They aren’t jeeps, but these rigs surf the Silver Lake sand dunes with passengers, and have been doing so since 1930. I’ve included some post cards of older dune tour vehicles below. To see all pics, or to schedule your next dune ride, check out Mac Wood’s Dune Rides here.
Features Research Archives
Ford Authority’s Ford Jeep ‘History’
This article takes some liberties with jeep history.
http://fordauthority.com/2019/01/its-time-to-buy-a-no-reserve-1942-ford-jeep/#comment-375328
1943 American Car Company Ad
This May 23, 1943, American Car Company Ad was published in the Evening Star, out of Washington, D. C.. Given Bantam lost the production contract in 1941, it seems an unusual ad, especially many folks probably hadn’t heard of nor seen a Bantam vehicle.
1950s Postcard of Salty Johns, Junior and Their Jeep on eBay
UPDATE: Here’s another postcard of Salty Johns on eBay.
This postcard shows Salty Johns, his dog Junior, and his “Flashy” jeep. Salty’s real name was Vernon Johns. He worked as the Audubon Society Wildlife Warden for Lydia Ann Island. He also brought some color to the Port Aransas, Texas, beaches. That sure is an unusual bumper setup.
1945 “Jeep is Here” Announcement
This October 3, 1945, ad from Willys-Overland was published in the Evening Star, based in Washington, D.C.. The ad announces the appointment of Willys of Washington as an area distributer.
Jeep Motor Powered Weed Cutter
A Popular Science March 1954 photo and caption highlighted the use of a jeep engine as the driver of a centrifugal pump that creates a water jet capable of powering an aquatic mower.
1959 IKA Wagon Brochure on eBay
The price has been dropped to $11.25 (plus $4.95 shipping) for this 4-page brochure.
View all the information on eBay
“1959 Willys Jeep Estanciera Sales Brochure & Specifications In Spanish Text.
The inside pages have several illustrations of the Jeep doing various jobs.
The back page has a list of specifications.
Pages: 4
Details: W 8.5 x H 11 x D 0.1”
A Kaiser-Jeep Bolide XJ-002 Video
I stumbled onto the below video of the Bolide XJ-002 after doing some searches based on the post related to the XJ-001. The video is part of a larger All-Par article (see more photos here).
Now I’m wondering if the Parmely body was based originally on this XJ-002 body design. The Parmley looks like it’s a little more practical, convertible version of the XJ-002.
Unlike the XJ-002, which was designed on a Jeepster Commando chassis, the XJ-001 was atop a CJ-5 chassis. The Parmely was also designed to fit a CJ-5 chassis, so its lines couldn’t be as long nor sleek as the XJ-002.
The video isn’t the most compelling piece of work, but it manages to record some unusual history. As of 2010, this vehicle was reportedly undergoing restoration.
1971 Photo of the XJ 001 Jeep on eBay
This is a press photo of the XJ 001. If you don’t remember, this prototype jeep was built on the CJ-5 chassis and power by the 360CI AMC V-8. Essentially, it was a 4WD muscle car. You can read about the vehicle on Hemmings. Unfortunately, the prototype was destroyed in an accident as it was being transported. The article also indicates some folks called the 1998 Jeepster prototype the ACT II of the XJ-001.
View all the information on eBay
Here’s a photo from the internet that shows the front:
1950? Parts Department Brochure on eBay
This is an odd brochure. It’s titled, “Let’s Keep Them Running”. The front page has some of the poorer illustrated trucks and wagons. All the vehicles look a little off in terms of size and styling.
View all the information on eBay
“Original salesman’s part color catalog , 8.5 x 11 , 12 pages , 3 file holes at edge , shows and describes the parts dept. and including merchandising information with photos .”