Tow Research Archives

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1947 Truck w/Tow Package Westbrook, CT $4500

• CATEGORIES: Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

Mike shared this column-shift truck with a hefty tow package. Maybe a modified Canfield tow package?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/761094865572696

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“1947 Willys Jeep Truck 4WD. First year for the Willys Pickup. This is a former service station truck outfitted with a weld built wrecker. Its got a 4 cylinder F134 engine and a 3 speed column shift transmission. This is a four wheel drive model. It runs, drives and stops. It is still 6 volt but starts up without hesitation. Motor runs smoothly and has little use on it since it was rebuilt. New exhaust system was just installed. The wrecker unit was custom made for the truck and is all hand operated. Boom extends out an extra 5ft. Everything works smoothly and is very overbuilt. Airbags in the rear were added to assist with heavy loads. The truck also comes with a snow plow. Overall the rust isn’t bad except for the rockers/steps on the sides of the cab, they have seen better days. Frame is solid. It will need some work before it is ready to go back on the road but it shouldn’t take much. Sold with with a bill of sale only. No title. Asking $4500.”

 
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Holmes 480 Wrecker Fort Morgan, CO $700

• CATEGORIES: Parts • TAGS: .

These don’t pop up for sale often.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1307740550071796

“Holmes 480 wrecker bed. Selling as is. No warranties.”

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1960 FC-170 Bremerton, WA $15,000

• CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677 • TAGS: .

UPDATE: Still Available.

(08/31/2022) This looks like a handy wrecker.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1058947804808614

“1960 Willys FC 170 4×4 tow truck with 292 Chevy 6 motor and 4sp manual transmission. Run and drives good. Listing for a relative. Call Jim at [hidden information] for all questions and inquiries.”

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1948 CJ-2A Lefty Rye, NY No Price

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A • TAGS: , .

UPDATE: Still Available.

(07/14/2022) Any spotted this Lefty with a wrecker on the back. As he noted to me, this might be a Manley, though the Manley setup has a single support bar in front rather than two. Maybe it’s a modified Manley? No description provided.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1123770735149662

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1955 Truck Laconia, NH $12,500

• CATEGORIES: Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

This has a variety of upgrades, including a tow package.

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/d/laconia-1955-willys-pickup-truck/7532492572.html

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“1955 Willys Pickup Truck
The Willy’s body was transferred to a 1985 full chassis frame.
The engine is a 1972 Pontiac 400 V8 with a 200 R4 Transmission Floor mounted Lokar Shifter.
New custom made Heavy Duty Radiator
New Dual Exhaust with Hugger Headers. (Sounds Great)
New tires on New White spoke wheels.
New Brakes front disk and rear drum. All New brake lines.
New fuel cell with Electric fuel pump.
New Windshield and rear window.
New gauges Custom dash
Custom made bed. Currently has a tow truck boom. (for looks only) and can be easily unbolted.
Diamond Plate Bumpers. Too much to list on this add!
The Builder is 88 years old and can no longer work on it.
It is registered with an Inspection Sticker. Have driven about 250 miles.
There are a few things that need to be dialed in.”

 
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Year? Boom Truck Amarillo, TX $750

• CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: .

Listed as a jeep, I don’t see anything jeepy on it. Still, if you need a cheap boom-truck, maybe this is worth look.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1650415935347918

“Old willies Jeep made into a boom truck it doesn’t run and I’m not sure what all it needs asking 750”

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FC-Wrecker Photo on Facebook

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: .

Mike shared this photo of an FC-150 wrecker in New Jersey that was posted to Facebook. Mike actually remembers seeing this same FC in New Jersey back in 1961.

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1964 Slide of Willys Tow Truck on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: , .

Steve shared this cool photo/slide of a mid 1950s Willys Truck operating for a Shell gas station in Forest Park, Illinois. The photo is dated June 21, 1964.

View all the information on eBay

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“RIGINAL COLOR PHOTO TRANSPARENCY (2″ x 2″ SLIDE) TAKEN 1964 WITH 1950’s WILLYS JEEP TOW/WRECKER TRUCK. TOWING 1958 PONTIAC. THE SHELL SERVICE STATION IN FOREST PARK, IL GAVE S&H GREEN STAMPS WITH PURCHASE.”

 
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1955 Truck JeepRod Orange, MA $25,000

• CATEGORIES: Jeep Rods, Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

Someone has fun with this build.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/576717266659294

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“Purchased The Willys in 2018 from a farm. The Body was mostly Rust free. Then we purchased a 1986 Monte Carlo with a Ponitac 400 Engine and 200R4 Automatic Transmission. We proceeded to remove the Monte Carlo Body off and Move the Willys Body to the Monte Carlo Frame. The Pick Up bed has been Custom Made. Looks like a Wrecker but the Wrecker is only for looks. There are new tires and Wheels not shown in pictures. It looks and runs good. Currently registered and inspected in NH. It is currently located in the shop Orange Mass putting the finishing touches on it.”

 
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1948 Truck w/ Tow Package Parker, AZ $6000

• CATEGORIES: Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

Doesn’t run at the moment.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1448100775536082

“1948 Willys tow truck. This has a 228 Studebaker engine that is estimated to be a 1951. Needs restoration. The engine will turn over. Just don’t have time for it.”

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1955 Truck Apple Valley, CA $15,000

• CATEGORIES: Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

This is a former AAA tow truck.

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/victorville-1955-willys-truck/7310278557.html

“1955 Former AAA Tow Truck. 4.2 Jeep engine. Can get to 70 for passing on freeway. Better to stay at 60-65. Runs, drives, fully registered. Ran it to Las Vegas and back. I’m working on replacing the rear main seal and starter. Replace different parts around the truck. Rewired the whole truck. Have other parts. Will look at offers.”

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1955 Koenig Road Service Brochures

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: .

UPDATE: This sold years ago on eBay, but I never posted all the pics I got from the auction. It is a good example of Koenig’s Wrecker and road service brochure. Along with tow packages, it includes helper springs, PTO add-ons, push-bumpers, and more. 

It is bulletin 155 (which likely means it was published in January of 1955) and then revised in April of 1955.

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1948 Truck w/Towing Package Parker, AZ $7000

• CATEGORIES: Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

This is a project.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1448100775536082

“1948 Willys tow truck. This has a 228 Studebaker engine that is estimated to be a 1951. Needs restoration. The engine will turn over. Just don’t have time for it.”

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1961 FC-170 Springerville, AZ $9000

• CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677 • TAGS: .

UPDATE: Still Available.

(08/30/2020) It’s a dually, too, but doesn’t have the outer rears mounted.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/649536632584214/

“1961 JEEP WRECKER. VEHICLE IS COMPLETE, RUNNING AND OPERATIONAL. ”

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Canfield Tow Company Wrecker Mailers & Documents

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Postcards • TAGS: , .

UPDATE: Mike shared some additional Canfield information, which I’ve added to this post. 

1. Mike’s Canfield Wrecker Mailer Postcard. 8 x 9 Folded , 11 x 9 Unfolded. This is the outside back and front. Note the Overload Springs and Push-Plates (aka Push-Bumpers), which Canfield marketed for years (Koenig also had push plates/bumpers, but with slots for a winch). 
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This inner portion allowed recipients to resend the postcard back to Canfield for more information.

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2. Canfield Wrecker Mailer Postcard from eBay. These images came from eBay and don’t show the whole card. From the eBay ad:  “original Postcard, 8.5 x 5.5, Canfield Tow Truck Equipment.”

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3. Additional Canfield information. Mike provided these bulleltins about how to sell the Canfield wrecker to prospects. These first two pages deal with incentives for Jeep dealers for installing Canfield wreckers.

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1963? FC-150 Tow Package Mission Viejo, CA $6500

• CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677 • TAGS: .

UPDATE: Still Available.

This was auctioned in April. Oddly, it’s listed as a 1963.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/554468865230484/

“1963 Jeep Fc 150 tow truck all Original, Engine runs and transmission shifts.”

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Year? Truck Marquette, MI **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2800.

It’s a project, but appears to have potential.

“Willy’s wrecker. 6 cyl. PTO winch set up. Push bumper. Plow. Was a wrecker at a Willy’s dealer brand new. Body and frame have been patched over the years. It’s complete. Nothing missing or parts robbed. Hasn’t run in many years. In storage. In Marquette Michigan. DJ 906 360 7452. Comes with title”

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November 1952 Canfield Wrecker Catalog on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: , .

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

This is priced at $39 with free shipping. It’s a neat piece, especially the first page with the Willys Overland Motors Canfield custom book wrecker model XH-205.

“great old catalog from 1952 . canfield wreckers for willys jeeps and trucks detroit michigan , illustrated , 5 pages , cover shows age but good overall . free shipping in usa and canada”

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Year? FC-150 Tow Truck High Desert Auction **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677 • TAGS: .

UPDATE: **SOLD** for $4700 plus auction fees.

Thanks to Danno for sharing this and the following FCs. There are other non-CJ jeeps for sale, too.

“HUGE car auction.
Virtual live, online only, auction begins at 9am on May 3rd.
Preview will be May 2nd from 10am-4pm.

Jeep Tow Truck, V.U., Mileage: 19,163”

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1951 Truck Roseville, MN $8900

• CATEGORIES: Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

UPDATE: Still Available. See email addy in the comments if interested.

This is a former railroad truck. Looks like the door reads “Loch’s Service Station, Watkins, MN”.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/d/saint-paul-1951-willys-truck/6926341516.html

“1951 Willys Truck Wrecker All original 54k miles Runs and drives good 4×4 winch plow boom little rust. Original patina former railroad car when new. Check out this cool truck”

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1955 Service Station “Mr. Service” Mailer

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: , .

This was mailed to the Anderson Willys Company in Portland, Oregon, at some point. This is one of the 1955 mailing pieces as part of the Kaiser Willys advertising push. It was one of several targets mailers produced for dealers.

Service Station (Mr. Service) 1955 mailer:

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MB Wrecker Garage Sully in Paris

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: , .

French site credits Serge Hiltenfinck with owning (and probably restoring) this 1943 MB “Garage Sully”-branded tow jeep. This photo was taken as part of vintage car meet in Ostheim, Germany.

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” Serge Hiltenfinck had released this amazing Jeep wrecker from 1943, alongside the Daimler truck firefighters Jebsheim, which also dates from 1943.”

These two photos were posted to Flickr by Tobias Hartmann.

 
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1963? Truck Bayside, NY **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Willys Trucks • TAGS: .

UPDATE: **SOLD* Was $9500. It now lives in MN.

This service truck doesn’t run, but sure looks in pretty good shape.

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1943 Modified GPW Bozeman, MT **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: GPW (Ford MB), Sedan-jeep, Unusual • TAGS: , , .

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

Thanks to Roger Martin for sharing this unusual vehicle. The buy-it-now price on this highly modified GPW/truck is $14,995. I’m not clear how the seller arrived at the price, but the vehicle itself is a whimsical item that seems to need some work.

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“This is a very special vehicle I found a few months ago that came from a ranch in eastern Montana. Perhaps some handy rancher wanted a Jeep pickup before Jeep ever offered one. Perhaps he could not afford or justify the cost of one and decided to build one from a WW II Jeep, an extra WW II Jeep frame, an early Dodge pickup cab and the front of an as of yet unknown early steel pickup box.

This truck appears to have a chassis made out of a pair of WW II Jeep chassis that were cut off and butt welded together in the center to make a chassis that has a wheelbase just over 2 feet longer at 105-1/2”. That is 25-1/2″ longer than the stock WW II Jeep chassis that has an 80″ wheelbase. Someone then added a cab from a 1933 to early 1935 Dodge pickup or 1-1/2 ton truck so they would have some weather protection from the sometimes wild weather here in Montana.

What really impressed me about this truck the moment I first saw it is the amount of work some reasonably skilled craftsman went to to build a 4 wheel drive pickup out a tiny WW II Jeep. I have seen literally hundreds of WW II and later Jeeps in my life so far that have had cabs added to the original Jeep body but I have never seen one that had a pickup or truck cab installed on it like this truck has. Add to that the fact that the cab on this truck has the very attrractive backward opening “suicide” doors from the early 1930’s and one has a very special vehicle.

Not only was a completely different cab installed on this “stretched” Jeep chassis, but that cab was subjected to some very interesting modifications. The most obvious modification is the very special rounded cowl that adapted the cowl of the Dodge cab to the back of the flat Jeep cowl right bvehind the Jeep hood. I am very sure that that cowl adapter was not hand formed but I have not yet figured out what that specially formed piece of sheet metal may have been used on originally.

Please also notice the very significant fact that the as of yet unknown Jeep builder adapted a “V” windshield to the front of the Dodge cab that originally came with a flat whidshield. I have yet to figure out what vehicle that “V” windshield originally came in. Please help me here if you possibly can. Another modification to the Dodge truck cab would be the fact that it has a steel insert in the top of the roof rather than the original fabric roof that it came with when new. I have seen hundreds of Model A Ford and other similar vehicles from the 20’s and 30’s that had similar steel roofs installed when the original fabrick roofs went bad.
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Braden Winch and Boom Ham Lake, MN $1375

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A • TAGS: .

UPDATE: Was listed on eBay. Only the Boom and Winch are for sale. NOT THE JEEP!

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/pts/d/minneapolis-braden-winch-boom/6855947958.html

“Very good condition, will separate boom and winch if necessary. Sorry, price does not include Jeep. Will ship winch via Fastenal at buyers expense”

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