Willys Motors featured this Jeep Frolics film at the 1959 Chicago Autoshow, as explained in the February 1959 Jeep News. It features color clips from the Jeepers Jamboree out of Georgetown, California, ‘Jeep’ Roadeo racing from Yakima, Washington, and the ‘Jeep’ Endurance run staged at Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. According to the Jeep News issue, the film was a popular attraction at the auto show.
Features Research Archives
Jeeps in the Detroit Salt Mines
UPDATE: More on the Detroit Salt Mines from this February 1959 issue of Jeep News.
I saw a reference to jeeps in Detroit’s salt mines on Facebook. After a some research, I found a few more images. The salt is used exclusively as road de-icer.
- You can read more about the salt mines here: http://blogs.detroitnews.com/history/2000/01/22/the-ghostly-salt-city-beneath-detroit/ and here https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/2017/07/detroit_salt_mines_inside_mich.html
- You can see large images of the mine here.
August/September 1958 Jeep News
UPDATE: A version of this issue was previously run in Oct 2020. I’ve improved the pics and added a little more detail to the introduction.
Here’s another six-page issue of Jeep News for the months August and September, which is followed in the post below by a special four-page “MAVERICK” Extra edition for the month of September.
Page one includes a short article about the US Post Office purchasing ninety FC-170s, all with power tailgates, which could mean that if you find an FC-170 with a power tailgate, it might have been a USPS jeep. Of the ninety, sixty-two had snow plows. All were stake bodies and painted red, white and blue.
Page two is all dealer-related info. Page three is mostly devoted to the Mile High ‘Jeep’ Club’s second annual ‘Jeep’ Endurance Run at FairPlay, Colorado.
Page four shows off a pretty neat truck, set up for fishing and camping. Also on page four, under “1943 Military ‘Jeep’ Vehicle Stars in Big Portland Rose Parade”, the article shares a little about the jeep and the parade. However, the jeep that’s pictured is actually an M-38. I can only suspect that the wrong photo was added to the article?
Page five has a misplaced headline for the Jeepers Jamboree (story on page six), when the story is actually about Meyer snow plows and other equipment (headline on page six). Page six is devoted to the Jeepers Jamboree.
September 1958 Jeep News Maverick Extra
1962 Press Photo of CJ-3B Fruit Fly Sprayer on eBay
This June 16, 1962, photo shows Dick Burke setting up a fruit fly sprayer on a CJ-3B.
Hub Dust Covers for Wagons? on eBay
Anyone familiar with these dust covers? I’m not familiar with any company using that name and font.
View all the information on ebay
“Offered here are two Reproduction 1950’s Willys Jeep Wagon Wheel Hub Dust Covers. Marked Western on both that I presume to show they were sold by the old and now long gone Western Auto stores. Measure 4.50″ tall x 4 3/8″ diameter at the bottom flange. Acquired with other 1950’s era Willys Jeep Wagon parts from the collection of a long time Ouray Colorado”
Colonial Camping Jeep Knife on eBay
I can’t recall seeing this AMC Jeep-branded camp knife.
“Offering this Colonial Camping knife with Jeep Logo;
Haven’t found any information or likeness in my searches, . . .
Possible a gift for Jeep purchase (??);
Condition is ‘Like New’ in (unmarked box).
Pictures tell it all.”
B’laster Loosen Up Lager Beer?
I thought this was an unusual brand decision. B’laster has joined forces with brewer Collision Bend to create a limited supply of ‘Loosen Up Lager’.
“B’laster ? Collision Bend Brewing Company
The Cleveland collaboration you never knew you needed is here! We got together with our friends at Collision Bend to help you Loosen Up! Hitting stores this week, Loosen Up Lager is an amber lager brewed with German Saaz and Tradition hops that is sure to help you Loosen Up.
#pbblaster #blasterfreakinworks
Note this is a limited edition BEER. The PB B’laster Penetrating Catalyst in your garage is not. As stated on the front of the actual chemical product best for busting nuts, it is harmful or fatal if swallowed. If you’re thirsty, head to Cleveland for a cold brew!”
May 1958 Jeep News
The May 1958 issue of Jeep News was only four pages, but the marketing managed to pack in some interesting tidbits. On page one the company discussed the new 3/4 mechanical mule-like prototype. Included is a pic of a model; I wonder what happend to the model? Also on page one, in the lower right of the page is a story about Hugh Smith purposefully driving a jeep through a garage wall to save his brother from a burning garage.
Page two features several FCs, but the one that looks the most interesting (to me) is the unit with the “Samp-O-Rama” traveling meat counter built for Armour and Company in Atlanta.
Page three has a few DJ-3As. Page four features a story about Mr. S. W. Christie, whose contracting company owned 24 jeeps. Despite all the jeeps he owned, he decided to build his young boys a toy jeep of their own.
July 1958 Jeep News
Because the May 1958 issue was so short, I figured it made sense to include the July 1958 Jeep News issue, which is also short at only six pages. I guess some folks at Willys Motors took some time off during the summer of 1958?
Page one explains some of the improvements made to the new line of Forward Control Jeeps. Page three includes multiple photos of the rare Leveloader FC. Page five shows a couple FCs that were customized to meet particular needs. Page six covers the Jeep Roadeo races in Yakima.



























