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Sailing Sahara’s Sands by J. Mortimer Sheppard

August 7, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Old News Articles • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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When loose deep sand was encountered, the ‘Jeep’ had to pull both the yacht and the sedan. [ed note … this caption was included in the original article]

This article by J. Mortimer Sheppard appeared in a 1956 issue of the Globetrotter magazine. An author of multiple books, Shepard spent three years traveling around the globe on behalf of Willys as a correspondent in the mid 1950s. On one occasion, described herein, he pulled a land yacht behind a jeep to the Sahara desert so he could sail across parts of Africa, accompanied by his wife and children.

Shepard went on to write an article for Wide World Magazine titled First to Sail the Sahara. An 1800 mile journey with his wife and family in a sand yacht over the Desert in 1956 (it’s also been republished as a book, but this may be a modern item). The second, Sahara Adventure, is an actual book and probably a more complete account of the trip. I’ve just bought it, so I’ll report on it once I read it.

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In many places the ‘Jeep’ was the center of attraction.

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A typical camp scene—time for oiling the rifle and catching up on correspondence.

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1961 Wagon Broomfield, CO **SOLD**

August 6, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Willys Wagons This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3000.

“Runs, Rebuilt master cylinder. Winch works. Additional parts included. Fair to good tires.”

(From the previous ad) “Caterpillar yellow covers this real life piece of 60’s history. Formerly driven by the Director of Field Training for the National School of Heavy Equipment, Charlotte, North Carolina. The school was founded by Gilbert S. Shaw in 1955 and operated until 1976. Apparently it was the first school of it’s kind in the world! It was painted for the school, then sold, had a 1970’s “restoration” and then sat for another 30 years. The 70’s restoration included a dash modification & a coat of ugly, drab tan. Our “restoration” process included many steps of hand sanding and polishing the entire vehicle to expose the school’s door sign and yellow paint job. Plus of course, clean up, repair, and history research..”

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1945 Photo of Soldiers Driving Jeeps in the Bronx on eBay

August 5, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Quite the crowd!

“This is an original press photo. Driven by discharged veterans who drove jeeps overseas a caravan of jeeps makes its way through midtown traffic to the Bronx. All this to celebrate first over the counter sale of vehicles at Hearns Bronx Store. The department store announced the jeep would sell for $1195.59 delivered in New York City.Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 10-08-1945.”

View all the information on eBay

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2016 SW Ohio Jeep FC Gathering

August 3, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Event, FC150-FC170-M677, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: Some additional photos of the event, including the t-shirts, have been added.

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Author Jim Allen dropped by the event as did Craig Brockhaus with his new FC Van named Marilyn (it came with the name). Roger Martin is standing to the left.

This past weekend was the 2016 SW Ohio Jeep FC Gathering at Roger Martin’s place. Unfortunately, the threat of rain keep some folks away. Given the rain that fell in Maryland over the weekend, there was good reason for concern. However, the rain pretty much skipped over Roger’s place. Roger has some t-shirts left over that are for sale. You can see them at the end of this post. Call Roger at 937-477-5270 for more info.

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One of the stars of the show was Craig Brockhaus’s newly acquired FC from Sweden named “Marilyn”. It has only been in the US for 16 days, so very few folks have had a chance to inspect it. “Marilyn” started right up and purred like a kitten. It was part of a photo shoot/video on the property.

Jim Allen, writer/author, enjoyed his inspection of the van. He was asking questions and taking pictures.

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Jim Allen taking more photos.

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Craig driving Marilyn around.

Bill Robinette (and son, Ed) brought his Jeepster. Bill is the original owner. He bought it new in 1950. The story goes, ” Ed had a 1948 CJ 2a, which was their only transportation. One day it was raining and his wife said her feet were getting wet so they went to the Jeep dealer, Marshall Brothers, in Alpha, Ohio to get an new rubber seal. Instead, they got a new rubber seal with everything that goes around it. Ed drove it to school and wanted to put a big engine in it, but his dad wouldn’t let him. It is still original.”

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Greg Houk brought an FC170 with a Auburn trencher and blade on the front, along with an FC-150 with a Shriner’s jeep on the back.

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Greg Houk’s FC with trencher and blade

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Greg Houk and Craig Brockhaus in front of Greg’s FC150 with his Shriner’s jeep on the back.

Richard Kimball brought his FC Firetruck on Friday. Roger’s 9 FC’s were scattered about. He has 8 FC170’s (5 are DRW), and 1 FC150.

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