An article in the Hartford Courant on August 05, 1945, did a nice job of combining the initial press photos and press release information.
Old Images Research Archives
1945 Article Notes South American Jeep Interest
As of October of 1945, columnist William E. Jones notes that distributing agencies had already been established in South America. But, Willys-Overland would have a difficult time filling those orders right away, as a lack of transmissions, other production issues, and initial American orders from dealers totaling 30,000 jeeps, left the company scrambling to produce enough jeeps to meet demands.
National Archives Early Jeep Testing
For you history geeks out there like me, the national archives operates a blog called the “Text Message” where archivists can share a bit of the massive information troves that make up the National Archives, complete with references. Unfortunately, in this case, the references have not been posted online, but at least researchers can now use the breadcrumbs from the post to help track down the relevant documents if need be.
One particular post, written by archivist Joseph Gillette in 2019, highlights the early tests of the jeep for farm work. One bit of info I found interesting highlights the War Department’s dedication to its troops. When Willys-Overland volunteered to send some new jeeps to the Ag Department for farm tests, the War Department responded it could not spare the new jeeps as soldiers desperately needed them, but it would authorize the use of used ones in running condition.
Read the entire blog post here: https://text-message.blogs.archives.gov/2019/04/23/it-will-do-everything-except-climb-a-tree/#_ftnref2
Here are some additional images from the post:
July 1945 “Jeep Has a Rendezvous With …”
This article was published in the July 15, 1945, issue of the Journal Herald out of Dayton, Ohio. The title of the article is “Jeep Has a Rendezvous With America’s Postwar Era”. It proceed the official press release kit by a few days, so neither photo came from that first press kit.
The jeep shown on the right is a Willys MA. Back in 2013, a full press photo was sold on eBay. Curiously, the headlight on the driver’s side was missing.
1956 Article on the New FC-150 Jeep
The Ventura County Star-Free Press published an article on the new FC-150 Jeep in the December 04, 1956, issue of the paper.
1945 Photo of Gen. MacArthur Returning to Corregidor on eBay
This photo shows General MacArthur returning to Corregidor Island and crossing it via jeep.
“1945 Press Photo General MacArthur Riding in Jeep at Corregidor Island. This is an original press photo. General MacArthur returned to the Rock March 2, 1945, nearly three years after leaving for Australia, and inspected the ruined fortress. Corregidor IslandPhoto measures 10 x 8.25inches. Photo is dated 03-02-1945.”
1948 Article Introducing the Jeepster
A July 27, 1948, article in the San Bernardino County Sun introduced readers to Willys-Overland’s Jeepsters.
1943 Article on Rockridge School Bond Sales For Jeep Purchases
1943 Photos of the Ford GPA
The July 27, 1943, issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer included two photos of the newly developed “Amphibious Jeep”. The writing on the side of the top SEEP reads, “Ike’s Invasion Taxi”.
July 1945 Article Introducing the Post-War Jeep to Florida
This July 22, 1945, article in the St. Petersburg Times employs both the pics and much of the text used published the press release covered by these posts.
1945 Article on Jeep Driver Lt. Paul Vermylen
This May 11, 1945, article in New York’s Brooklyn Eagle shares some stories from Lt. Paul Vermylen’s adventures as a jeep driver in Europe.
Paul Vermylen would go on to live a full life (obit here). He married right after the war, then ran his family’s pasta business, A. Zerega’s Sons (was family owned through May of 2020, now owned by Philadelphia Macaroni). He passed away in 2015 at the age of 96.
Year? Photo From the Netherlands on eBay
This undated photo from the Netherlands asks citizens in Dutch to “please be gentlemen in traffic”.
View all the information on eBay
“A jeep parked in the city with a sign on his car. ‘Be a gentleman in traffic’.
The Netherlands. Photo size: 6.8″ x 7.1″ inches”
1944 Honeymoon Jeep
This “honeymoon” jeep was bedecked with whitewall (painted) tires and plenty of wedding finery. Inside the jeep was the price, WAC Cpl. Forence L. Bauer of Lyndhurst, Ohio, and Capt. Wilson W. Hopkins, Jr., of Durham, North Carolina. They spent their honeymoon in the Italian mountains during the late August of 1944.
1959 Castro-Jeep Cuba Convention Photos on eBay
It appears this seller has separated these photos from the August 1959 Jeep convention with Castro in Cuba, listing them in multiple auctions.
“Fidel Castro Willys Jeep 1959 Convention Photos. These are from an original 1959 willys Jeep South American convention folio the year of Castros takeover. A variety of shots,including Castro Holding a Willys manual. Printed 2 sides. App. 31/2” x 5” each.Condition is “Used”. Shipped with USPS First Class”
1941 Photo of Patricia Morrison in a Ford GP
This photo dated July 11, 1941, shows actress Patricia Morrison sitting in a Ford GP, presumably for a photo shoot. In 1942, she joined the USO tour, entertaining troops in Great Britain. I suspect the men around her are fellow actors, but I can’t say for sure.
1958 Trip Through Needles
This article featuring a Kent Frost jeep tour through Needles was published on May 2, 1958, in the San Juan-Record out of Monticello, Utah. At the bottom I’ve included an image of the whole paper as I thought the illustrated header of the paper was well done.
Nov. 1941 Photo of Ford GP on eBay
A Ford GP captured in action.
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“1941 Press Photo soldiers drive a jeep thru rough terrain pulling anti-tank gun This is an original press photo. This unit was organized by the 2nd Corps as a weapon of opportunity to combat hostile mechanized threats at any part of the front where the enemy might break through, and is also used against paratroops (parachute troops) or any unexpected threat. The unit is 100% motorized, consisting of three 37 mm batteries, one 75mm battery, one Infantry Battalion, one Engineer Platoon, one Anti-tank Platoon, all equipped with radio communication. Photo shows a jeep crossing rough terrain pulling 37 mm anti-tank gun. Battery D, 44th Division Anti-Tank, Second Corps. (Commanded by Major H.R. Johnson, Wadesboro, N.C. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 11-03-1941.”
Child in Christmas Hamilton Jeep
Steve shared this photo of a child in his new Hamilton pedal jeep. The photo seems to make the jeep look extra glossy.
1947 Photo of Jeep-turned Sedan in Japan
It’s too bad this photo isn’t sharper as I’d like to see if those are wheels and hubs truly look like they are from a jeep. It looks like that body fits the jeep chassis pretty well. This photo appeared in the February 27, 1947, issue of the Brooklyn Citizen.
1946 Showa, Japan, Army Air Base Photos
This photo and caption out of the February 11, 1946, issue of the Herald-Journal (Logan, Utah), shows the press photo that was for sale on eBay back in 2013.
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Originally Published September 18, 2013: According to the attached information, these jeeps were winterized with left over Japanese transport plane materials.
This 1946 photo was also available in 2013. It too was taken at a Japanese airbase, but it’s unclear to me if it is the Showa airbase or not.
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This press photo was taken in 1946 in Showa as well.
“This is an original press photo. Instead of manufacturing cargo planes for Japanese use, this assembly line is making US Jeeps fit for winter use. Japanese stocks of aluminum, plexiglass, rivets, iron rods and fabric are being fitted to jeep use. Photo measures 9.25 x 7 inches. Photo is dated 2-6-1946.”
Circa 1963 Photo of CJ-5 at Canyonlands
This photo of a CJ-5 with a bed extension (possibly Kent Frost’s jeep) was taken in the Needles District of Canyonlands in 1963 or 1964. It can be viewed more in-depth at the Utah State Historical Society’s website.
1942 Photo of Gunnery Target at Wendover Airfield
Thanks to Roger Martin for spotting this photo on Facebook. This 1942 photo shows a jeep carrying an elevated target to help with shooting practice at Wendover Airfield. The photo was posted on Facebook by Damon Viola after he visited the The Historic Wendover Airfield Museum in Utah. He added, “This is a WWII Army Air Base dedicated in part to training the flight crew of the Enola Gay for the atomic bomb drop in Japan. If you’re ever in Western Utah I urge you to stop and check it out.”
Photo of a Fire Department Jeep in Parade on eBay
UPDATE: This is back on eBay.
This looks to be a press photo of a fire department jeep from the city of Columbus, Georgia, The date of the photo appears to be March 27, but I can’t make out the year on the right side of the photo (maybe ’53). I think the posters on the grille read “Don’t let FIRE lick YOU”.
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“Press Photo Fire Department Jeep Col92671 10X8 Photo Photo Is Undated.”
Jeeps in Japan Given Facelifts
An article from January 4, 1947, in the Honolulu Advertiser (and other publications) shared the news that the Japanese were customizing jeeps for civilian use.
1947 Photo and Caption About Search For American Graves
This photo shows a search party from the First Cavalry Division in Tokyo heading out to find graves of American soldiers and POWs. It appeared December 07, 1947, in the Star Tribune out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.