David found this article on the history of the jeep in an issue of the September 1978 issue of Car and Parts Magazine. It a rare photo of the four-wheel-steer Bantam BRC-40 that was once owned by Checker (Bill Spears has lots to share about the Checker/Bantam). It very well could be the one in the post below.
Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs Research Archives
Photos of 1941 Checker-Owned Bantam BRC-40
I happened across these Bantam/Checker BRC-40 photos on Flickr. Note the ‘Checker’ gauge in the dash.
You can view al the photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fraik/7786283534/in/set-72157631075876678/ Below are a couple:
Leaping Lena Article from Popular Science
David Silberman pointed out the ‘Leaping Lena’ article from the October 1941 issue of Popular Science (I thought I’d purchased this issue to scan, but apparently I didn’t do that). It’s an interesting review of the prototype jeeps. You also can view the entire issue on Google.
Bantam BRC-60 Postcard on eBay
1942 Photo of Willys MA being lifted on eBay
Here’s a cool photo.
“1942- Wrecker equipped to make rapid repairs under battle conditions lifts Jeep at Camp Callan so that maintenance unit can give it a check.”
Ford GP Cowl eBay
Not sure how useful this is, but here it is.
“Here’s a nice bulkhead for a GP. I know a lot of the panels are reproduced but you need the cowl section in order to have a complete tub. This piece is in excellent condition with only a couple of holes for extra gauges that can be easily patched. It’s not often you find this piece up for sale. Pick up preferred unless you make your own shipping arrangements.”
Bantam BRC-40 Post Card on eBay
1943 Photo of BRC-40 on eBay
1944 War Bond with Willys MA
Maury shared this war bond with an image of a Willys MA. He wrote, “These inserts were apparently sent out with US Treasury checks to encourage the recipients to invest the money in war bonds. Scans of the front and back of the original envelope and insert are attached.”
Front:
Back:Original Image (now on Wikipedia):
5 Jeeps – MA?/GPW and others Tulsa, OK
No pics provided.
“i have 5 jeeps i like to custom build them to suit call or text anytime,from the 1941 prototype willys number 4463 missing motor body and frame match ,complete 1942 ford jeep,1972 cj5,1983 cj5,1984 cj7”
Pygmy Designated a National Historic Vehicle
Several folks forwarded an article at Hemmings that announces the Ford Pygmy’s inclusion on the list of National Historic Vehicles.
Jeeps Flying High
Sean forwarded these photos. If I had to put a caption to the first one it would be, “TOO HIGH! TOO HIGH! I didn’t sign up for this!”
Photo of WACs with a Ford GP
UPDATE: **sold** Was on eBay.
Just the print, not the negative, was for sale.
“You are buying a high quality, 8×10 inch photograph. It is printed with Archival Inks on Premium Heavyweight Photographic Paper. The photograph is made from the original glass or celluloid negative or from the original photograph. My photographic reprints are known for their sharpness and beautiful warm tone. This image shows a WAC recruiting photo from Detroit Michigan featuring a Army Jeep. I combine the shipping on multiple photo purchases, so don’t forget to check out my Ebay Store.”
Willys MA Steering Link Rods on eBay
Marc spotted this interesting item.
“You are bidding only on the steering assembly that came of the Willys MA prototype jeep in the 79xxx range. I’ve had these for about five years. One of the brake line shields has a GPW marking on it. Please do your research and ask all questions before bidding.”
Bantam BRC-40 Powers a Makeshift Raft
The folks at the Austin Bantam Society posted a link to a video of a Bantam BRC-40 being used to power a makeshift raft. There are a several other videos at the Bantam site as well. Check out their Facebook page here.
1941 Ad with a Willys MA on eBay
1941 Photo of BRC-60 and Men with Rifles on eBay
I’ve never seen an original version of this press photo from February 6, 1941. Great photo! The use of the term “Might Midget” rather than jeep or blitz buggy is notable.
“This is an original press photo. Dept- US Army Service Corps, Credit – ACME & NEAPhoto measures 9 x 7inches. Photo is dated 02-6-1941.”
1942 GPW and CJ-2A Broken Arrow, OK **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD**
“1942 GPW Ford Jeep. Very rough but restorable. $1200.
CJ2 Parts jeep. Good Tub. $500
Bill of sale only.
Phone Calls Only. No emails or texts. They go direct into the junk file. Sorry, just too many gamers out there.”
1941 Photo of Willys MAs in San Francisco
Here’s a fantastic photo from Crissy Field near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It sure looks way different now! I found the photo at this military mashup site, which has a good collection of jeep prototype photos.
http://militarymashup.com/military-jeep-prototype.htm

Full size version: http://militarymashup.com/mmu_get_jpeg.php?0e59c379dd2057486bea7801248dc6889
2 Ford GPs in Burma during WWII
Here’s a set of Ford GPs in Burma during WWII. The photo is from the June 08, 1942, issue of Life Magazine. The article, “Flight from Burma” on page 30, is a fascinating tale of the desertion of the Rangoon, as told by George Rodger, the photographer pictured in the photo with the two Ford GPs below.
Search for Life Magazine June 8, 1942, on eBay
Later in the issue (page 56) is this ad with a jeep:
Willys MAs in Ad for Rusco
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
Here’s a rare ad showing a set of Willy MAs in a Rusco, Russell Manufacturing.
“1943 WW II U.S. ARMY JEEP Rusco Russell Mfg Middletown, Ct. Photo AD. Approximate size: 10.5″x13″”
Ford GP Cecil, WI $8900
No pics provided. This ad was posted at the MVPA’s classified site.
“One of 1500 experimental vehicles authorized by the U.S. government, and built by Ford Motor Co in early 1941, prior to our involvement in WWII, when Bantam BRC and Willys MA also competed for the contract, eventually awarded to Willys, who built hundreds of thousands of the standardized ¼ ton 4×4 military jeeps. Restored to its current condition in 1994. Runs beautifully. Stored in Cecil, WI, asking; $8,900.”
Bantam BRC-40 Postcard on ebay
This BRC-40 is getting a bath. This postcard has a tear.
” “The Bantam Gets a Bath.” Early photo postcard of a Jeep before the name had caught on. Note the slight damage on the edge. 5 1/2″ x 3 1/2″.”
1943 Ford GP in Armour and Company Ad on eBay
It’s not a large graphic, but this ad includes a Ford GP illustration.
“A wonderful original magazine ad from 1943 for Armour and Company No soldier in the world gets better care than a man in the U.S. Army”
1941? Ad for Ethyl Gasoline on eBay
Those are a couple hybrid jeep illustrations. Kind of a Ford GP with an early Bantam BRC side.