To Top

Joe’s St. Nicholas Poem

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

Joe shared this shamelessly hacked poem he wrote for this Christmas season … Thanks Joe!

A Shop Visit from St. Nicholas
(BASED IN ITS ENTIRETY ON THE CLASSIC POEM OF CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE, WHO WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY BE APPALLED BY ALL OF THE SHAMELESS HACKS THAT HAVE BEEN PERPETRATED ON HIS SKILLFULLY WOVEN DEATHLESS PROSE.)

It was the night before Christmas, and all through my shop,
Not one project was running, not a brake drum could stop;
Some small bits were hung on the paint rack with care,
But I’d blown my parts budget buying presents and beer.

The Grandkids were all nestled at their folks in their beds;
While memories of “ice cream runs” played back in their heads.
And their Grams in her nightie and our dog in her lap,
They were all settling down for some long winter’s naps.

Then when out in my driveway I heard such a clamor,
I climbed up from my creeper to see what was the matter.
Off to the garage door I sped like the Flash,
I peered out one small window, my chin on the sash.

The moonlight shining off of the near-record snow,
Gave the luster of midday to my yard art below.
And then what to my bifocaled eyes should appear?
But an engine-less Jeep pulled by tiny reindeer,
With a portly old driver so rotund and so thick,
I got a weird feeling the dude was Saint Nick.

As if powered by hemis his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and bellowed, and shouted their names:
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the right of that flagpole! Look out for that wall!
Bang a left! Hang a right! Jeez, follow my calls!”

As leaves that behind a Super Hurricane would fly,
Should they meet with an obstacle, watch out for this guy!

So out towards my backyard this lash-up it flew,
With a bed full of packages, and Saint Nicholas too —
And then, in an instant, I heard on the roof,
The screeching of tires and banging of hooves.

As I covered my head, and began scrambling around,
Through the back door Saint Nicholas crashed with a bound!
Dressed all in red Carhartt, from his hat to his boots,
His duds were all covered with grease stains and soot.
A boatload of stuff he had crammed in a sack,
And he looked quite the character. (Hey, what’s in that pack?)

His eyes — they were bloodshot, his balance… was scary!
His cheeks were quite stubbly, his nose red as a cherry!
His mischievous grin was curved up like a bow,
The mustache on his lip was as white as the snow.
The stump of a stogie was clenched in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.

He clutched a cold brew and had an ample beer belly,
Both sloshed as he moved, just like pools full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right pudgy old elf,
And I knew that I liked him, in spite of myself.
A wink of an eye and a nod of his head,
Made me strongly suspect I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Laid new parts on my workbench; then he turned with a jerk,
And sliding two fingers up inside his nose,
Then forcing a toot, out the back door he blows!

Bounced back in his Willys, and to his team he did whistle,
And away they all shot, like a ballistic missile.
But I heard him yell out, as they streaked out of sight —
“Pleasant wrenching to you, and to your loved ones — good night!”

 
To Top

Merry Christmas, 1983!

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

Merry Christmas (eve) everyone!

I must have seen this commercial when it aired back in 1983, but I don’t remember it. I guess I had other things on my mind? I graduated in the summer of ’83, for which my parents bought me the first jeep of my own (I’d driven Dad’s CJ-5 for a couple years), a patched together, blue, modified CJ-3A with a Buick V-6 and T-15 for $1500. I spent the summer cruising around in it, then the Fall driving it to my first (and last) quarter at a community college, before pretty much flunking out (I just didn’t care about college at that point).

Instead of college, I traded labor for a rundown, hacked together racer, took that apart, and started building what would become my first project jeep. Too young, dumb, and stubborn to fail, I got a part time job cooking and used those meager funds to cobble together a custom jeep over the subsequent year and a half.

 
To Top

December 1961 Jeep News

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

The December 1961 issue of Jeep News was only six pages, but still packed into a few interesting items. In the center column of the front page you can see the California Association of ‘Jeep’ Clubs had already come up with rules for jeeping on publics lands. Here in the PNW, we’ve seen a small contingent of folks doing stupid things that ruins it for everyone else. Such is life. Also note the bottom of page one showing the two giant billboards. I’ve never seen pics of these.

An article on page two references a 28-page two-color booklet titled “Your Ten Major Retail Markets”. That’s not one I’ve seen. Anyone else run across it? There’s also a reference to a Fleetvan comparison brochure. You can see pics of that here: http://www.ewillys.com/2016/03/29/1961-fleet-van-c…brochure-on-ebay/ (Not sure if I have a copy).

Page three contains something really unique: An Army FC-170 with a camper! The FC camper, an Army FC-170 with a Stahl bed, and an Army Traveller wagon were all headed to Alaska. Page three also has pics from a Billings, Montana, Rough Riders Jeep Club road event.

Page five and six contain a variety of stories, with several photos of FC-170 Fire trucks. Page seven shares the story of a New Jersey firm that operated pizza delivery wagons. Anything you can add to that story Mike?

1961-12-jeep-news1 1961-12-jeep-news2 1961-12-jeep-news3 1961-12-jeep-news4

 
To Top

Stainless Steel Truck/Wagon Wing in 1948s?

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

Dave discovered he has this wing window with stainless trim in one of his pickups. He’s not seen one before. Anyone know if they were an option?

He writes, “So I have come across a stainless steel wing window in one of my pick ups. According to the Willys America parts restoration book 48-49 pick ups and wagons had them. I have 3 1948 pick ups. None of them have stainless. I am trying to figure out if this was an option or what?”

dave-stainless-wing2

 
To Top

Photo of GPW From Warbird Website

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

John shared this neat photo from the Warbird Website. You can even see the Ford tires on it. I tried to find the hood number (20145236), but it appears the G503 search has changed. Maybe someone else can have more luck determining if it is in the database.

gpw-on-warbird-website

 

 
To Top

Photo of Elvis & Bazooka

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

Mark shared this image of Elvis holding a Bazooka posted to the Armory Life website. Even more interesting, this M-38A1 has a rare defroster mounted on the windshield.

m38a1-elvis-bazooka

 
To Top

Meyer Mark III Hardtop Glastonbury, CT **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $600.

Paul’s got this Meyer hardtop for sale. I agree with him, that it looks to be a Meyer Mark III.

meyer-markIII-hardtop-ct7 meyer-markIII-hardtop-ct8 meyer-markIII-hardtop-ct9

“I think this is a Meyer MIII
top. Surface rust. Rain gutters intact, see pic. Doors
included, windows operate up
and down. No body hinges. Rear
side window glasses, uninstalled,
included.
Extra set of parts doors included,
and a bonus hot water cabin
heater for civilian jeep. I’ll try
to answer any questions.”

 
To Top

February 1959 Jeep News

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

UPDATE: This was supposed to publish Friday morning, but didn’t for some reason… just discover this Friday night!

This eight-page February 1959 issue of Jeep News begins with a recap of the 1960 Chicago Autoshow, where the all-white jeep lineup on display was called, by some industry veterans, the most attractive commercial display at the show. Page three shows several different FCs adapted to various speciality tasks.

Page four and five share a report and multiple images from the auto show. There’s also a reference to two films played at the show. One was Jeep Frolics, a video shown in the post below, and another video showing a wide variety of tasks jeeps could perform (not sure which video this might be).

Page six contains an article about Warn’s successful hub sales. the article estimated that by 1959 there were 135,000 jeeps using Warn hubs. Page seven covers the use of jeeps in Detroit’s underground salt mines (also captured in pics from this post). Page eight features several stories, including another example of a custom FC camping unit.

1959-02-jeep-news1 1959-02-jeep-news2 1959-02-jeep-news3 1959-02-jeep-news4 1959-02-jeep-news5

 
To Top

Jeep Frolics from 1958(ish)

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

Willys Motors featured this Jeep Frolics film at the 1959 Chicago Autoshow, as explained in the February 1959 Jeep News. It features color clips from the Jeepers Jamboree out of Georgetown, California, ‘Jeep’ Roadeo racing from Yakima, Washington, and the ‘Jeep’ Endurance run staged at Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. According to the Jeep News issue, the film was a popular attraction at the auto show.

 
To Top

Jeeps in the Detroit Salt Mines

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: More on the Detroit Salt Mines from this February 1959 issue of Jeep News.

I saw a reference to jeeps in Detroit’s salt mines on Facebook. After a some research, I found a few more images. The salt is used exclusively as road de-icer.

detroit-salt-mines-truck detroit-salt-mines4 detroit-salt-mines3 detroit-salt-mines2

truck-detroit-salt-mines

https://ephemeraldetroit.blogspot.com/2015/06/salt-city-beneath-detroit-booklet-1971.html

 
To Top

1943 Flattie Auburn, WA $12,000

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

UPDATE: Still Available.

(09/30/2023) Nice looking build.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/6967622806590640

“350ci Chevy engine, Warn overdrive, new tires, tilt wheel, warn hubs, and more. Fun to drive”

1943-mb-flattie-auburn-wa6 1943-mb-flattie-auburn-wa7 1943-mb-flattie-auburn-wa8 1943-mb-flattie-auburn-wa9

 
To Top

1949 Truck Pahrump, NV **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6000.

This appears worth a look.

“1949 willys truck. 4 cylinder flathead motor rebuilt. Runs 4wd. 6 volt system must see to appreciate. 6,000 or best offers. Thanks for looking.”

1949-truck-pahrump-nv5 1949-truck-pahrump-nv6 1949-truck-pahrump-nv7 1949-truck-pahrump-nv8 1949-truck-pahrump-nv9

 
To Top

1948? CJ-2A Bend, OR $1800

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

This may well be worth a look. No title.

https://bend.craigslist.org/cto/d/bend-willy-jeep-project/7697237758.html

“Willys Jeep project. Was a farm vehicle in California. Motor and transmission included. Transmission stuck in gear, Motor ran but hasn’t been started in years.”

1948-cj2a-bend-or

 
To Top

1946 VEC CJ-2A Upland, CA $4800

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

This is number #14701.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/349897247625710

“All original, no rust in the body and only minor rust in the hat channels. Motor is said to run but needs installation. Clean title on PNO. Must be towed.”

1946-cj2a-upland-cali5 1946-cj2a-upland-cali6 1946-cj2a-upland-cali8 1946-cj2a-upland-cali9

 
To Top

1947 CJ-2A Carson City, NV $8100

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

Seems worth a look. Seller must sell.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2930218087115150

“Custom and very clean fresh 327 Chevy custom wheels and tires everything has been gone through/will trade for nice camp trailer or fifth wheel of same value MUST SELL make me an offer”

1947-cj2a-cc-nev6 1947-cj2a-cc-nev7 1947-cj2a-cc-nev8 1947-cj2a-cc-nev9

 
To Top

Koenig CJ-2A Hardtop Missoula, MT **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $500.

This may lack some glass.

“Hard top with hard doors for a CJ2A.”

koenig-cj2a-hardtop-missoula-mt2 koenig-cj2a-hardtop-missoula-mt21

 
To Top

1955 Enumclaw, WA $500

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This has an early KS 0-10 speedometer., so I am guessing this is a 1955. There might be some value in parts here.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1092221328695593

“The old Jeep outside of the Use Again Store! Fully complete with engine and transmission still installed. No paperwork, no VIN, not a whole lot of other information available! Come check it out!”

1955-cj5-enumclaw-wa5 1955-cj5-enumclaw-wa7 1955-cj5-enumclaw-wa8 1955-cj5-enumclaw-wa9

 
To Top

1951 CJ-3A Susanville, CA $2200

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3A • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Price dropped to $2200.

(10/07/2023) Unclear how much value is here.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1572022603604171/

“1951 Willys Jeep Cj3a, THIS IS A PROJECT….Ford 302, Mid 80’s Toyota 5spd trans, transfer case, front snd rear Diffs, I do not have any info or history on the Engine or drive train, comes with extra transfer case, rear differental, there’s extra leaf springs also.Engine will need to checked. The luft us a spring over axle . On NON-OP with DMV. Asking $2500 or best offer”

1951-cj3a-susanville-ca7 1951-cj3a-susanville-ca8 1951-cj3a-susanville-ca9

 
To Top

1965 CJ-5 Zion, IL $1000

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Might be worth a look for parts at the very least. The doors are Meyer, but the half cab has been modified some.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/738297581553143/

“This is a 1965 Kaiser Willys CJ-5 with a Hurricane 4-cylinder as well as a half cab, and an uncommon dome light on top. Looking for $1000 Or best offer. Pros It’s cool It has a clean title and is the ORIGINAL title Has a snow plow and I believe a willys branded hydraulic pump for the plow Has a rare dome light Has a half cab Has a bunch of good parts and semi good parts! …and bad parts if you’re into that… It is complete other than the natural weight reduction Has a factory heater And the frame is good

Cons DOES NOT RUN DOES NOT DRIVE WILL NEED TO BE PUT ON A TRAILER Tub is VERY rusted out, and the motor is stuck. It definitely a parts deal or a project.”

1965-cj5-zion-il5 1965-cj5-zion-il6 1965-cj5-zion-il7 1965-cj5-zion-il8 1965-cj5-zion-il9

 
To Top

1947 CJ-2A Libby, MT $8000

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

UPDATE: Still Available. 

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1229653601033907

“1947 cj2a all stock comes with a hard top, runs, drives, stops, 4×4 works perfectly, new wiring thru out,, cj3a windshield frame that came with the hardtop”

1947-cj2a-libby-mt

 
To Top

Year? CJ-2A Northeast Oregon $3250

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

UPDATE: This may still be available.

(10/25/2023) This has a 1945/46 Willys Overland half cab that I believe was made by Worman.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/WillysSwapMeet/permalink/3578000959139824/

“Posting this for a friend. He is wanting to sell this project Willys to offset some medical expenses. It is located in NE Oregon. He’s asking $3250 OBO. Contact him for more info. 541-786-5067”


year-cj2a-ne-oregon5 year-cj2a-ne-oregon6 year-cj2a-ne-oregon7 year-cj2a-ne-oregon8

year-cj2a-ne-oregon9

 
To Top

August/September 1958 Jeep News

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

UPDATE: A version of this issue was previously run in Oct 2020. I’ve improved the pics and added a little more detail to the introduction.

Here’s another six-page issue of Jeep News for the months August and September, which is followed in the post below by a special four-page “MAVERICK” Extra edition for the month of September.

Page one includes a short article about the US Post Office purchasing ninety FC-170s, all with power tailgates, which could mean that if you find an FC-170 with a power tailgate, it might have been a USPS jeep. Of the ninety, sixty-two had snow plows. All were stake bodies and painted red, white and blue.

Page two is all dealer-related info. Page three is mostly devoted to the Mile High ‘Jeep’ Club’s second annual ‘Jeep’ Endurance Run at FairPlay, Colorado.

Page four shows off a pretty neat truck, set up for fishing and camping. Also on page four, under “1943 Military ‘Jeep’ Vehicle Stars in Big Portland Rose Parade”, the article shares a little about the jeep and the parade. However, the jeep that’s pictured is actually an M-38. I can only suspect that the wrong photo was added to the article?

Page five has a misplaced headline for the Jeepers Jamboree (story on page six), when the story is actually about Meyer snow plows and other equipment (headline on page six). Page six is devoted to the Jeepers Jamboree.

1958-08-09-jeep-news2 1958-08-09-jeep-news3 1958-08-09-jeep-news4 1958-08-09-jeep-news5

 
To Top

September 1958 Jeep News Maverick Extra

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

This September 1958 four-page issue of Jeep News is devoted to the Maverick show.

1958-09-jeep-news1 1958-09-jeep-news2 1958-09-jeep-news3

 
To Top

1962 Press Photo of CJ-3B Fruit Fly Sprayer on eBay

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

This June 16, 1962, photo shows Dick Burke setting up a fruit fly sprayer on a CJ-3B.

View all the information on ebay

1962-06-16-fruit-fly-spraying-cj3b-1

1962-06-16-fruit-fly-spraying-cj3b-2

 
To Top

Hub Dust Covers for Wagons? on eBay

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

Anyone familiar with these dust covers? I’m not familiar with any company using that name and font.

View all the information on ebay

willys-dust-covers-hub1

willys-dust-covers-hub2

willys-dust-covers-hub3

“Offered here are two Reproduction 1950’s Willys Jeep Wagon Wheel Hub Dust Covers. Marked Western on both that I presume to show they were sold by the old and now long gone Western Auto stores. Measure 4.50″ tall x 4 3/8″ diameter at the bottom flange. Acquired with other 1950’s era Willys Jeep Wagon parts from the collection of a long time Ouray Colorado”