in Washington to promote Bantam’s efforts (see newspaper article at the bottom of this post).
So, thinking out loud, is it possible that the below verbiage is true, that Bantam made a “giant” or larger jeep to promote its effort to obtain a contract? It would explain why it has dealer plates (as it wasn’t owned by the military). Here’s a comparison with another face-front Bantam:
The angle of the jeep on the right going up the steps makes it appear a little larger, so that’s not helpful. One unusual aspect is that it seems to sit taller, with a greater distance between the tires and the front fenders; yet, the spring shacks still have more play in them than the photo on the left. However, all this could be the effect of being on the stairs with six people piled in it.
The license plate, unless enlarged, suggests that the jeep on the left is not giant, but rather a standard sized jeep. Therefore, my suspicion is that this isn’t a larger jeep. So, why the “giant jeep” comment was used by the reporter is still a mystery to me. Thoughts?
From the original eBay ad: “A Vintage1941 Original Photo depicting a Giant Jeep carrying politicians in Washington D.C. The vehicle was made by the makers of the U.S. Army’s newest midget to promote their new vehicle to the suits in Washington. The small four-wheel drive utility vehicles would become an icon of World War II. Original press stamp and caption with a MAY 25 1941 stamp date are on the verso.”
This photo was published in the May 26, 1941, issue of the Star Tribune out of Minneapolis, Minnesota:
This article from May 04, 1941, published in the Dayton Daily News (Ohio) provides additional information on Charles Payne’s visit, but doesn’t elaborate on the “Giant Jeep”, which may have been an Associate Press reporter creation:
1962? Chicago Fire Department Parade Clown FC-170
This photo was floating around Facebook. It shows a Chicago Fire Department FC-170 dressed up as a clown carrier. Anyone know where the photo originated (the FB poster didn’t know). He did have a date of 12/5/1962.
1941 Article with Ford GP
This photo and article featuring a Ford GP was published June 09, 1941, in the Democrat and Chronicle out of Rochester, New York. It highlighted Major Harry Miller’s jeep modification, which added a 37MM gun to the rear of the vehicle.
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Originally posted February 07, 2015: This post emphasized the Camp Lewis connection.
This June 9, 1941, article from the Spokane Daily Chronicle notes the Ford GP belongs to a Fort Lewis unit visiting California for maneuvers.
Shriner Jeep Patrols
Here are a couple 1960s photos of the Shriner Mini Jeep Patrols. These jeep patrols and shiners in all kinds of mini-vehicles still ply the parade routes (This Facebook group includes modern photos and videos of them).
This first photo is from May 12, 1963, and published in the Marshall News Messenger (Marshall, Texas):
This second photo was published in the Tyler Morning Telegraph (Tyler, Texas) on December 07, 1963:
And here’s a 2007 video of them in action:
1950s Photos of Shriners in WWII Jeeps
This article shows a similarly painted WWII jeep, with a “Wrecking Crew” aboard, as the one below. The article is from the April 20, 1950, issue of the Daily Times out of Salisbury, Maryland:
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Originally Published July 22, 2018:
“1966 Press Photo Shriners Ride in Jeep Parade 1960s Downtown Seattle Washington”
1948 Photo of MB/GPW at Cape Hattaras
This photo was taken August 8, 1948, at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It was posted to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Facebook page. According to the post, “On August 8, 1948 flags flew from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, as the United States Coast Guard celebrated the 158th anniversary of its founding. Governor R. Gregg Cherry flew in by helicopter and spoke at the celebration, which also included Coast Guard apparatus demonstrations and a mammoth fish fry.”
The jeep looks to be an MB or GPW with a custom top accented by sliding doors. It’s a pretty nice setup.
Circa 1945 Photo of Scott’s Grandfather
Scott just discovered eWillys and is having fun digging through 59,000+ posts. He also shared the pic below and a story about it.
“This is a picture of my grandfather, Norman Len, in his Jeep. The picture was taken probably in 1945 at NAS Barbers Point, HI where my grandfather was in “Carrier Aircraft Service Unit TWO” (CASU-2).
The interesting backstory is that my grandfather, before going in the Navy in 1944, worked for the Willys Overland Aircraft Division in Toledo manufacturing center wing sections for the Corsair fighter. He used those skills in the Navy as an Aviation Machinists Mate working on a variety of carrier based aircraft.
Also, it’s likely that the jeep he is sitting in was partially assembled by family members – my Great Grandfather (Nickolas Len) and his brother (William “Bill” Len) both worked for Willy’s/Kaiser/Jeep from the late 30’s to the 1960’s.”
1946 Photo of Jeep and New T28 Tank on eBay
I suppose the jeep is included in this press photo for size reference purposes?
View all the information on eBay
“1946 Press Photo T28 Army Tank and Military Jeep in Aberdeen, Maryland. This is an original press photo. 100-Ton Tank Unveiled by Army – Aberdeen, Maryland – Jeep is dwarfed by new superheavy T28 tank, one of the new Army weapons showed for the first time at the 28th annual meeting of the Army Ordnance Association before 6,000 industrialists. The tank, said to be the biggest vehicle ever built for the Army, weighs nearly 100-tons and carries a 105mm gun.Photo measures 7 x 10inches. Photo is dated 10-03-1946.”
1942 Photo of Jeep Stuck in Sand on eBay
UPDATE: Barney Goodwin wanted to note that jeeps get stuck in duck ponds, too…
He writes, “While in the Navy in Stockton, I bought this 43 GPW from a farmer up in Anderson CA. After a paint using the local USMS detachment’s supply, we did a mechanical refresh, rollbar, and some stuff and took it our to test it at the base duck pond which I managed.
Got stuck in the marsh near it and had to pull it out with a friend’s M151. Fun times! Happy New Year!”
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Yep, apparently this soldier learned the hard way that jeeps can get stuck in sand.
View all the information on eBay
“ORIGINAL WWII PHOTO – ORIGINAL TO THE TIME – NOT A COPY, SCAN, OR REPRO
QUANTITY: 1 – See the other original WWI & WWII photos that I have listed.
ITEM: Original WWII photo of US Army JEEP in DESERT SAND at Ordnance Desert Proving Ground, Camp Seeley, California, 1942. Photo was taken by GI named D. W. Bonachevski who was stationed at Camp Seeley.
SORRY. I WILL NOT SELL OR SHIP THIS ITEM TO RUSSIA, AFRICA, OR SOUTH AMERICA DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH POSTAL SYSTEMS.
DATE: WWII – photo does not glow under a black light.
SIZE: 3.75″ x 4.75″
CONDITION: Very Good; see scans.
BACK: Has descriptive note written in pencil; See last scan..
SOURCE: From the archives of the World War History & Art Museum (WWHAM) in Alliance, Ohio. WWHAM designs and delivers WWI and WWII exhibits to other museums. Our traveling exhibits include Brushes With War, a world class collection of 325 original paintings and drawings by soldiers of WWI, and Iron Fist, an HO scale model of the German 2nd Panzer Division in 1944 with 4,000 vehicles and 15,000 men.”
Photos of Jeeps at Bauman’s Gas Station Toledo, Ohio on eBay
A half-cab tow-equipped CJ-2A at Bauman’s Service Station appears in two different photos on eBay. Both pics show the #4 on the doors.
The last photo shows a CJ-3A with the #9 painted onto the side. “DORR & SECOR” was painted on all the Bauman vehicles.
Photo of 4 Bantam BRC-60s
Brian spotted this photo showing 4 Bantam BRC-60s rolling down a hill. This was posted to the Butlers Standard Eight Facebook Group. The text on the photo reads: “Bantam BRC 40s” Four of the 70 prototypes produced between September 1940 and December 1940. Despite what the text indicates, we know those as Bantam BRC-60s, not 40s.
1957 Park ‘Jeep’ Dealership St. Louis Park, MN
UPDATE: As JoeB points out (and I missed), the van is an Economy 2WD Deliver Chassis with a Montpelier body conversion (vs. the Boyer version).
http://www.ewillys.com/2013/12/02/economy-delivery-van-image-comparison/#more-150114
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Several folks shared this photo with me. It was published by Paul Swanson on Facebook. HIs family used to own the dealership. The fourth vehicle in the row looks to be an unusual model of the economy/package/delivery van. You’ll note it lacks front hubs, suggesting it was 2WD. Some were 2WD and some 4WD vans: http://www.ewillys.com/2020/07/06/photo-of-an-unusual-boyerstown-built-2wd-delivery-van/
Paul dates the photo to 1957, but to me the FC-150 on the left and the first FC-150 in the row of jeeps look like they are not narrow tracks, which would put the photo later than 1957. Moreover, I cannot find any ads for Park Jeep earlier than the summer of 1958.
Paul indicated that he will post better images of the van.
From the February 02, 1960, issue of the Minneapolis Star. Strangely, I could not locate any ads earlier than the summer of 1958. So, it’s unclear to me when the dealership opened. You’ll note this ad mentions an Economy van; maybe the one in the pic above never sold.
1942 Jeep Convoy of Russians
This photo was published in the November 21, 1942, issue of the Los Angeles Times. It shows the convoy of a Russian antitank outfit.
1944 Article on Former Decorator’s Japanese Prisoners
This is a fun article about a former decorator turned jeep jockey named Pvt. Hurshal (Peewee) Wilson in New Guinea ‘captured’ 17 prisoners. It appeared in the Medford Mail Tribune (Medford,Oregon). His jeep was named “Helen” after his girlfriend.
Hurshal would survive WWII and leave the Army a Tech 5, but his relationship to Helen did not. Instead, he married Deedra R (Harman) Wilson. He passed away in 1991, his wife passing later in 2006, with both buried at Riverside National Cemetery. There is no evidence they had children.
After finding the article, a search on eBay led to this photo of Hurshal:
Here’s the article:
Wrecked Jeep Photos (2 With Wood Bodies)
These photos appeared on Facebook, though some have made the rounds over the years. The pics that really caught my eye were the wooden test body pics. Kaiser Willys has some history and more pics on these wood-bodied test jeeps: https://blog.kaiserwillys.com/the-wooden-willys-jeep-test.
The remainder of the wrecked jeeps:
1945 Photo Dozer Pulling Jeeps in Luzon on eBay
Note the jeep in the front. It looks like the front clip is sitting sideways. Maybe these were pulled because they didn’t work? Contrary to what the caption indicates, the water doesn’t look too deep for the jeeps.
View all the information on on ebay
This photo appeared in the January 31, 1945, issue of the Evening Sun out of Baltimore, Maryland. It was accompanied by a jeep-train photo also.
Photo of “Taking Kathie Home” Jeep on eBay
I am wondering if this was originally named “Kathie”, but then the solider got permission to bring the jeep home? The photo is dated 11/21/1945, so it is post-war.
View all the information on eBay
“This photo belonged to Lt. Robert J. Dobuski – Serial #33052063. He was with the 3482nd Ordnance MAM Company. WWII US GI Photo – Street View Of 3482nd Ordnance Jeep “Taking Kathie Home” – The photograph measures Roughly 3 1/4″ x 4 1/2″.
1957 Photo of M-38A1; Merry Christmas!
This old Christmas photo featuring a decorated M-38A1 and trailer is for sale on eBay. It’s a pretty faded photo, but just seemed perfect for this year’ s pandemic Christmas … things are just a bit off this year!
View all the information on ebay
“Vintage 1957 Christmas Photograph Santa Merry Christmas Jeep Reindeer Funny.”
Willys MA Photo on eBay
Here’s a photo of a Willys MA in action.
“Offered is an original WWII time period photograph. It belonged Lt. Salvador Joseph Cuttitta who was enlisted with the 6th Armored Infantry and trained with 1st Armored Division. He was then transferred to serve with the 5th Armored Division. There is some tape on the corners as seen. Picture measures approximately 3 1/4″ x 4 1/2″ inches.”
Customized WWII Jeep
This photo is part of a collection of photos of the 333rd Engineers. No date is given. It looks like this jeep was nicely updated until a wreck or something else caused damage.
1942 Santa w/ Kids in a jeep
This 1944 newspaper photo of Santa in a jeep shows a military jeep with a taller-than-normal windshield, almost 2A like. This was published in the December 28, 1942, in the Bull Horn out of Norman, Oklahoma.
1947 Press Photo of Japanese Kids in Toy Jeeps on eBay
This press photo was taken March 30, 1947, at a Japanese department story where kids got to test out riding jeeps from a Japanese manufacturer who added “Kiroy was Here” to the dash. I don’t think these models of riding jeeps have been documented.
View all the information on ebay
“1947 Press Photo Children playing with toy jeeps at a department store in Japan. This is an original press photo. Japan (General). Japanese children, visiting a Tokyo department store, try out toy jeeps bearing the slogan “Kilroy was here,” placed on them by the Japanese manufacturer.Photo measures 7 x 8.75inches. Photo is dated 3-30-1947. ”
I was able to locate a corresponding photo in a newspaper. This one appeared in the March 31, 1947, issue of the Des Moines Tribune out of Iowa: