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Overland Train North Pole, Ak **SOLD**

May 2, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $15,000.

Mark spotted this unusual find when it was still available early on Sunday.  However, it sold during the course of the day for $15,000.  I’d love to know where it lands as it is something very unusual and rather fantastical.

“In 1962, the Army tested a machine known as The Overland Train at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. It was designed to carry equipment and supplies over both on- and off-road terrains. The train consisted of the control car, ten self tracking cargo cars, and two power generating cars. It was 565 feet long and could haul 150 tons of cargo. The control car also contained living quarters for a crew of six, complete with sleeping, eating and sanitation facilities.

The enclosed pictures are of a sister unit here in Alaska. It’s important to note this is one of the last existing units of this type anywhere. This unit consists of the control car and 3 trailers (mostly aluminum). All the units have tires and we also have a large amount of extra tires & wheels. This unit does not run and is not operable however according to Le Tourneau, the manufacturer most if not all parts are still available and or re-buildable. Would also make a terrific static display for museum. This unit is for sale as is FOB North Pole, Alaska, to the highest bidder above the reserve set by the estate.”

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Shed of Dreams

April 27, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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A shed of dreams?  I came across the phrase while, as usual, searching for something else.

As best as I can put together, the shed was located in Greece and was full of old MBs, GPWs, Parts, and more. The Jeep Draw website has a large number of images showing rows of old jeeps. One pic shows at least 20 jeeps sitting 3 rows high.

According to Thomas Jacobson’s jeep website (which has some good jeep info), the  shed of dreams existed as late as 2001, as that is when Thomas visited the shed and took a whole bunch of pictures.

According to a discussion thread on the Steel Soldier’s website, the shed no longer exists as the jeeps have been sold.

Here is an example of one of Thomas’s images:

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Carl saves a Willys Truck in St. Johns, NL, Canada

April 24, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Willys Trucks This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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This truck was headed towards a crusher until Carl saved it.  He’s not sure what he’s going to do with it, but he felt there was too much value to have it crushed.  Note the custom wheel creation.

“Here are the pictures of the 55 Willys as I found it in a scrape metal collectors yard, it has its original running Super Hurricane engine 4 wheel drive components, head lights, park lights and dash all in tack, 20″ wheels were welded to the original 16’s and it spent the last few years hauling fire wood in rural Newfoundland. It had been abandoned and was set to go to the crusher when I found it and hauled it home.  Not sure at this point what I will do with it, it’s safe for now.”

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Mark spots an even dozen in Houston

April 23, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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I’ll let Mark set the stage for these pics. I don’t see the pic of the hungry dog though …. 🙂

Mark writes, “On the tough east side of Houston well behind a blighted salvage yard the old guy said “there’s some Willys behind that fence”. As a newby seeing one pass on the highway is a rarity so when I saw this I just about leaked transfer case oil. 12 in all, the Dirty Dozen. Sorry about the quality of the pics, there was this mean looking dog, and he looked hungry.”

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1949 Dodge Fire Power Wagon San Clemente, CA **SOLD**

April 22, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Other 4x4s This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

The auction expired before it reached its reserve. Bidding hit a high of $50,300.

“This truck was built for the 343 fire fighters that lost their lives on the tragic day of 9/11. This truck has been used in shows so we would never forget that day. I can’t list all the shows this truck has won 1st place in, however, here’s some of them: Concours Delegance, Good Guys, Grand Nationals Roadster Show, Coastline Car Classic, and many, many more. I’ll take a photo of all the trophies if you like (enough to fill up an entire room). The firetruck came from Cooperstown, New York as a mini-pumper firetruck. It was recreated as a woody. This truck has been such a blessing, it puts a smile on all the people’s faces. The truck has 13,000 original miles on all the original running gear. The motor, transmission, front end, and rear end has never been taken apart. It’s been professionally cleaned and repainted. It has 1,500 miles on the brakes, wheel cylinder, master cylinder, tires, hoses, and seals. The wiring harness is all original and is in excellent condition. It’s been changed over to 12 Volts. Everything works but the fuel gauge (needs a diode). The reason I’m selling this truck is because it needs to be seen and not stored. This would make a very nice museum piece that people could appreciate. A part of the proceeds from this auction will go to the Rolling Memorial for Fallen Firefighters and a percentage will be automatically donated.”

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From Long Haul Truck to Hot Rod

April 18, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Jeep Rods This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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So, you have an extra $100,000 and 3000 hours.  What do you with yourself?  Randy Grubb decided he’d build a Hot Rod out of a long haul truck.  Popular Science magazine highlights Randy’s efforts.  Though it has nothing to do with jeeps, I thought it was worth mentioning.

What I really liked was the before and after pics.  In the before pic, you can see how he arranged the parts so he could visualize what he was building.  Any of us who have done projects like this where there aren’t specific instructions/directions can relate.  I can’t tell you how many times I put on and took off the jeep body to make sure it fit in the right spot, not too far forward, not too far back, not to high, was it straight — then stand back and ponder and take a few pics and adjust and ponder …. details, details, details.  It’s all part of the fun :-).

Despite it’s fun design,  this wasn’t just some show vehicle.  When Randy was finished, he drag raced it at 100 mph.  Now that’s a HOT Rod!

I’ve included the before pic (taken by Randy’s wife).  You can see the after pic result and read all about the transformation at Popsci.com.

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Green Bay & Western’s hi-rail FC-170s

April 15, 2010 • CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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An article in the Green Bay Press-Gazette on November 18, 1962, warned readers not to be surprised if they were flagged down at a Green Bay & Western (GBW) railroad crossing by a jeep.  The article goes on to describe that GBW bought 2 1962 FCs for use on their railroad, some of the Jeep’s features, and how they would be used.  The history of these FCs (shown below) and the GBW in general can be found at the Green Bay & Western Lines website.

One image below appears to be a rough scan showing the two FC-170s at the time of purchase. I’ve added a link to the 2nd photo which shows the FC awaiting restoration as of 2005 (a note under the image asked that it not be reproduced without permission).

2005 Image of FC awaiting restoration

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