Unusual Research Archives

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1950 Wagon-Trailer Craigmont, Id **Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: trailer, Unusual, Willys Wagons • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  Status Unknown. Was $550.

(08/26/09) “Up for sale is a 1950 Willy’s Jeep Station Wagon Trailer. I have used it for a vendor trailer selling auto parts at swap meets in the past and for storage to keep items out of the weather. The interior is open with one large shelf and several drawers underneath for extra storage. The glass has been replaced with plywood which I just applied a fresh coat of paint to. The rear window is the only one remaining on the trailer. The tires are in good shape and it has a spare tire.”

1950_sw_trailer_craigmont

 
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Camping in Style – Super Cool Truck

• CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Jim found this super cool truck.  You could probably even get some long ramps and park your jeep on top of it — if you are brave.

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Very unusual Flat Fender Ottawa, Ontario, Canada **Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Features, Racing, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  The status of this is unknown.

This is an extremely unusual flattie. The seller provides a great deal of info about it. It’s been featured in various magazines.

“1946 “Willys” Jeep CJ-2. The “Jeepilac” as it is known (Jeep with a Cadillac engine) was professionally built by Johnson Welding Works. They are a local shop and are very well known in the area for building high quality street rods using top quality parts with attention to detail and safety. It has 2,700 miles since the build …. ”

This vehicle was also featured in the movie “Smash Cut“.

modified_flatfender_ottawa-canada

 
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1976 Lawnmower Onalaska, WA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Machinery, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3900

Blaine writes, “I think he said it was production built in 1976 in Illinois”Jeep flatfender mower frt

jeep flatfender mower rear

 
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One of a Kind Missoula, MT **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4500.

I can’t say I’ve ever seen modded 4×4 quite like this.

“my father built this jeep in the 70s it started out as a 67 wagoneer shortened the frame by 21 inches put a 351 clevland in it frome a 70 torino with a ten bolt top loader 4spd the motor is hopped up cam/carb/the moudual went out in the electronic dist so i put the points dist back in and it is running but needs timed”

 

unusual_4x4_missoula

 
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1947 Empire Tractor Eagleville, TN **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay. See this same tractor here: View Post

I have only seen two of these for sale (here’s the other one).  These use the Willys drive train. You can learn more about the specs for these tractors here.

“For sale is a 1947 Empire Tractor S/N # 5582. This tractor has been fully restored and has brand new tires and a new battery! Check out www.empiretractor.net for more information relating to the history and specifications of this model.”

1947_tractor_eagleville

 
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1942 Rock Crawler Marietta, GA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: GPW (Ford MB), Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

It’s safe to say that you won’t see many rock crawlers with a slat grille.  The louvered hood is unusual as well.

1942 Ford GPW, built custom from frame up!!! Awesome head- turning JEEP toy!!! All the power of a hotrod and capability of a great rockcrawler. NO UNOBTAINIUM parts, all over the counter!!!
1947 cj 2a frame, fully boxed, with YJ leaf spring hangers. wheelbase stretched from 80″ to 88″. Scissor shackles in rear. Ramps full 1000 on 30 degree.  Rancho springs with Wagoneer Dana 44’s front and rear. 5:38 gears with incredibly predictable full spool in rear and lock right in front….”

1942_rockcrawler_marietta

 
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1968 M725 Ambulance Delanson, Ny eBay

• CATEGORIES: Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

m725_ambulance_delansonI thought this was kind of cool.

“This M725 Vietnam era military ambulance runs, stops, and is pretty much as complete as you will find in an original vehicle. It even includes the original stretchers, operating light, rear gas heater, footlocker and lots of extra miscellaneous parts and more for in the rear ambulance body.  Only 14,000 miles on this military truck! …”

View all the pics on eBay

 
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Oddball Jeep Hemet, CA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

year_model_hemetUPDATE: Was $1100. **SOLD**

“1941 Willys Jeep, 4 cyl. flathead engine, tow bar attached, original gas tank w/cap under seat. Restoration project that never materialized.”

 
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1946 CJ-2A Phoenix, AZ **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, trailer, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

1946_cj2a_phoenix2UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2900.

This CJ-2A deal includes an unusual trailer.  This appears to be a good price.

“46 cj2a flatfender, 4cyl, 3spd, stock, steel removable top, matching 2a trailer, winch, engine hoist, towbar, daily driver, az title, 2900, trade, ratrod, project,”

 
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Unsual Tandem Tranny Tractor

• CATEGORIES: Machinery, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

tandem_transmission_tractor_chicagoBrian forwarded this to me.  Here’s an odd tractor with Willys running gear and 2 inline trannys.

“FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ALL TERRAIN ROCK CLIMBING MACHINE 18 HP WISCONSIN WILLYS JEEP RUNNING GEAR TANDEM TRANSMISSIONS WITH A HIGH AND LOW TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN SITTING AROUND FOR A FEW YEARS HAVE NOT REALLY USED IT. COME TAKE A LOOK. $1200.00 EMAIL ME WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND I WILL CALL YOU BACK I DO NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS WITHOUT A PHONE NUMBER. ”

Brian also included an interesting discussion about dual trannys from the WillysTech board.

Continue reading

 
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1948 CJ-2A Ambulance Lancaster, CA **SOLD**

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

1948_cj2a_ambulance_lancasterUPDATE: **SOLD** Was $675

” This is an incredible find! 1948 Jeep Willy “hard-shell” ambulance. Includes siren and light.  This is the perfect restoration project for the Willy/Jeep collector or the person who must have that incredibly “head-turning” must-have collector vehicle.”

 
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1948 CJ-2A Niles, MI **SOLD**

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

1948_cj2a_nilesUPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay

This jeep has undergone a number of changes.  The seller has added detailed artwork to the hood, while underneath is a nice looking V8.

“You are bidding on a 1948 Willys jeep, that I have owned for 25 years, After sitting for a number of years in Nov. of 2007 I redid this vehicle, the following is a listing of what was done. New brakes and lines and master cylnder, wheel cylnders and parts associatted. New fuel tank, lines, fuel pump and 2 bbl. rebuilt carb. Rebuilt 350 turbo trans, new driveshaft, u-joints, trans mount, new torque converter and flex plate. 305 Cu. In. 175 HP small block with under 35000 miles. new radiator, hoses, belts, water pump (corvette), trans-cooler and lines. new ss flex fan, all new wiring, switches, bulbs, seats and interior redone, mostly new gauges, headers with 2-1/2″ exhaust to the rear….”

 
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1953 Austin Champ Lawrenceburg, KY **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

1953_austinchamp_lawrenceburgUPDATE:  **SOLD** Was $3000

As I discussed in this post, the original jeep was possibly based on the Austin 7.  Here’s a later model Austin, of which I’ve only seen one other for sale in two years.  A spare Austin Champ is also available.

“1953 Austin Champ Runs and drives. Mechanically sound and ready for cosmetic restoration this is serial #10515. Does contain the Rolls-Royce engine. For those interested please look at http://www.austinchamp.com/ for more info and specs. Also available for increased $$ is parts spare that is cosmetically better but not running.”

 
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The German Schwimmwagen

• CATEGORIES: Features, GPA (SEEP), International, Other 4x4s, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

On the heals of yesterday’s GPA, I thought I’d do a brief shout out to the Schwimmwagen.  You can read more and see more pics about the Schwimmwagen at Brian’s site. Here’s a pic (below) from July 12 1944 (from Brian’s site as well).  Here’s some youtube videos.

schwimmwagen2

 
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The Wife Hates IT Post Falls, ID **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

offroadvehicle_postfalls

UPDATE: **SOLD ** Was $6000

It’s unusual …. but he loves it.

“Custom made buggy that will go anywhere. I have used it in Moab rocks, AZ desert rocks, Colorado mountains, CA sand dunes, etc. 370hp 360ci mopar engine professionally built … My wife hates this thing, I will hate to see it go. I am asking 6k, but am somewhat negotiable. I would consider some trades such as an equivalent value 4×4 quad or a rhino, ranger, or prowler. I would consider a clean jeep as well. I have this machine at a storage yard in Post Falls. If I have time I hope to take it to Moses Lake this weekend to check out the dunes that are supposedly over there. They don’t sound like much compared to what this beast has seen before.”

 
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Another Jeep with a Front Loader

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Features, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

To keep with our recent front loader theme, Steve sent me some pics of what I’ll call a ‘custom’ loader (at least, I think it’s a one-off) mounted on the front of an old flattie.  Don’t try this at home!  Please!  This was sold at an auction in Ames, Iowa a few years back.

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1959 Willys Bucket Loader Griswold, Ct **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Unusual, Willys Trucks, Willys Wagons This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

frontloader_1Brian forwarded this to me.  I love this thing.  I bet the body was toast, so the builder decided to make due with the frame and turn it into a true utility vehicle.  The seller deleted it from Craigslist, so I dont’ know whether it sold or not.  But, I thought it was worth showing everyone.  This might have been a Willys truck?  (I’ve added an example pic at the bottom).

“1959 jeep willy s Bucket loader, Grader, Dump body. Home made but Runs great, new clutch, 36″ tires ford flat head motor Very Strong, Works great for grading roads and driveways Great for farm work to.. Not the prettiest thing but effective and does the job… I want a Bike, I hate to part with this but a bike would save me a lot on gas.. so if you have a Motorcycle that your willing to trade let me know Please send pic and description , I’m not really looking for a crotch rocket but Ill look at what you have and maybe I will like it, but would really like a cruising bike Also I have lots of fire wood so that could be included in this deal depending on the bike”

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frontloader_4

Here’s the comparison loader below that a reader sent me last June

 
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Rotabuggy or Blitz Buggy — The Flying Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

interior_rotabuggyOn some post somewhere I have an image of the flying jeep.  I recently found a trove of information and images of the Rotabuggy, (actually, I just did a google image search of a rotabuggy) including pictures of a recreated model.  One of the more unusual images is an interior shot, which I show to the right.

From the willys-mb.ru website:

In the early 1940s flight tests had been carried out on a number of one-man gliders known as Rotachutes. During this time Raoul Hafner decided to apply the same principle on a larger-scale military vehicle. On 3 April 1942 the Rotary Wing Section of the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment AFEE) at Ringway, Manchester, submitted a proposal for the application of the system to the Blitz Buggy or Jeep.

The Unreal Aircraft website records an eye witness account of one flight, which left the driver exhausted.

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rotabuggy_jp4

Here’s an image of the Rotabuggy Replica

rotabuggy_replica

 
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Jeepney Video

• CATEGORIES: Unusual, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s a nicely done video about Jeepneys from the Daily Motion website.

 
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WWI Four Wheel Drive Star — Nash Quad

• CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

It was one of those days where I was searching for one thing and found another:  The Nash Quad Truck (the truck to the right is a 1919 Nash Quad, Owned by Bruce and Melanie Rice #8880).  These are 4wD with four wheel steering.  (see the video below to see a quad and its steering in action)

It turns out, these were a big hit during World War I.  In the Story of the Jeep, Patrick Foster writes that the Quad ” … dramatically proved it’s worth … and proved the value of four wheel drive …”

Here’s a brief history from the Pioneer Flight Museum:

The Nash Quad was first manufactured in 1914 by the Thomas B. Jeffrey Company, which was located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It became quite popular during World War I and was used by the armed forces of not only the United States, but also Russia, France and Britain. One of the first motor vehicles to offer four-wheel drive, the Quad proved very suitable to the rough, unpaved roads of the time. In 1916, Jeffrey sold the production rights to the Nash company. Because of its popularity, it was produced in large numbers, including license production by Hudson, National, and Paige-Detroit. Exact numbers aren’t known, but apparently over 11,000 were produced in 1918 alone.

Here’s a video of a Nash Quad being started and driven:

 
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Austin 7 — Grandfather of the Jeep?

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

So, I’m doing my best to avoid going out to my parents very cold, damp garage to finish fixing my mom’s car.  Of course, the internet is one of the best avoidance tools ever invented.

FLAT FENDER BABES:
On a lark, I typed in ‘Flat Fender Babes’ into google just to see if anything came up.  While most of the links were garbage, one link lead me to a list of significant production automobiles, created by Angry Stan at AngryStan’s blog.  Naturally, one of the vehicles listed was the Willys MB.  What was interesting about the MB’s inclusion was Stan’s comment that the MB was “very loosely based on the Austin 7”.

Whoa .. news to me.  What you talkin’ ’bout Stan?

Continue reading

 
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Builds – Half Tracks, The T-28, T-29 & T-29 E1

• CATEGORIES: Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

t28_half_trackI’ve never investigated the Half-Tracks and didn’t know much about them.  So, when Brian sent me the link to the Milweb.net website, it was great surprise.  The page is a combination historical overview and successful treasure hunt.  Here’s how the author starts.

“After America had entered the war, one of the most important military bases was the Aleutians in Alaska, since a Japanese attack on the Aleutians. So Alaska became a primary military zone of importance. But with bad weather and a lot of snow, the need for tracked vehicles was important. So the US Army Air Corps got in touch with the Canadian Bombardier Company with the idea to develop a series of tracked vehicles using rubber wheels of large diameter driving a wide, flexible track with metal cross bars. Also the intense aviation activity created enormous difficulties for personnel confronted with a cold climate and bad weather for most part of the year….. ”

You can visit this page to read the entire story.  It’s quite extensive.  The information on how the rebuild was done on the T-28 is equally interesting, including the use of a model A rim.

 
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1941 Ford GP United Kingdom **SOLD**

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

1941_ford_gpUPDATE: **SOLD** Was $24,500.

This rare Ford GP is listed at £17,500, which currently converts to $24,500.  It was listed back in June of 2008 on the Willysjeep.com site, which is a UK based jeep site. I assume it’s still for sale as it’s still listed on their website for sale.  There are also a GPW, some MBs and some Hotchkiss jeeps for sale there as well.

“A very Rare Pre-Production Ford GP Jeep (1941). This is one of only a handfull that remain in the UK today. Restored to a high level. For more information, please call today on 01694 731373. This Ford GP, was imported to Europe some years ago, this Jeep was restored some years ago and has been recently freshened up and it has many nice original features and looks great. However certain detail parts are not original, e.g fitted with a more moderm carb/air filter. The Jeep can either be detailed or used as is. And is well priced to allow for final detailing/ finishing touches at £17,500 including full new beechwood canvas kit.”

 
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Flat Fender Monster Truck Marengo, Oh $44,000

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

willys_monstertruck_marengoI don’t know what these are worth, but you don’t see these everyday.

“TOO MANY FEATURES TO MENTION, PICS ARE BEFORE CUSTOM PAINT JOB, ALSO HAVE LARGER MUD TIRES W/ CUSTOM RIMS, EVEN HAS CUSTOM PTO FOR PROPELLOR IF YOU WANT TO DRIVE IT INTO WATER, NEED TO SELL ASAP $44,000 not a misprint, It’s a full size toy for men! CALL MONTY 419-253-8631”

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1060914213.html