1956 Dispatcher Newspaper Ad’s
There were 2 versions of this advertisement that were fairly common, The Hard Top and Soft Top (Convertible Top), there will be more on the Tops at the end of this post.
1956 DISPATCHER
1956 DJ Advertisement Soft Top (Convertible Top)
1956 DJ Advertisement Hard Top
1956 DJ
DJ Top Options
There were 4 top options available, I guess 5 if you count No Top for the “Basic”
Here is an article from 10-9-1956, I clipped out of FL…
DJ Mailer Brochure
Dave had posted a really cool summary page here….
But I will summarize them here as well from the additional ad I have referenced.
DJ-3A Basic
No Top, looks to have a single seat and open passenger side and rear cargo area.
DJ-3A Full Top
This is the actual DJ sent over by Dave that looks really correct for a Full Top version.
This has side doors and rear access, also has side windows. The only thing different is the physical shape of the rear window in the Sales Brochures it shows the rear window more rectangle, and this has a more trapezoid look to it and matches the design of the side doors and probably provides better viewing out the back.
DJ-3A Hard Top
DJ-3A Half Top
Here is a clipping of a DJ-3A Half Top
DJ-3A Soft Top / Convertible Top
This ad refers to this as a “Soft Top” the Sales Brochures list it as the “Convertible Top”, Has the same description in the article clipped above for the function of the Convertible Top.
Back in 1965, I owned a 1962 Dispatcher with a hardtop, a Chicken Delight Jeep that caught fire from the Sterno oven mounted in the back. I was 15 years old at the time, ambitious project for a 15 year old, the fire melted the fiberglass roof panel along with the plastic chicken. ( previously covered EWILLYS). I did get it back on the road with help from my dad, uncle Joe.
I really miss the ’63 Dispatcher HT Delivery I had in Houston in ’71 before I entered the Navy. A photo can be found here by entering Barney in the search and scrolling. It was a blast! Smooth and fun to drive and economical too. Just had to avoid Loop 610 with it. It was only 8 years old when I bought it for $400 but looked older for sure. The sliding doors were great allowing air in the Houston heat. The rear left gate above the tailgate actually was like an old style garage door and lifted and latched into the top, latching on the same catch part used on the M38A1 and CJ5 windshields for a hood catch. And as a seat catch for the passenger seat above the tool box after seat belts became required. Sold it for the $400 as I entered the Navy. I’d give a finders fee to find it today. In addition to being delivery vehicles, they were used as airline ramp Jeeps. – Barney, Barney’s Jeep Parts LLC
Question from a newcomer:
I have never seen a convertible top like that.
The back section looks particularly stylish…am I crazy but didn’t the late ’60s Jeep star Commando have a similar looking hard or soft top?
Would that fit on a CJ? I don’t see why not.
Do any survive?