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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America Travels Card w/ Prototype Jeep on ebay

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

If you collect prototype images and other things, the unusual card in the middle of the three below would be a cool find.

View all the information on eBay

“This is a set of 3 cut out and color cards from Nabisco Shredded Wheat on How America Travels. It includes an Army Jeep, Navy Battleship, and Navy Patrol Bomber. They are in good condition with some light stains. The cards are numbers 27, 33, and 36.”

how-america-travels-nabisco-shredded-wheat

 
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1942 Photo of a “Peep” Next to a “Jeep” on eBay

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

Nice front end shot of a Ford GP.

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“1942 Press Photo US soldier pictured with “jeep” and “peep” vehicles in Kentucky

This is an original press photo. Trucks – US – Fort Knox, Kentucky – The Armed Force hopes this picture will end the confusion between the “jeep” and “peep.” The tough little puddle-jumper on the right is affectionately known as the “peep” by men of the army’s Armored Force, while the large command car at the left is the original “jeep,” named after the Popeye comic strip characterPhoto measures 10 x 8.25inches. Photo is dated 01-11-1942.”

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1942 Photo in Panama with Ford GP on eBay

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

A Ford GP is leading the way through Panama …

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“1942 Press Photo Jeep parades over Panama roadway under construction. This is an original press photo.

Panama: Under the supervision of the United States Public Roads Administration fourteen hundred men are at work constructing a trans-Ishmanian highway which is scheduled for completion (with all weather paving) by the end of March 1942 if the work is not hampered by rain during the present “dry season.”

An Army motorcade of “peeps” and “jeeps” traversed the colon-madden Dam section of the road on February 2nd transporting Army, highway, civil officials and press correspondents. They made the round trip from the Pacific to the Atlantic and then back. Concrete paving for the road is being placed at the rate of one mile of single strip each day. Concrete is carried by barge up the tropical foliage line Rio Gatun to it’s intersection with the highway.

In some places bulldozers and other heavy equipment have to make 100-foot cuts through hog backed hills and also make fills in sheer-dropping, water torn ravines. Photo shows-part of the “jeep” parade over a section of road which has not as yet been laid with concrete. The road is entirely within the Republic of Panama. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 02-06-1942.”

 
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Ford GP Wild Ride Photographs

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

UPDATE: **SOLD**

Great action photo of a Ford GP.

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“1941 Press Photo Army lieutenants give new jeeps test drive at Fort Bliss, Texas. This is an original press photo. Fort Bliss, Texas. Under modern conditions of mechanized war, the once lumbering and awkward tank has emerged as a machine of many types and variations, from small steel speedsters to the huge 80-ton land battleships which flatten trees and grind buildings to powder. These have created new problems in defense, and Uncle Sam’s new army is not going to be caught napping in this department.

One outfit devoted to blasting the blitz battle-wagons is the new anti-tank troop of the First Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss. Formed only last January with 31 regular Army men, the troop now has 4 commissioned officers, 31 non-coms, and 121 men, all of whom are draftees from Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. Most of the men have had mechanical experience working in automobile plants, which stand them in good stead in operating and caring for the scout cars and motorcycles with which the troop is equipped.

These pictures show the outfit in action during a recent tactical problem. Lieutenant Jack Berg (left) and Lieutenant M. M. Roland send one of the new jeep reconnaissance cars hurtling over a bump on a test drive. The baby blitz buggy is a Ford-built Bantam with four-wheel drive. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 07-16-1941.

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

Originally Published Feb 11, 2013. 

“This is an “ORIGINAL PERIOD GLOSSY PHOTO BY ACME” of THE BABY BLITZ BUGGY IS A FORD-BUILT BANTAM FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE GP JEEP WITH THE FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION AT FT. BLISS TEX., photo date – 1941. The condition is very good and measures 7″ x 9″.

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1941 Photo of a Ford GP in the Dirt

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UPDATE: Joshua notes this is a Ford GP.

The photo was published in the June 12, 1941, issue of the Madera Tribune.

U. S. Army’s celebrated little “jeep” or “blitz buggy* technique, as shown here. Camouflage removed to into a hole under camouflage to provide new fightin ” which seems to go everywhere these days, now goes take picture, during maneuvers at California’s Ft. Ord. Captain William A. Dodds designed mount for .50-caliber gun.

1941-06-12-madera-tribune-jeep-gopher

 
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1941 Photo of Bantam BRC-40 in Longview, WA **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

Good photo of a Bantam BRC-40 laying in wait during some war games in Longview, Washington.

“This is an original press photo. Trucks – United States. One of the army’s newest and most lethal weapon carriers is this tiny “jeep” or 1/4 ton truck, mounting a machine gun. Behind the gun is Private Earl Bever and at the wheel is Corporal Anton Stefanski, of the 32nd Infantry of Fort Ord’s 7th Division, now engaged with the defending/Blue forces in resisting the “Red” attack in southwestern Washington. Longview. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 8-21-1941.”

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Historic Registry For Vehicles?

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

There’s a proposal to create a national registry for unique or historically significant vehicles (and boats and planes) with documented stories. Importantly, such a registry would not keep the owners of such vehicles from being sold, driven or even modified. The Library of Congress would be the keeper of the documents, specs, photos, and other information.

If the national registry becomes a law, twenty-six vehicles already listed by the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) would be the first vehicles added to the registry. Two of the vehicles are jeeps: The Ford Pygmy (currently at the U.S. Veteran’s Museum in Huntsville, Alabama) and Ronald Reagan’s 1962 CJ-6 (along with one of my personal favorites, the Tucker prototype).

 
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2 Year? 1941? Truth or Consequences, NM $800

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

Most likely not ’41s. No pics provided.

https://lascruces.craigslist.org/pts/d/williamsburg-two-1941-willys-jeeps/7009212962.html

“two 1941 willy’s jeeps. one has a lot of rust the other is fair. both have original engine and drivetrain. 800$ will consider reasonable offers.”

 
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1942 Photo of Ford GP in London on eBay

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

UPDATE: Still Available. The caption and date are slightly different between this current pic on eBay and its predecessor from 2013 (at bottom).

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“1942 Press Photo U.S. Army Soldiers ride down London street in Military Jeep. .This is an original press photo. Four American doughboys ride down a London street in a peculiarly American vehicle, one of Uncle Sammy’s jeeps. Note how they are overshadowed by the familiar London double-deck bus. U.S. Army in London Photo measures 6.25 x 9.5 inches. Photo is dated 03-15-1942.”

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This version of the photo was auctioned in 2013 on eBay. It has the date of March 13, 1942. The caption includes the verbiage, “A ‘Jeep’ comes to London Town”.

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Photos of the Willys Quad

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

Over the past ten years a number of photos of the Willys Quad (the first ‘jeep’ produced by Willys-Overland) have emerged from dusty files, library depositories, and photo archives. Assembled below are the photos that have been published on eWillys, as well as some others that help tell the Quad story.

I’ve seen it mentioned in a couple places that five Willys Quads were manufactured. While I haven’t seen any specific evidence to back that claim, we do know that two prototype Quads were delivered to Holabird: one was 2-wheel-steer and one was a 4-wheel-steer. I *think* the one with the “3211” license plate on the front was the two-wheel-steer model, while the one marked “USA QMC 1/4 4×4” on the bumper was the four-wheel-steer (but I could be wrong).

Later, circa 1943, one of the Quads was rebuilt with an MB windshield (was this an early Holabird test model or what that didn’t go to Holabird?) and appeared in a few photos.  What happened to the rebuilt Quad and the remaining four Quads (if there were really that many)? No one seems to know.

1 (From July 18, 2019): Mario Maipid shared this great photo taken on the steps of the DeKalb Post Office. According to him the sign reads,

THE WILLYS OVERLAND
GO-DEVIL QUAD;
U. S. Army Mobile Machine Gun West;
Same Motor as WILLYS Americar

1941-willys-quad-steps

2. (From May 20, 2019): This press photo was produced in 1990 (mostly likely from an original negative) probably for the 50th anniversary of the Quad. It was featured for auction on eBay.

“This is an original press photo. 1940 Jeep Willys Quad – The original Willys-Overland pilot model delivered to the US Army on November 11, 1940 Photo measures 10 x 8 inches. Photo is dated 10-08-1990.”

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Here’s another version without the lettering:

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3. (July 17, 2018): This photo was auctioned on eBay.

“1941- U.S. Troops Testing Willys Quad Prototype Jeep on Rough Terrain. Photo measures approx. 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2”
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There was a crisper, cropped version of this photo used as part of a 2011 Toledo Blade article.

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4. (Feb 28, 2017): This was auctioned on eBay: “1941- Sen. James Mead driving Willys Quad prototype jeep up the U.S. Capitol steps in Washington, DC. Photo measures approx. 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2”

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And, a slightly different, smaller version that doesn’t show the senator twisting his head:

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And, from what I believe is the same event, but from a different angle, we have this photo.

willys-quad-steps

Continue reading

 
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VIDEO: Ford Reconnissance Cars Join The Army

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I’ve posted something similar to this video, but not this specific one (at least that I can find). This early 1941 film reel is narrated and shares the news that Ford’s Reconnissance Cars would be joining the Army. The video is located at the National Archives.

 
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Photo of Bantam BRC-40 Exiting the Water on eBay

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

It’s a good photo of a BRC-40.

View all the info on eBay

“1941 Press Photo Wartrace, Tenn. US Army jeep & Pvt NR McDougle of MPs. Photo measures 9 x 7 inches. Photo is dated 6-7-1941.”

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1941 Ford GP Chassis Hendersonville, NC $5000

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No pics provided, so can’t verify it is a GP.

https://asheville.craigslist.org/pts/d/hendersonville-1941-military-jeep/6960125599.html

“1941 Ford GP Military Jeep rolling chassis, transfer case and body. No engine or transmission, title”

 
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BRC-40s and 60s from San Luis Obispo FB Page

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These photos apparently originated on the San Luis Obispo FB page (then landed on G503). Thanks to Roger Martin for spotting them.

Here are two photos with BRC-60s in them:

san-luis-obispo-fb-bantam-brc60 san-luis-obispo-fb-bantam-brc60s

And BRC-40s:

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Continue reading

 
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1943 Ad for Wilsonite Sunglasses w/ Ford GP

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This Wilsonite sun glasses ad included an illustrated Ford GP. It was published in the October 02, 1943, issue of the Saturday Evening Post.

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1943 Bantam BRC-40 Postcard on eBay

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

UPDATE: Another of these postcards is now on eBay.

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“U. S. Army Signal Corps. Jeep Soldiers Out For Refreshments.”

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Original Post February 20, 2014:

“You are bidding on a vintage 1943 photo postcard of a Jeep, soldiers and a lady. The card reads, Photo by U S Army Signal Corps. The card is postmarked Camp Pickett, VA 1943. The card is in very good condition.”

1943-bantam-postcard1

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1955 CJ-3B Carmel Valley, CA $12,500

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, CJ-3B This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Price dropped to $12,500

https://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/d/carmel-valley-willys-jeep-1955-original/6881544878.html

“One family owned 1955 CJ3B Willys Jeep with Warn Hubs and Ramsey Winch. Jeep is in very good condition, and has been lovingly maintained and kept garaged for more than 60 years. 1/4 ton 2 door, 4-cyl., F-head engine with 3 speeds, 4-wheel drive and compound low. She had an engine and drive train overhaul, exhaust manifold and brake replacement with all records available, and she has been repainted.”

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Tate’s “New” Ford GP

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Tate and I behind his Ford GP. On the right of the pic is his Willys MB.

Ann and I are In Salt Lake City through Saturday morning, then we’ll be heading down to Moab for our Sunday trip on the White Rim Trail.

On Thursday in Salt Lake we met up with Tate, a young man who now owns a Ford GP to go along with his Willys MB. He recently bought it out of Wyoming.

The former owner had been inundated with offers after listing it for sale (no surprise there). He’d owned it for fifty years and wanted it to go to someone who would treasure it for another fifty years. Tate assured him he was the guy, so the owner sold it to him. Given Tate’s passion for jeeps and learning, I have no doubt the owner made a good decision. (By the way, Tate’s looking for a windshield .. if anyone knows of one, feel free to email me at d@ewillys.com and I’ll forward the info to him).

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After we spent some time checking out his GP, we took it for a drive. Then, unexpectedly, Tate asked if I wanted to drive it some. Let’s just say he didn’t have to ask twice! There’s a video on Facebook of me returning in the driver’s seat. Continue reading

 
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1941 Ford GP Cheyenne, WY **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD**

It’s powered by a Ford 9N Tractor engine.

“Rare Military Classic Vehicle.Matching #s tub and frame,i do have the motorpool replacement motor.At present time it is powered by a freshly rebuilt Ford 9N tractor motor.Front and rear diff have been completely gone through.All new brakes/hardware/lines/master cyl.Still needs to be finished.Steering box has been rebuilt.$15,000 or best offer.May be interested in a trade of whatever.No motorcycles or boats”

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Continue reading

 
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1942 Saturday Evening Post with A Ford GP

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

On pages 48-29 of the August 15, 1942, Saturday Evening post featured an ad by the United State Rubber Company titled “Here’s Where Your Rubber is Going”. The ad included a Ford GP.

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November 1941 ‘Our New Army’ Pics

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

These pics were part of an article in the November 11, 1945, issue of Colliers.

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1943 Ad for Weiners in Ford GPs

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This ad may have appeared multiple times, but appear at least once in the January 30, 1943, issue of Colliers magazine on page 29. Included below is a color version supposedly published in 1942.

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Mallory Ad w/ Ford GP on eBay

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

Anyone know when this ad was published?

View all the information on eBay

“This is an original 1942 ad neatly removed from a vintage magazine. Measure 11 by 14 inches.”

year-mallory-fordgp-ad

 
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Ethyl Research and Service Ad With A Ford Pygmy

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UPDATE: Through Fred Coldwell’s “Selling the American Wonder“, Maury learned that this unusual ad featuring the Ford Pygmy was published in the August 18, 1941, issue of Time Magazine.

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1941 Photo of Ford GP

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

This March 02, 1941, photo from the Evening Star appears to show the original Pygmy.

1941-03-02-evening-star-blitz-buggy