Roger Martin spotted this Jeepney ad on Facebook.
Franscico Motors Jeepney Ad
August 18, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Features Research Archives
Empi Dune Buggy
UPDATE: David Crawford reports that his father built 36 different Empi’s that ended up all over the western US. In the comments below, he wrote,
“My dad, Bill Crawford, of Tuolumne, CA, “sparkplugged” the build, on those 2’VW based cars. He bought a set of plans for the EMPI Sportster, and made a whole bunch of mods. He planned to build one article, and 20 years later, there were @ 36 of them built, and running around.
Three of them went to South Dakota. A friend in the Phoenix area, over the years, took 3 of the cars from Norcal, and sold them in the Phoenix area.
Most of the cars were built in his home shop, and about 10 of the cars were assembled by students in a high school auto shop survey class that he taught. There are still several of them floating around Norcal.
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Original Post June 2012:
The Empi Dune Buggy was an early metal kit for VWs. There were several styles. According to tunacan.net, “The EMPI Sportster was a sheet metal buggy built on a modified VW Beetle floorpan. It was available in a two passenger model or a four passenger model. All Sportsters featured a “Deluxe Folding Windshield” and were constructed of 20-, 18-, and 12- guage steel.”
Jim, who pics are shown below, wrote:
“We got the Empi running and driving the night before the Durango car show. I washed, scrubbed and entered this quality piece of early 1960s dune buggy Americana and am shocked that I didn’t win a trophy! Crazy huh? All sarcasm aside, little kids loved it, old men remembered it from “back in the day”, rat rod guys thought it cool, I was really surprised at how much attention and photos it created. Still though, no trophy? People just don’t appreciate a good old fashioned, fugly, all metal dune buggy these days, sigh…”
Jim notes that he strategically positioned himself near the only flat fenders at the show. You can see some of his older flatties here.
Nelson’s Empi Dune Buggy
Day 15 Aug 16: The Sun Has Set On Newfoundland 2019
August 17, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Event, Features • TAGS: Newfoundland 2019. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
<– Day 14 Aug 15: Beach Bums | The Sun Has Set on Newfoundland 2019
Early Friday morning, the Newfoundland 2019 crew disbanded. I believe Joe left first; he’s headed back to Maryland to reunite with Emily and their son. The Ogles and Ingrums departed soon after Joe; they are headed back to the Paris of Illinois. Jim, Kevin and Bill left a little later.
Exiting the island didn’t quite go smoothly for Jim and Kevin, as they succumbed to a clogged fuel filter. But, forty-five minutes later, they were back on the road.
I’d guess everyone is still a couple days from arriving at home. If there are any additional reports, I’ll share them. Otherwise, Newfoundland 2019 is a wrap.
Thanks to everyone who met up with the Newfoundland crew, provided local advice, and followed along the journey. I know the crew really enjoyed meeting you all and, as Cowboy said in one of his Facebook comments, it renews faith in people as you meet folks from all walks of life. From my perspective, being able to meet people on our trips always makes traveling so much more satisfying.
Finally, many thanks to Bill for spearheading this trip. I wish more of his fellow Alaska Or Rusters could have joined, but if not in body and jeep, we were there in spirit, following along with each photo you sent and each tale you spun. I believe we all agree that there will be another grand journey together at some point and we have a couple ideas percolating.
Friday morning as Joe pull’s into the US border.
<– Day 14 Aug 15: Beach Bums | The Sun Has Set on Newfoundland 2019
Customized MB/GPW(?) in Rock Island, IL, Photo
August 17, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
This photo appeared on Facebook. It was taken south of downtown Chicago. The flattie has been updated quite a bit. Given the rear hubs and the general mods (like the front fenders), I’d say the is likely an MB or GPW. The front of this has a plow.
1959 Product Merchandising Manual **SOLD**
August 17, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Ed’s auctioning off this Product Merchandising Manual from 1959. Looks like it’s full of information. He’s also got other Willys-Overland related items.
March 1950 Willys Overland Sales Builder on eBay
August 17, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Features, Magazine • TAGS: Jeep-Willys-News. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
Ed’s got this rare Salesbuilder for sale on eBay. He’s also got other Willys-Overland related items.
View all the information on eBay
Day 14 Aug 15: Beach Bums
August 16, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Event, Features • TAGS: Newfoundland 2019. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
- <– Day 13 Aug 14: Let The Sun Shine | The NF Trip 2019 –>
The crew spent the day driving and walking beaches; yep, they were pretty much beach bums. Good for them! Bill’s uncle is hosting them on his property on Prince Edward Island.
Below, Joe and Scott are enjoying the beaches:
Photo of Wagon Pulling Kids on Carts
August 16, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
Roger Martin spotted this unusual photo of a Jeepster carrying a bunch of kids and pulling a line of kids on make-shift carts.
The photo was original shown here: https://www.facebook.com/NeatOldStuffAndYesteryear/photos/a.154878248051991/1064411563765317/
Day 13 Aug 14: Let The Sun Shine
August 15, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Event, Features • TAGS: Newfoundland 2019. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
<– Day 12 Aug 13: Alternator Blues | Day 14 Aug 15: Beach Bums –>
Joe’s relaxing on a beautiful Price Edward Island evening!
The crew started Wednesday morning in Nova Scotia. Their plan was to head for Prince Edward Island via the ferry. Then, they found a place to camp at High Bank, PEI.
The day began with a beautiful morning. Below, you can see Joe’s CJ-3B hiding behind a tree as the sun breaks over it.
The crystal blue sky frames this photo of Scott and Kathy nicely:
However, some of the crew had gotten a little bit too much sun, which led to a .. well … I’m just not sure what is going on here … bonding? Greco-Roman wrestling?
1942 Photo of Army Testing Jeep on a Raft on eBay
August 15, 2019 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
Interesting photo.
View all the information on eBay
“1942 Press Photo La, Calif. An Army jeep on a raft during exhibition. Photo measures 9 x 7 inches. Photo is dated 7-3-1942.”
