Features Research Archives

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Unusual CJ-5 Rear Seat Mod

June 6, 2010 • CATEGORIES: CJ5, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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I was on my way to Jalopy Jungle (got some new springs — but that write-up must wait) in Nampa when I passed by this CJ-5 sitting outside an auto salvage shop in Meridian.  As soon as I saw it, I made a quick u-turn and snapped some pics.  The CJ-5 itself appears in stock condition with a solid body and no engine. There was no for sale sign and am not sure what it being done to it.

The rear seat itself it something I’ve never seen.  The tail gate still works and there is storage area under the back seat.

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Some Great Old Photos at JpZombie.com

June 5, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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At JpZombie.com, Casey has uploaded 20 images from the late 40s / early 50s.  Several of the images have also been loaded at the earlycj5.com website and a thread has popped up around them. A video was also uploaded (see below) that shows early color footage of the Yakima Ridge Runners (from Yakima, Washington) playing in what appears to be the Little Naches River and shows them traveling over the Naches Trail (you can also see video excerpts from Exploration Northwest which discusses the trail).

Below is a small version of one of the pics at JpZombie.  In this pic, you can see on the sign ‘Wally Klingele’, who was one of the founding members of the Ridge Runners.  Some of the pics at JpZombie appear to be pics capturing the Life Magazine Folks who put together these classic videos (ridge runner video 1 & ridge runner video 2).

This is also courtesy of JpZombie.com via Youtube:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5eIbxvuKJQ

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Willys Sporting Tracks

June 5, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual, videos • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Doug suggested I do a search at Youtube on “Willys  Jeep  Tracks”.  I found two interesting videos.

In this video, a CJ-2A is fitted with tracks, one track on each side.

In this video, a jeep wrangler is fitted with tracks on each wheel

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Bill Mauldin Stamp

June 2, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Features • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Randy forwarded me an announcement that Bill Mauldin has been honored with a stamp, shown below.

According to the email Randy sent me, “Mauldin, and his work,  meant much to the millions of Americans who fought in World War II, and  to those who had waited for them to come home. He was a kid cartoonist for  Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper; Mauldin’s drawings of his muddy,  exhausted, whisker-stubbled infantrymen Willie and Joe were the voice of  truth about what it was like on the front lines.”

Click on this link to see the Mauldin Cartoons I gathered from the web with jeeps in them for a previous post.

Here is a pic of the stamp, followed by Mauldin in a jeep.

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Tucker #57 — The Tucker Convertible

May 28, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Long time readers know that ever since seeing the movie Tucker: The Man and His Dream I’ve been a fan of the Tucker automobile.  What I didn’t know was that in early January of 2010 a Tucker Convertible was finally completed after years of sitting as a pile of parts.  It turns out there was plenty of controversy surrounding this convertible, specifically was it really a Tucker or simply a Tucker look-a-like built from left over parts. You can read some history of the Tucker and the Convertible here.

Well, after much discussion, enough information has been unearthed to assure most people (can’t make everyone happy) that Tucker had been working on a convertible when the company was forced into bankruptcy and was labeled Tucker #57.  Though it took multiple people and 60 years,  Benchmark Classics, near Madison, Wi (a place I used to call home) finally has put this beauty together (restoration images).

Here are an image and a video:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Wt9cVlngI

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Year? CJ-2A Jamul, CA **SOLD**

May 28, 2010 • CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Unusual • TAGS: , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: Was $600. **SOLD**

“Willys Jeep. 49-51 Willys Jeep CJ-l. Customer fiberglass cab. Local San Diego Truc, 4cly, 4SP, P.T.O- 4WD. All there, Black plates, Not running. Project, lots of potential. Former Glass Truck. RARE- No paperwork. $600 OBO.”

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A Willys of Frankenstinian Proportions $1500 (OD)

May 28, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, GPW (Ford MB), Unusual • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1500.

On a trip to Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho, Dan discovered this unusual project.   Underneath all the modifications is a 1943 GPW.  What’s amazing to me is that, all things considered, it doesn’t look all that bad.  Someone certainly cobbled together a variety of vehicles, along with a healthy supply of diamond plating to keep this vehicle on the road.  No doubt it was better than sporting a soft top in cold weather.

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Custom Truck Bumper

May 22, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Willys Trucks, Willys Wagons This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Steve was wondering if any readers knew anything about this aftermarket bumper found on some trucks (I’ll have to look back at some other images, but I know I’ve seen this or something similar on other trucks). I guess it is time to add a ‘bumper mod’ section to the modifications area.

Steve writes, “I Have the following wagon bumper and wondered if anyone knew anything about it?   The tag says Ricks Trailer Works, 2003 East Van Buren Street, Phoenix, Arizona.   I used to see these on a few wagons, but haven’t in quite a while.  My wagon with this came out of Utah.   It looks like a nice practical bumper, but haven’t decided how to use it yet.  Thought it might be a modification people find interesting.”

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Builds: Kurtis finds Ike and starts a restoration

May 20, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Builds, CJ-3A, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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In early April of 2010, Kurtis found a solid looking, stock 1950 CJ-3A named Ike that he plans to restore to off-the-dealer-floor condition.  He’s built a website (http://kurtisfranklin.com/blog/) to chronicle his restoration adventures and recently provided some good details on a V-Cell Radiator.

Good luck on your restoration Kurtis; I think it will turn out well!  Here’s a pic of Ike:

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