I can’t say I’ve been in a Willys Wagon for 400 miles at a time, but I do imagine that what the woman is trying to say is that it seemed more like 1400 miles than 400 miles ….
Features Research Archives
1949 Dodge Fire Power Wagon San Clemente, CA **SOLD**
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.”
From Long Haul Truck to Hot Rod
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.
Green Bay & Western’s hi-rail FC-170s
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).
Enter Pepsodent’s Contest and Win A Jeep!
From the Sunday News (and Duke University’s Digital Collection Archives) comes this October 7, 1945, contest advertisement. What I find very interesting is the color scheme. I do not recollect seeing any jeeps with this color scheme. Does anyone know if this was a custom color scheme of some kind for Pepsodent or simply an artist’s creative license?
Jeepster Prototypes
I was doing some research on GBW’s FC 170s when stumbled upon several Jeepster prototypes listed at the American Jeepster Club along with some other Jeepster specific information. Below I reference 3 prototypes found on the history page. Please visit the American Jeepster Club’s ‘Willys-Overland Jeepster History’ page to learn more. The fourth image is a 1979 Jeepster Prototype press release I found at offroaders.com — it seems to me it was a good idea NOT to develop this one.
1949 Jeepster Coupe Prototype
1962 Brazilian Jeepster Prototype
Concept drawing of a Safari Jeepster
1940 Camp Holabird Photos from Life Magazine
There are some new Bantam and MB testing photos at Life Magazine. There are some great closeups of the Bantam. Note the first pic — I believe that is the first ‘jeep’ ever stuck in the mud; it surely wasn’t the last! All six of these photos were taken by David E. Scherman in 1940.
Two ‘new’ DJ-3A Surrey Images
Bruce forwarded me links to two images of Surreys he has posted.
The first one is from the Virgin Islands in 1958 and shows a DJ-3A in the center of the picture and a DJ-3A Surrey at the lower left. The second image shows 5 or more Surreys sitting at rental lot Hawaii, the surrey in center front
is a 1963 with 13″ tires and babymoon hubcaps.
Old Rail Cars (and a couple Jeeps)
Paul forwarded a link to me regarding ‘justacarguy’s’ website. Specifically, Paul pointed out a page of old rail cars — literally automobiles on wheels. There were a couple pics of jeeps and many more of cool old cars. Check out all the pics here.
Believe it or not, this is home made … Colfax, Wi **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $800
It’s $800 and runs .. what do you want?
“Willys jeep four wheel drive with low and high range. Runs good 4 speed tranny any quests”
























