Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs Research Archives

Prior to the finalization of the MB Jeep, The American Bantam, Ford, and Willys all created pilot and prototype jeeps in an attempt to win Army contracts. Bantam built the very first jeep, the Bantam BRC. They also built the BRC-60 and BRC-40. Ford built the Pygmy, the Budd, and the GP. Willys built the Willys Quad and the Willys MA. Checker appears to have built one based on Bantam parts. Finally, are rumors of a jeep by York-Hoover, but I’ve never nailed down actual pictures. See this post: http://www.ewillys.com/2010/03/14/york-hoover-all-terrain-prototype/

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1941 Photo of BRC-60 and Men with Rifles on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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.”

View all the information on eBay

1941-02-06-mighty-midgets-brc60-1

1941-02-06-mighty-midgets-brc60-2

 
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1942 GPW and CJ-2A Broken Arrow, OK **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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.”

year-cj2a-brokenarrow-ok1 year-cj2a-brokenarrow-ok2

 
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1941 Photo of Willys MAs in San Francisco

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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

 
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2 Ford GPs in Burma during WWII

• CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Women & Jeeps • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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.

http://books.google.com/books?id=P1AEAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=1942+June+8+Life+Magazine&hl=en&sa=X&ei=EWcPU_rvHZCAogTrk4LADw&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=jeep&f=false

Search for Life Magazine June 8, 1942, on eBay

1942-06-08-life-magazine-ford-gps

Later in the issue (page 56) is this ad with a jeep:

1942-06-08-life-magazine-youre-in-the-army-now-ad

 
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Willys MAs in Ad for Rusco

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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″”

1943-rusco-russel-manufacturing-ad

 
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Ford GP Cecil, WI $8900

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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.”

http://www.mvpa.org/publications/classifieds/

 
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Bantam BRC-40 Postcard on ebay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Postcards This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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″.”

View all the information on eBay

year-bantam-brc40-postcard1

year-bantam-brc40-postcard2

 
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1943 Ford GP in Armour and Company Ad on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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”

View all the information on eBay

1943-ford-gp-toothpaste-ad-ipana

 
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1941? Ad for Ethyl Gasoline on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Artists/Drawings, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Those are a couple hybrid jeep illustrations. Kind of a Ford GP with an early Bantam BRC side.

View all the information on ebay

1941-Ad-ethyl-early-jeep

 
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1941 Ford GP Albany, NY **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay

Matching numbers and 99% rust free. Should fetch a good price.

“Now this is my second jeep that I’m selling. You are bidding only on the jeep, the trailer is already sold. As you probably already know, this is the jeep that ford built to go against the Bantam BRC and the Willys MA. This is a second series GP. This jeep is in excellent condition as far as rust is concerned. All panels are 100% original. It appears that the jeep might have been rebuilt by the government due to the two different layers of green of OD green paint and blue drab numbers. Like the GPW in my other auction! I bought it from the family member who inherited the jeep from his great uncle. According to some writing under the hood, the jeep was first sold in 1959. I don’t want to say 100% but I would settle for 99% rust free as a way to describe the body and frame. She is in great running condition. Just like the GPW it is matching numbers, original tags, engine and frame match. The tool boxes are 100% solid with no pitting or cancer. All the rare parts are there with the exception of the carb which I purchased and will offer to the winner of the auction at an additional cost. Front seats are original but will need repairs as the previous owner did a poor job. You will probably not find another jeep in this condition in our life time. Remember this is unrestored and solid and requires no restoration. It would be an injustice to restore this jeep. This jeep is for the collectors out there like me who prefer the all original vehicle that requires no restoration. As with all jeeps that I sell I recommend that interested parties come see the jeep in person to come up with their own conclusion as to condition and originality. Don’t let this one get away. If you have a slat grill in similar condition I would consider a partial trade. If you have a schwimmwagen, I would consider tradin up.”

1941-ford-gp-albany-ny1 1941-ford-gp-albany-ny3 1941-ford-gp-albany-ny5 1941-ford-gp-albany-ny6 1941-ford-gp-albany-ny8

 
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1941 Photo of a Protype Jeep Being Wrapped on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

And you thought putting chains on a vehicle during the winter is a hassle? The GIs are finishing wrapping up this jeep for a float across the river at Fort Benning, Georgia. Note that this is a Prototype Jeep. Based on the handles on the driver’s side, the seats and the grille (that is just peeking out), can you guess which one?

“This is an original press photo. At Fort Benning, Georgia.Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 07-15-1941.”

View all the information on ebay

1941-07-05-fort-benning-jeep-floatation1

1941-07-05-fort-benning-jeep-floatation2

 
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1948 CJ-2A Chino, CA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, CJ-2A • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  **SOLD** Was eBay.

This runs and drives. There’s some value here.

“As you can see from the pictures this a 1948 Willys CJ2a. It is in need for a total restoration even though I have used it “as is” for 7 yrs. running it around the Chino airport.
The jeep starts right up every time.
It has been converted to 12 VOLT, thus the charging system works very well.
Has a heater not hooked up, people tell me they are rare?
Shift into all gears, grinds if you go to fast.
The brakes are stiff (not strong), it may just be the linkage or pads, not sure but they should be redone.
The steering is hard to turn? In the pictures you can see it comes with the 3 tie rod ends and the steering link end so that you can renew the steering arms. The shafts probably need grease and or rebuild?
Tires are old, cracked, and warn but they almost never need air.
The body has rust in the corners and some places on the floor have been replaced but seems to be attached well and strong.
Windows have cracks, body has dents
Comes with two pneumatic wiper motors that I was told were NOS.
There are many parts in the pictures that go with the Jeep.”

1948-cj2a-militarized-chino-ca2 1948-cj2a-militarized-chino-ca3 1948-cj2a-militarized-chino-ca4

 
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1941 Ford GP Video from MilitaryVehicleWeb

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I happened upon this useful video that shows a restored Ford GP from MilitaryVehicleWeb.com.

 
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1944 MB (Award Winner) Sacramento, CA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, MB • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $37,000.

(10/17/2013) This MB won 1st place at the MVPA National Convention. Just the MB is for sale, not the MA (Josh notes I mislabeled it a Bantam) next to it. Nice photo!

“1944 WILLYS MB JEEP. THIS JEEP IS FULLY RESTORED CORRECTLY WITH ITS ORIGINAL BODY AND ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN. THIS ORIGINAL JEEP IS RESTORED WITH ALL (NOS) NEW OLD STOCK ORIGINAL PARTS INCLUDING ORIGINAL GLASS , HEADLIGHTS , GAUGES, CAPSTAN WINCH. THE JEEP HAS A 30 CAL GUN MOUNT AND ALL THE ORIGINAL MANUALS. ALSO THE ORIGINAL TOOL KIT AND SPARE PARTS KIT IS INCLUDED. THIS JEEP WON FIRST PLACE AT THE MILITARY VEHICLE PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION. THIS JEEP IS RESTORED IN U.S.M.C. GREEN. I HAVE TEN YEARS OF RESTORATION AND OVER $58,000 IN COST TO COMPLETE. THIS MILITARY JEEP IS FOR THE COLLECTOR WITH AN EYE FOR DETAIL.”

1944-mb-sacramento-ca0

 
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1942 Poster with Ford GP **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  **SOLD** Was on eBay.

Here’s an unusual poster.

“Original poster , 40 x 28 , folded for mailing ( has multiple folds throughout and the folded up size is 7 x 10 , which would have originally been placed in an envelope and mailed by the government to the recipient ) , overall condition is excellent with some wear at several places at the folds , shows an early Jeep with 4 soldiers wearing early style army helmets , this spectacular image was probably originally created by Walter Richards in 1941 and this poster was printed by the Division of Information , Office for Emergency Management , Washington DC in 1942 . This information was obtained from the Internet : “Walter DuBois Richards made at least two posters during World War II. Throughout his nearly century-long life and the seven decades his career expanded, he was affectionately known as Wally. His first published works as an Illustrator can be traced back as early as the mid 1920’s in Rocky River, Ohio, when he wasn’t yet 20 years of age. They were something akin to doodles throughout the pages of his High School Senior Yearbook. As far as I know, his last published work as an artist was in 1987 for a Historic Preservation stamp of Timberline Lodge in Mt. Hood, Oregon.””

1942-ford-gp-save-rubber-poster

 
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Photos of Bantam BRC-40 on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Marc discovered these photos.  One has a nice shot of the hood number (W-2016482)

“Photo taken by unnamed soldier,  from his  1941 & early 1942 WWII Camp Polk photo album.”

View all the information on ebay

1941-brc40-camppolk-la-photoSecond Photo:

View all the information on ebay

1941-brc40-camppolk-la-photo2

 
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Loose Fitting Jeep Postcard on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Postcards This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This looks modeled after a BRC-40. I guess “Janet” never got her postcard.

“Military Comic Postcard WWII jeep army soldier scout driver Artway Cards Vintage”

View all the information on eBay

loosefitting-jeep-driver-postcard1

loosefitting-jeep-driver-postcard2

 
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Interwoven Socks, Santa, and a Ford GP on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Artists/Drawings, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Back on eBay.

This 1945 Ad appears to show Santa driving a Ford GP.

View all the information on eBay

1945-ford-gp-santa-claus-interwoven-socks-lores

 
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Ford GP Goes Through Manuevers

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Magazine • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The September 1941 issue of Popular Mechanics (pg 3) features this photo of a Ford GP landing on to the ground. The article suggests there was a great deal of excitement over the jeep’s possibilities. I’ve included some of the text from the article (which covers a variety of war vehicles). The write discusses the potential for jeeps, then mentions a four wheeled ‘tank’ with independent suspension. To me that sounded a lot like the Tucker Combat Car.

1941-09-popular-mechanics-fordgp

1941-09-popular-mechanics-fordgp2

 

 
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Ad with Bantam GP on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Apparently this ad is for Synthane Technical Plastics related to coils and/or plugs. Unfortunately, the ad is small and not show in totality.

View all the information on ebay

fordgp-synthane-technical-plastics-ad

 
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1954 Photo of Bantam BRC-40 with Shovel Attachment on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

How about his unique photo? A Bantam BRC-40 with some kind of shovel or bucket attachment! Allan Hetteen is operating the jeep while David Johnson and H.P. Borah watch.

View all the information on ebay

bantam-brc40-1954-jeep-crane-polaris-lores2

bantam-brc40-1954-jeep-crane-polaris-back-lores

bantam-brc40-1954-jeep-crane-polaris-lores1

 
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Ford GP Model on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Models This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The cover of this box shows a Ford GP, so it might be a Ford GP model.

“Mego model kit, builds wooden US Army Jeep M-10, 1944, box is 8-1/2 in. x 6-1/8 in.”

View all the information on eBay

1944-model-ford-gp

 
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Photo of Ford GP & Mickey Rooney on a Bike on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Anyone recognize the movie?

View all the information on eBay

mickey-rooney-fordgp-bicycle

 
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Ford GP & the Flying Tigers in Burma

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Magazine • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

John spotted this photo on this website from page 29 of the March 30, 1942, issue of Life Magazine. The article covered the Flying Tigers and features some great photos.

Here’s a copy of the magazine for sale on eBay

1942-03-30-life-magazine-flying-tigers-ford-gp

 
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Photo of Bantam BRC-40 Hanging on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I believe this photo shows a Bantam BRC-40 being lowered from or loaded onto a ship.

View all the information on ebay

bantam-brc40-lowered-from-ship