Features Research Archives

To Top

November 1953 Willys Motors Ad on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This understated 1953 post-Kaiser-purchase ad was published in the November issue of The American City Magazine.

View all the information on ebay

“953 WILLYS MOTORS UTILITY VEHICLES SALES ART AD
AUTHENTIC MAGAZINE ADVERTISING.
OVERALL PRINT AREA IS 7 X 10 INCHES.
IN GOOD CONDITION.”

1953-11-the-american-city-willys-motors-jeep-ad

 
To Top

Early 1960s Anglo-African Trans-World Safari

• CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

1963-03-four-wheeler-mag-derek-linton-fc-lores

The March 1963 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine included an article by Brian L. Pinn about the Anglo-African Trans-World Safari, the pics and text of which can be found at The FC Connection.

It turns out there’s a bit more information out there, though not as much as I’d hoped to find, especially given that the group of travelers that made up the trip had access to cameras and film and also given that in January 1963 American Television script-writer John Hicken was supposed to join the group to film the around-the-world adventure.

Without that storehouse of info, or a book, or a movie, we only have the following scraps to better understand the adventure.

South African Derek Linton came up with the idea to travel the world in 1958. At some point, in order to gather equipment, Derek travelled to the United States in 1959. He was photographed at a Ham Radio station in Burlington, Kentucky, a visit later reported in the January issue of Short Wave Magazine:

This map shows the proposed route:

1959-derek-linton-safari-map-burlington-ky

On September 19, 1961, a photo of Derek Linton and Gerald Cubitt (unsure who he is) was taken by Henry Bush. It’s part of the Henry Bush collection at Shutter Stock:

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Henry Bush/ANL/Shutterstock (5693954a) Anglo-african 1st Expedition Adventurers Derek Linton (left) And Gerald Cubitt. Box 634 413101543 A.jpg. Anglo-african 1st Expedition Adventurers Derek Linton (left) And Gerald Cubitt. Box 634 413101543 A.jpg.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Henry Bush/ANL/Shutterstock (5693954a)
Anglo-african 1st Expedition Adventurers Derek Linton (left) And Gerald Cubitt. Box 634 413101543 A.jpg.

In the July 27, 1962, issue of the Warren County Observer, a syndicated article appeared by John P. Callahan that shared the news of how the idea for the trip originated and the progress the travelers had made:

1962-07-27-warren-county-observer-derek-linton-safari-lores

Finally, on January 05, 1963, the Evening Standard (London, England) reported that John Hicken was going to join the crew:

1963-01-05-evening-standard-london-derek-linton-trip

In March 1963, the Four Wheeler article appeared.

There is also a mention in a 1963 issue of Business Week about the travelers, but I’ve been unable to determine which issue.

After that, I have been unable to learn more about the journey.

 

1959-1960-derek-linton2

 
To Top

Jeep Sign Prices

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Ann and I have been taking about transforming the two rooms in the shop (one which would have been my office and the other the wood shop) into a large single room that would contain all my jeep stuff, plus an area for a pool table. Essentially, it would be more of an entertaining space where I could host visitors who might drop by for a visit.

With that in mind, I was looking around at some potential jeep-related signage, a couple things that would be focal pieces. I know prices are hefty on signage, but I wasn’t prepared for the price I found on this 94 1/2″ by 46 1/2″ late 1950s sign. It sold in February of 2020 for $20,000 (before shipping and buyers fees)!!

https://www.icollector.com/RARE-JEEP-4-WHEEL-DRIVE-VEHICLES-DEALER-SIGN_i35651345

jeep-sign

I guess it’s posters and banners for me! lol.

 
To Top

A Creative Hardtop Made During WWII

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

David M. Barlow posted this photo of a jeep top his father made while serving in the Pacific on the island of Peleliu during WWII. Now we know where George Barris got the idea for the Model “T” Buggy top, lol.

George Barris’ Model “T” Buggy:

barris-model-t-buggy

 
To Top

1948 Truck Zimmerman, MN $3300

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This could be a good find.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/146699050787096

1948-truck-zimmerman-mn2 1948-truck-zimmerman-mn3 1948-truck-zimmerman-mn4

“1948 Willys pickup with an f-head 4 cylinder engine. Not a Jeep, but Willys is not an option. I have too many vehicles and need to clear some things out. I bought the truck last winter and have only driven it around the yard. It’s cooling truck in pretty good shape for its year. It was originally a flatbed model. I have the factory flatbed but it needs new wood and some metal work. The current bed is pretty good though. The truck is not mint/concourse condition. I bought some new mud tires, wiring harness, and all new glass for it but they are not installed. I also have an alternator, 12v coil, and 6v converter so it can be run on 12v if you want.”

 
To Top

Creeper’s Jeep by Hardie Gramatky on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Artists/Drawings, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: I found this article that highlights the inspiration behind the book Creeper’s Jeep. It was published in the Bridgeport Post on August 22, 1948:

1948-08-22-bridgeport-post-creepers-jeep-lores

The book is still available on eBay, but they aren’t cheap: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=%22creeper%27s+jeep%22&_sacat=0

======================

Originally published May 18, 2016: This book was listed on eBay.

“This listing is for a vintage book entitled “Creeper’s Jeep” by Hardie Gramatky. It is a cute story about a guy who owns this jeep that wants to share it with his family. They do not take to the idea at first but after a few incidents decide to give it a try. Great illustrations: see pictures. Former library copy with some of the usual markings.”

creepers-jeep-book-hardi-gramatky1 creepers-jeep-book-hardi-gramatky2 creepers-jeep-book-hardi-gramatky3

Continue reading

 
To Top

Newest Toy: Sahara Recherches Petroliferes

• CATEGORIES: Features, toys This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: After Joe’s comment I examined what I believe was the dash. It was then I noticed that inside the “engine bay” was printed “Hotul”. Here’s the best pic I could get of that. My assumption is that at least part of this jeep was made from recycled material.

sahara-jeep-7

This well-loved toy jeep popped up on eBay. The lettering refers to a French/African oil refining company? I thought it was unique enough that I put a low bid in and one it. Anyone know more about this toy? It’s about 4″ long, so it’s not a large toy.

sahara-jeep-1 sahara-jeep-2 sahara-jeep-3 sahara-jeep-4

Continue reading

 
To Top

Dave’s Unknown Seats … FJ-40 Seats

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Thanks to folks smarter than me, I believe these are FJ-40 seats, though the hand rails may have been added.

The guy who sold them to Dave claimed they came from off the wheel house of an M-38A1 (also known as the wheel well), but when Dave tried them on his M-38A1, they didn’t fit.

unknown-seats1-lores

unknown-seats2-lores

Here’s how well the fit (or didn’t fit) on the M-38A1:

unknown-seats4-lores

unknown-seats3-lores

 
To Top

The Meyer’s 1949 Jeep Trip From Panama

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old News Articles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

In 1949, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Meyer drove in a CJ-2A from the Panama Canal to Decatur, Illinois. The article below provide the only records I could find related to their trip. This first article summarizes the adventure and shows a great photo of “DOPEY”. It was published in the Decatur Review, June 16, 1949:

1949-06-16-decatur-daily-review-william-jeep-trip-from-panama-lores

This second article is a pictorial of the trip that was published June 18, 1949, in Bloomington, Illinois’ “The Pantagraph”:

1949-06-18-the-pantagraph-bloomington-il-william-jeep-trip-panama-lores

This is a different summary of the trip, but contains no photos. It was published in the Daily Advertiser (Lafayette, Louisiana) on May 13, 1949:

1949-05-13-daily-advertiser-lafayette-la-williams-jeep-trip-panama2-lores
1949-05-13-daily-advertiser-lafayette-la-williams-jeep-trip-panama

This last article was published June 17, 1949, in the Herald and Review out of Decatur, Illinois:

Continue reading

 
To Top

Article on the British “X Troop”

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Mark spotted this interesting article on a secret group of fighters, all with Jewish backgrounds, that undertook some bold missions. The article included a photo of a jeep that has a roll-bar-like contraption, though maybe it was used to carry stretchers or supplies?

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/30/opinions/memorial-day-x-troop-wwii-fighting-anti-semitism-garrett/index.html

2021-05-31-cnn-jeep-garrett-opinion-1-exlarge-169