Bill shared this TWO-HOUR video of a 1949 Jeepster rescue. I haven’t had time to review it all, but it looks like in pretty good condition and will make a good restore or drive-as-is project.
Features Research Archives
Kid’s Jeep in Old Photo
Blaine shared this photo that includes this toy jeep. It was included in a thread on pedal cars, but I can’t tell if this is pedal or foot driven. There is no date on the photo.
https://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/featured-imagery/vintage-pedal-cars-your-posts-are-wanted!/
Transport Motor Company
UPDATE: I’ve added information to the bottom of the post which discusses the shift of employees from the Transport Motor Company to the Kurland Motor Company in late 1948.
Unfortunately, I don’t have time to export this topic further, but Barry Thomas is doing research into California’s Transport Motor Company, which was the earliest supplier of Willys farm equipment in California. If anyone has more info about the company, Barry of would like to know about it. Comment below or email me at d@deilers.com and I’ll connect you.
Transport Motor was already a strong Willys reseller by the time WWII started, so they were were well positioned for post-war sales and service. This ad was published in the October 19, 1941, issue of the Oakland Tribune as part of a larger article:
After the war, the company pushed Willys Jeeps and the associated farm equipment, though it is unclear which specific models/manufacturers of the equipment was being sold, as evidenced by this October 27, 1946, classified ad in the Oakland Tribune:
This article from the March 28, 1947, issue of the Ventura County Star claims that Transport was the first company to make farm equipment especially for the jeep (I would need to see more evidence to believe that):
For unknown reasons, in late 1948 many key personnel from the Transport company left Transport for a new Willys dealer, Kurland Motors. Whether Transport survived this event is unclear (perhaps the Transport company was already defunct by this time).
Bantam Jeep Festival June 10-12, 2022
This year’s Bantam Jeep Festival will be taking place June 10-12th.
Jeep Customized with Bandsaw
These Facebook photos from Alfano Mucci of Italy show a customized jeep with a bandsaw. The work was done by his father. Pretty cool!
Body Bars
Now that I’ve seen two of these repurposed bodies on Facebook, does that mean this is a trend?
Looks like some kind of replacement body:
Another Sedan-topped Jeep
Roger shared this photo from Facebook showing another example of a sedan hardtop on a jeep (link includes other car-like modes, too). I’ve been amazed at how many different times this was tried (see other examples here).
More About The Barrel Cars
A few days ago I posted a video about the oil barrel cars in Thailand. Here’s some more info about them thanks to Bill.
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Video Oil Drum Cars Out of Thailand
UPDATE: More info here.
Bill shared this video about little cars/go-karts made from oil drums. Nothing jeepy here, but they certainly are creative. I want to test drive one, but not in Thai traffic!!!
Collecting Jeeps in the Dominican Republic
Antonio reached out to me from the Dominican Republic the other day. He told me he collects jeeps and was working on restoring an M-38. He needs the following parts: A windshield, the hood and the radiator front grill. Can be used but in good condition to restore. (If you think you can help him out with the parts he needs, email me at d@deilers.com and I’ll share his email.)
I wrote back and asked if he could send some pics. He generously shared the following pics and a short history of how he got hooked by the Willys Sickness.
“My first vehicle was a Willys cj3 b that I bought in 1989, after several years using to work on it, I sold it. Several years later, in 2002,
I acquired another cj-3b which was very poorly rebuilt and I decided to convert it to military originality, (M-606 Sand desert in the photo), then I acquired an M-38-a1 and rebuilt too.
From, that moment I have not been able to stop. Now, I have several military Jeeps which I have rescued and rebuilt as best as possible.
I also have other willys from Japan and another from Spain, Ebro brand.
In the future I intend to create the first jeep museum in the DR. It would be located in my hometown, Constanza, a military city located in the center of our island, which is the coldest and highest city in the country.”
Here’s a good pic of his collection:
This show one of Antonio’s sons jeeping with a 3B in the mountains of the Dominican Republic.

















