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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Don Prine in the August 2012 issue of JP Magazine

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

Link to Part 1: http://www.fourwheeler.com/project-vehicles/154-1208-the-old-man-and-the-jeep-part-1/

Link to Part 2: http://www.fourwheeler.com/project-vehicles/154-1209-the-old-man-and-the-jeep-part-2/

You’ll definitely want to pick up the August 2012 issue of JP Magazine, along with the subsequent issue, if you like jeep history (I have yet to see the story online). It features 94 year old Don Prine, who has been driving jeeps since the very beginning of the jeep.  Don Prine was a test driver of the prototype Willys, Ford and Bantam jeeps. Seventy-Two years later he is still involved with jeeps and, at age 94, still goes into his shop daily in Lakewood, Wa.

According to the article, a recording of Don describing the day pictured in the photo below in early 1941 at the US Capital is supposed to be here:  http://www.jpmagazine.com/prine, but I couldn’t make the link work.  Also, according to the article in JP, he was driving up the steps in the below picture.  However, according to this link, it is Senator Meade of NY driving the jeep and Representative Thomas, of NJ, in the passenger seat at the time of this photo.  I can only guess that in the photo Don is seated in the rear?

Don has long been a fixture in jeeping and racing in the Northwest.   In 2008 I called Don and had a very nice conversation with him, which you can read about here, about Stainless Steel Parts.  For those that belong to the PNW4WDA, Marty has posted a few pics of the visit with Don, Herm Tilford, and Christian at their forum.

 

 
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@ Fort Lewis (now JBLM)

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

This morning’s updates have come directly from Fort Lewis, which is now known by the term JBLM (Joint Base Lewis-McChord).  Well, technically I’m at the VA hospital waiting on Ann, so  it might be more accurate to say I’m very near JBLM.  In commemoration of my visit, I thought I’d post a couple Fort Lewis related images.

From Ford42GPW comes this picture of a couple of soldiers from the 15th Infantry.  You can read more at the website.

Old Cars Weekly’s website published this overhead shot of the 15th infantry.  There are a couple different early jeeps in this picture.

The G503 website has this thread about a Ford GP and Bantam BRC-40

 
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1941 Ford GP Clackamas, Or **SOLD**

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UPDATE:  Was available at $15,000.

(03/25/2012) This needs some work to get return to its original glory.  That driver’s side has been hacked a bit.

“1941 ford gp pre war prototype for willys jeep…It is in good condition and runs ( all though not at the moment) It has a 9n tractor engine in it now… The orignal engine block goes with it and appeares to be in good condition…”

 
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Ford GP Photo eBay

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Here’s a nice photo of a GP chained down, possibly for transit?

View the eBay auction here

 
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Bantam BRC-60

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Here’s a cool picture from the San Diego Air and Space Museum that was posted on Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49487266@N07/5685117554

 
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1941 Ford GP Big Bear, Ca **SOLD**

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UPDATE:  **SOLD** Was listed at $5000.

“Very rare military jeep, original Ford stamped body, F-head style engine, runs good, needs work.”

 
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Heading South to the FC Round Up

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Ann and I are packing our bags and preparing for our trip down to the FC Round Up tomorrow (Monday morning).  We will be leaving Pasco around 6am and stopping in Boise to drop off some books (hopefully sell some at the coffee shop where I wrote a good portion of the book), grab some fries at the Boise Fry Company and some sourdough at the Boise COOP, and then head further south for Salt Lake where we will spend Monday night.  Tuesday we will be heading through Utah and stopping somewhere near the Grand Canyon.  We’ll be in Mesa Wednesday evening.

If you are along our path through I-84/I-15 let me know and we’ll see if we can swing by for a quick visit.

We just completed a few new t-shirts.  It’s the Bantam design I’ve been playing with for a year.  We bought some random shirts and tried the design with different colors.  The picture below is pretty crappy, so use your imagination.

 
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Some Ford GP videos at Criticalpast.com

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Mark’s brother spotted some jeep videos at Criticalpast.com.

I’ve never seen this rollover:  http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675030113_army-jeep_test-driving_Ford-model-jeep_jeep-flips-over

Here is another video.  I’ve seen just a small clip of this much longer version.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675059288_jeep_Australian-soldier_upturned-jeep_rough-terrain_scout-car

Here’s  a good video of a Ford GP going up and down a hill:

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675030018_Ford-Jeep_rough-terrain_Edsel-Ford_army-officer_modified-jeep-tires

 
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2 Women standing in front of a Ford GP

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UPDATE:  John decided to take on the challenge of restoring this photo.  He did a fabulous job.

I found this on the Genealogy Guys Podcast site.  I can almost, but not quite, make out the serial number on the hood.

Here is the Before Pic:

http://genealogyguys.com/the-genealogy-guys-podcast-215-2011-january-25

Here is the After Pic: https://picasaweb.google.com/104219391648738472802/ILovePhotoShop#5722193307032376162

 
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Merlin’s Bantam BRC Paperweight

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Merlin shared the unusual find with me today.  There is picture of another one at the CJ-3B Page.

“This is a Bantam BRC Syrocowood paperweight.  As far as we know these were given out by Bantam to officers testing the Bantam Jeeps.  I found this one sitting in a local antique shop!”

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After seeing this post, Josh forwarded me a picture of his syrocowood Bantam paperweight that includes an image of his tank syrocowood too.  He wrote, “I’ve been collecting those bantam paperweights for years.  They are syrocowood and should have a little sticker gold and black on the bottom that says ‘Made in the USA SYROCOWOOD SYRACUSE NY’.   Here’s one of a pen holder I have, also I a few tanks; one of the tanks a pipe holder.”

 
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Photographs from the LA Times

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

Bruce spotted these photographs from April 20, 1942 by George Watson.  These jeeps are practicing under the supervision of Major General George S. Patton.  These photos are part of the Watson Family Photo Archive.  In them you can see some Willys MAs, MBs and Ford GPs.  http://framework.latimes.com/2012/01/27/desert-training-with-gen-george-patton/#/0  

 
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1941 Ford GP Contone, Switzerland eBay

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

In May 2011, this jeep appeared with several other jeeps as part of a large eBay auction.  Now, it is being auctioned by itself.

“Jeep Ford GP Prototipe to restore

Date of Delivery: 11.18.41
Serial:16585
I will sell the jeep with a second Engine in working conditions, a Original NOS Coil, A NOS Waterpump, a NOS Oilfilter,a New Reproduction Muffler, originals BO Markers.
Originals Data Plates and Swiss Custom Dokuments
You will receive what you see at the Pictures.
Tha Car has be picked up 5 Days after Auction ended, we can help to load on a trailer.
I will sell the Jeep Worldwide.
Please deposit 500 US$ on Paypal account after Auction close and the Saldo by Pick Up the car.
The Location of the Car is Europe, Switzerland.”

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320832092866+&viewitem=

 
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Veterans Memorial Museum in Huntsville, Al

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UPDATE:  Brandon visited this museum recently and files the following notes, “The museum’s collection includes Ford GP #1, Bantam BRC-40, Willys MA, GPA, slat grille MB, GPW, and M38.”

The Veteran’s Memorial Museum in Huntsville, Alabama, houses three early jeep prototypes.

From the Website, “The Museum displays more than 30 historical military vehicles from World War I to the present, as well as tableaus, artifacts, and other memorabilia dating back to the Revolutionary War.  Supporting organizations include the 19th Alabama Infantry, which sponsors exhibits from 18th and 19th Century conflicts, and the 8th Air Force Historical Society, which sponsors a Bomb Group briefing room.  Both of these organizations support ‘living history’ presentations at the Museum.”

Pics of the museum at G503

Pics from 42fordgpw.com

There appears to be a Bantam BRC 40 in the back, a Ford GP to the far left of the photo, a Willys MA just to the left and another Ford Pygmy to the right.  I haven’t found any other info that describes what the museum has.  Anybody been to this museum?

Here is a closeup of the Ford Pygmy from the museum site.

 

 
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Ford GP out of Bali **SOLD**

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UPDATE: **SOLD** Rudolph spotted this Ford GP that is dated as a 1938 for some reason.  1941 would be the actual year. It includes a trailer.

 
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The Three Bantams: BRC, BRC-60 and BRC-40

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I guess I should have posted this at the beginning of the Festival, but I was pleasantly distracted all weekend. So, here is a post about the three Bantam generations. As the oral testimony shared by Gerald affirms, there were three different models of vehicles built by Bantam.  Here is more history about the Bantam vehicles.

The Original Bantam: Below are images of the original Bantam Bantam Reconnaissance Car. Here are some images from Life Magazine from Camp Holabird.  Here is a video of Duncan’s well done original BRC Replica (which also includes a BRC-40).


The Bantam BRC-60: This is the 2nd generation BRC-60.  The easiest way to identify the differences between the BRC and the BRC-60 is to look at the fenders, note the Original BRC fenders are round, and the entry point, which is a smoother slope on the BRC-40 as opposed to the bump in the original BRC.


The Bantam BRC-40: This is the 3rd generation BRC-40.  The easiest way to identify the difference between the BRC-60 and the BRC-40 is the grille.  Note how flat the grille is compared to the rounded grille of the BRC-60. The windshield is dramatically different, as the BRC-40’s appears much stronger.  Of course, there are other differences, but those are a quick way to distinguish between the two. Here is a BRC-40 that was for sale.

I guess I shouldn’t forget the Bantam ‘Checker’: Learn more about this at Bill Spear’s website.

Finally, just to show there seems to be an exception to every rule, Gerald forwarded this image.  I believe the front of this is a Bantam BRC-60, but the door area resembles the original Bantam.  The windshield has a higher ‘bridge’ across the bottom; which doesn’t resemble either the BRC or the BRC-60 in the pics above.   I believe this was a Russian Lend/Lease vehicle, but perhaps someone else could be more specific about it.

 
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6 WWII Jeep Collection Contone, Switzerland eBay

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

UPDATE:  The price reached $75,000, but did not reach the reserve.

“The collection is in Europe, Switzerland; i sell only the complete collection!!!!”

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180673847711+&viewitem=&clk_rvr_id=236136795109

Jeep Ford GP 1941 , serial nr.16585, Delivery date: 11.18.41 to restore with 2 Engines

Jeep Willys MA 1941, Replica Body from Czech Republic on MB Frame, complete with Willys Americar Engine

Ford GPW,original Script Body, Date of delivery: 4.17.42, running conditions with British Airborne Kit

Willys MB, original Script Body, Date of delivery: 6.3.42, new conditions, With original NOS T1 Air compressor and Defroster kit

 

Ford GPW,Date of delivery, March 43,Running conditions,With original complete Braden Winch and Superflex Engine Heater

 

Willys MB, Date of delivery, 1945, last series, With original Tow Bar and Deep Water Fording Kit, running conditions.

 

 

 
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A 1941 MA in Bali?

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Well, sort of. Rudolf spotted this MA looking jeep for sale, but it turns out the owner combined some MA body parts with a Mitsubishi built CJ-3B.  It sure turned out well. You can see some restored MAs at Gavin’s Site.

 
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The Bantam BRC-40 T2 & T2E1

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UPDATE: These images come from the War Wheels website. There’s a longer discussion no why changes were made to the gun placement.

Here’s what’s likely a 1941 image from warwheels.net of the Bantam BRC-40 T2 with the 37MM Gun on it mounted in the middle of the vehicle:

There were some problems with the T2, so the gun was moved to the back for version 1 of T2E1.

The army preferred this location, because a 2nd version of the T2E1 was developed that lacked a standard body (many more photos here):

Finally, there was also reportedly an anti-tank Willys MB version called the T21 with a75mm mounted in the rear, but I haven’t been able to verify it.

 
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Color Photo of Willys MA

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Here’s an unusual color photo of soldiers posing in a Willys MA from Life Magazine.  I couldn’t find the original source of this on the Life Magazine site (I stumbled upon it through Google).

 
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1944: Mayor Heine buys the first Jeep for Civilians

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UPDATE 3: Cblynch posted an update to this information on g503.com site.  He notes that Randy Withrow in Alabama owns the below GP and also owns all the original photos.  Apparently, the woman driving the GP died a few years ago. (Thanks Simon).  Also, you can see an additional photo from Bergs yard in this thread. Finally, to GP1942 from G503, I’m glad you are enjoying the content, but please add a link saying you found the info at ewillys when copying and pasting it into other sites.

UPDATE 2: After further review, and based on Lindsay’s comments, I would say that the first BRC is a BRC-40.  The TWO jeeps in front of that are BRC-60s (made after the original BRC prototypes and before the BRC-40).


UPDATE:  A reader named Lindsay was kind enough to provide an update to this story:

Lindsay writes, “An interesting note about the article with the mayor that purchased the GP in 1944. That vehicle was tracked down by Ken Hake years ago and restored several years later. The 3 smaller photo’s at the bottom bottom right is a photo of Bergs Jeep parts in Chicago note the first one is a Bantam BRC 40 the one in the front of that is a very early “round nose” BRC of which only one still exists and belongs to the Smithsonian. This proves that round nose BRC’s were released and sold to the public. I sure would like to find one of those in a barn.”

The military started selling jeeps to civilians in 1944.  By all accounts, Mayor Heine, of Lucas Kansas, and his family were the very first purchasers of a Military jeep for civilian use.  Here is a Life Magazine Article about the Heines and the related images from the January 4, 1944, issue of Life Magazine (page 24 & 27).  I bet they wished the jeep came with a top and a heater!

NOTE:  The jeep below is a Ford GP

====================

Fred Heine would late purchase an early CJ-2A, as captured in these press photos that landed for sale on eBay in 2014:

This is a second press photo of a photo sold two months ago. The caption is the same, though it has slightly different marks.

“1945 Press Photo Hutchinson Kansas Fred Heine buys Jeep for farm, H Woodring”

1945-09-29-first-jeep-buy3

1945-09-29-first-jeep-buy4

For comparison, here is what the photo and caption from October 2014 looked like:

1945-09-29-first-jeep-buy1

1945-09-29-first-jeep-buy2

 
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Is this possibly a GP or MA Body? California City, Ca **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, GPW (Ford MB), MB, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  This appears SOLD, but was listed at $800.

I could be wrong, but the slopes and cut of the passenger and driver’s sides look very similar to a Willys MA, thought maybe a Ford GP as well?.  This has been hacked up a bit, but it’s worth a look.  Check out what appears to be an emergency brake as well.

“Clear title has orignal old style pink slip non op for 20 years but probably off dmv record now… 4×4 ran when parked 10 years ago”

 
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Santa favors the Willys MA over the Red Sleigh

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UPDATE:  Brendan noted that this is indeed a LOC image. Here is a link to this image and others http://www.history.army.mil/photos/Holiday/wwii.htm.

I suspect it was just easier to stick the tree in the MA rather than his sleigh?  It’s a great pic.  I found this during an image search, but I could not locate the source.  It looks like a Library of Congress type of image.  If anyone knows of the source, please let me know so I can properly credit it.

 
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1940 Camp Holabird Photos from Life Magazine

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There are some new Bantam and MB testing photos at Life Magazine.  There are some great closeups of the Bantam.  Note the first pic — I believe that is the first ‘jeep’ ever stuck in the mud; it surely wasn’t the last!  All six of these photos were taken by David E. Scherman in 1940.

 
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2 Early Jeeps from the Library of Congress

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Here are shots of a Willys MA and Ford GP from the Library of Congress.

Willys MA

Ford GP

 
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Bantam BRC-40 Columbus, Oh eBay

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Thanks to Jim sending the link on this.  Obviously, this is a rare event.

“1941 Bantam Reconnaissance Car (BRC-40).  Restored – starts, run, drives great.  The vehicle was originally purchased  and restored by a pretty well known figure in the Bantam Auto Club circle sometime in the late 80’s/early 90’s.  I have a one page letter from this person detailing his efforts to obtain and restore the vehicle (which I will give to the buyer).   It passed through a few owners until my purchase in 2001.  Over the years I have upgraded/corrected various pieces and parts.  It comes with a few spare parts, manuals, and a top.

The vehicle is 99%+ complete and accurate.  The body tub is original – ie. not a reproduction like many others out there.  The items that I believe are incorrect (or missing) are:

The choke and throttle knobs are the not the early “bulls-eye” type – although I have what I believe to be one correct replacement.

The oil pan does not have a skid plate – although I have a correct, original oil pan with skid plate that needs to be cleaned up and attached.

The rear tool box lid locks are incorrect.

The reflectors are of the King-Bee type (as used on the FORD GP) and I believe should in fact be Triflex SR-71s.

When I purchased the vehicle, it had a reproduction windshield frame.  It was a pretty accurate copy, but a reproduction nonetheless.  I sold it to another BRC-40 owner and acquired an original frame a few years back.  It needs some work (arms straightened, etc and needs the latches to the cowl when in its upright position), but it’s in pretty nice condition.  In fact, it has most of its original paint.

The front bumper is an OK reproduction, but I acquired a much better replacement from Ken Hake which has the correct rivets and hand crank guide.

Lastly, in the spirit of full disclosure, I am not sure the front leaf springs are correct/original.  They may be correct, but again, I am not 100% sure. Lastly she needs a good bath – she has sat in my barn with my other vehicles for the past nine years and has collected a coating of dust and dirt.  It was near freezing when I took the photos – I put a new battery in her and she started right up.  Lastly, after sitting for nearly nine years, the brakes are a bit mushy.  I’ll see if I can rectify this prior to sale (no promises).”

View some of the pics on eBay or many pics here.

bantam_brc40_34

bantam_brc40_35

bantam_brc40_38

bantam_brc40_25

bantam_brc40_36